Zero Torque

In the evolving landscape of golf club innovation, the zero torque putter has emerged as a disruptive force. Although LAB Golf was not the first to introduce the concept—the pioneering work of Axis1 Golf dates back nearly 15 years, with legends like Justin Rose reportedly taking the design on tour in 2007—the market has been irrevocably transformed by LAB’s aggressive push into the professional arena.

Manufacturers now vie for supremacy in a category once considered niche. Major players such as Callaway, PXG, Evenroll, and Bettinardi have each unveiled their own versions, while boutique brands like CMD and Void are beginning to make their mark. The proliferation of zero torque technology represents a paradigm shift: rather than contending with the inherent twisting of a putter’s face on off-center strikes, designers have engineered clubs in which the center of gravity is meticulously aligned with the shaft and grip. This alignment minimizes torque, allowing the face to remain square to the target throughout the stroke.

To illustrate, envision a perfectly balanced pendulum. With its weight evenly distributed around the pivot point, the pendulum swings in a smooth, unimpeded arc. That is the essence of a zero torque putter—eliminating the unintentional rotation that can lead to errant putts, and thus promising greater consistency and accuracy on the greens.

Yet, not every manufacturer has embraced this trend wholesale. Scotty Cameron, long revered as the purveyor of the “holy grail” of putters, remains steadfast in its commitment to toe flow technology—a philosophy rooted in traditional toe hang. Cameron’s approach, which emphasizes the nuanced feedback a golfer receives from the clubface, argues that a putter should complement a player’s natural stroke rather than enforce a mechanically perfect line. Despite experimenting with a prototype Phantom putter on the PGA Tour, Cameron appears unlikely to abandon its core design ethos in favor of a zero torque model.

Looking ahead, industry giants such as Ping have begun testing prototype zero torque putters with their touring professionals. The question now is whether these experimental models will translate into consumer versions—and if so, how they will redefine the game for everyday golfers. In an era marked by rapid technological evolution, the zero torque putter stands as a testament to innovation, challenging both tradition and expectation on the green.