When you strike the ball with the Hellcat ZT, you'll notice something right away: it feels soft but solid. PXG uses a special aluminum insert that dampens vibration by about 30% compared to steel-faced putters. Imagine tapping a golf ball with a tuning fork versus a piece of foam, and you'll get the idea. The feedback stays crisp enough that you know exactly how you hit it, but your hands won't sting on those cold morning rounds.
The face has a milled pattern with grooves spaced 0.5mm apart, and here's why that matters. These tiny grooves grab the ball just enough to create forward roll instead of skidding. You know how a basketball spins backward when you shoot it? Same concept here, except we want forward spin for better distance control.
The PXG Hellcat ZT Putter blends cutting-edge technology with sleek design to deliver exceptional feel and pinpoint accuracy. Whether you’re a pro or enthusiast, this putter promises to elevate your green game with every stroke.
Here's where things get interesting, and where I went from skeptical to genuinely impressed. The Zero Torque design isn't just another gimmicky name – it fundamentally changes how the putter behaves during your stroke. That weird S-shaped hosel positions the shaft axis just above the center of gravity, creating what PXG calls a "zero torque" condition. In plain English? The putter face wants to stay square throughout your entire stroke without you having to manipulate it.
I've tested other center-shafted putters that claim similar benefits, but they usually require adjustable weights or feel like you're putting with a sledgehammer. The Hellcat ZT manages to maintain that classic blade feel while providing genuine stability improvements. During my testing at my home course (where the greens run about an 11 on the Stimpmeter), I noticed immediately that my tendency to slightly open the face on the backswing was largely eliminated. The putter just wanted to stay square.
What really sold me was taking this to the practice green with my launch monitor. Over 50 putts from 10 feet, my face angle at impact was more consistent than with my gamer (a Scotty Cameron Newport 2). We're talking about a standard deviation improvement of nearly 40%. That's not marketing fluff – that's the kind of measurable improvement that translates to more made putts.
The toe-up balance point takes some getting used to if you're coming from a traditional blade. When you pick up the Hellcat ZT and let it hang naturally, it doesn't sit like other putters. But once you understand that this design is actively fighting face rotation, it starts to make sense. It's like having training wheels that don't actually touch the ground – the stability is there when you need it, but it doesn't interfere with your natural stroke.
I've putted with everything from deep-milled faces to insert technology, and I usually prefer the firm click of a traditional milled face. The Pyramid Face Pattern on the Hellcat ZT initially had me worried – geometric patterns on putter faces often mean harsh feel or inconsistent roll. I was wrong on both counts.
The pyramid structure (think tiny pyramids precision-milled across the entire face) creates a unique interaction with the golf ball's dimples. It's not soft like a White Hot insert, but it's not harsh like some deep-milled faces either. The best way I can describe it is "controlled compression." You feel the ball compress slightly at impact, then release with a consistent roll. Even on mishits toward the heel or toe, the feel remains remarkably consistent. Interestingly, this controlled feel reminds me of the soft urethane cover technology used in premium tour balls, which similarly balances responsiveness with predictable performance.
During a particularly humid morning round last week, I noticed something else about this face technology – it seems to grip the ball better in wet conditions. Those tiny pyramids create multiple contact points that help maintain spin consistency even when there's moisture on the face or ball. I hit putts with a wet ball and a dry ball from 20 feet, and the roll-out difference was negligible. Try that with a smooth-faced insert putter and you'll see dramatic differences.
The sound at impact deserves its own mention. It's muted but not dead, responsive but not clicky. If you've ever hit a putt and immediately knew it was pure just from the sound, that's what the Hellcat ZT provides consistently. My playing partners commented multiple times about the distinctive "thwack" sound – it's different enough to be noticeable but pleasant enough that you want to hear it again.
Metal Injection Molding (MIM) isn't new technology, but PXG's implementation here is worth discussing. Most putters in the $250 price range use cast construction, which is fine, but it limits the complexity of shapes and internal geometries you can achieve. MIM allows PXG to create the precise weight distribution and complex hosel geometry that makes the Zero Torque design work.
The 303 stainless steel feels every bit as premium as putters costing twice as much. After three months of regular use (including some questionable treatment in my golf bag), there's not a hint of rust or corrosion. The finish has held up remarkably well, too – just some minor bag chatter on the sole, which is inevitable with any putter.
What impressed me most about the construction is how PXG achieved that E6 swing weight despite the 370-gram head weight. Usually, a head this heavy would feel like you're swinging a pendulum with a bowling ball attached. But the weight distribution is so well thought out that it feels nimble during the stroke. It's heavy enough to promote a smooth tempo but balanced enough that you don't feel like you're fighting the weight.
