The Best Zero Torque Putters

Death, taxes, and companies that make zero torque putters claiming competitor’s zero torque putters aren’t actually zero torque.

Whether you want to call them zero torque, torque free, reduced torque, torque balanced, toe up, or face forward putters, the craze looks more and more like it’s here for a long time, not just a good time.

Nobody can seem to agree on what qualifies as a zero torque putter, and we’re not measuring torque ourselves to determine whether or not a putter is eligible for this list. Instead, we’re taking a you-know-it-when-you-see-it approach. If a putter declares itself a zero-torque, torque-free, or any of those other identifiers we rattled off, then it’s getting a look for this list.

I’ve recently jumped into the zero torque putter crazy myself, adding one to my own bag. To help get a full grasp of this category, and to translate it into terms that casual players, not just the gear-heads out there, can understand, I’ve also spoken with several industry experts on the topic, including PXG design engineer Matt Andrews, Club Champion Founder Nick Sherburne, and Evnroll VP of Global Marketing Greg Sabella.

Pros:

• The most customizable zero torque putter
• Premium shaft improves performance, not just feel
• Made in the U.S.A
• Remote fitting available to get the ideal specs

Cons:

• Custom DF3 starts at $559, a stiff ask for a putter

Here’s an anecdote that explains why the L.A.B DF3 is at the top of our list of the best zero torque putters. I spoke with Club Champion founder Nick Sherburne, who arguably more than any other person on planet Earth has access to the very best performing equipment for his game, regardless of who makes it. Afterall, he owns perhaps the most prominent brand-agnostic club-fitting operation in the United States.

I asked Nick what putter is in his bag right now. 

His answer? The L.A.B. DF3.

“It was our number one selling putter the last two years in a row,” Sherburne said of L.A.B putters as a whole. “Our fitters don't have a reason to sell it any more than any other putter. It's just a good product.”

As for the DF3 specifically, it’s a fun-sized version of the putter that put L.A.B on the map, the Directed Force. While few argued the performance benefits of the original Directed Force (DF) putter, the sleeker footprint of the DF3 invites a much larger audience.

Whether it’s the DF3, or a different model of L.A.B putter (which we’ll get too shortly), you get a few things some of the competition simply doesn’t offer, starting with a premium shaft that, according to Sherburne, is one of the most underrated elements of a zero torque putter.

“It comes with a super premium shaft that the rest don’t. I think it’s understated how much that matters,” Sherburne said.

L.A.B also offers more customization options than others zero torque competitors, including head colors, sight lines, broomstick and armlock options, and even head weight.

Pros:

• Looks almost like a normal mallet
• Polymer inside the face for a soft, satisfying feel
• The putter design leads to a consistent setup
• Sight line all the way through the head 

Cons:

• Distance control was a big adjustment for me when testing this putter

I had the opportunity to personally test the PXG Allan putter. The biggest performance benefit I found in my testing was a 50% increase in made putts from 9-24 feet. I knew I was missing too many of those mid-range putts before, and switching to the Allan putter proved to be an immediate fix.

The trade-off, in my experience, was distance control. Even though I sank way more mid-range putts with the Allan, I also ran way too many 20-footers six feet past, which led to more 3-putts.

To over-simplify my experience with the Allan, I had more one-putts, and more three-putts, so a much mroe exciting experience on the greens overall. However, the distance control struggles don’t bother me, because anytime you switch putters, there’s going to be an adjustment, especially on longer putts and especially when you switch from a blade to a mallet, like I did. I’m certain that was a short-term problem.

On the other hand, I love the feel of the Allan putter thanks to PXG’s polymer behind the ultra-thin face. I also liked that since it’s actually a pretty normal-looking putter, there was no adjustment period getting used to looking down at it.

“I think the greatest design element of Allan, albeit kind of goofy looking, is the S-hosel,” PXG Design Engineer Matt Andrews said. “It’s really nice because it allows us to have a full uninterrupted sight line from the front of the putter to the back, something more unique in the zero torque space.”

If you want zero torque, like a softer-feeling putter, and want one that’s easy to set up to, I think you’ll like the PXG Allan putter.

Pros:

• At just $299, these are easily the best value zero torque putters
• Square 2 Square is a zero torque version of an existing putter, so they look normal
• White Hot insert that players have loved for decades
• All the technology Odyssey is famous for, in a zero torque design

Cons:

• Right-handed only

Odyssey hit two home runs with its brand new Ai-ONE Square 2 Square line of zero torque putters. First, by keeping the pricing in line with the rest of the Ai-ONE series, at $299, these are easily the lowest-priced zero torque putters out there.

Second, by using heads that are indistinguishable from their siblings in the Ai-ONE line, Odyssey created the rare zero torque putters that don’t scream zero torque from three putting greens away.

In other words, the Ai-ONE Square 2 Square putters are the best-looking, best-value zero torque putters on the market.

But how do they perform?

The brand new Square 2 Square line features three head styles, the double wide blade (DW), the fang-style No. 7, and the Jailbird. Each has Odyssey’s Ai-ONE insert which creates consistent ball speeds from center, toe-side, or heel-side strikes. It also comes standard with Odyssey’s Stroke Lab shaft and of course features the White Hot face that players love.

Given the brand recognition, tempered looks, and technology that has been proven in Odyssey’s previous putters, not to mention the more manageable price, I’d be surprised if the new Square 2 Square line of putters aren’t the king of this category in 2025.

Pros:

• Three different shapes to suit any player’s preference
• Reverse hosel is the only visual zero torque feature
• Less onset than most other zero torque options
• Evnroll’s SweetFace groove technology produces superior consistency across the face

Cons:

• Two of the three models are currenlyt only available for right-handers

Evnroll recently launched its new line of Zero putters, which are of course zero torque. The line features three styles, the Z1 (full mallet), Z2s (wide blade) and Z5s (winged mallet).

Because Guerin Rife designed this line with a reverse hosel, the ZERO putters have less onset, and therefore less forward shaft lean, than most other zero torque putters. That means it presents a more familiar feeling at setup and a more familiar stroke than if you were to switch to a different zero torque option with a more pronounced built-in shaft lean.

That reverse hosel also leaves a much more aesthetically pleasing putter, especially if you like a traditional look but crave the performance of zero torque. Even moreso than the Ai-ONE Square 2 Square putters, this line of Evnroll ZERO putters could pass for a conventional putter at first glance.

Evnroll putters have earned a strong reputation for the tech they offer, and those features are just as prominant in the ZERO line as Evnroll’s conventional putters. Most notably, Evnroll’s SweetFace Technology, a series of strategically shaped grooves, tightens dispersion and creates consistency across the face of the putter.

When you think about the complete package, these putters are designed to stay square to your path throughout the stroke, and roll a predictable distance even if you miss the sweet spot. Doesn’t that sound like a much easier way to putt?

Pros:

• Quality craftsmanship made in the U.S.A
• Sleek, black design
• Customize head weight, lie angle and alignment options 

Cons:

• Right-handed only

The Array line of putters from Edel includes four different putter head options, all of which are available in torque balanced, face balanced (except the B-1) or various toe-hang options, making it easy to find one that matches your stroke, as long as you know what your putting stroke does.

All four heads, the B-1 (blade), F-1 (winged mallet), F-2 (fang mallet) and F-3 (full mallet) boast a sleek black design that pops. 

Unlike other zero torque putters, which typically are what amounts to 90-degrees toe-up (as opposed to toe hang), the torque balanced Array putters are anywhere from 40-50 degrees toe up, so they don’t point perfectly straight when you lay it in your palm.

Edel is known for is its fight against alignment bias, and that’s one area you can realy take advantage of the Array putters. Once you identify your alignment bias, you can equip your Edel putter with the ideal alignment mark to offset that bias, helping you start more putts online.

Pros:

• Offset grip creates forward press to optimize performance
• Premium shafts
• Remote fitting available

Cons:

• Distinct looks may turn off some players
• Not as forgiving as other L.A.B putters

L.A.B has been in the zero torque game – that is, of course, their only game – for longer than most everyone except Axis1 a couple sporadic Odyssey releases dating back to 2010. Therefore, it makes sense that L.A.B has expanded its zero torque offerings more than almost everyone.

The original Directed Force putter was refined into the sizzling DF3, and the large mallet is complimented in the L.A.B lineup by a blade style putter (the Link.1) and this fang style mallet, the Mezz.1.

Like the other L.A.B putters we mentioned, the Mezz.1 is center-shafted. It features a somewhat blocky head with sharp edges, and all the customization options your heart desires. You can even choose from nine different head colors in addition to arm lock and broomstick options, among many others. Of course, the Mezz.1 includes a premium, stable shaft which boosts its twist-resisting performance.

L.A.B says the Mezz.1 looks like a normal mallet putter, but I say they’ve been looking at the DF2.1 too long, because I’ve never seen another putter that looks like this. That’s not a knock, just an observation, and there's a good chance if you put the Mezz.1 in the bag, you'll observe a lot more putts dropping.