One of the most interesting technological advancements in recent times has been the introduction of zero torque putters. The most well known exponent of zero torque technology is probably L.A.B. Golf, a company that had specialised in Lie Angle Balance technology, which eliminates torque and makes putting easier.
What does this mean in layman's terms? L.A.B. Golf claim that torque is the enemy of consistent putting, so eliminating torque and keeping the putter face square to the arc of the stroke, zero torque putters allow the golfer to repeat their stroke, start putts on the correct path more often and thereby gain more consistency on the greens.
To achieve this, the head shapes can be often quite funky in design and that may not appeal to golfers who are used to a standard blade putter or who prefer to use one of the best mallet putters. They don't look so strange just for the sake of it though, it's about achieving the right balance to keep the putter face square. The design is all about ensuring as much resistance to twisting in the path of your stroke, keeping the face square at impact and making it easier to maintain the correct line and speed.
Such has been the impact of zero torque putters in the last few years, other brands have now attempted to create their own version of them, or at least very low torque putters, such as Odyssey with the Square 2 Square range as well as Evnroll and Bettinardi.
If you are an inconsistent putter or you feel that you struggle to start your putts on the correct path, there's a very good chance that torque is your problem so why not look at eliminating that with one of the following putters that we have tried and tested.
The Quick List
Thanks to a stunning head design and the addition of a stainless steel milled insert, the OZ looks great and provides sublime feel and acoustics.
The look of the Odyssey Square 2 Square is quickly becoming an iconic one, allowing players to achieve easy, accurate alignment and to excel with those shorter putts.
The L.A.B. Golf MEZZ.1 MAX putter is one of the most innovative and stable putters on the market. The looks take some getting used to but patience with this putter will likely reap the rewards.
A rare bladed entry into the zero torque putter market, the Antidote SB1 delivers a premium design and stunning looks as well as plenty of forgiveness.
One of the few non-center shafted zero torque putters on the market, the Zero Z5s is incredibly stable, forgiving and boasts exceptional build quality.
Made from 303 stainless steel and featuring a lightweight aluminium alignment aid, this technology packed offering from PXG is a perfect putter for beginners as well as more advanced golfers.
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The Jailbird Cruiser is the most stable square to square putter I've ever tested. Coming in at a longer length and heavier weight that the regular Odyssey Square 2 Square putter, it really works to minimize face twisting relative to your path.
Best Zero Torque Putters
Top pick
The OZ.1i putter is particularly impressible due to how stable the head feels through the stroke. It's a completely different head shape from anything the brand has created before and it’s also the first time a fly-milled, medium-depth stainless steel insert has been incorporated into the lineup. This enhances the impact experience for golfers who prefer that firmer feel at impact, but there will still be the option of the standard full aluminum face for those who prefer a slightly softer feel.
I tested this putter with my current ball of choice - the 2025 Titleist Pro V1x - and I loved the clicky acoustics and feel this club and ball combination produced. It reminded me of the likes of a Scotty Cameron Phantom or Odyssey Ai-One Milled putter - widely considered some of the best putters on the market.
The same 2° shaft lean option with forward press grip that has been available in previous L.A.B. Golf designs remains, but those who are new to the low torque putter game may find the 0° option a little more comfortable on the eye.
Every L.A.B. Golf putter is meticulously hand-balanced at its HQ in Oregon, so you can rest assured that your putter is being made to the tightest tolerances. This does create a slightly longer lead time than when ordering a stock putter from anywhere else but the precise craftsmanship is worth the wait.
- Read our full L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i Putter Review
Best value
You're likely familiar with the look of Odyssey's Square 2 Square putter range as it's a model used by the likes of Brian Harman, Wyndham Clark and Rickie Fowler on the PGA Tour. Odyssey's goal with this putter is simple - to create a flatstick that can help golfers start the ball on their intended line more often, thus leading to more putts dropping into the hole.
This is a putter that really impressed us during testing, thanks in part to the new stroke balanced face design, it comes with all the technology found in the Ai-One putter range. The computer-powered White Hot insert has variable face thickness to produce consistent ball speeds even on mishit putts. This meant I felt really confident on putts inside 10ft but also on those 50ft lag putts that keep a round going.
The putter comes equipped with a slightly larger oversize grip compared to the standard Ai-One models and personally I loved it as it felt like it took my wrists out of action during my putting stroke which led to more consistent results. If you find yourself struggling with distance control or more importantly starting the ball on line from shorter range, then this putter could be well worth the investment.
- Read our full Odyssey Square 2 Square Jailbird Putter Review
Best soft feel
Everything about this putter is designed to return the putter square at impact. In fact, L.A.B. Golf putters never actually move away from square an d they are all designed with the shaft entering the head in a way that removes torque and neutralizes gravity in order to have the putter head remain square to the path of the putter throughout the stroke.
The main body of the MEZZ.1 MAX is fully CNC Milled from 6061 aircraft aluminum with the face CNC machined from 303 stainless steel for maximum feel. The shaft is angled with a slight shaft lean which is then counteracted by the on-set of the head as well as a grip that has a built-in forward press so you don’t have to manipulate your hands at address.
