Tour Pros Who Switched to Forgiving Mallets
For decades, the sleek blade putter was the gold standard on professional tours. It was seen as the choice of elite ball-strikers and players who preferred feel and finesse. But in recent years, the narrative has changed. More and more tour pros—some of the best putters in the world—are switching to forgiving mallet-style putters.
What’s behind this trend? And more importantly, should you follow their lead?
In this article, we’ll break down:
- What defines a forgiving mallet
- Why pros are making the switch
- Tour players who’ve made the change
- Key takeaways for amateur golfers
What Is a Forgiving Mallet Putter?
A mallet putter is a larger, often semi-circular or winged putter head designed to increase MOI (moment of inertia). Compared to traditional blades, mallets offer:
- More forgiveness on off-center hits
- Built-in alignment aids to help square the face
- Stability through the stroke due to a heavier head
Forgiving mallet designs often include multi-material construction, perimeter weighting, and face inserts for improved feel and roll.
Common Features:
- Heavier headweight (340g–380g)
- Face-balanced or moderate toe hang
- Large footprint with visual alignment tools
- Shaft options: center-shafted, double bend, or slant neck
These characteristics reduce twisting and mis-hits—especially useful under pressure.
Why Are Tour Pros Switching to Forgiving Mallets?
For years, blade putters were favored on tour for their clean look and feel. But the modern game has introduced new variables—faster greens, more pressure, and increased data from performance tracking. As a result, many pros have realized that forgiveness and consistency trump pure aesthetics.
Key Reasons for the Shift:
- Stability under pressure: A forgiving mallet keeps the stroke stable in high-stakes moments.
- Alignment help: Modern mallets offer clearer alignment cues, aiding accuracy.
- MOI performance: Mallets reduce the penalty for slight mis-hits.
- Advanced tech: Brands like Odyssey, Scotty Cameron, TaylorMade, and PING now make mallets with incredible feel—bridging the gap between blades and mallets.
Tour Pros Who Switched to Forgiving Mallet Putters
Let’s dive into specific examples of players who’ve made the transition—and what it did for their putting.
1. Rory McIlroy – TaylorMade Spider X
Previous putter: Scotty Cameron blade
New mallet: TaylorMade Spider X
Rory struggled for consistency on the greens and tested various putters over the years. In 2019, he settled into the Spider X, which features a high MOI and a True Path alignment system.
- Why he switched: Better visual alignment and stroke stability
- Result: Gained confidence on short putts and improved his putting statistics during critical tournaments
2. Dustin Johnson – TaylorMade Spider Tour
Previous putter: Scotty Cameron Newport blade
New mallet: TaylorMade Spider Tour Black
Johnson made the switch to the Spider Tour and has had it in and out of the bag since 2016. Despite being a feel-based player, he saw tangible performance gains with the Spider’s forgiveness.
- Why he switched: Increased MOI and face-balance suited his straight-back stroke
- Result: Led to a more consistent putting game and helped him win multiple PGA Tour events
3. Jason Day – TaylorMade Spider Tour Red
Previous putter: Scotty Cameron blade
New mallet: TaylorMade Spider Tour Red
Jason Day was one of the earliest and most visible adopters of the modern mallet trend. His dominance in 2015 was partly attributed to the Spider Tour Red.
- Why he switched: Needed help with alignment and distance control
- Result: Ranked #1 in Strokes Gained: Putting and rose to #1 in the world rankings
4. Xander Schauffele – Odyssey O-Works #7 CH Red
Previous putter: Toulon blade
New mallet: Odyssey O-Works #7 CH Red
Xander made the switch to the fang-style mallet, which is a popular design due to its blend of visual alignment and moderate arc compatibility.
- Why he switched: Wanted to improve consistency from 5–10 feet
- Result: Improved putting stats and better confidence in pressure moments
5. Patrick Cantlay – Odyssey 2-Ball Ten
Previous putter: Scotty Cameron Newport
New mallet: Odyssey 2-Ball Ten with Stroke Lab shaft
Cantlay has become known for his laser-focused pre-shot routine and clutch putting. His Odyssey 2-Ball mallet has been instrumental.
- Why he switched: Sought more forgiveness and alignment feedback
- Result: Gained a competitive edge on the greens and led multiple fields in putting average
6. Tony Finau – PING PLD Oslo H
Previous putter: Blade-style PING
New mallet: PING PLD Oslo H
Finau, a towering figure with a naturally wide arc stroke, made the shift to a more stable putter to quiet his hands and minimize variance.
- Why he switched: Better stroke control under pressure
- Result: Improved short-range putting and better Sunday performance
7. Hideki Matsuyama – Scotty Cameron Phantom X
Previous putter: Various blade models
New mallet: Scotty Cameron Phantom X 11
Matsuyama is known for meticulous putting practice and attention to detail. His move to a Phantom X mallet reflects a desire to minimize variables.
- Why he switched: Enhanced stability on fast greens
- Result: Helped him win the 2021 Masters with brilliant putting performance
8. Tommy Fleetwood – Odyssey White Hot Versa #1 Wide
Previous putter: Nike blade
New putter: Odyssey Versa (mid-mallet)
Fleetwood moved to a putter with more forgiveness but retained some blade-like features. His Versa model offers alignment aid while maintaining a traditional look.
- Why he switched: Aiming and stroke path alignment
- Result: Notable improvement on mid-range putts
What These Switches Mean for Everyday Golfers
If the world’s top players—who spend hours perfecting their putting stroke—are switching to forgiving mallets, what does that say for the average amateur?
Here’s the takeaway: Most recreational golfers should strongly consider a forgiving mallet.
Key Benefits for Amateurs:
- Reduces impact of mishits
- Improves alignment and aim
- Quiets shaky hands or wrists
- Encourages shoulder-driven stroke
- Enhances confidence on short putts
Mallet vs Blade: A Quick Comparison
| Feature | Blade Putter | Forgiving Mallet Putter |
|---|---|---|
| Head size | Small | Large |
| MOI (forgiveness) | Low | High |
| Stroke type suited | Arc strokes | Straight-back or slight arc |
| Alignment aid | Minimal | Prominent |
| Feel | High (more feedback) | Softer (less feedback) |
| Popular models | Scotty Cameron Newport, Ping Anser | Spider Tour, Odyssey 2-Ball, Phantom |
FAQs
Q: Can I use a mallet if I have an arc stroke?
A: Yes—many modern mallets come with toe-hang options that suit arc strokes, such as the Odyssey #7 or Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5.
Q: Do forgiving mallets work on fast greens?
A: Absolutely. Many pros use mallets on lightning-fast greens due to their stability and roll consistency.
Q: Will I lose feel with a mallet?
A: Some players feel that mallets dull touch on long putts, but modern tech (like face inserts) has closed that gap significantly.
Final Thoughts
The trend is clear: more tour pros are trusting forgiving mallets—not just for practice sessions, but in competition when everything’s on the line. If they see value in added stability, alignment, and forgiveness, amateur golfers stand to benefit even more.
Whether you struggle with consistency, alignment, or just want to simplify your stroke, a forgiving mallet putter could be a game-changer. And thanks to the wide range of designs now available, there’s a mallet to match nearly every putting style.
Want help finding the best forgiving mallet for your stroke? Check out our in-depth reviews on:
