When you watch the PGA tour, you might not notice that golfers use different golf club designs since you are viewing these shots from a distance. However, these variances are visible once you walk onto the putting green. You will witness varied shaft and clubface options, as well as players employing different strokes.

One of the most significant areas of concern for professional and amateur golfers is the putter design, style, and shape. In particular, understanding which putter style suits your game is important. There are two major categories: the mallet and the blade putter. The mallet putter is generally larger than the blade putter and is ideal for the straight back/straight through putting stroke. Blade putters are best for arc putting strokes.

This guide looks at which one you should choose between the mallet and blade putter and the benefits of indoor golf simulator technology for testing putters.

The Mallet Putter

The mallet putter has a larger club head than the blade putter. Conventional mallet putters had semi-circle (half-moon) shapes, which made it easier for most golfers to make better contact with the ball. This tradition remains intact, although additional shapes, such as fangs, squares, and spiders, have emerged.

Given the large size of the club head, a mallet putter is best for straight back/straight through putting strokes. There is also more room for error, as you can be guaranteed to make contact with the golf ball even if you miss slightly.

Another important consideration for golfers is whether the size of mallet putters affects the weight of the club. Put simply, it rarely does. Modern putters have different weights. You will actually find that most mallet and blade putters carry similar weights.

Pros and Cons of the Mallet Putter

Here are the advantages:

• There is a bigger room for error.
• You can integrate custom club fittings.
• There are unique designs in the market.
• Best for straight back/straight through putting strokes.
• Best for golfers still mastering distance control.

The disadvantages:

• Golfers might struggle with arc-style strokes when using mallet putters.
• Mallet putters are rarely idyllic for speedy greens.

An ideal example is this Spider GT Red putter from TaylorMade that has a modern wing design and sharp angular features.

The Blade Putter

Blade putters are perfect for arc-style strokes and are used by 35% of professional golfers due to the relatively better feel and control compared to mallet putters.

When placing an arc stroke, the putter’s face opens and closes as it comes closer to the ball.

The straight blade-like design of the clubface has been around for many centuries. Golfers view blades as better designs than mallets since they create a lighter feel and allow a deeper focus on the golf ball.

Another point to note is that blade putters have lower centers of gravity than mallet putters, which allows better handling and lowers wind resistance.

Pros and Cons of the Blade Putter

The advantages:

• Better for the speedy greens than the mallet putter.
• Ideal for arc-style strokes.
• Better center of gravity and control.
• Best for precision performance.
• Steady impact on the ball.

The disadvantages:

• There is less room for error.
• Lining up and correcting can become challenging.

An example of a blade putter is Callaway’s White Hot OG #1 Putter, which is best suited for arc style and face rotation strokes.

Hybrid Models

The following hybrid putter models are also available in the market:

Mid-Mallet Putters

Mid-mallet putters provide a combination of blade-like and mallet experiences for golfers.

The advantages:

• They are confidence boosters since they have square clubfaces.
• Provide a smooth stroke, which is ideal for small putts.
• Provide room for error.

The disadvantage:

• General lack of putter fitting customizability.

The White Hot OG Rossie Putter by Callaway is a perfect example of a mid-mallet putter.

 

Peripheral-Weighted Putters

These also go by heel-toe weighted putters and are primarily upgrades on blade putters. The fundamental difference is that they are thinner and longer than traditional blade putters. Heel-toe weighted putters are also weightier and are more forgiving.

The advantage:

• They are more forgiving than blade putters.

The disadvantage:

• The additional weight can affect performance for golfers who aren’t used to their designs.

What Type of Golfer Should Use Each Style?

Mallet putters are ideal for the straight back/straight through putting stroke, while blade putters are best for golfers going for arc putting strokes.

If you also have problems with alignment, the mallet putter is for you. Mallet models have much longer alignment lines than blade putters.

Which Types of Putters Do PGA Players Use?

If you are a golf fan, you might want to know which putters some of the best pros use. Well, most PGA tour golfers go for mallet putters.

As we had earlier stated, 35% of golfers use blade putters. The other 65% go for mallet putters.

Some of the most commonly used models are from the TaylorMade and Callaway brands.

For example, Jon Rahm uses The White Hot OG Rossie S, which is a toe-hang mallet. Rory McIlroy and Harry Higgs trust the TaylorMade Spider X. Golfers who prefer blade putters include Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, and Hideki Matsuyama.

The Benefits of Golf Simulator Technology When Testing Putters

At X-Golf Fort Collins, we have the best indoor golf simulator technology to test your mallet or blade putter. We understand that there can be no substitute for the actual golf course—real golf practice has an overall different feel since you get to compete on an open course.

However, we can help you enhance your gameplay so you can actually be good when you go out there. Our top-of-the-range indoor golf simulators can be compared to an actual golf course due to their high precision, unparalleled accuracy, and realistic gameplay.

We integrate different infrared lasers, camera systems, impact sensors, and gaming software to offer our players lifelike experiences.

You can also play in a league, competition, or virtual reality game. Our facilities also offer food, beverages, golf lessons, gaming memberships, and indoor golf simulation games during social events.

Come find your perfect swing with us and be on your way to becoming a pro.

We also acknowledge that you might be doing it for fun or out of curiosity. Whatever your needs, we will help you perfect that straight back/straight through putting or arc putting stroke.

Reach Out to X-Golf Denver: The Home of Indoor Golf

You can contact X-Golf Denver today on our website or call us at (970) 614-5750.