What’s Black and White and Played All Over?
Written by Dave Wolfe (@Golfspy Dave)
Odyssey Golf is the #1 putter company on tour. That’s a pretty huge stat. The pros, who are playing for serious money by the way, trust Odyssey putters. The number one statistic is impressive, but not as impressive as the number of tour pros who play Odyssey putters without getting a dime of money from Odyssey to do so. Who are these pros? If you follow Odyssey on Twitter, you know who is not getting paid by Odyssey because when these players do well, Odyssey will tweet that “a player” using an Odyssey putter just took down Tiger in match play.
Using the player’s name costs money, but the golfing public knows who these stealth Odyssey-playing pros are. Charles Howell III dropped Tiger with a Versa in round one of match play and also killed it in Hawaii. Is Ricky Fowler playing his Cameron GoLo still? Nope, it’s a Versa #7. Luke Donald, Ian Poulter, Graeme Mc Dowell are all on staff with other companies, but game Odyssey putters. They could all probably make more endorsement money playing another putter, but they know that they will earn even more prize money by bagging an Odyssey.
“That’s interesting, but what’s that got to do with the Versa line?” Have you looked at the Versa line before? I know that you have seen these putters before, because, as I just said, tour pros are playing them. But have you really looked at them and realized that they don’t look like any other putters out there?
The introduction of the Odyssey Versa brings me back to a point that I made in the Bettinardi BB37 review; Bob Bettinardi is big enough in the industry that he doesn’t need to come up with new head styles, but because he is dedicated to his craft, he still does. Think about Odyssey in this context. They are #1 by a wide margin. It would be easy to just roll out the same heads each year with some minor cosmetic tweaks. The money would still flow.
Instead though, those wacky designers at Odyssey Golf have produced a line of putters that are a real left turn from the norm in the Versa line. Something this different really has the potential to be a huge flop if the public doesn’t “get it”, or if the claims of the Versa line don’t hold up on the course. You can forget about that second part, Versa putters have already earned millions of tournament dollars this year, and we’re only one Major deep into the season. Odyssey doesn’t get any of that tournament money though. For the Versa to be a commercial success, they need your money, and to get that, you need to get what the Versa is all about.
So What is the Odyssey Versa All About?
I have already talked a bit about the Versa concept when I shared their press kit with you a few weeks back. The short story about the Versa is alignment and accuracy. This graphic from that previous Versa article really explains the whole concept of how the coloration of the Versa line helps you to aim better.
The bold graphical design of the head allows you to see if you are open, closed, or square to your desired putting line. The visual feedback is stronger than you would receive from any of the traditional alignment systems out there. It’s different, and if we again look back to tour performance, it’s working. Insert-wise, Odyssey has outfitted the Versa with the updated version of the White Hot Pro insert (also new for 2013). Add to that the new Odyssey eyeFIT Fitting Mirror, and you have a whole bunch of “new” coming from a company that is already #1 in the market. So much for laurel resting.
Which One Should You Try?
As always, the goal of a Club Reports article is to give you an idea about which of the new models would likely match your stroke. Historically, I have used the iPING system to offer suggestions based upon how the putters fit the different swing arcs. Today though, I am switching to the dash system that Odyssey is using via eyeFIT. Find an eyeFIT mirror, stand over it, and get your dash value. Easy. If your shop doesn’t have a mirror, you can also go with the information about toe hang, or with the style of head that you know has worked for you in the past. Seriously though, go check out the eyeFIT and see what it says.
