- The PXG Allan features precision-milled multi-material construction, internal polymer and PXG’s pyramid face milling.
- The new PXG Allan is the first PXG camera to feature a zero-torque design.
- The PXG Allen will be available on August 23rd with an MSRP of $449.99
of PXG Allan putter will anger some people.
Golfers getting mad about new equipment is common these days. Don’t like the new shape of an iron? Kind of angry about it! Isn’t a company’s Ventus stock axle a Velocore model? This little one needs to be treated! Should a club cost more than it did in 2008? Someone has some explaining to do!
Those wild situations are just minor irritants compared to what PXG has unleashed with Allan’s passing.
PXG design elements
At first pass, the PXG Allan looks like the other hammer throwers in the PXG line. In particular, Allan’s construction is similar to PXG Battle Ready II thruster. The Allan is constructed from milled 6061 aluminum and 303 stainless steel. The stainless steel front is hollow with a very thin face.
Unsupported, this extremely thin face would feel and sound very uncomfortable on impact. To address this, PXG filled the headspace with their S COR polymer, thus improving the sound on impact. Next, they found that adding the polymer also improved the uniformity of the stroke across the face.
This is one no bell approval for the PXG design plan.
Replacing steel with polymer also allowed the PXG to position more of the head’s relative weight near the circumference of the head. Increased perimeter weighting increases putter MOI and putter stability.
Another thing that continues with Allan is PXG’s dedication to precision construction. Although it won’t rank as the main selling point for the Allan, the grind quality of this machine is top notch.
PXG adds milled elements that are functionally unnecessary but aesthetically pleasing. Check out the milled ridges on the underside of the aluminum top. They remind me a bit of the grilles cut into the hood of a hot rod. They don’t need to be there, but they make the godhan look a lot fresher.
But I’m still not mad at Allan…
I hear you. It seemed important to recap the non-controversial parts of the PXG Allan model before heading into the main event. Let’s take a look at Allan’s neck.
First of all, the neck is supposed to stick there and have a shape like that. PXG engineers didn’t get halfway through building the Allan and then, all of a sudden, they felt like they were ruining something beautiful. Neck position and shape are atypical and purpose built. Unlike cosmetic milling, the neck system is designed not for looks, but for function.
The PXG Allan is a zero torque design
The shape and position of the PXG Allan’s neck causes the axle shaft to sit slightly above the digger’s center of gravity. Imagine if the shaft continued down in a straight line to the thrower’s head. This is the axle shaft.
This positioning gives the shooter an “up” toe hang. Additionally, this design creates a thruster that has zero torque during impact. This means the putter won’t open or close in relation to the path during impact, making it easier to get the shot square to the ball and the target line.
Something about that zero-torque design plan seems familiar.
Addressing the elephant in the LAB
Are you starting to see why PXG Allan will put bees on the cover? LAB golf groups are also designed to be torque free. That’s the big deal for LAB golf putters, and the effectiveness of their Lie Angle Balanced design is the reason their popularity on the professional tour and amateur bags has grown in recent years.
Is PXG trying to achieve some of LAB Golf’s success?
My first thought when I saw the PXG Allan was that LAB Golf was going to be boring. Their anger would be justified, since they had fought so hard to make people see that their unusual-looking fugues were something special. Now that they have some traction, here comes a bigger company to lure potential customers.
There is another way to look at the situation. The fact that a bigger company like PXG is making a design inspired by LAB Golf means that what LAB Golf has done is revolutionary in terms of golf design. Bad ideas don’t get copied. Amazing ideas are copied by everyone.
It would take all day to count the number of PING Anser-inspired putters out there.
I fully understand how Allan’s release from PXG may be disappointing for LAB Golf, but I think it should also be worthwhile.
Maybe PXG Allan is disgusting (he’s not)
If PXG Allan was a terrible shooter, most of the controversy would quickly disappear. Unfortunately, it is spectacular.
I took the PXG Allan out on the course and made almost every putt I looked at. If I missed it, it was caused by a speed or reading error. Not once did the ball travel to an unwanted line.
My previous experience with LAB golf gauges definitely made me feel immediately comfortable with the zero torque Allan. I found swinging the DF3 and Allan putters to be similar experiences.
I really like how Allan sits at address after the ball. The neck fades quickly from the spotlight with the aluminum top and long sight line, making the lay very easy. I never questioned where Allan was aiming.
The sense of impact is muted. It’s hard to know for sure if you’ve lost center or not. It didn’t seem to matter much though, as the ball seemingly always ended up on target. Although subjective, I definitely prefer the impact feel of the LAB Golf DF3.
As a bonus, the milled ridges on the underside of the PXG Allan will allow you to pick up the ball with the “Receive Pocket” on the underside of the putter. However, chances are you won’t need to use them very often.
Final thoughts on the PXG Allan dashboard
The PXG Allan is probably the best shooter that PXG has produced to date. Yes, I am including PXG Battle Ready Bat Attack Most Wanted Winning Attack in that order. That’s how good this shooter is.
Will PXG Allan lure customers away from LAB Golf? Maybe, but I’m not entirely sure that Allan will be a detriment to LAB Golf. LAB Golf has created a very unique market space. They make magazines with atypical shapes that undeniably surpass other devices on the current market.
Remember, 8802-loving Phil Mickelson is using a LAB golf putter.
I can see PXG Allan being a gateway to LAB Golf. Customers, especially PXG loyalists, will try the Allan without knowing anything about all things zero torque. Now that they are familiar with the technology, they feel more comfortable and curious to explore what LAB Golf has to offer.
That’s assuming anyone would ever want to move from PXG Allan. Like I said, it’s a solid bar.
Find out more about the PXG Allan and other PXG gear at PXG.com.
Website: PXG Allan Putter
The Allan I tested had PXG’s M16 thru axle on it. The shaft is made of graphite and steel and is 26 percent stiffer than steel. PXG says robot testing shows the M16 spindle is 37 percent more accurate than traditional steel.
Allan is named after Bob Parson’s younger brother and PXG founder Allan Parsons, who passed away after battling cancer in 2020. If you’re wondering, Alan Parsons from The Alan Parsons Project it was another person.
I’d say it’s a safe bet. The design works and is hot on the market. Wait for other companies to release some.
It is possible. They run sales here and there. Remember they also have one PXG for Heroes program where current and former military, veterans and first responders receive a discount.
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