When I read “Works Tank Cruiser” I see three separate things coming together. In ice cream land, we are talking about a Neapolitan situation where lovers of strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla ice creams need not settle for a single flavor.
The Odyssey Works Tank Cruiser (aka Odyssey Neapolitan) really does the same thing. The golfer can now have the aspects of all three putter lines combined. You get the Works’ Fusion RX Insert, the Tank’s counterweighting, and the Cruiser’s adjustability all in one neat little scoop.
Now we just need to find out if these putter line have been melded together into an effective flatstick, or if we’d rather just eat the chocolate…
Odyssey Works Tank Cruiser Specs
- Product At Retail Date: 10/30 (Pre-sale Date: 10/16)
- Head Shape Models (4): V-Line, #7, #1 (Wide), 2-Ball Fang
- Price: $249
- Stock Length Offerings” 35”, 38” (custom lengths available)
- Standard Grip: Superstroke
- Counterweighting (in the grip): 5g, 15g and 30g weight options
- Head Weights:
- V-Line Head weight: 375g (adjustable to 365g or 385g)
- #7 Head Weight: 375g (adjustable to 365g or 385g)
- #1 (Wide) Head Weight: 375g (adjustable to 365g or 385g)
- 2-Ball Fang Head Weight: 385g (adjustable to 375g or 395g)
Works Tank Cruiser Tech
Quicker Roll With Fusion RX
We’ve taken the most legendary insert of all-time that’s the best feeling, best selling, with the most Tour wins and combined it with unbelievable new roll technology for the Fusion RX Insert.
It’s where feel meets roll as we couple the White Hot insert with ultra thin stainless steel mesh and our patented Metal-X roll pattern. There are no compromises, and it has faster roll than the White Hot insert, so it reduces skidding and gets the ball into a pure roll faster.
With the Fusion RX Insert, we again see the combining of the Odyssey technologies. It’s tough to argue with the prowess of the White Hot insert, as you are likely to find lots of them on both the professional and casual putting greens. One could even argue that this modern White Hot insert is better than the original due to improvements in manufacturing techniques.
The Metal-X side does latch on to the ball and get it rolling. Imagine running a cheese grater up the edge of your forearm. Those little cutting holes latch on to your arm like the Metal-X face does the ball. Assuming your impact is ascending, the Metal-X will add some top spin, imparting more forward roll when the ball hits the turf.
Major-Winning Versa Alignment
It’s interesting how what was once a bold design can become the accepted norm. The Versa design was a radical departure when it was released, and now it seems a bit strange to look at an Odyssey putter that doesn’t have the Versa scheme.
Though I think that I prefer the white/black Versa to the silver/black design (sorry Raiders fans), even in silver and black the Versa design easily allows the golfer to point the putter, and hopefully the ball, at the correct target.
The Big T alignment deviates from the standard Versa scheme a bit, and it will take me a bit more grass time to know if it works for me, or not. Alignment preference can be a bit subjective, but we know that look at address affects alignment/accuracy. Deviations from the Versa norm can be good though. My BWB Versa 90 #7 is still my favorite putter from the whole Versa lineage.
Adjustable Counterbalance Weighting
The inclusion of the adjustable weights is a masterstroke for Odyssey. I wish that other companies would follow its lead. It shouldn’t require a special order to change adjustable weights. Though many golfers will fit the length to weight ratios of the stock offerings, others will not. For those who don’t fit in the stock configuration, being able to switch up the weights and feel the difference, and the wrongness, should give you confidence that you are playing the correct set-up.
Plus, it gives us something to tinker with in between rounds (or holes).
Kudos again to Odyssey for being one of the first big companies to offer SuperStroke grips as an optional feature and then to offer them as the standard stock offering. Way to be ahead of the curve by simply listening to the golfer. Maybe Phil’s early SuperStroke experimentations gave them that flash of insight. Regardless, I view this as a great boon for the consumer.
Odyssey Neapolitan?
Today is really about letting you know that the Odyssey Neapolitan (aka Works Tank Cruiser) is on its way. Though I have already anointed it with Neapolitan status, we will need to take a longer look at the line to be sure that it deserves that time-tested moniker.
More is coming. We will be putting together a full Club Report article covering the Works Tank Cruiser line. We will let you see them side-by-side, and perhaps even head-to-head so that you can pick out which model is right for you.
Stay Tuned!
McaseyM
9 years ago
Any chance for a center shafted or backstryke version?
Dave Wolfe
9 years ago
Not as of yet. I would bet that there is a better chance of a center-shaft than a backstryke though. Haven’t seen a backstryke in a while. Maybe there will be one in the 2016 releases.