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The Bettinardi Queen B 16 putter puts an aesthetic twist on the classic blade putter.  Beautiful finish and engravings.  Superb feel.  Forgiveness on par with standard Anser-style putters.

Introduction

Bettinardi’s Queen B putters have always steered toward more traditional designs, and no conventional putter line up would be complete without an Anser.  For 2025, that role is played by the Bettinardi Queen B 16 putter, though it does show us Bettinardi putting their own spin on this classic.   I tested one to see if their tweaks go deeper than surface level.

Looks

At a glance, the Bettinardi Queen B 16 putter is your typical Anser-style blade putter.  A second look reveals several differences that set it apart from the crowd.  Most obvious to me are the chamfered bumpers.  The flange is also slightly wider than normal, and the top line is crowned.  While I generally applaud putter makes that put their own spin on the conventional Anser, this one falls flat for me.  The softened bumpers contrast too sharply with the blocky shoulders and generally draw too much attention away from the ball.

The rest of the putter shares its elevated aesthetics with the other 2025 Queen B models.  The sole features a swarm of bees following the Queen B encased in a hexagon.  This engraving is done with the high level of detail that we expect from Bettinardi.  Also noteworthy is the Royal Rose PVD finish which pairs beautifully with the white and navy blue paintfill.

Sound & Feel

Unsurprisingly, the feel of the Bettinardi Queen B 16 putter is every bit as satisfying as the feel I found in the Queen B 7 [review HERE].  Both putters are made from 303 stainless steel and feature Bettinardi’s Mini Honeycomb Face Milling.  The company states that this is “the softest Honeycomb face to date,” and I agree.  It’s soft but not mushy, gentle but not weak.  I didn’t feel like I had to hit the ball harder to get it to the cup, nor was I afraid of making an aggressive swing.

The sound that comes off this putter is a gentle “tock.”  It’s just clear enough to be called responsive.  Some soft-feeling putters can sound dull, but that’s not the case here.

As I noted with the Queen B 7, the Queen B 16 isn’t as demanding as many previous Bettinardi putters.  The feedback is there, but it’s mild.  You can get a great feel from a small miss while still knowing that the putt wasn’t perfect.

Performance

While the Bettinardi Queen B 16 putter sets itself apart from the typical Anser aesthetically, the performance specs stay true to the original.  The plumbers neck creates a full shaft offset and “1/2 toe hang” or 4:30 or 45 degrees, depending on your preferred nomenclature.  This makes it an easy putter for the majority of golfers to pick up and use with no transition period.

The one specification that is a touch unusual is the head weight.  The Bettinardi Queen B 16 weighs in at a hefty 362 grams.  While there are certainly heavier putters, this is more than your average blade.  Given the prevalence of larger, often heavier, grips in the modern game, this slight boost in weight may be a necessity for maintaining a sensible swing weight.

On the green, I found the additional weight of the Bettinardi Queen B 16 putter was helpful with my distance control.  I tend to having dying speed and am more apt to leave putts short than to hit them past the cup.  The added weight wasn’t so much that I felt like I couldn’t swing the putter normally, but it was enough to give the ball a little extra juice.

Finally, when it comes to forgiveness, there’s nothing that separates the Queen B 16 from any other Anser-style putter.  On close putts, anything hit reasonably well should find the bottom of the cup.  At longer distances, however, a good strike is required to get the ball to the hole.  Big mishits will stop short of the hole, leaving stressful par attempts.

Conclusion

There’s no doubt that the beautiful finish and engravings will have Bettinardi collectors adding at least one of the 2025 Queen B putters to their collection.  Collector or not, if you’re seeking a high end, traditional blade with a slight aesthetic twist, you won’t go wrong with the Bettinardi Queen B 16 putter.

Support Plugged In Golf, Shop HERE

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The PXG Black Hawk putter is a modern mallet with strong forgiveness.  Pick Up Pocket works just as promised, picking up balls with ease.  Face technologies provide a soft, premium feel.

Introduction

Introduced alongside the new PXG Wildcat golf clubs [review HERE], you might think the PXG Black Hawk putter is the targeted only toward newer golfers.  However, with all of PXG’s premium technology and their unmatched customization options, the Black Hawk is a great option for any golfer – regardless of your putting style – who wants more forgiveness on the greens.

Looks

The dominant feature on the PXG Black Hawk putter is the wide alignment feature down the middle.  My brain immediately recalled the PING Ketsch [review HERE] from several years ago, though there are similar features on more contemporary putters – feel free to call them out in the comments section.  Regardless, this alignment aid provides strong contrast against the black putter which allows you to focus on your line.  While I don’t really like traditional sight lines, I’ve always liked big alignment features like this as they give me the feeling of freedom with my aim rather than trying to be perfect.

Beyond this alignment tool, the PXG Black Hawk putter has the dimensions of a modern mallet with a fairly traditional shape.  There are no “wings” or weird outgrowths, just a softly tapered trapezoidal body.  In the bag, the Black Hawk has moderately sized PXG branding on the sole, face, and back.  The sole also calls out the “Pick Up Pocket” and features two adjustable weights.  And if you were expecting any colors beyond black and silver on a PXG putter, keep dreaming.

Sound & Feel

The PXG Black Hawk putter produces a premium, medium-soft feel when rolling a urethane-covered golf ball.  This feel pairs well with the quiet “thud” sound.

If you’re a fan of PXG putters, you’ll note a similarity with several of the Battle Ready II putters like the Apache [review HERE].  This makes sense as they share key technologies like the Pyramid Face Patterns and S COR polymer supporting the face.

Given that this is a putter built to promote forgiveness, you won’t feel much twisting on mishits.  You’ll need a truly off-center strike to make the sound change, and locating impact through your hands requires some attention.

Performance

Several technologies work together to make the PXG Black Hawk putter very forgiving.  That starts with the multi-material construction – an aluminum body married with a stainless steel weight plate to push more mass to the rear.  Additionally, the Pick Up Pocket removes mass from the center of the putter, boosting MOI further.  Finally, the S COR polymer and Pyramid Face Patterns provide consistent ball speed across the face.  All this adds up to make sure that every putt rolls out to its intended distance and mishits don’t cause the putter to twist and send the ball offline.

As with all of their other flat sticks, PXG offers golfers important customization options in the Black Hawk putter.  The most critical is the choice among four necks.  Shown in these photos is the double bend neck.  This makes the putter face balanced, best for players with a straight putting path.  The heel shafted option provides the most toe hang for players with a strong arc.  If you’re somewhere in the middle, the plumbers neck is a great choice.  On top of that, PXG offers an Armlock hosel for players that use an anchored stroke.

Once you’ve chosen a neck, you can dial in the basic specs like loft, lie, and length.  If you want more stability, you can add PXG’s proprietary M16 shaft [review HERE].  PXG also offers thirteen grip options.  Finally, there are adjustable weights in the sole, so you can alter the swing weight to suit your preference.  All these options mean that virtually every golfer can design a Black Hawk to fit their stroke.

Finally, the Black Hawk’s Pick Up Pocket works just as advertised, lifting the ball off the green with only modest pressure.  Is this the reason to put the Black Hawk in your bag?  Probably not, but it’s a nice bonus that adds a little more style when you’re picking up your gimmes.

Conclusion

Whether you make it the capstone to your Wildcat set or purchase it on its own, the PXG Black Hawk putter will not disappoint.  This club offers premium feel and strong performance.  Take advantage of PXG’s fitting and customization options to get the most out of it.

Buy the PXG Black Hawk Putter HERE

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The PXG Wildcat golf clubs are a set built for new players or those who want more help on the course.  Nine club set makes great sense for many players.  Strong value.

Introduction

When PXG first entered the game, the one thing that everyone knew was that their clubs were expensive.  Several years later, there is not a single OEM doing more for the budget-conscious golfer.  The PXG Wildcat golf clubs are a follow up to the 0211 Z line [review HERE] and arguably the best way for new and higher handicap players to get a sensible set of clubs with great performance at a reasonable price.

Looks

Overall, the PXG Wildcat golf clubs have a sharp, premium look that’s largely in line with the rest of PXG’s offerings.  The black and silver color scheme is the same, the PXG branding is the same, and the black headcovers even have the same QuickStick magnets.  You’re not going to see the elaborate mill marks like on the Sugar Daddy III wedges [review HERE], but that’s reflective of the price gap.

Starting at the top of the bag, the PXG Wildcat driver looks really good.  The crown is a high gloss black with a white stripe that gives the shape definition.  It’s round and symmetrical, not stretched or leaning toward the heel.  The only sign that it’s meant for higher handicap players is that the face is a little closed.

You get a very similar story with the PXG Wildcat fairway wood.  It has a traditional, symmetrical shape that I found really appealing.  The face depth is average, making it comfortable to hit off the tee or turf.  It’s also a little closed at address, which makes sense for the target audience.

While all three of the woods are better looking than I expected, the PXG Wildcat hybrid may take top prize.  It’s slightly pear shaped, which is something we usually only see in players hybrids.  The alignment mark skews slightly toward the heel and there’s some offset, both of which nod toward a draw bias.

Finally, the PXG Wildcat irons are thick.  In the bag, they show off their ultra wide, anti-digging soles.  At address, the top line is thick and softly rounded, there’s a healthy dose of offset, and the large face encourages players to take a confident swing.

Sound & Feel

Starting again at the top of the bag, the PXG Wildcat driver was a pleasant surprise.  Most “high handicap” drivers are loud and unrefined.  This club, in contrast, has medium volume with a concentrated, mid-pitch, metallic tone.  The ball feels fast off the face.  There’s moderate feedback through the hands and ears when you have more than a slight mishit.

Both the Wildcat hybrid and fairway wood lean toward the prototypical fairway wood sound.  Both are quieter than the driver but higher pitched and more metallic in tone.  The feel in both is more fast than solid, which should provide confidence and excitement for the newer player.

Finally, the PXG Wildcat irons have the soft, bouncy feel that I’ve come to associate with many of PXG’s premium irons.  The ball feels like it’s springing off the face, even on slight mishits.  This feel accompanies a quiet “thud” which doesn’t change unless you hit only the bottom groove.

Performance

The PXG Wildcat driver is the club that really helps the Wildcat golf set stand apart from other premium options.  It’s built to 44″ with 16 degrees of loft, so it’s engineered to be a fairway finder.  And PXG didn’t skimp on the materials either, making the entire head and face from titanium for durability and ball speed.  This is a high launch, high spin club – largely as a result of the loft – but these are good things for a new player or any player without a lot of swing speed.  But the real selling point is the dispersion.  Players can stand on the tee feeling confident that their shot is going to go in the right direction and get the hole started the right way.

Both the PXG Wildcat fairway wood and PXG Wildcat hybrid carry forward that idea of making the long game less intimidating.  Both of these clubs have more loft than you might expect – 19 and 26 degrees, respectively – but, as with the driver, that’s the key to making them work so well.  That added loft gets the ball airborne, and strong ball speed across the face gives every shot the potential to carry a long way.  The additional loft also helps those longer shots to land softer – something golfers struggle with at almost every handicap level.  There is a notable draw bias in these clubs, which will help players fight that hated slice.

From a technology standpoint, the PXG Wildcat irons might be the most exciting and best value in this set.  These irons feature the same proprietary XCOR2 polymer core that PXG uses in their Black Ops irons [review HERE].  This material supports an ultra-thin face which means that players get exceptional ball speed, even on mishits.  The thick soles help player by lowering the CG for higher ball flight and providing insurance against digging.

While these irons are miles from my gamers [the PXG 0317 T, review HERE], I had a ball hitting them.  Every shot launched high and carried forever.  With so much forgiveness, I felt free to swing away.  That freedom led to exceptional accuracy.  PXG put a note in this box saying that these irons aren’t for me, but I’m not so sure about that.

Overall, the PXG Wildcat golf clubs deliver on their promise of exceptional performance for the new or high handicap golfer.  Every club is easy to hit with a look that promotes confidence.  It is worth noting that this set is offered with graphite shafts only – Project X Cypher – in R, A, or L flex.

If you’re wondering about the PXG Black Hawk putter which can be included in the Wildcat set, I have a full review HERE

Conclusion

Available as a complete set or individually, the PXG Wildcat golf clubs are a great choice for a new golfer, someone coming back to the game, or any higher handicap player looking for great value.  As a nine-club set, this covers everything that most players need without giving them things they don’t, and it lets players take advantage of great technology without breaking the bank.

Visit PXG HERE

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The LAB Golf OZ.1i putter pairs the company’s unique lie angle balancing technology with a more traditional mallet shape.  Thousands of alignment options plus unique shaft and grip choices.  Great forgiveness.  Stainless steel face provides crisp feedback.

Introduction

In 2024, I divorced my putter and took up with the L.A.B. Golf MEZZ.1 MAX [review HERE].  I’m not going to tell you that I made everything I looked at, but I putted really well, well enough to commit to L.A.B.’s zero torque design for the foreseeable future.  Not long after making this commitment, I saw spy pics of the LAB Golf OZ.1i putter, and my eye started wandering again.  Read on to learn about the latest from the hottest putter company in the world and to find out if I have a new flat stick in my bag.

Looks

LAB Golf is not known for traditional head shapes – their signature design looks like a spaceship [check it out HERE] – but the LAB Golf OZ.1i putter is as close as they get.  This is a large, modern mallet, and there’s nothing about the shape that couldn’t have come from another maker.  The shape defies easy description with several levels and numerous angles, but somehow I find that it sits naturally behind the ball.

With the exception of the small L.A.B. icon in the cavity and moderate branding on the sole, the OZ.1i putter has no ornamentation.  This puts all the focus on the shape and the alignment aids – or lack thereof.  No OEM gives you as many choices for alignment as L.A.B. Golf.  When you custom order an OZ.1i, you have 31 choices for a front alignment aid and 22 options for a rear alignment aid.  Add in the eight different head colors and you have a total of 5,456 possible combinations.  I kept mine pretty plain – black head, perpendicular white line to highlight the face, no rear alignment aid.

Finally, for anyone looking for a comparison to the extremely popular MEZZ.1 MAX, the LAB Golf OZ.1i putter is longer from front-to-back.  The face is much shorter from heel-to-toe, but the overall head is a similar width because it angles out from the face.

Sound & Feel

The LAB Golf OZ.1i putter features a stainless steel insert – a first for L.A.B. Golf.  This is done to promote a firmer feel and faster ball speeds, and it definitely delivers on the former.  Comparing it to the MEZZ.1 MAX, it produces a noticeably crisper feel, even on very short putts.  It’s not a firm or hard feel overall, but it’s a sizable change from the MEZZ.1 MAX.

That difference is equally large when it comes to sound.  Even with a premium, urethane-covered ball, the sound is a clear, distinct “tock”.  It’s mid-pitched and offers modest feedback, getting a bit more muddled on mishits.

Performance

In the past, when I reviewed a zero torque putter I would need a little time to refresh myself on the proper technique.  That wasn’t necessary with the LAB Golf OZ.1i putter – the transition from the MEZZ.1 MAX was seamless.  As I’ve experienced previously, the biggest benefit of L.A.B. Golf’s zero torque design is that hitting your line is automatic once you stop trying to manipulate the putter.

The forgiveness in this putter is also excellent.  Small misses have almost no effect on the final result.  Unless you hit a truly putrid putt, your ball will start near the intended line and roll out to the expected distance.

What I was most excited about with the LAB Golf OZ.1i putter was the stainless steel face.  The one consistent issue I had this past season with the MEZZ.1 MAX was leaving putts short.  I putt with dying speed by nature, and the MEZZ enhanced that tendency.  With the OZ.1i, the ball had just enough extra pop off the face that I didn’t have to try to get it to the hole.  These are just preliminary indoor results – our greens are frozen in Illinois – but I’m excited by what I’ve seen.

