Blade Vs Mallet Putter

There are certain debates in golf that never seem to go away: LIV vs. PGA Tour, glove vs. no glove, stand bag vs. cart bag, hybrid vs. fairway wood, and, of course, blade vs. mallet putters. Looking back a few years, the differences between blade and mallet putters were much more pronounced. However, modern technology has significantly narrowed the gap between the two. If you're unsure which type is right for you, let's look more in-depth at the pros and cons of the blade vs. mallet putters.

Blade Putters: Classic Feel, Precision, and Control

Blade putters are considered traditional putters. They are known for their precision and feedback and are used by golfers who prefer a more classic style putter. The blade putter is very simple looking, has a shorter alignment aid on the top, and works quite well for golfers who have more of an arc-style putting stroke.

One of the main reasons golfers like the blade putter is its ability to create a simple and repeatable stroke on fast greens. If you prioritize accuracy and know how to hit the center of the putter face, you'll prefer a blade.

Blade putters still have some disadvantages. Some golfers find them to be less forgiving. With less built in forgiveness making a consistent stroke becomes more difficult.

Modern blade putters like the Vice VGP01 are designed based on feedback and data from millions of amateur golfers. These putters have an elongated top profile and higher MOI.

The responsiveness of the VGP01 combined with this built-in forgiveness makes the putter more of a modern blade.

Pros of a Blade Putter

• Great for fast greens and a more delicate stroke

• Provide feedback for golfers wanting to fine-tune their stroke

• Easier to rotate the face and square it at impact

• Sleek, more compact look

Cons of a Blade Putter

• Less forgiving on off-center hits

• Smaller sweet spot and lower MOI in some models

Mallet Putters: Stability and Forgiveness

Mallet putters have become increasingly popular in the last few years. Club head designs have changed, and new materials have been implemented.

Modern mallet putters are known for their forgiveness, easy-to-use alignment aids, and stability.

Golfers with a more straight-back and straight-through putting stroke like the high MOI and stability of the mallet putters. Golfers who play slower greens or find themselves missing the center of the face often love what the blade putters have to offer.

The problem you'll hear golfers complain about with mallet putters is the head size. In addition, some find that the feel coming off the face of the putter is not the same as the blade.

To find a great mallet putter with feel, you'll need something like the Vice VGP02. Its carefully designed weight distribution helps prevent twisting while still allowing for the preferred feel of the blade-style putter.

Pros of a Mallet Putter

• Forgiveness on off-center hits

• Large alignment lines

• Stability at impact

Cons of Mallet Putter

• Bulky design and sometimes heavy

• Difficult to get the same responsive feel and feedback off the face

How to Choose Between a Blade and Mallet Putter

With blade and mallet putters becoming similar in terms of features and benefits for your game, it's important to know how to decide which is best for your game. Here are some questions you should ask when deciding between blade and mallet putter.

What Putting Stroke Do You Prefer?

Are you a golfer with a straight-back-straight-through consistent stroke where you don't manipulate the putter face all that much? If you are, then the mallet putter is a great choice. Keep it square and stable, and just stay as straight as you can. For golfers with more of a pronounced arc, the blade is much easier to rotate open and closed.

How Consistent Are You?

If you know, you generally repeat the same stroke, the blade or mallet will work just fine. For golfers who are new to the game or really struggle around the greens, sometimes the larger sweet spot on the mallet putter can be beneficial.

What are Your Course Conditions?

If you play golf courses with lightning-fast greens, you may like the precision of a blade. However, you'll see golfers on the PGA Tour with both blade and mallet, and we know they are playing with lots of speed.

What do you Prefer Looking At?

Personal preference needs to be considered when making a decision. The mallet putters are large, and the top-down look is a lot to take in, so take advantage of opportunities for customization in the clubhead, like the Vice VGP02.

Final Thoughts

The blade and mallet putter have differences, and it's smart to find something that matches your game specifically. For control and feedback, check out the Vice VGP01. For forgiveness and stability, look at the Vice VGP02. Most importantly, order your Vice putter custom-fitted with the proper putter length, shaft, loft, lie, and grip. With the right customizations and fit, you can make a mallet or blade work for your game.