PXG Bat Attack ZT Putter Review: The new zero-torque benchmark

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Key features

• S-COR tech combines a hollow 303 stainless steel body with a proprietary lightweight polymer internal insert for soft feel
• S-hosel positions the shaft axis directly above the CG to eliminate twisting through the stroke
• Milled pyramid face pattern for better ball interaction
• Adjustable weights to assist dialling in weight distribution

Whether or not you've been tempted by their allure yet, the fact is becoming increasingly clear that zero torque putters have progressed well beyond the status of a mere fad.

Thanks to the whirlwind uptake of zero torque models from legacy brands like TaylorMade and disruptors like L.A.B. Golf alike, the category is now firmly established in the golfing mainstream, with plenty of amateurs heralding the innovation as a breakthrough in curing the putting ails of the everyday player.

Never one to miss a trick (particularly when there's an opportunity to bring a more premium product to market), the latest brand to jump on this trend is PXG, who in recent months have released their first three zero torque models: the bladed Hellcat ZT, the larger Allan ZT, and the Bat Attack ZT, based on perhaps the brand's most popular mallet model.

PXG's putter offering tends to fly under the radar both in golf stores and at the professional level, with their drivers and irons hoovering up most of the headlines. However the brand has made huge strides in recent years to build a putter offering that rivals the premium putter specialists in terms of feel, premium construction and technology. 

As such, we took the Bat Attack ZT out on the course to see how it performs against the very best ZT putters around.

Looks and feel

At first glance, there's not a whole lot to differentiate the Bat Attack ZT from its progenitor. The two share the exact same head shape: a classic winged mallet reminiscent of Odyssey's famed #7 or the Scotty Cameron Phantom. 

Aesthetically, the classic PXG hallmarks are all here as well, with a blacked out colour scheme highlighted by white accents and a strong focus on showing off the premium materials that have gone into the club head. The cut-out box, combined with a simple white line and dot, make for a great low-fi alignment aid.

The telltale sign that differentiates the ZT as a zero torque option is the neck, which protrudes out towards the centre line at address, providing a toe-up weight balance that helps to ensure the head stays rock solid through the stroke. This distinctive hosel gives the Bat Attack five degrees of loft, making for a some distinctive look at address. However the natural shaft lean and forward press helps mitigate this, ensuring you roll the ball smoothly without it popping up in the air.

True to the PXG philosophy, uses a host of advanced technology, wrapped in a premium package, to generate feel. While the look is that akin to other premium milled brands like Scotty Cameron and Bettinardi, underneath the Bat Attack's aggressively milled 303 stainless steel body is a hollow chamber, filled with a proprietery polymer insert that helps dissipate sound and vibration. The package is rounded off with a sizeable soft-feel grip that helps promote a natural rocking motion through the shoulders.

Put all of this together, and result is a truly fantastic feeling putter with a buttery soft feel—particularly when used with a premium ball (we tested ours with a TaylorMade TP5, and it felt great).

Performance

The main goal of any zero torque putter is to help a wider range of golfers eliminate miscues and variables in their stroke, particularly when it comes to shorter putts. The Bat Attack ZT delivers this in spades.

We found the PXG to be an absolute lifesaver around the greens, particularly within the closer range. Putts within the 6-15ft range were far easier to keep on line, with the ZT eliminating almost all of the twisting, pushing and pulling that tends to creep into the putter from shorter distances. Missing shorter putts with the Bat Attack felt much more like a case of a bad read rather than a poor stroke, and once you get used to the zero torque feel, it's an extremely difficult putter to hit off line.

We also found the distance control and consistency of the ZT excellent, the hollow body and insert helping to keep longer putts feeling cushioned while delivering just the right amount of feedback. As the zero torque design also helps eliminate off-centre strikes, you're simply just going to get a more consistent roll with the Bat Attack ZT, which in turn should help take your lag putting to new heights.

Should you buy the PXG Bat Attack ZT?

If you're zero torque-curious and wondering whether or not a ZT putter will have a tangible impact on your putting, we have no hesitation in saying the Bat Attack is one of the first models you should be testing out.

The PXG has a truly premium look and feel, matched with an excellent dual construction that keeps a consistently soft feel while also bringing in zero torque aspects to eliminate misfires from close range.

While the £429 price tag is steep by the standards of most putters, it's actually not too expensive placed in the context of other zero torque models. TaylorMade's Spider 5K ZT retails at £449, while L.A.B. Golf's putters can easily approach the £600 mark. This makes the Bat Attack seem like a fairly reasonable investment by comparison (especially at the £339 sale price we've found above).

It's now well beyond doubt that switching to a zero torque putter can have huge benefits to everyday golfers who struggle with inconsistent putting, and if you want the benefits of this in a classic mallet profile, the Bat Attack ZT is as good a putter to start with as any.

Shop now: from $449.99 at PXG