Putter style isn't just preference. Here's how to match putter design to your natural stroke.
The Problem
You walk into a golf shop needing a new putter. The wall has dozens of options: sleek blades, chunky mallets, everything in between. The sales rep asks, "What kind of stroke do you have?"
Most casual golfers have no idea. They pick based on looks or whatever their favorite pro uses, then wonder why they can't make putts consistently.
Here's the truth: blade and mallet putters are designed for different stroke types. Using the wrong one fights your natural motion every time you putt.
Why It Matters
Putting accounts for roughly 40% of your strokes in a typical round. If your putter doesn't match your stroke, you're fighting yourself on the most important scoring club in your bag.
The right putter feels natural. It sits square at address, releases smoothly through impact, and doesn't twist when you miss the center. The wrong putter requires constant compensation—you'll make more putts, but you'll never feel confident.
Understanding Your Stroke
Stroke Arc: Straight Back or Arc?
Straight-back-straight-through (SBST):
Your putter moves like a pendulum directly back and through, with minimal rotation. The face stays square to your target line throughout.
Arc stroke:
Your putter swings on a slight curve, opening slightly on the backswing and closing through impact. This is natural for most golfers—it matches how your shoulders rotate.
How to tell which you are:
Set up to a putt and make 10 strokes without a ball. Watch the putter face. If it opens and closes naturally, you're an arc putter. If it stays square the whole time, you're SBST.
Most golfers (about 70%) have a natural arc. Straight-back strokes are less common and often require practice to develop.
Face Balance vs. Toe Hang
This is how putters are weighted to match your stroke:
Face-balanced putters:
When you balance the shaft on your finger, the face points up. These resist rotation—perfect for straight-back strokes.
Toe-hang putters:
The toe drops toward the ground when balanced. These want to rotate—perfect for arc strokes.
How to test:
Balance any putter on your finger at the balance point. Face up = face-balanced. Toe down = toe-hang.
Blade Putters
Design: Thin, traditional shape. Weight distributed heel-to-toe.
Best for:
- Arc stroke players
- Golfers who prefer feel and feedback
- Players with consistent contact
Characteristics:
- Moderate toe hang (usually 20-30 degrees)
- Lower MOI = less forgiving on mishits
- Better feel = you know exactly where you hit it
- Works on fast greens where touch matters more than stability
Popular models:
Ping Anser 2D, Scotty Cameron Newport, Odyssey White Hot (blade version)
Price range: $179-$400
Mallet Putters
Design: Larger head with weight distributed around perimeter.
Best for:
- Straight-back stroke players
- Golfers wanting maximum forgiveness
- Players who struggle with alignment
Characteristics:
- Face-balanced (or minimal toe hang)
- High MOI = mishits still roll well
- Alignment aids = easier to aim
- Stable on slower greens or bumpy surfaces
Popular models:
TaylorMade Spider GT, Odyssey White Hot OG (mallet), Ping Anser 2D (mallet version)
Price range: $199-$400
Mid-Mallet: The Compromise
Design: Blade-sized head with mallet-like weighting.
Best for:
- Slight arc players
- Golfers who want some forgiveness with blade feel
- Players transitioning from blade to mallet
Characteristics:
- Moderate toe hang (15-20 degrees)
- Better MOI than blades, not as high as full mallets
- Clean look without chunky appearance
Popular models:
Most major brands offer mid-mallet options now.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying based on looks alone. A beautiful blade that fights your natural arc will cost you strokes every round.
- Copying tour pros. Rory McIlroy's blade putter works for his stroke and practice regimen. That doesn't mean it works for yours.
- Ignoring face balance. This is the most important spec after head shape. A face-balanced blade or toe-hang mallet fights your natural stroke.
- Assuming mallets are for beginners. Plenty of low-handicap and tour players use mallets. It's about matching your stroke, not your skill level.
How to Choose
Step 1: Determine your stroke type
Hit 20 putts on a practice green. Don't think about it—just putt naturally. Ask someone to watch your putter face. Does it open and close (arc) or stay square (SBST)?
Step 2: Match head style to stroke
- Arc stroke → blade or toe-hang mallet
- SBST stroke → face-balanced mallet
- Slight arc → mid-mallet or blade with less toe hang
Step 3: Test forgiveness needs
If you miss the center often, lean toward higher MOI (mallet). If you're consistent, blade feel might help your touch.
Step 4: Check alignment comfort
Some players see lines and circles better (mallet alignment aids). Others prefer clean look (blade). Use what helps you aim.
Next Steps
Get fitted properly:
Hit putts with both styles on a good practice green. Track make percentage from 6, 10, and 15 feet. The one you make more putts with is the right choice—regardless of what it looks like.
Consider length:
Most putters come 33-35 inches. Your height and setup affect this. Get fitted for proper length while testing head styles.
Don't overthink it:
The best putter is the one that feels natural and makes you confident. If a mallet makes you feel like you'll make every putt, use it. If a blade feels like an extension of your hands, that's your putter.
The goal isn't to have the "right" type—it's to have the right putter for *your* stroke.
