Choosing the right putter can dramatically improve your performance on the greens. One of golf's most debated choices is between the blade putter and the mallet putter. Both offer distinct advantages depending on your putting stroke, skill level, and personal preferences.
Whether you're focused on precision and feedback or seeking forgiveness and stability, this guide explains the key differences clearly—so you can confidently pick the putter that matches your game.
Key differences: mallet vs. blade putters
Choosing the right putter directly impacts your consistency and confidence when putting. Mallet putters and blade putters offer distinct advantages depending on your stroke type, skill level, and personal preference. Here are some of the key differences between these two options, and some tips for how to choose the right putter for your game.
Design and construction
Mallet putters have a large, bulky head like a mallet, often with additional mass behind the face. Some designs incorporate intricate geometries with wings or multi-material construction for optimized weight distribution. Mallet putters are usually made from a composite of materials, incorporating lightweight metals (aluminum, titanium) and heavier tungsten weights to optimize weight distribution for greater forgiveness.
Blade putters are named for their thin, bladelike design. The weight is primarily concentrated in the heel and toe, making it a simpler, classic design that has been in use for decades. Blade putters tend to be milled from a single piece of metal, like stainless steel, carbon steel, or brass, for maximum feedback and feel.
Weight distribution and MOI
With mallet putters, the weight is spread out across a larger surface area, with most of it positioned around the perimeter of the clubhead. This results in a higher moment of inertia, where the putter is more resistant to twisting on bad hits–meaning more stability and forgiveness for you.
The weight of a blade putter is primarily in the heel and toe, which gives the putter a lot more feedback and control, but a lower MOI. This makes blade putters more susceptible to twisting on a bad hit, which is why inexperienced golfers find them challenging.
Stroke compatibility
Mallet putter’s face-balanced design suits a straight-back, straight-through putting stroke, minimizing face rotation and maximizing stability.
Blade putters, however, are ideal for players with an arc-style stroke, where the clubface naturally opens and closes slightly throughout the motion. Many blade putters also have toe hang, which helps match the arcing stroke pattern.
Forgiveness
The higher MOI of mallet putters makes them more forgiving on a bad hit, helping maintain speed and direction even if you don’t strike the center of the face. If you’re still working on your swing, a mallet putter’s your best bet.
Since they’re more technical, blade putters are less forgiving. Blades are usually a better choice for skilled players who can consistently strike the center of the face. Bad hits with a blade putter can lead to more noticeable errors in distance and direction.
Learn more: Golf Club Forgiveness: What It Is and Why It Matters
Alignment aids
Mallet putters are particularly great for beginner golfers because they’re usually equipped with bold alignment lines or sight dots to help you visualize your putts and aim more accurately. If you struggle with alignment, a mallet putter can provide extra guidance.
Blade putters keep alignment aids to a minimum with their designs, often using just a small line or dot on the top of the putter head. These putters are appealing to golfers who rely more on feel and personal judgment to aim.
Feel and feedback
The larger, perimeter-weighted design of mallet putters can sometimes reduce the amount of direct feel you can get from the ball strike. While this is a problem on older models, modern mallets use milled faces or insert technology to improve feel.
Due to its design, construction, and direct weight distribution, a blade putter provides more tactile feedback, helping experienced golfers gauge distance and stroke quality more accurately.
How to choose a putter based on your putting stroke
Understanding your putting stroke helps ensure you're matched with the right putter style. Here's how to determine your stroke type and pick accordingly.
How to determine your stroke type
-
Use a putting mirror or arc trainer: Place a putting mirror or arc trainer on the green and observe how your putter moves naturally.
- If it stays mostly straight, you have a straight stroke.
- If it moves inside-to-square-to-inside, you have an arc stroke.
- Record your stroke: Use a smartphone to record your putting stroke from above and analyze the path of the putter head.
-
Try the "toe hang" test: Balance a putter horizontally on your finger where the shaft meets the putter head.
- If the face points straight up → Face-balanced (for a straight stroke, best suited for a mallet putter)
- If the toe dips downward → Toe-hang (for an arc stroke, best suited for a blade putter)
Straight back, straight through putting stroke
The putter head moves straight back and straight through without an arcing motion, while the putter face remains square to the target line at all times. This stroke relies more on shoulder movement, with minimal wrist action.
The best putter for straight back, straight through strokes is a mallet putter. The face-balanced design helps keep the putter face square, reduces twisting, and provides extra forgiveness.
Arc putting stroke
An arc stroke means the putter moves slightly inwards on the backswing, returns to square at impact, and then moves slightly inwards again on the follow-through. During this motion, the putter face naturally opens on the backswing and closes on the follow-through.
There are two distinct styles of arc stroke.
Slight arc stroke
The putter moves slightly inside on the backswing, returns square at impact, and moves slightly inside on the follow-through. Face rotation is minimal, but some rotation still occurs. A mid-toe-hang putter (which balances slightly downward when rested on a finger) is ideal for this stroke type.
Strong arc stroke
The putter swings in a more pronounced arc, with a greater degree of face rotation. The face naturally opens in the backswing and closes through impact. Requires precise timing and is usually preferred by skilled putters. A toe-hang blade putter is best because it allows for natural rotation.
Learn more: 8 Types of Putter and How to Choose the Right One For Your Game
Which putter should you choose?
Finding the perfect putter is about balancing your skill level, stroke style, and personal feel. The best approach is to test both blade and mallet options, paying attention to comfort, accuracy, and consistency.
At Stix, our putters blend modern performance with accessible style. Whether it's the confidence-inspiring stability of our Compete Mallet or the classic precision of our Blade, each is thoughtfully weighted for a smooth, balanced stroke—ideal for golfers looking to elevate their game without breaking the bank
Find the perfect Stix putter for your game:
- Shop Stix Compete Mallet Putter →
- Shop Stix Compete Tech Mallet Putter →
- Shop Stix Compete Blade Putter →
You might also like:
- How to Read Greens: A Golfer’s Guide to Sinking More Putts
- 14 Ways to Level Up Your Short Game
- Breaking 100: A Beginner’s Guide to Improving Your Golf Score