The precision of the MIM process shows in the consistency of the face milling, too. I checked the loft across five different points on the face with my loft and lie machine, and the variation was less than 0.2 degrees. That's tour-level consistency at a price point where you usually see variations of a full degree or more. This kind of precision matters because it means the ball will launch consistently regardless of where you make contact on the face.
PXG could have loaded this putter with adjustable weights, changeable hosels, and other bells and whistles, but they didn't. Instead, they focused on getting the fundamental specs right. The 4-degree loft that plays like 3 degrees (thanks to a built-in 1-degree forward press) is genius. Most amateurs add a forward press naturally, which delofts their putter too much. With the Hellcat ZT, you're getting ideal launch conditions even if you press forward slightly at address.
The 70-degree lie angle is standard, but it works perfectly with the Zero Torque design. I experimented with different address positions, and the putter remained stable whether I stood closer or farther from the ball. The 34-inch shaft length is also standard, though I appreciate that PXG will cut it down during their fitting process if needed (without the usual upcharge).
The included PXG Slant 1.5 grip surprised me with its quality. It's not just a throwaway grip that you'll immediately replace. The slightly oversized profile (1.5 indicates the diameter) helps quiet the hands, which complements the stability of the Zero Torque design perfectly. The texture provides enough tack without being sticky, and it maintains its feel even after playing in 90-degree heat.
One spec that doesn't get enough attention is the actual shape of the blade. PXG squared off the heel and toe bumpers compared to their previous designs, eliminating the Runway Reticle alignment scheme. Some might see this as a step backward, but I think it's brilliant. The clean, classic look of address doesn't distract from your alignment, and the squared-off sections actually help frame the ball better than traditional rounded bumpers.
The PXG Hellcat ZT Putter blends cutting-edge technology with sleek design to deliver exceptional feel and pinpoint accuracy. Whether you’re a pro or enthusiast, this putter promises to elevate your green game with every stroke.
Your PXG Hellcat ZT Putter comes with a one-year limited warranty from the original purchase date. This warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship during normal use. If you've received the putter as a gift in used condition, you'll still get the same one-year protection. The warranty doesn't restart if PXG repairs or replaces your putter - it's always measured from when you initially bought it.
Yes, you can get the Hellcat ZT Putter custom-fitted at PXG facilities. You'll work with expert fitters at authorized PXG locations who'll perform a 30-minute session using advanced technology like TrackMan. They'll adjust your putter's length, loft, lie angle, and grip to match your natural stroke. PXG recommends custom fitting to enhance the Zero Torque technology's benefits, and you'll likely experience improved consistency and more made putts.
Yes, you can get the Hellcat ZT putter in a left-handed version. PXG offers both right- and left-handed models with identical technology, including the Zero Torque S-Hosel design, Pyramid Face Technology, and MIM 303 stainless steel construction. You'll find left-handed options on PXG's website and in their retail stores. The left-handed model comes with the same 370g head weight, 4° loft, and includes a head cover with your purchase.
You'll get a straight chrome shaft at 34 inches standard, but you've got excellent customization options. You can upgrade to PXG's M16 Putter Shaft featuring high modulus carbon fiber upper with a steel tip for improved stiffness and stability. Through PXG's custom fitting, you can adjust shaft length, loft, and lie to match your stroke. Order custom shafts directly through PXG.com, their retail stores, or authorized fitters.
You'll find the Hellcat ZT at $249.99, making it PXG's most affordable zero torque putter by far. It's priced about $200 less than other PXG ZT models like the Allan ZT and Bat Attack ZT, which retail around $450. While you're giving up adjustable weights and polymer inserts found in pricier models, you're still getting core ZT technology at just over half the cost of PXG's premium putters.
After three months and roughly 40 rounds with the Hellcat ZT, it's earned a permanent spot in my rotation. This isn't a putter for the player who wants adjustable everything or needs alignment aids all over the top line. It's for the golfer who appreciates subtle innovation that actually improves performance.
The combination of Zero Torque technology, Pyramid Face Pattern, and premium construction at $249.99 makes this one of the best values in golf right now. PXG has fundamentally taken $500 worth of technology and performance and packaged it at half the price. Whether they can maintain this pricing long-term is anyone's guess, but right now, the Hellcat ZT is the best blade putter value on the market. If you're in the market for a new blade and can handle something a little different, do yourself a favor and give this one a serious look.