Another thing that makes the LAB Golf OZ.1i putter unique from other L.A.B. offerings is the ability to order it without shaft lean.  The built-in shaft lean has been a signature feature of L.A.B. putters, but the company has clearly received feedback that some players don’t want it.  I ordered mine with the 2 degree shaft lean – to me, a L.A.B. putter without it is like a sundae without sprinkles.

The LAB Golf OZ.1i putter has several shaft options beyond the stock steel.  For a $100 upcharge, you can get an Accra graphite shaft, and for $399 you can get one from TPT.  I tested my OZ.1i with the new  GEARS X L.A.B. Golf shaft, which is a $175 upcharge.  GEARS is a motion capture system used by golf instructors and researchers [I took a lesson on GEARS HERE].

According to L.A.B. Golf, their GEARS shaft is filament-wound, which makes it seamless and more consistent.  They also sought to create a more responsive, steel-like feel: this shaft is promoted as having the stiffest tip section in their lineup.  While acknowledging that there are several variables in play, I did feel that the GEARS X L.A.B. Golf shaft was a bit stiffer than the Accra in my MEZZ.1 MAX and it produced a more crisp feel.

Finally, a word on the grips that L.A.B. Golf offers.  For this review, I chose the Press Pistol 2 Degree.  I like pistol grips on my normal putters, and I wanted to try something different than the Press II 1.5 that I have on my MEZZ.1 MAX.

When I first got it in hand, I was surprised by how wide the grip felt.  There is a pronounced pistol shape to the butt section, but the width is what required a little getting used to.  After a short time, I concluded that this grip is great fit for me: the pistol shape fills my left hand more making it easier to use the “thumbs free” technique I learned from L.A.B. founder Sam Hahn.

If you choose to have you LAB Golf OZ.1i putter built with 2 degrees of shaft lean, the other grip options are the Press II 1.5, the Press II 3, or the Press 1.3 XL.  If you want to learn more about L.A.B. Golf’s Press grips, click HERE.  Players who opt for no shaft lean can choose from the SuperStroke Flatso 2.0, Pistol 1.0, Tour 2.0, the Garsen Quad Tour [review HERE], “Simple Rubber” or “Simple Cord.”

Conclusion

If you’ve been curious about zero torque putters, there’s never been a better time to try one.  The originator’s latest, the LAB Golf OZ.1i putter, may be their best yet thanks to its accessible shape and endless customization options.  Just be sure to get fit before you order – they offer free Remote Fittings HERE – because this putter must be fit to work as intended.

Buy the LAB Golf OZ.1i Putter HERE

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The Bettinardi Antidote SB1 putter is a zero torque, center-shafted design featuring Simply Balanced technology.  Solid all-around performer with a soft feel and loads of eye appeal.

Introduction

If you haven’t heard of zero torque putters before now, I applaud you for having a normal life.  Golf gear heads – like us here at PIG – have seen a noticeable influx of zero torque (toe up) designs from numerous OEMs.  I can easily count six that we have reviewed in just the past three months [you can check out the PXG Allen HERE].  Whether it’s a craze, a fad, or truly going to change the concept of putting is yet to be determined, but Bettinardi joins the fray with their new Antidote Putter Series.  I’ll take an in-depth look at the Bettinardi Antidote SB1 in this review.

Looks

Let me begin by stating this was my first experience with a center-shafted putter, and my initial thoughts on the look of the Bettinardi Antidote SB1 were definitely influenced by the hosel location.  Quickly however, the overall visual excellence of the putter took center stage.

I’ve long been impressed with Bettinardi’s craftmanship, and the milling on the SB1 renewed my assessment.  While I appreciate elements like the tight curves of the bumpers and deep face milling, it’s the honeycomb milling on the sole that truly elevates the visual appeal. 

Bettinardi also did a masterful job at harmonizing the overall look of the Antidote SB1.  The aforementioned honeycomb pattern is prevalent on the well-executed headcover – with magnet closure (thanks Bettinardi).  I love the sapphire blue color used in the cavity insert and paint fill, and the grip itself.

Sound & Feel

Soft.  That one word fully describes both the sound and feel – which are in perfect harmony.  The soft “tock” was clear and assertive to my ears.  The softness of the face was truly noteworthy – the softest Bettinardi offers.  This F.I.T. Face design is achieved by removing 55% of the material in the milled hitting zone.

I couldn’t perceive any sound variation within the milled area of the Bettinardi Antidote SB1.  And the only tactile feedback I sensed was when contact moved towards the heel.  Clearly, feedback is nearly negated with the zero torque, balanced design afforded by the center-shaft connection.

Performance

As I stated in the Looks opener, this was my first experience with a center-shafted putter, but it only took a few putts to get comfortable with positioning.  Stroke wise, the Bettinardi Antidote SB1 was the most natural feeling – relative to flow – of the zero torque putters I’ve tested.  My gamer and gamers before all had moderate toe-hang, whereas the SB1 is toe-up.  Or as Bettinardi lists it:  -90°.

