Putter mallet vs blade: Pros, cons, and which stroke each suits

The choice between a mallet vs blade putter is one of the most important—yet often overlooked—decisions a golfer can make.Discover the best golf tips and techniques at Golfriend's. Improve your swing, optimise your short game and lower your handicap with our guide for golf enthusiasts.

It’s not that it’s difficult to understand, but rather that most players choose their putter based on aesthetics instead of how it complements their stroke type. There is one fact that changes everything: the type of arc in your putting swing should be the starting point of your choice, not an afterthought. Read on to discover exactly why.

What sets a blade apart from a mallet?

Before diving into the pros and cons, it is important to establish exactly what we are looking at.

The blade putter: Classic and precise

The blade is the most traditional putter shape. It features a long, thin, and compact head, with the weight concentrated mainly along the centre line. This design has been used for decades by the world’s best: the Scotty Cameron Newport 2—one of the most iconic blade putters in golf history—has been in the bags of elite players during the Tour’s most memorable moments.

Its simple structure offers very direct feedback at impact: you feel exactly where you struck the ball and with what force. This is an advantage for players with a well-practised putting stroke, but it can be a drawback for those still finding their technique.

The mallet putter: Modern and forgiving

The mallet has a larger head with more depth towards the back of the face. This geometry allows for extreme weight distribution—towards the heel, toe, and rear—which significantly raises the Moment of Inertia (MOI). In practical terms, this means off-centre hits maintain better direction and speed, penalising errors less.

Modern mallets also incorporate more elaborate alignment lines on the top of the head, making aiming easier before the stroke. Models like the Scotty Cameron Phantom, with its revolutionary low-torque design, or the Odyssey AI-ONE putters, represent the most advanced evolution in this category.

Pros and Cons of the Blade

Pros and Cons of the Mallet

The stroke type: The deciding factor

The key factor: The choice between a mallet and blade should not be based on aesthetics or imitation. The foundation of your decision must be the analysis of your stroke; understanding your own swing is what will truly determine which of these two designs will improve your results on the green.

Arc Stroke → blade or mid-mallet

If your stroke describes a natural arc, a blade with free toe flow will complement your movement without resistance. Neck designs such as the plumbing neck or small slant (typical in the Scotty Cameron Special Select range) are specifically engineered to facilitate this fluid rotation during the swing.

Straight Stroke → face-balanced mallet

If your stroke is mechanical and linear, a face-balanced mallet is your ideal ally. By keeping the face square to the path at all times, it facilitates a stroke without rotation. Models such as the TaylorMade Spider or the Scotty Cameron Phantom range are the leading benchmarks in this category.

How to Choose Without Making a Mistake

The starting point is to observe your stroke honestly or undergo a professional analysis. At Golfriend’s, we offer a personalised fitting service with a selection of leading brands such as Scotty Cameron, Odyssey, or L.A.B. Golf. Remember: when it comes to your putter, trying before deciding is the most important step to lowering your scores on the green.