Shot Scope Data Shows Why a Mallet Putter Could Lower Scores

Putter data from Shot Scope indicates golfers of every handicap level hole more short putts and three-putt less often with a mallet than with a blade. Top 50 Coach Adam Harnett breaks down why, along with drills to put the numbers to use.

How much difference does a mallet actually make?

For the average 15-handicapper, Shot Scope data shows make percentage from six feet and in rises from 75% with a blade to 82% with a mallet. Three-putts also drop, from 2.6 per round with a blade to 2.3 with a mallet.

A 7-percentage-point jump in makes from six feet works out to roughly one extra putt holed every round.

Why do mallets perform better on short putts?

According to Harnett, a mallet's larger head leaves more room for alignment aids, which matters most on short putts where starting the ball on line is critical. He recommends placing a coin or ball marker about a foot in front of the ball and rolling putts over the top of it, using a line on the ball itself as a second alignment reference, to build feedback on whether a putt is being pushed or pulled off the face.

What drills help cut down on three-putts?

Harnett attributes fewer three-putts to a mallet's bigger head being more forgiving on off-center strikes, which become more common as the putter travels further on longer putts. He suggests a gate drill popularized by Tiger Woods: setting two tees just outside the putter head at address and rolling putts through the gate without touching either one, starting at mid-range and increasing distance as it gets easier. A ladder drill, hitting putts at steadily increasing lengths while keeping the same tempo, is his second recommendation for building distance feel.

How does green reading factor in?

Harnett also stresses reading a green from both sides of the hole rather than only from ball to hole, since greens are built with an overall drainage slope. Walking the hole to feel that slope underfoot, or straddling the line, helps confirm a read before committing to the putt. A line on the ball provides feedback here too: a line that rolls end over end shows a good strike and start line, while a putt that finishes short or long despite a clean roll usually points to a misread rather than a poor stroke.

Which mallet suits which stroke?

Fitting still matters. Harnett recommends a heel-shafted mallet for golfers with an arcing stroke, since it helps the face open and close naturally through that path, while a center-shafted model suits a straighter back-and-through stroke by adding stability. Shaft position further from the face reduces torque, and interchangeable head weights can adjust feel and performance further. Modern face technology, including milling, grooves and inserts, has also closed much of the feel gap that once separated mallets from blades.