That last part is a bit tricky.  The “SB” of the name stands for Simply Balanced – Bettinardi’s approach to zero torque.  The design gives the putter a “dynamic balance” at the CoG.  In theory, the putter stays in whatever position you place it balanced on the shaft in the horizontal position.  In reality, demonstrating the theory using my finger as a balance point wasn’t perfect, but I could see the science in play.  I actually felt better seeing Sam Bettinardi fumble a bit trying to demonstrate the face down position in the online SB product video [check out the link at the bottom of this review] – and kudos to them for keeping the scene rolling.

Bottom line is the Bettinardi Simply Balanced design is markedly different than the PXG and Evnroll zero torque putters that resolve in a toe up position.

Science is great, but it’s putter performance that truly matters.  With both short and long putts, I found the consistency on roll-out very good.  Left/right dispersion was excellent.  The blue line paralleling the face combined with the blue centerline was great for assisting with alignment and aiming.  I felt very confident putting with the Bettinardi Antidote SB1.  The SB1’s balance encouraged a light grip, i.e. less tension – a common benefit with zero torque putters.

Conclusion

If you’ve been on the fence regarding zero balance putters because of their odd looks or awkward stroke feel, you need to give the Bettinardi Antidote SB1 a try.  With strong performance attributes and wonderful craftmanship, I could easily see the SB1 in my bag.   Don’t let names and characterizations fool you, the Antidote SB1 is simply a great putter.

Visit Bettinardi HERE

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The Evnroll ZERO Z5s putter features FaceForward Technology to achieve a zero torque design.  Beautiful milling, soft feel, and consistent performance.

Introduction

The ZERO line of putters from Evnroll consists of three distinct model – all of which feature Evnroll’s toe up, zero torque design.  You can find my review of the winged modern mallet Z1 HERE, and the wide body blade Z2s HERE.  In this review I’ll discuss the Evnroll ZERO Z5s mallet putter.

Looks

To me, the Evnroll ZERO Z5s is the best-looking putter in the ZERO lineup.  Although I’ve been gaming mid-sized mallets for years, the ZERO Z5s stands out for its well-balanced appearance.  There’s more linearity than the Odyssey Ai-ONE [full review HERE], but the window created by the bar connecting the fangs is remarkably similar.

What’s not similar is the shaft connection.  The Evnroll ZERO Z5s features what they refer to as “a reverse-offset hosel.”  This backward plumbers neck is what drives Evnroll’s FaceForward Technology, the key to their zero torque design.  The look of this design can be a bit jarring at first, depending on what you’re used to.

The body of the Z5s is a beautiful display of Evnroll’s milling craftmanship.  I love the soft curves of the bumpers.  And the execution of the v shaped grooves that vary in width on the face is exceptional.

The sole of the Evnroll ZERO Z5s conveys a lot of relevant information.  There’s the nod to Guerrin Rife, the well respected putter designer.  Large weight ports suggest potential high MOI.  Plus a friendly reminder that the head is 100% milled in the U.S.A.

Sound & Feel

I was able to test all three ZERO putters together in one session where I concentrated on sound and feel.  On the feel front, my hands couldn’t distinguish among the three – they all felt soft.  Contact felt consistent across the grooved section with the feel becoming firmer when I breached the boundaries.  If you’re looking for strong tactile feedback, the ZERO line isn’t going to check any boxes.  If your goal is to groove that perfect centered contact, check out the PUR Truth Trainer – the best putting trainer Saternus has ever tested [full review HERE].

There were some subtle differences in sound across the ZERO family, and I found the Evnroll ZERO Z5s to sit in a friendly middle spot.  The Z1 sounded a bit brighter and the Z2s a bit duller.  The sound of the Z5s was a pleasant medium volume ‘tock.’   Contact towards the toe shifted towards, but not all the way to, a ‘tick.’  Off the heel, the tock wasn’t as crisp.

Performance

What does a zero torque design entail?  Well, hopefully you’ve read our reviews of the putters mentioned earlier, or maybe the PXG Allan [full review HERE], or the various L.A.B. models, and have a good understanding.  If not, the premise is the putter face stays square to the target line – naturally, without manipulation.  The position you see at address – toe up, face left (for a right handed putter) – will remain that way even if you lift the putter to a horizontal position and balance the shaft on a finger.  Unless you add torque (think twist or rotation) with your hands or arms, the toe remains “up” at your impact point.

For me, the key for success with the Evnroll ZERO Z5s was to adopt a light grip pressure, wrist neutral stroke.  My focus was strictly on rocking my shoulders.  I still maintained an arc to my path, but I had to eliminate the “release the toe” feel that’s been so firmly entrenched in my subconscious.  With that, I found the Z5s very accurate.

How important is having the putter face square to the target line?  The Evnroll website puts it this way:  “If face angle at impact is off by just 1 degree, it can cause a ten-foot putt to miss, for a twenty-foot putt, just 0.5 degrees is enough.”

Evnroll achieves the zero torque setup using what it calls ‘FaceForward Technology.’  The essence of the technology is the reverse-offset hosel that moves the center of mass forward, while the shaft aims straight at the center of the putter head.  In addition to looking strange as I noted earlier, the flow of the Evnroll ZERO Z5s felt a bit awkward.   But like most things different, the more time I spent with the putter, the less the peculiarities registered.

