Did Removing Torque Make The PXG Torpedo A Better Putter

PXG has a new putter coming to market today.

The Torpedo ZT may be the best putter they have released this year.

Some may accuse me of being a PXG fanboy or at least a broken record of PXG praise. If you've never rolled their putters, I can see how my continued hullabaloo about PXG putters could seem disingenuous and even annoying.

If that's how you feel, you should probably stop reading now. Get ready for a praise-palooza for the PXG Torpedo ZT.

The first incarnation of the PXG Torpedo was a fantastic interpretation of the Spider. I'll not go as far as to call it innovative but it was a deft blending of the iconic shape with PXG putter technologies and aesthetics.

The plumber's neck version of the Torpedo lived in my bag for more than a few rounds last year. At the time, I considered it one of the best putters that PXG had ever produced and I still do.

It's important to set the Torpedo stage because I think that the zero-torque version of the Torpedo may be even better than the previous version.

PXG makes the Torpedo torque-free

The torque-elimination plan for the Torpedo ZT is a common one. Unlike the PXG Allan where they used a novel hosel, PXG eliminated torque by attaching the shaft to the head at the putter's center of gravity.

This onset attachment site gives the putter a toe-up "hang" and keeps the putter square to the path during the swing.

This is a similar build strategy to the PXG One & Done ZT and the Hotrod ZT.

The shaft also has one degree of forward press built in. The shaft inserts into the grip at the same angle, allowing the player to grip the putter in a natural position.

I don't know I love the grip material but the shape and the weight work well with the zero-torque design.

Did PXG make the Spider ZT that TaylorMade should have made?

There is no denying that the PXG Torpedo ZT looks like a TaylorMade Spider. That revelation comes without accusation. As with all iconic putter designs, companies have "interpreted" popular designs for decades.

What is interesting about the PXG Torpedo ZT is that it looks more like a classic Spider than the actual TaylorMade Spider ZT.

The Spider ZT is a solid zero-torque putter design, but it doesn't really look like a classic Spider. It's way boxier and it lacks the perimeter weight ring element.

The PXG Torpedo ZT maintains more of the Spider look, even with the elimination of torque.

I've played quite a few rounds with a mySpider Tour putter. Going from that Spider to the PXG Torpedo ZT was not a huge visual transition.

As I said, I'm not bashing the Spider ZT. It is a great zero-torque putter. The Torpedo ZT just makes me wonder if this is what TaylorMade's Spider ZT should have actually looked like.

Why do I think it is the best PXG putter of the year?

I can answer in a single word: feel. This putter has an amazing feel. I italicized "feel" because I am not talking about one feel aspect, like the feel at impact, but rather the overall feel package.

That said, the impact does feel satisfying. The combination of 303 stainless steel and PXG's Pyramid Milled Face Pattern delivers a soft yet spunky roll as per usual.

The rest of the feel equation relates to balance and performance.

Zero-torque putters, especially those with the shaft attached at the center of gravity, can lack feel and/or feedback during the stroke. This is the blessing and the curse of removing torque.

On the positive front, if you don't feel much during the stroke, you are less likely to try and "fix" the putter during the swing.

However, most golfers like to have a little feedback during the putting stroke. We trust feel-free zero-torque putters much like parents trust their teenagers.

Lose the torque but retain the feel

In my experience, the PXG Torpedo ZT never feels disconnected during the stroke. The torque may be gone but you can still feel the head's progression when you putt.

Distance control is excellent with the PXG Torpedo ZT. For me, this is also a feel aspect. My lags are all based upon feel and experience with the putter. I don't determine putt distance with a mathematical formula that integrates tempo and backswing distance.

I look at the distance, figure out if it is up or down hill, and let the putter do its thing. Most of the time this works well. For some putters, this can be a recipe for distance dispersal disaster.

If I was putting at the sun, I'd have balls ending up near Venus and Neptune.

Out of the box, the PXG Torpedo ZT delivered my expected distances. Naturally, this did involve some green speed calibrations on the practice green. After that, putts were for the most part going as far as they should.

This is also true for the really long lag putts. These are the putts that usually end up kicking most zero-torque putters out of my bag rotation due to their lack of feel and feedback.

So far, the PXG Torpedo ZT is delivering from deep distances, and escaping relegation.

PXG is a solid putter company

Every time I write about PXG putters, I sing the praises of their designs and wonder how their putters continue to fly under the radar. Why do I still feel like I'm singing solos when I should be part of a large pro-PXG putter choir?

As far as putter lines go, the PXG Battle Ready II putter line is as diverse as they come. Not only are there numerous head shapes but many of the models come with multiple neck options.

The tech works, the construction quality is exceptional, and the model diversity should be a club fitter's dream.

They also all feature adjustable sole weights. It's possible that my "feel" experience does not quite match yours when you roll the Torpedo ZT. If that's the case, you can adjust the head weight with the sole weights.

These weights allow head weights from 357 grams to 392. Stock weight is 370 grams which is working for me but your ideal weight may be a little lighter or heavier. Unlike L.A.B. Golf sole weights, the PXG weights are designed to be adjusted.

Out of curiosity, are PXG putters available to try in shops near you? If not, I can understand the skepticism about how I fawn over them. If you haven't rolled them, you don't know for sure how good they are.

I've rolled a ton of putters through the years. Some are just better than others. The PXG Torpedo ZT is one of the good ones.

If there is not a retailer near you, PXG offers money-back 30-day returns for online sales, minus shipping and 12-percent restocking fees.

Don't forget their PXG for Heroes program offers 20-percent discounts for veterans, active military, first responders, nurses and teachers.

If you are in the market for a zero-torque putter and are a fan of this shape, add the Torpedo ZT to your must-try list.

Find out more about the Torpedo ZT and other PXG putters at PXG.com