Mallet Head Putters, Is It Right For Your Golf?

Want to know if mallet head putters are right for your game and putting swing? In this article we explain it to you. Do you want us to help you create your perfect putt? Contact us.

At the time of choosing the best putter for your golf, one of the key aspects is the head. Let's see if the mullet head putter is the right one for your golf.

What is the Mallet head putter?

A Mallet putter is a putter with a head size larger than the classic putters of a lifetime. But what it does have is weight distribution around the perimeter for various purposes, including stability, head rotation on the backswing, and MOI (Moment of Inertia). In addition to this, the designs are varied and with lines that make it easier for the player to square himself perfectly in the stance and to see the line to the target.

But there is something to keep in mind, all designs must follow the rules established by the USGA and the R&A.

Mallet Putter Features

Inside all golf putter heads, Mallet design putters have some very marked characteristics that can be said to be advantages and disadvantages.

In this case the advantages are the following: 

• Help when aiming: they make it easier for the player to aim since it has sophisticated aids that allow a clear vision of the line.
• Higher MOI: due to the shape of the head and the distribution of weight along the perimeter of the head. 
• Improves tolerance against missed hits: due to the distribution of the weights along the perimeter of the face, the off-center hit differs little from the hit hit in the center of the face.
• Straighter arc of movement: by allowing a more in line movement in the backswing, they simplify the movement much more and improve the efficiency in the execution. Many of the models are Face Balance or with a tip balance very close to face balance.

The Main Disadvantages are:

• The volume of the head: in many cases they are too big and players who have been playing blade putters for many years have a hard time adjusting to their size.
• The Appearance: They look a bit rough and the player's vision and tastes don't always mesh with these designs.
• Execution temptation: despite the fact that not all Mallets are Face Balance, on many occasions they are tempting to execute the movement too straight.

The TaylorMade Spider X is a Mallet putter like no other. The large profile, aiming aid, and error-forgiving weight are all hallmarks of a mallet putter. (Photo: TaylorMade)

Types of Mallet Putters according to their balance

Mallet putters are heads designed with a purpose previously introduced, but we find different types of Tip Balances. 

• FaceBalance: where the face of the putter held by the palms of the hands towards the sky makes the face also completely parallel to the ground, as a consequence the swing arc is completely straight.
• Toe Hang Balance: the face of the putter has a certain toe balance angle with respect to the ground and we can find toe hang angles.
  • 36 degree toe tilt
  • 55 degree toe tilt
  • 25 degree foot drop
  • 24 degree finger tilt
  • 16 degree toe drop
  • 18 degrees of finger suspension

Choice of clubface

There are three different types of faces on putters: metal face, insert face, and groove face.

Metal faced putters include materials such as steel, bronze, aluminum, brass, copper, zinc, and titanium. These putters are perfect for players who want a firm but controlled feel on the face. They tend to sound softer as there is less material contact on impact.

Insert-faced putters have a lightweight, non-metallic insert on the face. The main advantage is that the weight of the putter can be redistributed and added to the heel and toe of the putter, offering more forgiveness. Insert putters tend to provide a softer feel and are perfect if you prefer a firmer ball roll.

Grooved face putters can be either metal faced or inset faced, but feature grooves on the face to help the player keep the ball on line. On impact, the grooves grip the surface of the ball while simultaneously lifting it from its rest position and imparting an overhead rolling action.

Balanced on the tip

When a player plays a Face Balance putter they have a totally different feel than a toe hang balance putter. That sensation is very classic of taking the putter with your hands and feeling that your shoulders move by themselves and when you make the backswing that your head does not move at all from the line. 

The toe hang balance gives the player a feeling in the hands and that the tip of the putter goes inside on the backswing, so the movement has to be very well fitted so that we make the face of the putter at impact it always comes naturally to the player in the same way.

Types of shafts for a Mallet putter

The shaft is one of the parts that also greatly influences the player's vision when placing the putter in the stance and the balance of the putter head. We find that the shaft of the putter has always been made of steel but technology is beginning to improve a lot, in shafts giving more alternatives to the steel shaft, we will talk about this in future articles.

Centered shaft

Center shaft putters have a hosel that connects to the head in the center of the head. This putter is suitable for a player who keeps their eyes directly above the ball, brings the club straight back, and hits the ball straight. The good thing about this type of shaft is that it makes it easier for the player to see the target of the impact since the sweet spot of the face is at the exact point where the shaft is inserted. Many high handicappers and beginners should learn with putters of this type as it greatly helps their execution.

Shaft in the heel

These types of shafts are inserted into the hosel that connects directly to the head of the putter at the end closest to the player, the heel. This type of putter usually has Toe Hang balance of different degrees such as 45º, 60º, 75º, 90º among others. Allows you to do an arched backswing.

offset shaft

Hosel-offset putters feature a hosel that folds back to move the bottom of the shaft forward of the putter face to bring the player's hands in front of the ball at impact. This type of shaft with the right grip can cause head balance to change the toe hang balance of the head.

With all of this being said, how do you know if the Mallet Putter is the right one for your game?

With the information I have given you, you just have to think, is the putter I am playing helping me? Well, think with these indications.

• Can I get the technical movement to be fluid and intuitive?
• Does the backswing arc allow you to repeat the movement many times with consistency in the impact on the putter face?
• Does the sight of the putter in my stance help me to line up without doubt?
• What type of mallet head helps me the most? Medium, large or extra large head?

If all these questions really make you wonder and during your practice these questions come to your mind, consider visiting us and we will make you the best putting fitting that can be done today.

We recommend reading the article about the best putter brands for this year.