Not new to the ZERO lineup is Evnroll’s SweetFace Technology.  The design extends the putter’s sweet spot across the full width of the horizontally milled section.   The technology is in the V shaped groove design where the width varies – wider in the center and narrowing progressively towards the heel and toe.  What I observed was a tight dispersion.   Even when I thought my contact was way off, roll out was remarkably good.

Conclusion

I loved seeing the text on my golf ball turn over repeatably with the Evnroll ZERO Z5s putter.  I also enjoyed that when my read was off, distance was what I intended – even when contact wasn’t dead center.  The Z5s was definitely my favorite of the three ZERO models I tested.  And as I’ve said before, at $449, the ZERO Z5s is a sizable investment and rolling a few putts with one to ensure the zero torque look and feel are agreeable to you is much recommended.

Visit Evnroll HERE

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The PING PLD Ally Blue 4 putter combines quality feel and construction with a large, modern shape.  Excellent consistency.  Unusual specs open up the mallet category to more players.

Introduction

One of my favorite putters of the last few years was the PING PLD Milled [review HERE].  The company that created the design that everyone else copies – the Anser – was staking their claim a place in the premium putter category.

Since it’s launch in 2022, the PLD family has expanded, and this review will examine one of the newer members.  The PING PLD Ally Blue 4 putter merges high end construction methods with a large, modern mallet shape with the goal of delivering forgiveness and a great

Looks

At address and in the bag, there’s nothing particularly elegant about the PING PLD Ally Blue 4 putter.  It’s a big black square with a thick white alignment line down the middle.  The sole is almost entirely blank except for “Ally Blue 4” on one of the two patches of black.  But if you’re the type that gets some confidence from seeing a bulkier putter behind the ball, maybe that’s just fine.

A closer look reveals some nice milling and shaping hidden in the all-black finish.  The face has an attractive deep mill pattern with the “PLD” branding on the very far heel side.  On both the heel and toe sides, the putter angles toward the center, pouring the focus into the alignment line.  The matte black stepless shaft is a nice touch that gives the putter a cohesive look.

Sound & Feel

The PING PLD Milled Anser had a wonderful, soft feel, in part due to the stock graphite shaft.  The PING PLD Ally Blue 4 putter has a steel shaft, but it still retains a very pleasant, traditional feel.  If I hadn’t read the specs, I would not have guessed that the face of this putter is aluminum – the deep milling goes a long way toward taking the rough edges off a material I don’t usually enjoy.

What really surprised by about the Ally Blue 4 is the quality of the feedback.  It’s a quiet putter, so the sound doesn’t provide a strong signal, but the feel does.  I don’t usually expect precise feel feedback from larger putters, but this PING immediately let me know when I missed the center, regardless of whether the miss was small or large.

Performance

Looking down at the PING PLD Ally Blue 4 putter, I had mixed expectations.  On one hand, it’s a fairly large mallet, so I thought it should be forgiving.  On the other hand, there’s nothing dramatic in the shaping that would make me think it had tremendous stability.  My first thought was correct as PING has, in their inimitable fashion, built in the forgiveness in a subtle, clever way.

The key to the forgiveness and stability of the PING PLD Ally Blue 4 putter lies in its multi-material construction.  It’s a three-piece design: an aluminum hosel, aluminum body, and steel sole.  Steel is denser than aluminum which should be the driver of stability, but the entire sole is steel. Not so fast.  Look more closely at the picture above.  The steel sole plate is much thicker on the perimeter than in the middle, which is what gives the Ally Blue 4 is stability.  It’s hidden in plain sight.

What this design means for the golfer is that you don’t need to strike every putt in the middle of the face to get consistent results.  Off-center putts retain excellent ball speed and will get to the hole.  Similarly, the face won’t twist wildly on mishits.  Short putts will find the cup even if they’re poorly struck.

PING recommends the Ally Blue 4 putter for “Strong Arc” players.  I found this a bit unusual as the toe hang is only about 3:30.  It also has 3/4 shaft offset – a bit of an odd spec in a world of full-shaft and half-shaft offset putters.  Additionally, it weighs in at a heft 370 grams.  I don’t think I would have guessed it was quite that high – it swung pretty easily for me – but it’s definitely not a light, touchy putter.

Conclusion

The PING PLD Ally Blue 4 putter carries forward the PLD line’s reputation for quality while offering the forgiveness of a modern mallet.  If you want better consistency without an exotic shape, this is worth a spin the next time you’re at your pro shop.

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50 Words or Less

The Evnroll ZERO Z2s is a zero torque design putter that features FaceForward Technology.  Excellent consistency, soft feel, and wonderful craftmanship.

Introduction

Evnroll jumped into the zero torque arena with the release of three distinctive models of their ZERO line.  Having reviewed the winged modern mallet ZERO Z1 [full review HERE], I was eager to test the more conventional looking – at least in terms of head shape – Z2s.  Let’s jump right in so that last comment makes sense.

Looks

What I was referring to in the intro is the backward plumbers neck, or what Evnroll refers to as “a reverse-offset hosel.”  I’ll explain the purpose of this in the Performance section, but as far as looks go, you either notice the flip immediately, or it doesn’t register at all.

Disregarding the hosel, the Evnroll ZERO Z2s head has a classic wide body blade look, with two lie angle dots on the top flange and a strong white alignment line down the flange.  The cavity created in between the first step down bumpers frames the golf ball nicely.