One Dash Putters
Versa #1 Wide
Versa #1 Features
- Compact heel-toe-weighted blade
- Wide flange
- Double-bend shaft
- Full-Offset
- Weight: 343g
- Loft: 3°
- Lie: 70°
- Lengths: 33″, 34″, & 35″
Versa #7
Versa #7 Features
- Weighted Alignment Wings
- Double-bend Shaft
- Full-Offset
- Weight: 343g
- Loft: 3°
- Lie: 70°
- Lengths: 33″, 34″, & 35″
Versa 90 #7
Versa 90 #7 Features
- Weighted Alignment Wings
- Double-bend Shaft
- Full-Offset
- Weight: 343g
- Loft: 3°
- Lie: 70°
- Lengths: 33″, 34″, & 35″
Versa 2-Ball
Versa 2-Ball Features
- Extended Mallet Head
- Double-bend shaft
- Full-Offset
- Weight: 355g
- Loft: 3°
- Lie: 70°
- Lengths: 33″, 34″, & 35″
Two Dash Putters
Versa #1
Versa #1 Features
- Rounded heel-toe-weighted blade
- Crank-Neck Hosel
- Full-Offset
- Weight: 343g
- Loft: 3°
- Lie: 70°
- Lengths: 33″, 34″, & 35″
Versa #2
Versa #2 Features
- Squared heel-toe-weighted blade
- Crank-Neck Hosel
- Full-Offset
- Weight: 343g
- Loft: 3°
- Lie: 70°
- Lengths: 33″, 34″, & 35″
Three Dash Putters
Ok so there are no Three Dash putters in the current Versa line-up, but Odyssey seems to be making more Versa styles all of the time. I have seen photos of a Versa Backstryke and a Versa Sabertooth. I am sure that a Versa Three Dash is coming. If you can’t wait, go and check out the White Hot Pro #3.
Four Dash Putters
Versa #9
Versa #9 Features
- Toe-weighted
- Flanged Blade
- Heel-Shafted
- Half-ShaftOffset
- Weight: 343g
- Loft: 3°
- Lie: 70°
- Lengths: 33″, 34″, & 35″
But Do I Go BWB or WBW?
That is the question that the eyeFIT mirror can’t answer. Does it come down to personal preference, or is there a difference in the performance of the two different configurations? I read a tweet from one of the Odyssey/Callaway guys that said that people who aim by squaring the face prefer WBW, while those who use the Versa’s middle line go BWB. At this point, I don’t have any information about how the pattern affects performance, but I will soon. The Versa putters and I are hitting the local practice green to see if there is in fact a performance difference between the two patterns, or four set-ups if we look at the #7. Maybe it is just a personal aesthetic choice, or maybe some performance is involved as well. We will let the data decide.
Tell Us What You Think
Let’s hear your opinions about the Versa line!
:: Do you believe the Versa alignment system works?
:: Are there any other Versa models that you would like to see?
Mike V.
8 years agoWhere is the Sabertooth??? One of the best Versa putters there is!!!
Demietrius Green
9 years agoI went with the sabertooth bwb seems the center line comment is legit. That plus I think it looks cooler. I been playing sabertooth since the day the original white hot xg came out! Always loved it never will go with another putter
Andreas Kaspers - Germany
10 years agoHey there.. i’m a mid handicaper and the versa bwb 2 is my first better putter since i’ve started playing golf in 2009. This model is awesome and helped me to produce much more better putts. The contrast helps to launch the ball on a much better line and the feel of the head weight and ball touch is amazing. 100% happy with that product, altough in general i’m a taylormade costumer and very happy to got a rocketballz iron, wedges and woods setup…cheers from germany ..
RP Jacobs II
10 years agoAndreas, that’s great that the Versa has made a difference in your game.Ya can’t go wrong with TMaG. They make some excellent equipment.
Well, the Best with your game, have a great season & drop back in the forum when time permits.
My Best,
Richard
Fairways & Greens 4ever
Lucky
10 years agoI just found one on the used rack at golfsmith. Has a superstroke ultra slim grip, not sure about it but will give it a try. For $90 why not. I was sinking 10′ putts very easily. Further than that I was either hitting it too soft or off a tad. I’m looking forward to gaming it. I believe this may wind up in the bag for good and I can sell off that scotty studio select.
Mikey
10 years agoI have Metal X #7 putter. When I saw this article, I got very interested in BWB #7. But, rather than buying a new BWB #7, I bought a roll of white color plastic tape, and placed it where the white line is supposed to be on my Metal X putter. Yes, it took some precise cutting and work, but wow it was worth it! My putting was improved significantly! Instead of spending $170, I ended up spending $2 for the plastic tape.