In testing it took me a practice session and a few holes on the course to get used to it, but I'd fallen in love with this putter by the time I hit the turn. It's basically a cheat-code and I described it to my playing partners as being as easy as ‘point and shoot’.
Good mechanics, gauging pace and reading greens also play a part in sinking putts of course, but Lie Angle Balance technology really works. The stability and forgiveness of the MEZZ.1 MAX is seriously impressive and makes putting easy.
The heightened levels of stability and natural urge to stay square to the target throughout the stroke will certainly help you start the ball on line more often with the MEZZ.1 MAX putter. Yes it comes with a premium price tag, but total confidence from short range on the greens is a near priceless commodity.
- Read our full L.A.B. Golf MEZZ.1 MAX Putter Review
Most premium look
Blade putter releases have been rare in recent months as it feel like zero torque putters are seemingly demanding the spotlight, closely followed by traditional mallets. Credit to Bettinardi then, in my opinion, for pushing the boat out and delivering a high performing bladed zero torque putter for those who aren't fans of the bigger, chunkier putter heads.
The Antidote SB1 oozes a level of class thanks to the precision milling and diamond blast finish across the head, as is to be expected from of the best brands for high end putters. As you can imagine, this is easily the smallest head out of any of the other options in this guide but I still found alignment to be easy to find and setup thanks to the 'T' alignment you see as you stare down at the putter from address. Designed by removing 55 percent of the face surface through a deep groove pattern, this putter sees less of the ball hit the face at impact, reducing vibrations and therefore producing the remarkably smooth feel that you would expect from a premium milled putter.
Considering this is a center-shafted putter and they tend to be a little less forgiving than regular options, I found The Antidote to be extremely forgiving. I struggled a little more inside 15ft compared to other options on this list but I put that down to putting on slower, winter greens here in the UK and the fact this putter delivers a very soft feel off the face. I'm confident I'll improve in this range come summer time and quicker putting surfaces. For those seeking a mixture of looks, feel and performance with the latest in putter technology, the Bettinardi Antidote SB1 is a great option.
- Read our full Bettinardi Antidote SB1 Putter Review
Best firm feel
The Z5s putter is one of the few zero torque putters that isn't center shafted which will make it appealing to some players off the bat. The center shaft is replaced by a patented reverse offset hosel, which is essentially a plumbers or ‘L’ neck hosel the opposite way around. This then sees the angle of the shaft run directly through the center of gravity (CG) rather than entering the head through it.
This winged, full-size mallet putter is connected with a back alignment bar, which reminds me a lot of the the Odyssey Jailbird which is a good thing! As ever with Evnroll putters, the build quality here is exceptional. The Zero Z5s is 100 percent milled from 303 stainless steel and features the brand's SweetFace technology, which sees closely spaced V-shape channels applied across the hitting area so ball speeds remain consistent, particularly on mishit putts.
During testing I could feel the build quality shining through - putts rolled with noticeable consistency and the stability was on par with some of the most forgiving putters on the market. The lofty price tag of $449 will put some punters off, but this is a putter well worth a try.
- Read our full Evnroll Zero Z5S Putter Review
Best for alignment
This clever design from PXG eliminates the torsional forces that allow the clubhead to over-rotate throughout the putting stroke and allows the putter face to return square to target more consistently through impact.
Essentially, this putter has been designed to keep the face square to where you initially aim. So whether you have a strong arc, slight arc or a much straighter stroke, the whole premise of this putter is to help golfers return the face squarely through impact. This leads to better distance control and more holed putts from close-range. The putter is named after the brother of PXG CEO, Bob Parsons. Allan used to live by a quote ‘we’re not here for a long time, we’re here for a good time’ and golf is certainly more fun when you’re holing putts.
The unique S ‘hosel’ eventually joins with the head towards the heel like most of the best putters but allows the shaft axis to sit naturally above the CG and therefore creates a toe-up balance point, helping eliminate any excess twisting of the face relative to the path of the stroke. This cleverly designed putter actually is made with 5° of measured loft but plays as 3° thanks to 2° of natural forward press, allowing golfers to naturally address the putter and counteract the onset hosel design.
In addition to the hugely impressive technology and the excellent performance in testing, we also think that this putter really looks the part. The mallet style head is made from 303 stainless steel and features a lightweight aluminium alignment aid, which we think helps to make this a perfect putter for beginners as well as more advanced golfers. There is also a pick up pocket on the sole of the Allan putter which is great news for golfers with back issues, as it allows you to to retrieve your ball from the green without having to bend down and put any additional stress on your back.
- Read our full PXG Allan Putter Review
Most forgiving
We loved the performance of the Square 2 Square Jailbird when we reviewed it earlier in the year and thus were very excited to get our hands on the Cruiser version of the same putter, a club designed with a heavier head and longer length for the upmost stability through the putting stroke.
