The Odyssey White Hot XG golf putters product line is only one of several lines offered by the Odyssey company, but it is extensive in itself with 18 different models to choose from. These break down into two groups, the Core Models which account for 11 different putter types, and the Progressive Models, which consist of 7 types of putters with more modern shapes and design features.
All of the Odyssey White Hot XG putters are based on an advanced putter face insert technology which is designed to give a softer feel. The company states that the design was inspired by newer multi-layer golf balls which also are softer. Two different materials are used in the putter face to achieve this effect. First there is what is called an Elastometer core material which gives the putter its softer feel. On top of this is a thin outer striking surface which is a harder material. The impact zone is textured and supposedly this provides added feel, and the textured zone also surrounds and indicates the correct impact area, or sweet spot. In addition to this mixed-material insert technology, the Odyssey White Hot XG line of putters was designed to get the CG (center of gravity) of the clubs low and to the back of the club head. Accomplishing this also increases the MOI of the club which will provide some level of forgiveness if putts are not struck squarely on the sweet spot.
Odyssey White Hot XG Core Models
The Core Models all use the technologies described above and are putters based on classic designs. That is, they are all variations of traditional blade or mallet putters. They are simply named Odyssey White Hot XG no. 1, no. 2, etc. up through no. 9. The no. 5 putter has a "CS" version, which means it is the same as the regular no. 5 but with a center shaft configuration. There is also a White Hot XG Rossi model. The Rossi model and the No. 1, no. 3, and no. 9 putters come in left-handed versions. In fact the no. 9 putter was used by lefty Phil Michelson to win the 2007 Players Championship. As mentioned, these clubs are takeoffs of traditional blade or mallet putters, but they come in different styles, with different amount of offsets, different shaft placements and other features. The most radical looking is putter no. 7, which is called a modified mallet putter with weighted wings in the back to help alignment of putts. All these putters come with an MSRP of $119 and can be purchased through a vast network of dealers or directly from the Odyssey web site. Pictures of each putter can be found on the Odyssey web site as well.
Odyssey White Hot XG Progressive Models
The Odyssey Progressive line of putters uses more modern designs, especially with regard to putt alignment aids, as in the 2 Ball putters, and with more modern putter head weight redistribution techniques.
There are two versions of the White Hot XG Marxman putters. One is more of a mallet configuration, while the other is based on a blade design. The main visual features are the long alignment stripes. The putters essentially look like two ball putters, but they have long parallel stripes rather than additional golf balls to help line up the putt. Aligning putts properly is a huge problem for most golfers, and most of us have a tendency to be misaligned, leaving the chances of making putts up to subconscious corrections or perhaps just luck. Both of the Marxman putters have in-line weighting and full shaft offset, and both retail for $169.
The remaining five putters in the Progressive line are 2 Ball putters, and these have become popular with PGA Tour pros. As is the case with the Marxman models, there are 2 Ball putters based on both mallet and blade designs. These clubs both have full shaft offset, and the mallet model comes in a left-handed version. There is also a mallet-type model with a center shaft and no offset. All three of these putters retail for $169.
The newest putters in the White Hot XG lineup use a design called "Saturn Ring Technology". Basically a semi-circular ring of metal is added to the rear of the club head. This approach will clearly redistribute weight and improve the MOI of the club. This means that even if the putt is not struck exactly on the sweet spot, the club will not twist as much and will thus provide forgiveness on off-center putts. There is a standard length and long-shafted version of this design available. Both putters have a half-shaft offset and both retail for $189.
Since most recreational golfers are notorious for hitting putts off-center and for having poor alignment, the Progressive Models of the Odyssey White Hot XG golf putters product line would seem to offer solutions that might help players hole more putts, lower scores, and have more fun playing the game.