The sole of the Evnroll ZERO Z2s is full of relevant information.  First off, a good reminder that the putter was designed by the well-respected Guerrin Rife.  Second is that the head is 100% milled, with the bonus of being done in the U.S.A.  And finally, the large weight ports suggest potential high MOI.

The face of the Z2s is a beautiful display of Evnroll’s milling craftmanship.  It’s difficult to see in my photos, but the strike zone consists of v shaped grooves that vary in width – wider in the center and narrowing progressively towards the heel and toe.  I’ll delve into that design feature in a moment.

Check out a modern shape with zero torque with the Evnroll ZERO Z5s HERE

Sound & Feel

Much like the ZERO Z1 and the Neo Classic ER5 [full review HERE] I had tested in the past, the Z2s had a nice, soft feel.  Not quite as soft as the insert of the afore mentioned ER5, but still soft to my hands.  Contact felt consistent across the grooved section with the feel becoming firmer when I breached the boundaries.

Sound-wise the Evnroll ZERO Z2s produced an almost dullish ‘nok’ that was neither distinctive nor memorable.  It wasn’t unpleasant by any measure, just a tad less pleasing than the Z1 to my ears.  I did find the pitch went a tad higher with contact towards the heel.

Performance

Let me jump right to the note I made during my first test session of the Evnroll ZERO Z2s: “Deadly!!”  And yes, I wrote down two exclamation points.  Balls went exactly where I aimed.  It took some time for me to get a handle on speed, but once dialed in, the consistency on roll-out was excellent.

As I’ve experienced with other zero torque putters, the Evnroll ZERO Z2s did feel a bit odd to me stroke-wise.  As someone who has been putting with toe hang putters for decades, the toe up design of the Z2s required me to adapt to a more wrist neutral stroke.  With the face remaining square to the putting arc – as intended – I tried to take my hands and wrists out of the equation, and focus strictly on rocking my shoulders.

Evnroll achieves the zero torque setup by what it calls ‘FaceForward Technology.’  The essence of the technology is the reverse-offset hosel that moves the center of mass forward, while the shaft aims straight at the center of the putter head.  With the shaft balanced on a finger, the toe returns to ‘up’ with any rotation I put on the grip.

The groove design I mentioned in Looks above is Evnroll’s SweetFace Technology.  The design keeps ball direction straight off the face with additional energy when off-center.  Simplified, SweetFace equates to a wide sweet spot – something all us golfing mortals can use.

Conclusion

The square-back wide blade head of the Evnroll ZERO Z2s head was certainly visually appealing, but the reverse plumbers neck still looked a bit strange to my eyes.  That said, there’s no mistaking the excellent performance in terms of accuracy and consistency.  At $449, the Evnroll ZERO Z2s is a sizable investment and I’d recommend rolling a few putts with one to ensure the zero torque look and feel are agreeable to you.

Visit Evnroll HERE

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50 Words or Less

The Newton Gravity Deuce putter is a square back style putter that is offered with several grips, neck types, and lengths.  The Ultra Low Balance Point technology offers a one-of-a-kind feel that may help some improve the tempo of their stroke. 

Introduction 

The Deuce is one of Newton Golf’s newest putters in what they are calling the Gravity line.  They describe it as a wide-body Anser-style putter, but it’s definitely pretty far removed from a traditional Anser.  Newton Golf’s extremely lightweight shaft and light grip mean that the putter head feels extremely heavy.  They call it their Ultra Low Balance Point technology.  The point of all of those unique details is to provide not only a unique, pleasant feel for your putting stroke but also to foster greater control of your swing path and putter face. 

Looks 

While the Newton Gravity Deuce putter has a pretty traditional square back shape, the black color gives the putter a modern feel.  It is also modern in how boxy it looks, featuring sharp edges, square lines, and perpendicular milling on the 1080 carbon steel body.  Those milled lines are absent from the cavity, allowing a thin, but vibrant red back line to aid in a player’s alignment.  Despite it being a double-wide blade, the putter looks smaller than it truly is thanks to the black profile.

The sole of the Deuce isn’t flashy like Drac (review HERE), but it is interesting.  Like many prominent blade models, it features a tri-sole.  On that sole, there’s subtle text that reads, “Made in the USA.”  The more noticeable details are the “Deuce” and “Gravity” both written in vibrant red paint that stands out against the black putter. 

Sound and Feel 

Different from the Drac which features aluminum as the metal being used, the Newton Gravity Deuce putter has a 1018 carbon steel head.  As a result, the sound of each strike is much deeper.  However, it is a bit harder to tell where that strike is, because no matter where you hit on the face, that deep “tock” is nearly the same.  

While that deep sound of impact is soft and pleasing, the feel off the face is firm, due to the shallow milling on the face.  If it weren’t for the extremely light feel of the shaft and grip, the feel would be almost like that of a traditional Scotty Cameron blade, down to the tri-sole that allows you to feel that tangible feedback that the putter is soled correctly.

Performance

Whether you call it a double-wide or a square back, this style of putter, when face balanced, is awesome for those who are trying to maintain a straight-back-straight-through style of stroke.  With the Ultra Low Balance Point technology, it’s even better.  It feels like putting on rails.  

