Different Types of Putter Heads: Which One Is Right for You?

Putting is where scores are made or broken. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or chasing scratch, the putter in your bag needs to fit your stroke, your eye, and your confidence. With countless designs on the market, understanding the different types of putter heads is the first step toward becoming a better putter.

In this guide, we’ll break down the most common putter head types, explain how they affect performance, and help you determine which might be right for your stroke type and putting style.

What Is a Putter Head?

The putter head is the part of the putter that strikes the ball. While every putter serves the same core purpose—rolling the ball into the hole—there are dramatic differences in head shape, weight distribution, alignment aids, and forgiveness. Each design promotes a slightly different stroke and feel.

Overview: The 3 Primary Types of Putter Heads

While design variations are endless, nearly all putters fall into one of three main categories:

• Blade Putters

• Mallet Putters

• Mid-Mallet Putters

Let’s explore each one in detail.

Blade Putters

Overview

Blade putters are the most traditional and time-tested design. They have a narrow, simple head and are usually favored by better players with arc-style strokes.

Key Features

• Compact, rectangular head

• Minimalist design

• Toe-weighted (suits arc strokes)

• Often features a plumber’s neck or flow neck

Pros

• Excellent feel and feedback

• Ideal for golfers with a strong or moderate arc

• Classic look appeals to traditionalists

• Excellent distance control on fast greens

Cons

• Less forgiving on mishits

• Alignment can be tougher for some players

• Smaller sweet spot

Popular Examples

• Scotty Cameron Newport 2

• Ping Anser

• Odyssey Tri-Hot 5K One

Who It’s Best For

Golfers with a confident, consistent stroke who prefer feel and precision over forgiveness. Often seen in the bags of low-handicap players and Tour pros with arc putting strokes.

Mallet Putters

Overview

Mallet putters have larger heads and more elaborate shapes. They offer higher MOI (moment of inertia), meaning they twist less on off-center hits and provide more forgiveness.

Key Features

• Large, rounded or square-shaped head

• Heavier weight for smoother tempo

• Multiple alignment lines or features

• Can be face-balanced or toe-hang depending on hosel

Pros

• Very forgiving on off-center hits

• Great for straight-back-straight-through strokes

• Easier to align thanks to alignment aids

• Customizable weight and shaft options

Cons

• Some players find them bulky or distracting

• Can feel less “pure” than a blade on perfect strikes

Popular Examples

• Odyssey White Hot OG 7

• TaylorMade Spider X

• Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5

• Ping Tyne 4

Who It’s Best For

Golfers who want help with alignment, forgiveness, and stability. Great for straight or slightly arced strokes, high-handicappers, or those who struggle with consistency on the greens.

Mid-Mallet Putters

Overview

Mid-mallet putters fall between blades and mallets in size, weight, and forgiveness. They’re a versatile option for players looking for a balance of feel and stability.

Key Features

• Medium-sized head

• Moderate MOI

• Subtle alignment features

• Often available in toe-hang or face-balanced models

Pros

• Balanced feel—more forgiving than blades but sleeker than mallets

• Versatile for multiple stroke types

• Better alignment than blades without being too bulky

Cons

• Doesn’t excel at one extreme (not the most forgiving or the most responsive)

Popular Examples

• Odyssey Eleven Tour Lined

• Scotty Cameron Fastback 1.5

• TaylorMade TP Hydro Blast DuPage

Who It’s Best For

Golfers who want the best of both worlds—some forgiveness and alignment help without losing the feel of a traditional design.

Alternative and Specialty Putter Heads

While the above are the main categories, the modern putter market includes many unique designs that blur the lines. Some notable variations include:

Center Shafted Putters

• The shaft connects to the center of the head rather than the heel.

• Promotes a square, straight-back-and-through stroke.

• Favored by players who want symmetry and a face-balanced feel.

Heel-toe Weighted Putters

• Designed to distribute weight toward the toe and heel.

• Common in both blades and mallets to enhance MOI.

Perimeter Weighted Putters

• High forgiveness design that maximizes stability on off-center strikes.

High MOI Putters

• Focused on forgiveness and consistency.

• Heavily engineered with tungsten weights, adjustable weights, and multi-material constructions.

Comparison Chart: Blade vs Mallet vs Mid-Mallet

How Putter Head Design Affects Performance

1. Forgiveness and MOI

High MOI putters resist twisting on off-center hits. Mallet heads have higher MOI than blades, making them more forgiving.

Stat: According to Ping, increasing MOI by just 10% can reduce distance loss on toe or heel strikes by up to 15%.

2. Alignment

Larger mallets allow for more visual alignment aids, which has been shown to improve aim accuracy by as much as 30% in studies done by Odyssey.

3. Feel and Feedback

Blades transmit more vibration and feedback. Players who rely on feel prefer blades, while mallets tend to “dampen” the sensation.

4. Stroke Compatibility

• Blades: Best with arcing strokes.

• Mallets: Best with straight strokes.

• Mid-mallets: Best for mild arcs or blended strokes.

Choosing the Right Putter Head for Your Game

Step 1: Know Your Stroke Type

• Strong Arc: Choose a blade or mid-mallet with toe hang.

• Slight Arc: Consider a mid-mallet or small mallet.

• Straight Back/Straight Through: Look for face-balanced mallets or center shafted models.

Step 2: Consider Your Misses

• Do you push or pull often?

• Struggle with distance control?

• Consistently miss left or right?

The answer may point toward a head that provides more forgiveness and alignment help.

Step 3: Test In-Person When Possible

• Try different head shapes on a practice green.

• Test both face-balanced and toe-hang styles.

• Evaluate how each putter looks and feels at address.

Tour Trends: What Do the Pros Use?

Blade Putters on Tour

• Tiger Woods: Famous for his Scotty Cameron Newport 2 blade.

• Jordan Spieth: Uses a blade with a slight arc.

Mallet Putters on Tour

• Rory McIlroy: Recently shifted to TaylorMade Spider Tour.

• Dustin Johnson: Known for using Spider Tour Black.

• Scottie Scheffler: Has bounced between mallet and blade options but typically leans mallet for alignment and stability.

Fun Fact: According to a 2024 GolfWRX survey, 63% of PGA Tour players currently use a mallet or mid-mallet style putter.

Putter Head FAQs

Q: Is a blade or mallet better for beginners?

A: Mallet putters are generally better for beginners due to their forgiveness, alignment features, and stable feel.

Q: Can I use a blade putter with a straight-back stroke?

A: You can, but a face-balanced mallet or center shafted model would better suit that stroke type.

Q: What’s the most forgiving putter head?

A: Mallet putters with high MOI and perimeter weighting (e.g., Spider X or Odyssey 7) offer the most forgiveness.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the different types of putter heads is crucial to optimizing your putting game. Whether you’re drawn to the classic feel of a blade or the forgiving stability of a mallet, the right putter head can help you sink more putts and lower your score.

Key Takeaway: Match your stroke type and visual preferences to the right head design. Don’t buy based on hype—choose a putter that complements your natural motion and inspires confidence every time you step on the green.

Want to Learn More?
Check out these related articles:

• Training Aids Used by Tour Pros

• Best Putters for High Handicappers

• How Shaft Technology Is Changing Modern Putters

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