Is The Third Time The Zero-Torque Charm For Odyssey Golf?
News

Is The Third Time The Zero-Torque Charm For Odyssey Golf?

Support our Mission. We independently test each product we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.

Is The Third Time The Zero-Torque Charm For Odyssey Golf?
  • Odyssey is releasing three new Square 2 Square Ai-ONE putter models.
  • The putters are zero-torque designs that incorporate Odyssey’s Ai-One technologies.
  • In stores Nov. 29 with MSRP of $299.99

You might mistakenly accuse Odyssey of jumping on the zero-torque putter bandwagon. I get why you would make that assumption. Thanks to the success of L.A.B. Golf putters over the past few years, consumer demand for this style of putter is at an all-time high. As a result, multiple companies are designing zero-torque putters this season.

What separates Odyssey from the other companies is that they have previously dabbled in zero-torque putter designs.

Do you remember the 2010 Odyssey Backstryke? That was the putter where the shaft entered at the rear of the head. In 2016, Odyssey released the Toe Up line. As you can likely guess, all of the Toe Up putters had toe-up toe hang and, once again, zero torque. That release was when Odyssey first used the Square to Square tag line for face rotation.

A combination of the two Odyssey designs emerged in 2020 with the Odyssey Stroke Lab Black Toe Up Big Seven Backstryke putter. Not only did that putter have the longest name ever but it was yet another reduced-torque design from Odyssey.

The bottom line is that the Square 2 Square line is not Odyssey’s first zero-torque rodeo. They have been tinkering with zero-torque designs for quite some time and believe that this new design plan is their best yet.

The Square 2 Square story

Many of you are familiar with the Lie Angle Balance/Zero Torque/Square 2 Square design concept. The primary goal is to eliminate putter head rotation during the stroke, keeping the face square to path during the stroke, thus returning square to the target line at impact.

A putter face that is open or closed even a little bit at impact will cause the ball to deviate from the target line. Assuming that you picked a good line and hit it with the correct pace, having the face square at impact means your putt is likely going in the hole.

That’s the real benefit of the design. The putter keeps the face square for you so all you need to worry about is pace and aim.

Like with the Backstryke, Odyssey is again using a novel shaft position to eliminate face rotation. Unlike the Backstryke, the Square 2 Square shaft enters the head at a more central position, near the putter’s center of gravity. This makes the putter balanced around the shaft and that is why it doesn’t rotate one way or the other from its toe-up position during the swing.

This shaft position is far more aesthetically palatable this time around. The S2S putters look significantly more like traditional putters than the Backstryke or Toe Up models.

The Odyssey bonus technologies

While most of the focus will be on the zero-torque nature of these putters, it is important to remember that these are also Ai-ONE putters. That means they also include all of the assistive technologies associated with the Ai-ONE putter line.

Each of the new Odyssey Square 2 Square putters has a supercomputer-designed Ai-ONE insert. This insert normalizes putt distances across the face of the putter, essentially expanding the sweet spot.

Yes, this means the putter helps you return square to the ball and also helps you to roll the ball the intended distance, even on mishits.

The Square 2 Square putters are high-MOI designs with the elongated blade shape of the Double Wide scoring the highest MOI value of 6,108. The other two models are right around the 5K MOI mark. You may remember that Odyssey released a whole line of putters with MOI scores of 5K or higher, stating that this was the MOI sweet spot for reducing rotation and improving forgiveness.

Each Square 2 Square putter will be shafted with Odyssey’s Stroke Lab 90 putter shaft. These lightweight shafts enable the standard-length putters to have a counterbalanced architecture. Odyssey’s data shows this counterbalanced design leads to a more consistent stroke and a better smash factor.

Shocking price

The one feature about the new Square 2 Square line that stopped me in my tracks was the $299 price. These are priced exactly the same as the other Ai-ONE putter models. Odyssey does not see this type of putter as a replacement for traditional designs but rather as another option for golfers with certain putting needs.

Odyssey testing showed the players who benefitted most from the Square to Square design were already typically square at impact or missed to the right due to an open face. Players who typically miss left were not as successful with the Square 2 Square design, likely because they need a putter with more rotation, not less.

As such, they are priced like neck options, not like a new fancy design. The Square 2 Square #7 will cost you the same as the Ai-ONE #7 or an Ai-ONE #7 with a plumber’s neck.

Remember, too, that all of these putters are manufactured to Odyssey’s tight tolerances. The fact that these are $299, not $399 or higher, is astounding and delightful.

Enough generalities Let’s check out the three models.

Odyssey Square 2 Square #7

The Square 2 Square #7 is a standard-length version of last year’s Ai-ONE #7 CS broomstick putter. I think that putter’s popularity pushed along Odyssey’s plan for developing the S2S line.

