Odyssey "Red Ball" Putter

[Hardspoon]

http://www.golf.com/equipment/2018/07/10/odyssey-unveils-red-ball-putter-scope-improve-alignment

This sounds/looks really gimmicky...but...it actually makes sense, as a perfect solution to consistent alignment.

My only question: other than for really high handicappers, is consistent alignment on putts actually a typical problem?

[dennyjones]

6 minutes ago, Hardspoon said:

My only question: other than for really high handicappers, is consistent alignment on putts actually a typical problem?

More than you would guess.   I'd bet most golfers can't consistently align their putters.  

[Hardspoon]

19 minutes ago, dennyjones said:

More than you would guess.   I'd bet most golfers can't consistently align their putters.  

Sure, most have trouble aligning their putter with the target line...but this wouldn’t really help with that. It’d only help get your head in the same position, relative to the ball, every time.

[iacas]

37 minutes ago, Hardspoon said:

This sounds/looks really gimmicky...but...it actually makes sense, as a perfect solution to consistent alignment.

I don't agree. It's like the red line on the SeeMore putters. Sure your head can be in the same position relative to the putter head and shaft… but those can be oriented relative to the ground or the rest of your body in all sorts of ways.

Basically put the putter in ANY position, and then just put your eyes on the line formed by the ball and the hole on the putter. Your head can be anywhere. The toe could be way in the air, pointed 15° left of your line, and if your head sees the red dot through the scope, it's the same as when you're set up "perfectly."

Bogus.

[Hardspoon]

8 hours ago, iacas said:

Sure your head can be in the same position relative to the putter head and shaft… but those can be oriented relative to the ground or the rest of your body in all sorts of ways.

Basically put the putter in ANY position, and then just put your eyes on the line formed by the ball and the hole on the putter. Your head can be anywhere. The toe could be way in the air, pointed 15° left of your line, and if your head sees the red dot through the scope, it's the same as when you're set up "perfectly."

Sure. But it eliminates some variables, right? If you align the putter on your target line, your eyes will always be on the target line as well.

Anyway, my initial question was poorly worded. By “alignment”, I meant the ONLY alignment of the head/eyes with the putter head (since that’s how they use the word in their promo material). 

My question, which you’ve answered, was whether head alignment is actually the issue leading to poor setup.

[iacas]

13 minutes ago, Hardspoon said:

Sure. But it eliminates some variables, right? If you align the putter on your target line, your eyes will always be on the target line as well.

Not really. Your eyes could be tilted. Only your dominant eye has to be on the ball-scope line. And then that eye can be well inside or outside vertical from the ground if the putter is tilted.

Just think about the many positions you could see the red ball in the scope and how they don’t look at all like a putting stance.

[RussUK]

I like it. Looks a little different but in a good way. I've always had the odd issue with putting alignment. Tried putters with single, double and triple lines, one ball, two ball and even a big triangle and so far the only one that i've got on with is my current Cleveland Smartsquare. Will be interesting to see the reviews. 

[billchao]

It doesn't work for the many reasons @iacas wrote Lining your eye with the putter doesn't help you aim it. Trust me on this one 😉

The whole concept is based on the conventional idea of having your eyes over the target line which a lot of instructors are moving away from. Plus, if your lie angle isn't right (and there are a lot of people out there who putt with the toe way up), you can be lined up with the putter and not with your target line at all.

[lungbuster]

I believe, if anything, it may provide a bit of a confidence boost/placebo effect for someone who struggles with putting.  I've usually been pretty good at reading greens and getting my putts started on line, I struggle with consistent speed.  I've yet to find that magic putter that provides the feel I need for more consistency.  Unfortunately, what this putter is supposed to aid won't provide any assistance with that.