Zero Torque Putters? Is it hype or a thing?

[Dunesman]

Certainly, that shows it very clearly. If putting had to be done with some sort of a frame with low friction free pivoting of of the shaft, then zero torque putters are unquestionably the way to go.
I have never seen any one use one playing golf though, and they are probably illegal. Holding the grip in non slip hands seems a more elegant solution than using such a contraption, and then needing a putter design to counteract the weakness introduced by that contraption.

 

[Mandofred]

I can't believe I've read most of these posts....golfers aren't right in the head.

 

[Dunesman]

Has anyone seen a stranger, more awful putting technique than Michelle Wie at the end of her career, as per the photo? Just painful to see.

Donald Trumps flick is impressive. Its even hard to figure out what is really going on. Like the man himself.

 

[Dunesman]

What I found interesting with that video was the lack of science speak to describe what is happening with their putter and the difference with the PXG putter. Does this mean they like to keep things simple for the viewer or they don't know the science? It made me think they make a putter and just tinker with the weights to make it 'balanced' and there is no formula or anything to work things out.

Or, that there is no science. It is a sales pitch, leaving the viewer to draw their own conclusion from what is little more than a conjuring trick ???

 

[Beezerk]

My understanding from the lad who has one now, is that there is a distinct lack of twisting effect when he puts now. He doesn't feel as if the club is trying to twist or turn at impact.

I don’t ever recall thinking to myself “wow the putter twisted there when I hit the ball” even with toe hits the putter feels stable to me

 

[Golf is fun]

Have to disagree on this one, we all move differently so I suppose there’s no right answer but personally I can feel more parts of my body engaging with an arc than straight

we do all move differently, and you're welcome to feel what you feel.

Biomechanically though, an arc will always be a more natural and easier movement, assuming an individual doesn't have a condition which means their shoulders and hips are not fully functioning ball and socket joints, and their vertebrae are not fully functioning facet joints. This is just how we are built, bones connect at joints and are moved by muscle contractions which cause them to pivot around the joint in question describing an arc.

That's why without practice it's easier to draw a big sweeping arc with a pencil or paintbrush than it is to draw a perfectly straight line. It can be done with practice and repetition of course.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

I don’t ever recall thinking to myself “wow the putter twisted there when I hit the ball” even with toe hits the putter feels stable to me

I'm only repeating what he said about it. You are talkign to someone who didnt even bother with a Slotline putter when they were the thing.

 

[3 jabber]

Has anyone seen a stranger, more awful putting technique than Michelle Wie at the end of her career, as per the photo? Just painful to see.

After seeing it mentioned on here I looked up the HNSP thread. I know where I would stand if playing with her and she started putting like that

 

[garyinderry]

Has anyone seen a stranger, more awful putting technique than Michelle Wie at the end of her career, as per the photo? Just painful to see.

The ball doesn't care what you look like.

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[Lord Tyrion]

The ball doesn't care what you look like.

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Absolutely, same as Furyk or Wolff off the tee. Doesn't stop it looking odd though. Can't be good for your back either.

 

[WirralC]

we do all move differently, and you're welcome to feel what you feel.

Biomechanically though, an arc will always be a more natural and easier movement, assuming an individual doesn't have a condition which means their shoulders and hips are not fully functioning ball and socket joints, and their vertebrae are not fully functioning facet joints. This is just how we are built, bones connect at joints and are moved by muscle contractions which cause them to pivot around the joint in question describing an arc.

That's why without practice it's easier to draw a big sweeping arc with a pencil or paintbrush than it is to draw a perfectly straight line. It can be done with practice and repetition of course.

Oh thanks, I'll carry on feeling that then.

I thought we were discussing what was best to hit accurate putts not what was the most natural way for a body to move.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Have played with a few people who have lab putters and it’s certainly seems to have improved their putting but as with anything it’s not the magic answer

I tried one and it all just felt wrong

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Absolutely, same as Furyk or Wolff off the tee. Doesn't stop it looking odd though. Can't be good for your back either.

I might try it once, but I wouldnt be able to continue the round after the first hole....

 

[garyinderry]

Certainly, that shows it very clearly. If putting had to be done with some sort of a frame with low friction free pivoting of of the shaft, then zero torque putters are unquestionably the way to go.
I have never seen any one use one playing golf though, and they are probably illegal. Holding the grip in non slip hands seems a more elegant solution than using such a contraption, and then needing a putter design to counteract the weakness introduced by that contraption.

I have no skin in the game at all. I just watched it in work and found it mildly intresting.
I have no idea if what they claim actually helps. It's certainly intresting that the putter doesn't twist in that contraption.

It was only last year that I've moved to using a spider putter. I already feel like I'm cheating with that. It's unbelievably stable through the stroke compared to some of the blade putters I was using.

This was the old mizuno putter I was using before. The spider is space age stuff compared to this.

 

[Dunesman]

I've no skin in the game either.

And would have to concede a mistake in that post. These putter probably would certainly help anyone who has zero friction between their hands and the grip, and relies only on the grip taper to ensure the putter head stays off the ground.
So yes, it could suit some players.

 

[Mandofred]

If I take a driver and put a lot of weight at the toe....would it effect the face at impact....yes. If I take a driver and take all of the weight out of the toe...would it effect the face at impact....yes. Seems to me that while it might be a minor effect, but if you do something that helps keep the face square at impact that would be a good thing in a putter as well.....yes?

 

[garyinderry]

I've no skin in the game either.

And would have to concede a mistake in that post. These putter probably would certainly help anyone who has zero friction between their hands and the grip, and relies only on the grip taper to ensure the putter head stays off the ground.
So yes, it could suit some players.

I can tell you I've certainly had putters in the past there were anything but stable.

This oddessy putter. Looks like it had plenty of tech. I loved the look of it. I could do nothing but pull the ball with it. The face just shut down. Something was really off with it.

PUTTER REVIEW! - Odyssey ProType 2-Ball Black

The looks of the 2-Ball changed the putter paradigm. Yes, I know that Odyssey purchased the initial design concept from Dave Pelz. But go and compare photos of his design and this modern version. Pelz had a novel design but Odyssey made it sleek and deadly on the green. The Odyssey ProType...

mygolfspy.com

 

[Oddsocks]

I’ve got to pick a press grip up from a fitter next week that fits for lab. All this fuss has made me curious……

 

[WirralC]

Just heard Eddie Pepperell on the chipping forecast podcast say he’s seeing more and more lab putters being used on tour and he’s going to try one.

 

[Golf is fun]

Oh thanks, I'll carry on feeling that then.

I thought we were discussing what was best to hit accurate putts not what was the most natural way for a body to move.

I was, they're intrinsically related. The body is designed to most naturally and efficiently move in a certain way, that you prefer to move in a different, more inefficient way, and it works for you is fine, but that's an outlier. Generally moving in the way our body is designed to is the most accurate and powerful way to do something.