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This review was written by MyGolfSpy Forum user Chux13
PXG Battle Ready II Torpedo Putter Review
Submarines were my life for a few years during my Navy days. Anything I can get my hands on that pertains to the Sub Force is always a win in my book, especially when it comes to golf. You have no idea how stoked I was to hear PXG was releasing a new Battle Ready II (BR2) putter named “Torpedo.”
Sure, it is an all-too-familiar aesthetic but never did I think of seeing the design as that of the Mk. 48 ADCAP torpedo I fondly remember sleeping against on some missions. Surfing the web, it was hard to find any kind of review or video that really got into this putter.
Because of this, I knew had to stop by a PXG shop to try one out along with the rest of the BR2 line now that I was in the market to replace my L.A.B. DF2.1 Sweeper.
PXG fitting
PXG is known to be world class when it comes to club fitting. I always feel like a VIP when I stop by and am never scared to ask “dumb” questions or try something else against their suggestions, you know, just for fun! I set up my putter fitting in October while in Phoenix for some team meetings and did not know what to expect as I have never done a putter fitting.
I’ve always been the kind to stop by a PGA TOUR Superstore and feel my way around the putters on display to find out what I liked. I felt going in for the fitting would help me better decide which of the BR2 line would work best and how it could be configured for my stroke.
We started by determining which PXG putter I was most curious about. I mentioned the Torpedo. We had checked out the aesthetics but then saw an option PXG had yet to release to the world: the Mustang ZT. Looking down at the ZT, I had no problems with the extended wings at the back of the blade.
Rolling some putts was just about as lights out as I could have wished but the fitter had a suggestion when he saw my stroke: a slant neck, pistol grip and cut it down very short as I am very low to the ground when I putt.
I then tried the Allan, Bat Attack ZT, Torpedo, back to the Mustang ZT, narrowed down to the Bat Attack ZT and the Torpedo. The Torpedo just felt so solid. The visuals and repeatability made the Torpedo the winner after adding some more weight and installing the PXG Pistol I grip. I did get to try an M-16 stability shaft but, honestly, I could not tell a difference between that and the stock steel offering.
I feel the fitting process at the Mesa, Ariz., location could have been improved. If I am not mistaken, the Scottsdale location is equipped with putt analysis hardware and software to get the real data between each club tested.
The Mesa location was based purely on feel, aesthetic and overall playability. I feel I could have been swayed toward a stability shaft if the data had provided conclusive evidence on performance gains. Who knows, maybe another putter helped me roll the ball even better via data but I just could not tell the way the fitting went.
I picked the Mesa location as it was closer to where I needed to be when I got into town, which kept me from going toward the Scottsdale location. Regardless, I know I got the right putter and can always go back to get adjusted if needed. I ordered the Torpedo that day and had it in hand five days later! Our final configuration resulted in two 17.5-gram weights at the bottom, PXG Pistol I grip, cut down to 32.75 inches.
First impressions
I unpackaged my weapon and shot straight to the backyard to unload the new munitions. The Torpedo had arrived and was just as, in PXG’s words, “sexy” as a golf club can be!
Along with the Torpedo came PXG’s signature Battle Ready “26” logoed putter cover and an envelope containing my order details, PXG decals and one “PXG for Heroes” sticker I appreciated receiving. Out in the sun, the putter looks awesome.
The all-black matte aesthetic on the head does not disappoint one bit. I feel the matte finish was smart to help contrast an all-black, but glossy, sight line built into the putter. The pyramid face looks great, the engraved glossy PXG logo at the back looks stellar and the overall build was all I could hope for. I had a scramble charity tournament to play in the next morning so I was ready to load and pressurize this Torpedo for combat.
On the course
Long story short, the putter did all I needed it to do and then some. One of the taglines for the Torpedo putter revolves around “wage war on 3-putts.” Hard to fight something that did not exist! If I missed a putt, I did not miss it by much, providing extra help for our group in at least leaving ourselves a manageable second putt.
Out of 18, I sank four one-putts, one from within five feet and three from 10 feet and out! Granted, being in a scramble and getting a look at the line helps a bit but knowing I was able to hit my line and roll the ball beautifully end over end as was obvious by the align design on my Maxfli Tour X ball.
The ball never skidded across the green nor did it create a wobble in the ball off the face. The ball rolled pure and as consistent as I could want with a premium putter.
Feel and sound
I appreciate the extra weight in the putter for that solid, controlled feel. The addition of the Pistol I for my slight arc stroke feels great and helped me know where the face of the putter was.
There were times I hit the ball with the low portion of the Torpedo and knew it both through audible and feel feedback. On solid strikes, the putt feels like butter, even with an X ball, and felt much more clicky the more I missed the center of the face with a matching tone coming off the putter.
Still, I hit my line and was not punished as much as I was with my L.A.B. 2.1, proving the high MOI category the Torpedo fits in is well represented with this head.
Good, bad, and ugly
Even without objective data during the fitting, the BR2 Torpedo has already exceeded expectations on the course. I was able to load up and fire with the putter as if I have had it for years. It was that good!
This is where I feel the “good” of a PXG fitting takes place. I know what to expect and know it is fitted to what I need so I know I can confidently roll this beast of a putter. I do not honestly have anything bad to say about the Torpedo at this point other than the curiosity of what story data would have told at the fitting as I have mentioned.
The “ugly” revolves more around my insatiable quest to refine the bag to the best of my abilities. So many folks were shocked to hear I had sold the “Brass Knuckles”, the L.A.B. 2.1 Sweeper. I had been convinced the L.A.B. would be the one!
Alas, it was not the more I got to play with it so had to eat my words when I showed up with a shiny new toy. The price may be a no-go for some at $399.99 but if you get the Heroes discount PXG so graciously offers, the splurge is worth every penny, even if still at MSRP. And, yeah, the shipping cost still sucks at $30, still the only gripe I can think of.
USS Chux13, ready for next mission!
Overall, I am happily satisfied with the purchase and performance during the Battle Ready II Torpedoes DRT (Deployment Readiness Training). Every pre-underway has been checked and verified operational for the deployments going forward. Seriously, my heart is so happy knowing the putter pays tribute to a weapons class I am so familiar with from my military days.
Even if not aimed directly at the Sub Force, I can still preserve the narrative around my time and service and what that experience, along with a new putter, brings to me. I appreciate personal nods when it comes to my equipment as my whole bag is set up this way. Everything in the bag tells a story.
Hopefully, moving forward, the BR2 Torpedo will have great stories of one-putts accomplished and places it has traveled. If the first round is any indication of what is to come, look out! As our Ballistic force is a deterrent to enemy attack, I hope the PXG Battle Ready II Torpedo can be a deterrent to three-putt attacks on the scorecard.
Time will tell and I will happily continue to share the journey here with you all. Until then, fair winds and following greens, folks!
HOOYAH!
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