Mike Corcoran
10 years agoI recently bought the Versa # 7 and it is the most accurate aiming putter I have ever owned. It is extremely easy to align the putter head to your target. The ball goes exactly where “I think” I am aiming it which has been a problem for me in the past. Also, there is enough head weight that if I focus on rocking my shoulders instead of swinging my hands the putter really stays right on line. I have played 36 holes with this baby and have not had one 3-putt– a frigging miracle! I chose the black-white-black instead of the white-black-white after extensive testing and visually found it easier on my eyes to see black as the leading edge color. I used to love the “2-ball” putters from Odyssey but this Versa model just sent my 2-ball putters to retirement and ready for Ebay. I strongly recommend giving the Versa line-up a test drive especially with all the options offered.
Fredo
10 years agoExactly what happened to me. Except I really loved my 2 ball putter, so I went with the versa 2 ball. It was like adding a scope on a hunting rifle!
PeteT
10 years ago“It would be easy to just roll out the same heads each year with some minor cosmetic tweaks. The money would still flow.
Instead though, those wacky designers at Odyssey Golf have produced a line of putters that are a real left turn from the norm in the Versa line.”
No offense, but these are the same old heads with minor cosmetic tweaks. I realize the bold BWB or WBW might be helpful, but this is really just a cosmetic tweak
Just my humble opinion
RP Jacobs II
10 years agoGood observation, Pete, lol.
If they don’t catch on, they can ship em back repair em, and wala, you got the ‘ol workhorse #9 with the new White Hot Pro insert.
I’m just sayin……
Fairways & Greens 4ever
Fredo
10 years agoWell personally I feel that the Versa putter is a HUGE advantage in helping with alignment, so much so, that it has loaded me up on confidence, now I can focus more on speed. If half of the equation is alignment, then why not use something that helps.
Dave Wolfe
10 years agoI get what you are saying Pete, but the key word in that quote is minor. This is not a new paintfill, or switch from silver to black head. The Versa line represents a color change that completely redefines the alignment scheme for the putters. Just look at the lack of sight lines, a staple of previous Odyssey putter models.
It’s a major change in optics with the major cosmetic change.
Not saying that you couldn’t repaint one if you wanted 🙂 , but it would no longer have the characteristics that makes it a Versa.
RP Jacobs II
10 years agoExcellent preview Dave. I prefer the BWB, though I don’t think that it has as much to do with alignment as the fact that I prefer black over white as the predominant color, lol. Not really very scientific or even performance based. Not that I need another putter, however I’m definitely gonna be rolling a few of these, and most likely one’ll end up goin home with me, haha.
Thanx again for an Great article and explanation of the Versa line.
Hat’s Off
Fairways & Greens 4ever
Kevin
10 years agoOdyssey pays for play. There is no way a putter manufacturer becomes #1 on tour without it.
Odyssey_Koske
10 years agoKevin,
I can confirm for you that we don’t pay anybody outside of the Callaway staff on the PGA Tour. Some of the Callaway guys don’t get paid for using them either as they like their flexibility. You’ll notice that many top players that are multiple sponsor guys use something other than their main OEM’s putters. They like that freedom and know they can win more money then they’d get paid for using something. From 75-125 (roughly), you have a lot of guys that are struggling week to week and need the cash from the companies that do pay. That’s one of the reasons we don’t win the count week in week out. We do; however, win most majors and WGC events because those lower ranked guys aren’t in the field.
We have guys that come up to us all the time and ask if we’re paying yet and when we say “No”, they walk over and get cash from an aggressive competitor that will.
SB in NC
10 years agoThe fitting mirror is one of the best ideas I have seen in a long time. It is fast and simple, and helps to narrow down choices, because Odyssey has a lot of them.
I appreciate the comment about the WBW or BWB as I have not figured that out yet. I am anxious to see your results to see if it is just a personal preference, or if there is science behind a preference.
lambo
10 years agoFunny how this came out today. I just looked at these putters today at a store. Not real sure which color combo I like, but I only putted with the WBW. They seem to roll pretty good, but in my case they all roll good in the store. I guess there is something to them since the pros use them with the amount of money they are playing for.
Golfspy Dave
10 years agoEspecially true considering that may of them are not getting any money from Odyssey…
lambo
10 years agoWow! I didn’t know that part. I guess the way some guys switch putters, it would be impossible to get a contract.