As a teaching professional for over 15 years, I’ve seen countless golfers struggle with their putting. It’s often the most frustrating part of the game for my students, yet it’s also where we can often shave the most strokes in a hurry. You might invest in the latest driver or wedges, but putting is truly where touch and precision meet technology.
I always tell my students that putting is less about power and more about feel and consistency. And when we talk about consistency, especially with modern putter design, a concept that comes up frequently is “zero torque.” This idea is gaining traction, and it’s something we hear about with advanced putters like the LAB Golf Link 2.2.
Understanding “Zero Torque” and Your Putting Stroke
So, what exactly is “zero torque” in a putter? Essentially, it means the putter head resists twisting during your stroke. Think about it: when you strike a putt, especially off-center, a traditional putter head wants to rotate. This rotation, or torque, makes your putter face open or close slightly at impact, sending your ball off-line.
A zero-torque design aims to minimize or eliminate this twisting, keeping the putter face square to your intended target line even on less-than-perfect strikes. This isn’t just about forgiveness; it’s about making it easier for you to deliver a consistent putter face, which is the cornerstone of good putting.
Why does this matter to *you*? Because maintaining a square putter face can feel like an Olympic feat for many golfers. We often compensate for the putter’s natural tendency to twist, leading to inconsistency. With a putter designed for zero torque, the putter works *with* you, making it easier to keep that face square and improve your accuracy.
“In this episode of the Club Junkie Podcast, we take a deep dive into the new LAB Golf Link 2.2 putter and explore what makes it one of the most talked about zero torque designs in the game. From its unique construction to the feel and performance on the greens, we break down everything you need to know about how the Link 2.2 stacks up against other premium putters and who it is best suited for.”
When a putter design reduces torque, it effectively takes out one variable you have to control. This allows you to focus more on speed control and reading the greens, which are equally critical for sinking more putts.
Actionable Drills for a Consistent Putter Face
Even if you’re not playing with a “zero torque” putter, you can absolutely work on minimizing face twist in your own stroke. Here are a couple of drills I use with my students to enhance face awareness and stability, regardless of their equipment:
Drill 1: The Gate Drill
Here’s a classic that never fails. Set up two tees just slightly wider than your putter head, creating a “gate” about 6-8 inches behind your ball. Place another two tees forming a similar gate just past your ball, ensuring your putter head has to pass through both without touching. The goal is to consistently swing your putter back and through the gates without hitting a tee.
Why it works: This drill immediately highlights any excessive face rotation in your stroke. If you open or close the face too much, you’ll clip a tee. This forces you to keep the putter face square to your path throughout your stroke. Start with short putts (3-5 feet) and gradually increase the distance as your consistency improves.
Drill 2: The Coin Drill
Try this simple, yet effective drill to improve your impact awareness. Place a coin (a penny works great) about an inch in front of your ball on your target line. Your goal is to hit your putt without touching the coin, then immediately after impact, glide your putter head over the coin as you follow through. Don’t lift the putter head; keep it low and moving towards the target.Why it works: This drill encourages a lower, more stable putter path through impact, reducing the tendency to “flip” at the ball or lift the putter head early. It promotes a feeling of pushing the ball towards the target with a stable face, much like what a zero-torque design aims to achieve.
Drill 3: The Mirror Face Check
This drill is all about visual feedback. Get a small putting mirror (or even a compact mirror) and place it on your intended target line about a foot in front of your putter. As you take your address and then swing through to impact, watch the reflection of your putter face in the mirror. You want to see the face staying square to your target line throughout the stroke.
Why it works: Visuals are incredibly powerful for golfers. Seeing your putter face orientation directly helps you make immediate adjustments. If you notice it opening or closing, you can focus on making a more stable, square movement. This builds muscle memory for maintaining a consistent face angle.
“Markus shares insights into product development, fitting trends, and how Wilson continues to push performance forward for golfers of all skill levels.”
Equipment and Personal Feel
While technology like zero-torque putters is exciting, I always remind my students that the best putter for you is the one that gives you confidence and a consistent roll. What feels right to one person might not feel right to another. This is where fitting trends become so important.
Just like Wilson Golf and other brands recognize the need to cater to golfers of all skill levels, you should too. Don’t just blindly follow trends. Experiment. Try different putter designs. Pay attention to how the putter feels in your hands, how it interacts with the ball, and most importantly, how it helps you deliver a square face to the ball consistently.
“…how the Link 2.2 stacks up against other premium putters and who it is best suited for.”
So, who are these advanced putters best suited for? Anyone who struggles with face control or inconsistency in their putting stroke. If you find your putts often drift offline even when you feel you’ve made a good stroke, a putter designed to reduce torque might be a game-changer for you. But even without a new putter, the principles are the same: focus on keeping that putter face square to your target line, and you’ll see more putts drop.
Remember, putting is a journey, not a destination. With focused practice and an understanding of key concepts like face control and torque, you can unlock a whole new level of confidence on the greens. Keep striving, keep practicing, and most importantly, keep enjoying the beautiful game.
