Blade vs Mallet Putter: Forgiveness, Start-Line Precision & Distance Control
Blade = smaller head, precise start line, less forgiving off-center. Mallet = higher MOI, better forgiveness and distance control on misses—ideal for beginners or inconsistency. Choose precision (blade) or consistency (mallet).
Key Points
Blade Putter:
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Smaller head, less forgiveness.
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Better for starting putts on your intended target line.
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Struggles with distance control on off-center strikes (heel or toe).
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Best suited to more experienced players with consistent contact.
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Mallet Putter:
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Larger head with more weight distributed across the face (higher MOI).
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Much better forgiveness on off-center hits, especially helpful for beginners.
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Improves distance control even when strikes aren't perfectly centered.
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Slight trade-off: can start the ball slightly offline on mishits compared to a blade.
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Demonstration Results:
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Blade: center strike had the best distance; heel and toe strikes both fell short.
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Mallet: all three strikes (center, toe, heel) showed tighter distance grouping, increasing consistency and chances of holing out.
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Key Takeaway:
For beginners or players who struggle with putting consistency, a mallet putter is the smarter choice—more forgiving and more likely to get you close to the hole even on imperfect strikes. Blades are more precise, but less forgiving.
