T
hebestputtersinthe business all
usedtouseblades.Fact. Loren
Roberts,SteveStricker, Brad Faxon,
BenCrenshawandof course Tiger
Woodswereallgreat at holing out,
theyalsoallusedbladestoo.Todaythings are not so
clear-cut;JustinRose,DJ,JasonDay, Jon Rahm,
RoryMcIlroyandJustinThomasall use more stable,
high-MOImalletputters,andallare in and around
theworld’stop10.
There’snodoubtmalletandMOI-style putters
improvestabilityoverblades;it’sbecause their
centreofgravityispulledfurtherback from the face,
likeaforgivingdriver.Bladeshavean average MOI(resistance to twisting) rating of between 3 – 5,000
g/cm^2 , whereas stability mallets are more like
7 – 9,000 g/cm^2. And that means golfers stand a
better chance of holing out with MOI models when
putts are hit o -centre.
But the Tour switch from blade to mallet isn’t
down to improved forgiveness alone. It’s been made
possible by brands using a small slant hosel on mallet
and MOI models, much like what used to be seen on
traditional blades. This hosel allows the traditionally
face-balanced mallet some toe hang, so suiting the
many players who like to see some arc in their stroke.
It means forgiveness is out there, regardless of stroke
shape ... and that could be ominous for the blade.BLADE V MALLET
BLADESWEREUSED BY THE BEST. NOT ANY MORE THOUGH ...
46 AUGUST 2019 | golf australia
A Z OF PUTTING