In conjunction with the massive new 2008 offering by the parent company Callaway Golf, the gang over at Odyssey Golf is kicking out some new putters for you to try out. If you not a fan of inserts, well, you’re out of luck as the entire line features various forms of insert technology.
Never one to shy away from radical shapes and designs in the past like the 2-ball and 3-ball putters, Odyssey keeps playing around with various shapes and alignment aids in an attempt to make it easier for us to line-up our putts. The alignment help is great appreciated. Now, on with the putters…
Black Series i Putters
First off, the nickel finish looks really cool. To me, that’s the first test for a putter. If it looks good, it at least has a chance to get into my bag. These look tempting.
Odyssey describes the engineering behind the Black Series i Putters that
feature the same multi-material construction as the original Black Series Putters with the addition of a new multi-layer Tour insert that provides premium feel and responsiveness. Each putter’s headweight is precisely controlled and matched with the specific shaft length for impeccable consistency and control. Each model utilizes Odyssey’s Fine-Tuned Loft System, which optimizes each putter’s loft in conjunction with its CG to generate pure and consistent roll characteristics.
The Black Series i are at the at the high end of Odyssey’s offerings and will cost you a cool $269. Three styles are offered: blade (#1), spaceship-looking (#7), and mallet (#9).
White Hot Tour Putters
The White Hot line gets some new blood with a new, firmer “Tour” insert that provides “for the feedback and responsiveness accomplished players seek” as well some weight ports in the sole that allowed the engineering people to “precisely control each head’s weight so it can be optimized to a specific shaft length for consistency, control and performance.”
As an added bonus, it comes in a new bronze finish that is suppose to reduce the sun’s glare when you standing over that testy six-footer. The firmer insert and glare reduction will cost $149 and comes in a blade, mallet, and Rossie model.
White Hot XG Sabertooth Putter
What can arguably be called the most sinister looking putter of 2008, the Sabertooth
utilizes high-density Dual Fangs to position more weight to the outer-most limits, helping keep the putter on-line for wicked accuracy. Aiming Channels inside the fangs make lining up putts easier and the multi-layer White Hot XG insert, our most popular and most responsive, generates our softest feel with fine-tuned responsiveness.
I’m not sure if it’s a cattle brand or used to ward off snakes while golfing in the southwest, but you are sure to get some looks when you take the headcover off this bad boy. Getting some fangs for your golf game will cost $169.
Divine Line Putters
Finally, women get a putter specifically designed for them. With a heavier head, a shorter shaft and a softer insert that provides for a better feedback and response on the greens. The Divine Line will feature “softer head shapes and a new color scheme for a more feminine look.” There are three models to choose from: 2-Ball, Marxman Mallet and Rossie and will cost $169.
Marxman X-Act Putting Wedge
From the “trying to make the short-game easier” department, the Marxman X-Act Putting Wedge is designed for shots around the green and is suppose to make them roll more like putts with a groove-less face. The Marxman X-Act will cost you $119.
I applaud Odyssey for trying to make the short game easier and reduce the amount of frustration it can occasionally cause, but I have several questions: wouldn’t a little chipping practice or a lesson work just as well? What club do you take out of the bag to put one of these in? Couldn’t you use a hybrid for the same type of shot?
Bonus
Not really part of the 2008 line-up, and more for the golfer that has everything, you can try to track down the extremely limited Odyssey Damascus putter. Already sold out, you’ll have to find one on the secondary market (good luck). I’m not sure if Damascus steel has ever been used in a putter before, but for the aficionado, it may be the missing piece to your collection.
Final Thoughts
I’ve never been been a huge fan of Odyssey putters. I could never find find one that felt heavy enough or an insert that didn’t feel “mushy.” Plus some of the them looked just too strange or too big to feel comfortable with. That being said, I’m curious about the new Black i series and look forward to testing them out while spending some quality time at my local golf shop. Who knows, maybe one ends up in my bag.
Seems like the Odyssey Tour could be my new insert putter for the up coming season. The finish looks great and the insert isn’t as soft as a marshmallow. The i Series putter is not my cup of tea with it’s two-tone flange and half size alignment line. Which by the way you can’t extend because that would mean milling through tungsten. Seems like a good line though
It’s a real shame they put an insert in the Black series, why mess with something that worked so well?
Never been a fan of Odyssey but I agree with the author if it looks good like the Black series I putters then you will probably put t better. Any club I have ever hit if I did not like the look or site line then I hit it like crap. My poor shots are due to mechanics and not concentrating. Keep up the good reviews.
I had a chance to play 9 with the Sabertooth at the PGA Merchandise Show. I’m not a mallet guy, but it plays better than it looks. Maybe I’m just wearing down after all the years of weird mallets from every company under the sun. BTW, those two little flanges in the middle of the putter are perfect for scooping the ball off the green.
Black Series i putters look a lot better than the originals. The nickel finish is much better than the two-tone look of last year’s model, FWIW.
If anybody buys a 35″ Sabertooth and decides after a few rounds it isn’t for them, let me know – I’d like to play around with one but don’t want to shell out $169 for a gimmick putter…..
I have the mini marxman, custom, in a 36.5″. It’s fantastic!
I’m interedted in getting the Sabertooth, but i haven’t heard much about it, Any pointers?
i am a sucker for gimmicks but the sabertooth really works. if it doesn’t then at least it’ll scare the heck out of my playing partners….i’ll hit them with it if i catch them cheating…..again
I like the sabertooth. Then again I like to be a little different as one would say seeing me with all my piercings. but I have gotten quite good playing with just a wal mart putter. I can dream but can’t buy wine on a beer budget.
I have always been a fan of odyssey putters and bought the white hot tour #1 alittle more of a solid click then any of the origanal white hot xg line which i also owned and sold give it a try you might like it.
and as far as the sabertooth goes my freind has one and loves it I tried it a few times and it’s ok just not a mallet guy and kind of has a tinny sound on longer putts but hey it’s all worth a try.
I have now been playing the XG Sabertooth putter for over a year. It really is very good at holding the line of putt with that high MOI due to the fangs. The only thing which would make this putter even better is a DXF model insert which is firmer.
I love how easily you can pick the ball off the grass without bending.