Odyssey White Ice Putter #9
What constitute a good putter? The one that puts the ball in the hole most frequently. Drive for show and putt for dough they say. If your $50 putter does the trick more than a $500 one then that is the best stick for you. I started with mallets and half mallets and eventually to blades and I got fascinated with milled putters so I got one which has been to this day my favourite. That is the Scotty Cameron (Studio Select) Newport 2 once used by Tiger Woods.
I didn't buy it because Tiger used it. I did so because it is a CNC milled putter by the legendary Scotty Cameron (by Titleist). The Newport 2 I have is one with a full shaft offset which provides good lag when putting. Till this day, it is the softest feeling putter one could find made for finesse putting, period!
Then I have one by Odyssey, the #1 Metal X released not so long ago which came with a head that is all black. It will not reflect sunlight that can hit your eyes when lining up a putt and it gives a very nice metallic click when making contact with the ball. The Metal X like the rest of the Odyssey putters come in many shapes and sizes.
I have always been curious with the one that Phil Mickelson uses, a prototype that looks like a blade and while it resembles a half mallet, it is more like half of a half mallet. I came across the Odyssey White Ice first released in 2010. They conducted acoustical research in order to develop an insert for a consistent sound for all ball types. This multi-material insert weighs 60g less than faces made from steel so they could push the centre of gravity back to improve roll. The finishing is in dark nickel. The head shape of what Phil Mickelson is called the #9.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Odyssey White Ice #9, face to face.
Notice the toe portion is bigger than the heel suggesting that it is most favourable for those who putts with an arc.
I found the dark nickel finish most pleasing and better than the shining silver or even black for all that glitters is not gold.
The sight line is simple and effective. Extensive feedback from Tour players helped engineers enhanced the feel, sound and responsiveness of the face insert. The face has actually been roughened to enhance sound at impact with softer balls as compared to its predecessor the White Hot. This also create friction to promote forward roll. This (the #9) has a longer flow-neck hosel with a extended pear flange. It looks like it can set you back by $300-400 but it does not. The insert itself is light at only 8g. Enhanced MOI (Moment Of Inertia) prevents the club head from twisting at impact.
This is a classic heel-toe weighted mallet putter originally developed for Phil Mickelson and it won him the 2006 Masters. I found its feedback, feel and distance control impressive. The club head weighs 355g with a 34 inch length. The forward lean of the club is most comfortable, just put it down and line up with no tension to your hands and wrists and that is how a putt should be like - soft. Despite playing with a full offset mostly, this half offset blends in very well with the pear shape flange. Putting as in the whole game of golf is about confidence. So too in life.
If you are a fan of velcro, I am not your enemy but I just do not like velcro found in the covers of many putters. If someone is lining up his putt and you are trying to tear open your velcro cover, the sound it makes could cost your flight mate his par. This cover cushions and protects the putter well as it is well padded.
The magnetic flap automatically snaps close when you place your putter head in after sinking your putt.
While the grip of my trusty old Scotty is very slim, it can get slippery when wet. This one is nicely tapered where it is slimmer from the top with many tiny grooves. It just compliments the rest of the club.
It looks awesome in the sun!
This putter may one day unlock something magical for me and you.
Slay your demons and sink more putts. It will be in one of my bags.
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