Sausage Golf Buden Noir Putter Review: A Tinkerer's Zero Torque Option

Introduction

The Sausage Golf Buden Noir is a putter built for golfers who like to tinker. It offers adjustable weights, multiple shaft configurations, and a true zero torque setup, all wrapped in a full aluminum body. At $499, it sits on the higher end of the putter market, but it brings a level of customization that most competitors do not.

This review puts the Buden Noir through real course testing at Carewood Country Club, covering long, medium, and short putts to see if the performance justifies the price.

First Look at the Sausage Golf Buden Noir

The Buden Noir arrives with a nice head cover. The first thing you notice is the adjustable weight system on the sole. These weights are almost like a Lego system, allowing you to unscrew the blocks and adjust the putter for your specific stroke type. You can set it up as a face balanced mallet, a toe hang, or a zero torque option.

The test model came configured as a true zero torque putter. A quick spin test confirms this: the putter lands in no particular orientation, which is the hallmark of a genuine torque-free design. Many putters claim to be torque free because it is a popular buzzword, but most are simply face balanced. The Buden Noir is the real deal.

The entire body is made from 6061 aluminum. The alignment system features a T-shaped design with a small dot, which looks clean and easy to line up. The shaft in this setup goes directly into the middle of the club face, though you can move it to a more traditional heel position by unscrewing the components.

Design and Key Features

The milling on the face is clean and precise. The grip is a rubber pistol grip, which is on the thinner side. If there is one thing to change, it would be the grip, as larger oversized grips tend to be more popular. The shaft is graphite, which adds stability to the overall package.

The ability to swap between face balanced, toe hang, and zero torque configurations makes this putter stand out. Most putters lock you into one setup. The Buden Noir lets you experiment and find what works best for your stroke, which is a significant advantage for golfers who like to fine tune their equipment.

Medium Putt Testing

The medium putt test involved setting up four zones from 8 to 10 feet, with different breaks at each zone. The goal was to make the second putt in each zone, since the first putt establishes the read and the second benefits from knowing the speed and break.

The first impression during warm-up putts was strong. The putter had a defined sweet spot and a nice roll coming off the face. Speed control felt good, though aluminum putters generally require a firmer stroke, which was noticeable on a few putts that ran past the hole.

Over the full medium putt test, the Buden Noir finished with a 50% make percentage, which matches the professional average from 8 feet. That is an impressive result, especially considering that amateurs typically make only about 27% of putts from this distance, and even scratch golfers make around a third.

Long Putt Testing

The long putt test featured a 35 to 40 foot putt, mostly downhill with a right to left break. The primary goal was distance control, since avoiding three putts is critical for good scoring.

The results were surprisingly strong for an aluminum putter. Front to back dispersion was tight, with several putts finishing close to the hole. There were a couple of misreads on the break, but those were reading errors rather than putter issues. The distance control was one of the better results seen with an aluminum putter, which was a pleasant surprise given that aluminum putters can sometimes be harder to dial in.

Short Putt Testing

The short putt test involved placing seven balls around a cup and attempting to make all seven. These are the pressure putts that often decide rounds, so performance here matters.

With the zero torque setup, the key is keeping the hands loose and letting the face do the work. Squeezing the grip increases the chance of the face twisting, so a pendulum-like stroke is essential.

The Buden Noir delivered a perfect seven for seven result. Every putt found the bottom of the cup, including a couple that crept in from the toe side. That kind of performance builds confidence, especially on the short putts that carry the most pressure.

Overall Performance Ratings

The Buden Noir earned strong marks across all testing categories. Distance control scored four and a half out of five, with the aluminum body performing better than expected. Alignment and accuracy earned a perfect five out of five, backed by the seven for seven short putt performance and the 50% medium putt make rate.

Forgiveness came in at four and a half out of five. Most putts were struck in the center of the face, and even the occasional toe side contact still found the hole. Feel and sound scored four out of five. A stainless steel or carbon putter might offer a slightly more traditional feel, but for an aluminum putter, this one is near the top of its class.

Value and Buying Advice

At $499, the Buden Noir is not a cheap putter. However, the ability to change the weight system and shaft configuration adds real value. You can switch between center shafted and heel shafted setups, and the zero torque option is genuinely functional, not just a marketing claim.

The two main critiques are the grip, which could be upgraded, and the lack of lie angle options. The test model was set at a 70 degree lie angle, and having customization there would be a nice addition.

For golfers who are shopping for a zero torque putter or who enjoy tinkering with their equipment, the Sausage Golf Buden Noir is a serious option. It is a solid release from a small independent brand, and it performs well across the board.

Conclusion

The Sausage Golf Buden Noir surprised with its performance. The distance control was excellent for an aluminum putter, the alignment system is clean, and the zero torque setup is genuine. The adjustable weight system and shaft configurations make it one of the most customizable putters available.

If you are in the market for a zero torque putter and want something you can dial in to your exact stroke, the Buden Noir deserves a close look. It is priced at the higher end, but the versatility and performance make it a compelling choice.