The Rise of the Broomstick Putter

If you’ve flipped on a golf tournament lately or scrolled through golf Twitter, you’ve probably noticed the broomstick putter making a serious comeback. Once a quirky relic relegated to players battling the yips, this long-shafted oddity has stormed back into the spotlight over the past couple of years, with tour pros like Adam Scott and Lucas Glover leading the charge. What’s driving this resurgence? Sure, the broomstick’s inherent benefits—like steadier hands and a more upright posture—play a big role. But there’s another piece to the puzzle that’s worth digging into: the rise of torque-free putter heads. Could this tech be the perfect match for the broomstick style, giving it new life on the greens? Let’s tee it up and explore.

Broomstick Basics: Why It’s Back

First, a quick refresher on why the broomstick putter is turning heads again. Its long shaft, typically anchored against the chest or chin, simplifies the putting stroke into a pendulum-like motion, taking twitchy wrists and hands mostly out of the equation. This has been a lifeline for pros like Glover, who’ve openly battled putting woes, and it’s no surprise that others are taking note. The upright stance also eases back strain—huge for players grinding out long rounds—and offers a fresh mental reset for those stuck in a putting rut. Add in the fact that it’s now popping up in the bags of analytically minded players like DeChambeau, and you’ve got a trend with legs. But while these perks have always existed, something else seems to be supercharging the broomstick’s revival: the advent of torque-less putter heads.

Torque-Free Tech: A Game-Changer

Enter the torque-free putter head—a design that’s been picking up steam alongside the broomstick boom. Brands like L.A.B. Golf have pioneered this with their Lie Angle Balance (L.A.B.) technology, which eliminates torque by aligning the shaft axis with the putter’s center of gravity. Translation? The putter face stays square to the stroke path without twisting, making it easier to start the ball on your intended line. Traditional putters, even well-balanced ones, have some degree of torque—think toe hang or face-balanced designs—that requires subtle hand adjustments to keep the face square at impact. A torque-free head, though, does that work for you, promising a more consistent roll with less effort.

Now, pair that with a broomstick. The broomstick’s pendulum motion already minimizes hand interference, relying on a smooth, shoulder-driven stroke. A torque-less head takes it a step further by ensuring the face doesn’t fight you through that motion. It’s like putting on rails—line it up, rock your shoulders, and let physics do the rest. For pros facing lightning-fast greens where every degree of face angle matters, this combo could be the secret sauce behind the broomstick’s second wind.

The Perfect Marriage?

So, why does this torque-free tech seem tailor-made for the broomstick? For one, the upright lie angle of a broomstick—often 79 degrees or more—creates a straighter, less arced stroke compared to a standard putter. A torque-less head thrives in this setup because it’s designed to stay square to the stroke path, not the target line, amplifying the broomstick’s natural consistency. L.A.B.’s broomstick models, like the Mezz.1 Max used by Glover and Scott, lean into this synergy, with heavy heads and adjustable weighting to lock in that stability. The result? A putter that feels almost automatic on short putts, where face control is king.

Distance control gets a boost too. The broomstick’s longer shaft encourages a bigger, rhythmic stroke, and a torque-free head keeps that energy focused on speed rather than fighting twist. Players like Adam Scott, a longtime broomstick user, have paired it with L.A.B.’s tech to stay competitive on the greens well into their careers. It’s not hard to see why: when you’re not wrestling with torque, you can zero in on reading greens and dialing in pace—skills that separate the good from the great.

The Resurgence Connection

Could torque-free heads be the reason broomstick putters are back? Not entirely—but they’re a massive catalyst. The broomstick style has always had potential, but it’s been held back by clunky designs and a stigma of desperation. Torque-less tech, especially from innovators like L.A.B., has polished it into a precision tool that appeals to modern players obsessed with data and efficiency. Look at the tour: Glover’s career turnaround with his L.A.B. Mezz.1 Max broomstick isn’t just a feel-good story—it’s a proof of concept. DeChambeau’s experimentation and Scott’s longevity add more weight. Even newer converts like Akshay Bhatia at the 2025 Players Championship show it’s not just a veteran’s crutch anymore.

The numbers back it up too. Posts on X highlight how broomstick users are climbing putting stats, with many wielding torque-free designs. It’s not a coincidence—companies like L.A.B. have cracked a code that makes the broomstick not just viable but borderline unfair for those who master it. And as more pros rack up wins (or at least stop three-putting), the trickle-down effect to amateurs is inevitable.

Not All Sunshine and Birdies

Of course, it’s not a slam dunk. Torque-free broomstick putters—like any gear—demand practice. The upright stance and split grip can feel alien at first, and some players (myself included, if I’m honest) struggle with feel on long lag putts. The heavy heads that make them stable can also sap touch if you’re not dialed in. Plus, they’re not cheap—L.A.B.’s custom builds can run north of $500. But for those willing to commit, the payoff is a putting stroke that’s less guesswork and more science.

The Verdict

The broomstick putter’s resurgence is a mix of old-school charm and cutting-edge innovation, and torque-free heads are a big part of the story. They amplify the style’s strengths—consistency, simplicity, and comfort—while sanding down its rough edges. Is it the sole cause? Nah, pros were dabbling with broomsticks before L.A.B. hit the scene. But it’s hard to ignore the timing: as torque-less tech has matured, broomstick adoption has spiked. For tour pros chasing every edge and amateurs tired of missing gimmes, this combo might just be the future of putting. So, next time you’re at the range, maybe give that funky long putter a roll—you might be sweeping your way to lower scores before you know it.