Mallet vs. Blade: A Statistical Look at Shape and Conditions

We've added a new LAB tool: Putting Lab. It tests how putter head shape (blade vs. mallet) and green conditions (speed and surface) relate to make rate and dispersion, using a statistical model based on thousands of strokes.

What the Tool Does

It answers "Which putter holes more putts?" with data and physics. It shows how shape and green conditions change make rate and dispersion.

Main Features

1. Interactive simulator

You can change:

• Putter shape: Blade vs. mallet
• Green speed: Slow (8ft) / Medium (10ft) / Fast (12ft+)
• Surface: Smooth vs. bumpy (e.g. poa annua)

and see results update in real time.

2. Make rate by distance

Make rate at 3ft, 6ft, 10ft, and 20ft for your chosen conditions.

3. Dispersion at 10ft

Visual spread of outcomes around the hole at 10ft.

4. Why physics matters

Explanation of how moment of inertia (MOI) differences affect putter performance.

5. Recommended fit by conditions

A table suggests the best shape for each combination of green speed and surface.

Basis of the Model

The tool uses:

1. MOI: Blade (~4,500 g·cm²) vs. mallet (~6,500 g·cm²)
2. Conditions: How speed and surface affect each type
3. Off-center hits: How face twist affects direction

Main Finding

Mallet advantage on bumpy greens

On bumpy greens (e.g. poa), the mallet’s higher MOI helps absorb impact from irregular turf and keep the ball on line. Blades are more sensitive to face twist on off-center hits, and make rate drops more.

Fast greens

On fast greens, small face errors lead to big misses. With a blade, you need very consistent stroke quality.

Editor’s Note

"We’ve piled on physics and stats to argue for mallets—but honestly, you and I both want to use the putter we think looks good. That ‘this is going in’ feeling when you address the ball can sometimes beat thousands of data points. If you love a classic blade, ignore the data and use it. That’s part of golf’s romance (whisper)."

References

• Dave Pelz's Putting Bible — Pelz, D. (2000). Doubleday
• The Physics of Golf (2nd Ed.) — Jorgensen, T. P. (1999). Springer
• Search for the Perfect Swing — Cochran, A., & Stobbs, J. (1968). Triumph Books
• Impact of Putter Head Design on Performance Accuracy — Journal of Sports Science & Medicine

---

Try it in LAB: Putting Lab