At address, this putter looks the same as the standard length Jailbird Square 2 Square, boasting the same features we loved with the original with great, easy alignment thanks to highly contrasting sections and the three dots near the face. The longer length might be for everyone with this putter, but for me I felt more comfortable over the ball during testing as a result. The longer 17” grip allows for a counterbalance weighting and the ability to grip down and hold a putter like you normally would and this helped me dial in my tempo and distance control. I felt far more locked in and it almost acted as a training aid to help me release the putter correctly through impact.
Like the original Square 2 Square Jailbird, it will take some time getting used to this putter, particularly for longer lag putts. However, once you get used to the feel you'll see results very quickly, thanks in part to the the Ai-One insert with variable face thickness that certainly seemed to help with distance control. Out of all of the zero-torque putters, the Odyssey Ai-One Square 2 Square Jailbird Cruiser Putter was by far the most consistent I have tested.
How we test
Here at Golf Monthly we take product testing very seriously and you can be assured that all of our reviews and buyers' guides are built upon a rigorous testing procedure, as well as the knowledge and experience of the test team.
The putter section is headed up by Sam De'Ath, while other members of the Golf Monthly team also contribute to testing of putters. We test the putters outdoors on real greens with a variety of premium golf balls to get a full understanding of design features, feel, sound and looks. Between all of our writers we are able to efficiently test the vast majority of the biggest product releases and convey the pros and cons eloquently.
Ultimately, we aim to be as insightful and honest as possible in our reviews and no manufacturer can buy a good review from us. Our team always tells it exactly how they see it, whether good or bad.
How to choose your putter
The putter is perhaps the most important golf club in the bag, as we use it more than any other. Therefore you need to think about what you want and what you like to use when it comes to the putter. A confidence-inspiring design that suits your eye and suits your stroke can save countless shots on the greens and a good flat-stick is often a quick way of bringing the handicap down. The growing trend of zero torque putters could be a real game changer for golfers of all skill levels, and we would certainly advise anybody that might be struggling on the greens to give zero torque a try.
So then what are the things you need to mull over before purchasing? Here's what you need to consider when choosing a new putter, and specifically if you are thinking about going with a zero torque putter.
Feel & Sound
The feel and sound the ball makes coming off the face is important, but so is how the putter feels in your hands. If you don't like how it feels you won't feel good using it, so that is something to consider straight away.
A quieter sound usually equates to a softer feel, whereas a louder sound translates into a firmer feel. There is no right or wrong here, it's about personal preference so try a variety of putters and see what you feel most comfortable with. A firmer feel is often the product of shallow grooves or no grooves at all on the face, where sound can’t be dissipated as effectively. They work better with softer feeling golf balls, whereas soft-feeling putters work best with firmer golf balls.
Weighting
Many putters (including some listed above) come with adjustable weights in the sole that will alter the feel of the putter. This can be useful, providing you understand the purpose of the weighting. Golfers with a jerky putting action may prefer a lighter putter, although opting for more weight may reduce it, depending on what your goals are. If your stroke is quite smooth and slow, however, a heavier putter will suit that more. The speed of the greens you play on is important too. Slower greens might require more weight, while faster greens require less.
Grip
The putter grip plays a huge roll in the confidence you feel with a putter. Get one that feels right and sits in your hands comfortably while allowing you to return the putter back to the ball squarely and consistently. Generally speaking, strokes with a lot of arc will require a thinner grip (which is why you tend to see thinner grips on blades and thicker ones on mallets), but this is very much down to personal preference. With zero torque putters the grips that come as standard tend to work best as they have been specifically designed to work in conjunction with the head.
Looks
Ideally you should get a putter that you like the look of as the aesthetics can play a role in inspiring or diminishing confidence on the greens. However, when it comes to L.A.B. putters for example they aren't necessarily the most pleasing on the eye so you may have to make some compromise there and prioritize performance above all else, because that's what really matters, surely?
Value
If you are looking for value then zero torque putters are probably not going to suit your requirements as currently they tend to be among the more premium priced putters on the market. There's a reason for that though, as the individual design, technology and craftsmanship that goes into making these putters are always going to ensure a higher price, but the assistance you get on the greens make that extra cost worthwhile.
Finally for more putting advice, check out our guides on best putters for high handicappers, best L.A.B. putters and best cheap putters.
FAQs
What makes a putter zero torque?
In the putting stroke, the putter face usually rotates naturally to some degree during the take away. This can be problematic if you don't return the face to square at impact.
Zero torque putters are designed to keep the putter face square to the target line (in other words, it doesn't open or close) by positioning the center of gravity (CG) directly under the shaft axis. This reduces head twisting during the stroke and makes it easier to return the putter face back to square at impact with minimal effort, thus improving consistency and accuracy on the greens.
What are the best zero torque putters?
L.A.B. Golf have been the pioneers in this field and we are big fans of the brand. Several of our staff here at Golf Monthly have L.A.B. putters in the bag, and we included two on this list. However, although it isn't on this list the L.A.B. Golf DF3 is also one of the best zero torque putters on the market.
The PXG Allen putter is another one that really impressed us in testing, while the Odyssey S2S Jailbird is another very popular model that we enjoyed testing.
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