Posted: 5/16/2025 10:10:35 AM EDT
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I'm getting back into golf after a 9 year hiatus and I wasn't great then either. Golfed only for work outings and ever broke 100. I did win a putting contest, and we gifted a Ping Anser V2 putter, which I still have, like new. I began testing out mallet styles, so I'm comparing it to a Taylormade Spider DB. I am not testing for accuracy, just consistent distance. Funnily enough, I've stacked quite a few putts, so hopefully there's a cup where I send them! The double bend of the clubs is identical. Near identical weight as well, though I can feel the "back weight" in the TM - not a bad thing for me. I can putt just as well with either, though the mallet has a better feel on impact, more solid perhaps. I then added a 1.25oz weight to the Ping, by placing a magnet flat on it and centered. Feels better, and putts a bit better for me. more control perhaps. I don't have an arc style. I pendulum very consistently I don't "line up" to the putter, or focus on the line on the top, etc. I line up my shot, choose a spot on the green about 6" in front of my ball and aim at that, with proper force to get to the hole. Two questions: - Aside from blade being better for lag and mallet for inside of 10', and the former being better on fast greens, is there any real pro or con to these? It almost makes sense to carry two putters - I suspect with more time, one style might rise to my preference, but do you think many pros switching to mallet was driven more by clubmakers, marketing, need for something different, rather then it actually being "better" than blade? |
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You can buy ten different style putters and get 10 different results. The real key to putting is practice. Find one that suits your eye and see where it goes. Typically if I remember right blade putters are better for an "arch" stroke. Personally I don't care for these big mallet goofy looking head putters. Got to a range with 5 balls and 1 putter give it an hour and see if it works. Find the grip you like, stance and how far up and down the shaft your hands are so on and so on. Then go again the next day with the other rinse and repeat. Practice, alignment and memory then practice some more with the same stance, same grip every time. Another thing many don't practice is the short game. If your chips are not putting the ball closer to the hole, then odds are you are adding strokes. There are some great youtube vids on putting and alignment (key here) Distance and stroke come with practice. |
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Two questions: - Aside from blade being better for lag and mallet for inside of 10', and the former being better on fast greens, is there any real pro or con to these? It almost makes sense to carry two putters I think watching the pros answers that for you. When a player makes a putter switch it gets mentioned on TV it’s that rare. Being deadly with a flat stick 10’ and in allows you to take a lot of your friends money. The higher MOI of a mallet has the same effect as it does with any other club. A miss hit will still be better with a higher MOI than without. Then depending on if the weight is to the rear or front also matters. On the extreme a mallet may have up to 60+% higher moi then a blade putter. Even 2 blades may be 10% different depending on the model. There are a bazillion putters these days, plus shafts, weights, grips. - I suspect with more time, one style might rise to my preference, but do you think many pros switching to mallet was driven more by clubmakers, marketing, need for something different, rather then it actually being "better" than blade? No- pros primarily play what works. I’ve been blessed to play a bunch of Korn Ferry pro ams and typically they’ve had deals to play 10 or 12 out of 14 clubs from a specific mfg. so they can use a favorite 3 wood or wedges or a putter. Also they have a lot easier access to get a club customization. So their spider mallet is set up just for them, different shaft bend or weighting etc. Like most golf shots it’s about confidence. If you’re confident in a certain club, blade, mallet, 2x4 your going to score better. So I say play what works the best for you on the typical course you play and do your best to adjust if you end up on something far faster or slower than you typically play. The old adage also applies to putters, go do a fitting and see what that tells you is most consistent. |
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
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I think if you read up on the toe hang of a putter that will explain the majority of differences between a traditional blade like a Wilson 8802 and a mallet style putter. If you putt with a pronounced arc, then you would benefit from more toe hang. If you are more "square to square" then you may be better off with a face balanced design. For the love of god, don't buy a Scotty Cameron just because of the name. |
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Originally Posted By BigPolska: Putter fittings are a thing... I am now arm lock putting to cure my 3 putt yips. Holding steady for now, we will see how it goes lol Is that where you lock the club inside your L arm (RH putting)? I kinda tried it and it's not my jam |
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Originally Posted By Pforty: I think if you read up on the toe hang of a putter that will explain the majority of differences between a traditional blade like a Wilson 8802 and a mallet style putter. If you putt with a pronounced arc, then you would benefit from more toe hang. If you are more "square to square" then you may be better off with a face balanced design. For the love of god, don't buy a Scotty Cameron just because of the name. Yeah, I saw the price on those, no thanks. $350 for the Spider Tour maybe, but the $250 Spider DB felt and performed better. I'm sitting up a putter fitting next week, so we'll see |
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There are so many varied options and personal elements to putter selection, it can be impossible to generalise any answer. My observation has been the larger size and targeting lines and such on mallet putters MAY give them more appeal and seem more forgiving. Personally, I don't like looking at the harsh lines and SciFi design and it bothers me every time I've tried to use one. I've always been in the category of whatever feels good on that particular day is what a person should use. Enjoy the game, live with the results, and that's it. Have a few putters to choose from and take one sometimes just because and see what happens. Sure, there are design elements that may fit a persons style better than another and shave a few strokes. Many of the people I see with high tech/high dollar putters could do more for their game though by losing weight and trying some flexibility exercises. People play the game for different reason and find satisfaction in different things. A person can nuance as much as they enjoy but in a practical sense, I don't think it makes a bit of difference. |
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Originally Posted By SwiftyMorgan: Yeah, I saw the price on those, no thanks. $350 for the Spider Tour maybe, but the $250 Spider DB felt and performed better. I'm sitting up a putter fitting next week, so we'll see Do the fitting and pick one you like looking at with the correct loft/lie/weight. Then just don’t worry about it. The only thing that matters at your level is not 3-putting inside about 30 feet. Develop a basic proficiency, then go work on your ball striking. |
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You can try 100 different putters, all shapes, all designs, all manufacturers... ONE putter will "speak" to you. Whatever it is, whatever year, make, model, generation, it doesn't matter. Take me for example - I'm gaming a 1983 Ping B-60 putter!! {1983}  This old putter just has that magical "feel" and has saved my a$$ many times on the green to avoid bogey or worse double-bogey. I WILL NEVER PART WITH IT!  
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Originally Posted By SwiftyMorgan: Is that where you lock the club inside your L arm (RH putting)? I kinda tried it and it's not my jam Yes it is, but you have to have an actual armlock putter in order for it to work properly. After going through a laundry list of putters over the years I have now settled on my Odyssey Ai-One broomstick. It literally took strokes off my game instantly. |
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Originally Posted By ButchA61: You can try 100 different putters, all shapes, all designs, all manufacturers... ONE putter will "speak" to you. Whatever it is, whatever year, make, model, generation, it doesn't matter. Take me for example - I'm gaming a 1983 Ping B-60 putter!! {1983} This old putter just has that magical "feel" and has saved my a$$ many times on the green to avoid bogey or worse double-bogey. I WILL NEVER PART WITH IT! https://i.imgur.com/bvG8BFKl.jpg |