The Square 2 Square #7 looks a little Backstryke-y. The shaft is rearward of where it would be in a normal center-shafted version of the #7 but not as far back as with the Backstryke.

The most impressive thing about the Square 2 Square  #7 is that it doesn’t look that unusual to me. Perhaps my time spent with my L.A.B. Golf DF3 has made me more comfortable looking at a central shaft but I do think Odyssey did a great job of making this #7 look unusual as opposed to odd.

The long targeting lines on the interior edges of the fangs are awesome alignment aids. They help you aim at the target and the S2S build will bring that face back to where you aimed it. 

Odyssey Square 2 Square Jailbird

Jailbird-mania has died down a bit. Funny to think that just a year or so ago, the counter-balanced Jailbird Cruiser, first sold 10 years ago, was the hottest Odyssey putter out there. Tip of the cap to Mr. Fowler and Mr. Clark for making that putter so popular.

The Square 2 Square Jailbird may rekindle the Jailbird frenzy. This putter is a standout. The balance is spot-on and it feels very natural when swung. Keep in mind that I have been gaming a DF3 for a while now. The Square 2 Square Jailbird may not feel comfortable at first if you are currently using a traditional putter.

When you try one of these, or any zero-torque putter, make a few strokes with your thumbs off the grip. This will allow you to feel what the putter wants to do, not what you are making it do. You may be surprised at how much you want to manipulate the face during your stroke.

Odyssey Square 2 Square Double Wide

Torque-balanced blades are a rarity. You basically have the L.A.B. Golf Link.1 and a couple of Edel models to choose from. Though it is a big, beefy blade, the Square to Square Double Wide is still a blade at heart.

It fits in a blade headcover so that makes it a blade, right?

As I mentioned, the Double Wide has the highest MOI putter in the cohort. That MOI, along with the rearward hosel position, makes the Double Wide the most anti-twisting of the Square to Square putters.

Like the #7, the Double Wide looks like a traditional center-shafted blade. Obviously, the shaft is attached in the cavity rather than on the top line but it still looks normal.

Folk who have resisted trying zero-torque putters because they look too “out there” may actually give this one a shot. Should you game a Double Wide, your playing partners won’t give you a hard time about putting with an esoteric design. 

Final thoughts Odyssey Square 2 Square putters

Odyssey is very excited about their new Square 2 Square putter line and they should be. Not only have they built putters in sync with today’s hottest putter trend but they have also incorporated their new Ai-ONE technologies.

I can see these putters doing very well in the marketplace for a couple of reasons. First, they look like traditional Odyssey putters. Customers looking for classic Odyssey shapes shouldn’t be turned off by the Square 2 Square hosel scheme.

The other reason these will be popular is the $299.99 price. This puts the Square 2 Square putters well below the pricing for L.A.B. Golf, Evnroll and other zero-torque putters. Golfers are more likely to experiment with a $300 putter than with a $500 putter.

Having the trusted Odyssey name on these putters doesn’t hurt, either.

Does this release foretell the demise of the smaller zero-torque putter companies like L.A.B. Golf? Not at all. In fact, I can see a pathway where someone learns about zero-torque putters via the Odyssey Square 2 Square putters and then moves on to L.A.B. Golf when they are looking for something more custom.

Regardless, the release of the Odyssey Square 2 Square line should erase all doubts about the upcoming season being zero-torque putter season.

Find out more about the Odyssey Square 2 Square putters at OdysseyCallawaygolf.com

FAQ: Odyssey Square 2 Square putters

Do you need to be custom fitted for an Odyssey Square 2 Square putter?

If you know your standard putter specs, you should have enough information to customize your Square 2 Square. I asked Odyssey about the effect of adjusting the lie angle and they said that doing so within reason (+/-2°) will not change the rotation of the putter. Changing out the sole weights will influence the torque, though, so proceed with caution there.

Are any pros using these?

So far there are no high-profile Square 2 Square users but that should change rapidly now that they are officially released. The big question is will Rickie Fowler, who has recently been using a L.A.B. DF3, make the move back to Jailbird when he tries the Square 2 Square version. The suspense is terrible! I hope it will last.

Do the Square 2 Square putters have a special grip?

The stock grip is a standard oversized Odyssey putter grip. It does not have any forward press-promoting properties like you would find in a L.A.B. Golf grip.

Why doesn’t the Square 2 Square design help people who miss left?

I, too, found this data interesting. Here is my interpretation of their results. People who push putts to the left are typically striking the ball with a face that they over-rotated closed. In that situation, the putter doesn’t rotate open enough in the backswing to allow it to return square to impact. Since the Square 2 Square putters don’t open and close at all, the left-missing player will continue to manipulate the face closed and miss left. I’d be interested to see if this miss tendency would diminish with use or if that player should just buy something with lots of toe hang. 

