What are the Different Putter Head Shapes?
When it comes to choosing what kind of putter head is right for you, there are a few tips to help you decide which style is best for your game.
Blades
Blade-style putters are some of the more commonly seen putters on the PGA Tour. A blade-style putter can be less forgiving for off-center strikes but is often considered to provide more feedback and responsiveness due to its smaller size and lower weight.
Blades typically have more toe hang, making them ideal for golfers with an arc in their stroke. Toe hang allows the golfer to open and close the face of their club more naturally during their stroke.
Compact Mallets
Compact mallets are the middle ground between blades and mallets. They can feature a wider body shape than a blade and can range from having zero to moderate toe hang.
Their MOI is typically between a blade and a mallet, generally making them more forgiving than most blades but less forgiving than most mallets. Their weighting also can make them more responsive than mallets, but less responsive than blades. For these reasons, compact mallets seem to bridge the “Goldilocks gap” for putters.
If you like the look of a blade but need a more forgiving putter, you should consider a compact mallet. Likewise, if you like the look of a mallet but want more responsiveness, then a compact mallet is a solid alternative.
Mallets
While mallet putters have only been around for a few decades, they have grown in popularity in recent years - especially on Tour. Mallets have larger heads and are usually more of a box shape than traditional putters. They have a distinct look because the large head shape leaves room for added design elements.
Mallets have a higher MOI (Moment of Inertia) due to their increased head weight and typically have less toe hang than blades. Higher MOI means the putter is more resistant to twisting on off-center strikes, making it more forgiving than a blade putter. This makes mallets beneficial for golfers with inconsistent strike patterns and those who find themselves falling short on putts.
Mallets are typically near face-balanced, if not completely face-balanced, which makes them great for golfers with minimal arc or a straight-back straight-thru stroke. Their large head shape also allows for additional alignment aides, making it easier for the golfer to start the ball on-line.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, personal preference plays a major role in choosing which head shape to go with. You want to be confident at address when you’re ready to sink each putt. After you’ve narrowed it down to one or two head types, visit our Studio B or a local Bettinardi retailer that will let you take a few putts and see what feels best.
We’ve included a breakdown below of the putters that we offer organized by head shape but remember, the best way to pick the right putter for you is to get fitted by a professional. We offer personal putter fitting services at Studio B. You can schedule a fitting here.
