wangster... good idea with moving the hole off center. I'll make sure to try that.

Although, the one thing that bothered me with your idea was that the pole doesn't go all the way through.
If the mallets hook, then there is a potential for it to "pop out" of that groove inside the head.

Also, that means that i need to find a 3" drill bit - which i do not have.

how about this?