I found I had my best results when I let the Newton Gravity Deuce putter do the work, almost letting the head drop onto the ball after the takeaway.  It encourages those with tempo issues to foster a smoother stroke.  Compared to other Anser-style heads, it has forgiveness too, as the extra mass of the wide head encourages less deflection, causing off-center putts to still hold their line relatively well. 

For those who don’t like the center-shafted style though, the Newton Gravity Deuce putter is also offered in flow and plumbers neck variants.  However, those two neck types switch the toe-hang of the putter pretty drastically.  While the center shafted model is face balanced, the flow neck has dramatic toe hang, and the plumbers neck features moderate toe hang.  Choosing the correct neck style for your stroke will be pivotal to finding success with this putter, so make sure you get fitted to know what works best for your stroke.

Along with three kinds of necks that you can order, you can also get the Newton Gravity Deuce putter customized to your ideal length and grip type.  There are three grips available: flat, round, and pistol, although I think this putter is best paired with the flat model.  It can also be ordered to be 32, 33, 33.5, 34, 34.5, 35, 35.5, and 36 inches in length.  My one main critique would be that it cannot be ordered with a custom loft or lie angle which plays a role in how successful any putter is for you.

Conclusion 

Whether you’re a traditionalist who loves blades but wants more forgiveness or someone who wants a unique feel and wants to try something new, the Newton Gravity Deuce putter is undeniably a great option.  Newton Golf is offering something different with its Gravity line and pushing the boundaries of what a relatively traditional shaped putter can feel like.  That’s exciting when so many putters that come out are more of the same.  

Visit Newton Golf HERE

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50 Words or Less

The Newton Gravity Duke putter is a mid mallet flow neck style flatstick that provides rhythmic tempo using its unique lightweight ULBP shaft.

Introduction

Newton Gravity, formerly known as Sacks Parente, has rebranded itself to release an entirely new line of putters in 2024.  Newton has already gained traction with its wood shaft offerings and PGA Tour Champions presence but looks to build upon that with five new putter heads including the Newton Gravity Duke putter.  These putters are all proudly made here in the USA, and we got a chance to test a few of the new styles ourselves.

Looks

The first thing you will notice about the Newton Gravity Duke putter is the all matte black putter head.  It is only broken up by some red paint filled logos and the alignment line that bisects the flange of the putter.  The face has a shallow milling pattern that spans the length of the head with two round weight ports on both the heel and toe.

At address, the Newton Gravity Duke putter’s flow neck offsets the shaft ahead of the face while the sharp top line allows easy alignment to the ball.  The body of the clubhead has a rounded D shape that is slightly asymmetrical with the toe being wider than the heel section.

For a bolder shape, check out the Newton Gravity Drac HERE

Sound & Feel

When I first picked up the Newton Gravity Duke putter, it felt very light because of Newton’s unique light weight Tempo shaft (~40 grams).  When I set it down to address the ball, the heavy head (~380 grams) took some getting used to but as I started to hit some putts, it was easy to feel a smooth tempo.  The weighting made it easy to feel the head through the stroke.

The proprietary Tempo shaft influenced feedback more than I would have predicted.  It was easy to know when I hit a putt pure and when I missed it.  Well struck putts were soft and had a muted feel through the oversized grip, while poor strikes felt harder with more vibration in the hands.

At impact, each strike sounded like a high pitched “knock.”  The sound was moderate in volume but a touch louder than I expected considering the feel.  There was some variety in sound depending on face impact location which is typical for a milled face putter.

Check out the Newton Gravity Deuce putter HERE

Performance

The main idea behind the Newton Gravity putters is their Ultra Low Balance Point, fueled by the lightweight Tempo shaft.  I noticed the weight distribution the moment I picked up the putter for the first time.  At first, I was not a fan.  However, once I rolled this on the green, I was impressed with how naturally the tempo came.  The ULBP technology helped produce a rhythmic stroke that I think could be a game changer for so many amateur players.  At one point, I went back to my current putter and realized it helped my tempo.  If nothing else, the Newton Gravity Duke putter could be a training aid for tempo.

As far as performance on the course, the Newton Gravity Duke putter shined when it came to distance control.  While I wanted to attribute most of this consistency to the Tempo shaft, the change in the center of gravity also likely played a role.  Newton designers shifted this COG higher and more forward with the notion that you can get away with thin putts but high face contact has a larger margin for error.  Either way, as someone who has personally struggled with distance control, this putter intrigued me.

If you take a peak at Newton Gravity’s website, you’ll notice the Duke is one of the more traditional head shapes that is offered.  This one in particular is named after PGA Tour Champions member Ken Duke who helped design the putter and still uses it on tour.

Even if this tour inspired mid-mallet shape isn’t your style, there are several other options to choose from, most notably three center shafted putters and one Anser style putter.  No matter which you choose, all come the patented lightweight Tempo shaft.

Now available to order on their website, the Newton Gravity Duke putter is priced at $450.  The Duke is only offered in a flow neck, but can be purchased in 32 to 36 inch lengths with one of three stock grip options.  Although they aren’t yet offered to try out everywhere, they are available to test at all Club Champion locations.

Conclusion

The Newton Gravity The Duke putter offers something quite different to players.  The unique light weight shaft and heavy head instill better tempo into the putting stroke.  Combined with a milled carbon steel face, this is going to promote bette, more consistent distance control for anyone who is looking for better putting in 2025.

Visit Newton Golf HERE

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