Mallet vs. Blade Putters: Which One’s the Real Winner on Tour?
Ah, the age-old debate in the golf world: mallet putters versus blade putters. You’ve probably heard opinions flying around like errant golf balls, but here at MyGolfSpy, we let the data do the talking. So, instead of engaging in endless subjective back and forth, we crunched the numbers to see what actually works out on the PGA Tour. We dove deep into the stats and examined the top 10 players in Strokes Gained putting to find out what kind of putters they’re wielding. If anyone’s got the scoop on whether mallet or blade reigns supreme, it’s definitely these pros!
Who Are the Top 10 PGA Tour Putters and What Models Are They Rocking?
Let’s cut straight to the chase. Here’s a rundown of the top 10 putters on the PGA Tour and the gear they’re using:
| Player | Putter Model | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Sam Burns | Odyssey Ai-ONE 7S | Mallet |
| Harry Hall | Odyssey O-Works #1 Wide / Ai-One DW | Blade |
| Brandt Snedeker | Odyssey White Hot XG Rossie | Mallet |
| Danny Willett | Scotty Cameron T-5 Tour Prototype | Blade |
| Sam Ryder | Odyssey White Hot Versa Seven S | Mallet |
| Nico Echavarria | Odyssey Tri-Hot 5K Seven | Mallet |
| Denny McCarthy | Scotty Cameron GoLo N7 (Tour-only) | Mallet |
| Jacob Bridgeman | Bettinardi DASS BB Zero Tour | Blade |
| Sami Valimaki | Odyssey Ai-One #1 | Blade |
| Cameron Young | Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.5 Tour Prototype | Mallet |
So, what’s the consensus from the pros?
Analyzing the Data: Blade vs. Mallet
Alright, let’s break it down. Out of the best 10 putters on Tour:
- Six are using mallet putters.
- Four are sporting blade putters.
Interesting, right? For years, blade putters were seen as the holy grail of putting, especially among the pros. But the tides are turning. It seems that the data is starting to favor mallets, aligning with findings from Shot Scope’s amateur data. Here’s what they found:
- Mallet users sink more putts inside six feet (82% vs. 75% for blades)
- They also three-putt less frequently (just 2.3 times compared to 2.6)
- While lag putting might not be their forte, they definitely shine when it comes to those short putts.
For the elite top 10 percent of putters in the Shot Scope database, the differences were even more stark:
- 93% make rate inside six feet.
- They only average 0.7 three-putts per round.
What’s the Bottom Line?
So, after sifting through all that data and looking at the top 10 players, what can we conclude here?
- Tour players are versatile. Blade and mallet designs are still mixed in the bags of high-performing players.
- Odyssey takes the cake! Six out of the top 10 players are rocking some form of Odyssey putter.
- Mallets are making moves. Modern mallets, like the Ai-One and Phantom, offer a mix of forgiveness and precision that even the pros can appreciate.
- Don’t be shy to explore. If you’re struggling with short putts or three-putting, the data strongly suggests you should consider switching to a mallet.
Final Thoughts
Look, if you’ve been clinging to your blade putter just because you’ve heard it’s what the pros use, it might be time to shake things up! Blades and mallets both serve their purpose, but the right one for you depends on your game. It’s essential to get fitted and take the time to test out different putters to find the one that helps you sink more putts.
So why not check out the current best options?
- Head over to our guide for the Best Blade Putters of 2025
- Or explore our picks for the Best Mallet Putters of 2025
No matter what you choose, remember: it’s about what fits your game best! Happy putting!