For You

For You

LIV USGA LIV USGA
LIV Golf
Feb 5, 2025
USGA Makes Sensible Move By Creating LIV Qualifying Pathway
News
Feb 5, 2025
PING G430 Versus G440 Drivers (What’s New for 2025?)
Maxfli Honors Maxfli Honors
Buyer's Guides
Feb 5, 2025
Head To Head: Most Expensive Versus Least Expensive Stand Bag
Dave Wolfe

Dave Wolfe

Dave Wolfe

A putter-obsessed recreational golfer, constantly striving to improve his game while not getting too hung up about it. Golf should be fun, always.

Dave Wolfe

Dave Wolfe

Dave Wolfe





    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

      Ray

      3 months ago

      I have always wondered why the Odessey Dual Force 665 is never in the conversation. It is toe up and the hosel is what you see in the PXG Allan. These zero torque designs help immensely on the short putts which takes pressure off the longer putts in terms of distance control. I just wish the new Odessey lines were not all center shafted.

      Reply

      DFC

      3 months ago

      Curious if these putters passed the LAB revelers test? Love the look and price point.

      Reply

      That’s Mr. Dirt

      3 months ago

      Well, these are all nice and fancy ideas and I hope it improves people’s scores. But the thing is, they didn’t have this for how many years? People are putting just fine. If they’re missing putts they just need to improve their putting stroke, i.e. not turning their shoulders, which would make them rotate even more. Maybe take some proper lessons, from a proper instructor and not the range weasel who shot -1 that time 15 years ago. Remember when Arnie and Jack, during their heyday in the 60s, used to putt? They didn’t do that whole shoulder thing, they did the wrist hinge. They took the rest of the body out of the equation and just used the wrists. When I think about putting like that, it kind of makes sense to me, but what do I know? I’m just a guy, standing in front of a ball, just wanting to make par on one hole.

      Reply

      ARLINDO

      3 months ago

      Very good marketing towards naïve golfers : the infinitesimal improvement will benefit, to , maybe, 10 golfers in the world, and only on very long puttsn as the natural dispersion cerated by the swing of the golfer will reduce to nil this “improvement”

      Reply

      Michael F

      3 months ago

      …and of course no left handed models.

      Reply

      Jansen Meyers

      3 months ago

      The Square 2 Square Double Wide, LAB Link 1 and Edel are not the only Lie Angle Balanced blades. SeeMore has been making LAB blades for years. They have several models that fit into that category. I’m currently playing a Mini Giant Deep FGP. If I was going to select another brand I would consider the Square 2 Square Double Wide. That looks like a great putter!

      Reply

      Dan Sopchak

      3 months ago

      I’m a little confused with Line Angle Balance in putters. The videos show the putter lining back up square to the aim line. My issue with this is the putter doesn’t spin in your hands, You are holding it so it doesn’t spin. So what advantage does L. A. B. have?

      Reply

      Kuso

      3 months ago

      Straight back straight thru, on line, without any twist, is the idea
      It’s supposed to help you literally pick a line, and put it on that line, it will not deviate.
      If you miss, then it’s a miss read, such as you didn’t incorporate gravity and slope enough, or grain, or you tried to influence the putter somehow, or you hit something that sent it off line
      LMAO

      Reply

      Rick

      3 months ago

      I have always had a problem with left misses. My most recent putter was a blade , Odyssey #3, and I had an arcing stroke. I decided to try a mallet and went looking on pre-owned sites to find a less expensive one to experiment with. I came across the 2020 odyssey toe up #7 and decided to give the odd looking thing a try. Once I figured out that I needed to put my eyes directly over the ball and take the putter straight back, I fell in love with it. I no longer fear the left miss.

      Reply

      David D

      3 months ago

      Good for Callaway in keeping the price down. Here in Canada, the prices of the currently available zero-torque putters are $600 to $700, due to the exchange rate- pretty stiff for the average golfer. I would consider a zero-torque putter if it had a proven face like the Evnroll offering, getting me a little more bang for the buck. I’ve had very limited success with the Odyssey AI face putters. The Sik face has yet to make its appearance, maybe with Cobra(?). I wonder if we’ll see Bettinardi and Scotty Cameron jump on the bandwagon.

      Reply

    Leave A Reply

    required
    required
    required (your email address will not be published)

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    LIV USGA LIV USGA
    LIV Golf
    Feb 5, 2025
    USGA Makes Sensible Move By Creating LIV Qualifying Pathway
    News
    Feb 5, 2025
    PING G430 Versus G440 Drivers (What’s New for 2025?)
    Maxfli Honors Maxfli Honors
    Buyer's Guides
    Feb 5, 2025
    Head To Head: Most Expensive Versus Least Expensive Stand Bag