Ryan Barath/Golf
Welcome to another edition of Fully equipped mail bagsponsored by Cleveland/Srixon Golf, is an interactive series from GOLF.com in which we answer challenging equipment questions.
I watched the US Open and saw a lot of hammer putters. What’s the deal? – John
For a long time, it was assumed that mallet putters work better on slower greens because of their increased mass, allowing for longer putts without having to change strokes. As last week’s US Open proved, that’s not the case anymore. The modern mallet putter has proven to be just as versatile as the traditional heel blade, demonstrating its effectiveness on any type of club surface. The question arises: should you try a mallet putter?
Here are five reasons why we think Sledgehammer might be worth considering:
Alignment help
Hammer strikers, being inherently larger than their blade-type counterparts, provide ample space for incorporating alignment aids. These means can take different forms, such as lines, contrasting colors, squares or circles. The possibilities are almost endless, helping golfers achieve a square setup and put the club face on the intended line.
Improve communication
Blade clubs, especially pure blade clubs, have a lower moment of inertia (MOI) than hammer-shaped clubs. Thus, a taut blow with a hammer is less likely to lose distance or deviate from the trajectory than the same missed blow with a blade. While hammers have a shorter toe-to-heel than most blades, they are generally known to have a higher level of tolerance.
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better stability
Aside from helping alignment, another compelling reason for the increase in popularity of hammer putters among tour players is their stability during the stroke. When faced with an important $300,000 5-foot putt, many tour players will choose the firmer feel of a mallet over the shaky, less stable feel of a blade. The increased stability reduces racquet twist, resulting in a straighter, more stable roll. Considering most mallet putters also come with a larger handle to help cushion the hands—the combination is a recipe for more confidence on your greens.
Soft feel
Although feel is subjective, hammer putters, in general, tend to deliver a softer impact than bladed putters due to the geometry of the head. The added mass and shock absorption capabilities of hammers often contribute to a softer feel. While better players are used to dismissing club faces with a softer feel, preferences are evolving, and more golfers are now attracted to the softer feel of mallet clubs.
Straight back straight through stroke
Mallet clubs are well suited for golfers who use a straight back arc. Although there are exceptions to this rule (for example, short-barreled mallets are suitable for bow strokes), hammer clubs are designed primarily to resist the opening and closing of the club face associated with a more arc stroke.
Ultimately, the best putter for a single golfer is the one that provides the most comfort and confidence, regardless of whether the greens are fast or slow. We recommend that you try out different styles of putter rackets, including traditional hammer and blade putters, to determine which one aligns with your blows, feels comfortable, and helps you achieve improved results.
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