Equipment

2020 Odyssey Golf launches new Bird of Prey and Stroke Lab Ten putters

Published

5 years ago

Oct 15, 2019

Odyssey Golf is taking Stroke Lab technology and innovation further with the release of the all-new Stroke Lab 10 putters along with the introduction of the Bird of Prey putter for 2019 and 2020.

Odyssey Stroke Lab Ten Bird of prey putters golf 2020

2020 Odyssey Bird of Prey, Stroke Lab Ten putters: The details

To say Odyssey Stroke Lab putters, along with the revolutionary mass-shifting Stroke Lab shaft, have been a success both on tour and with regular golfers would be a huge understatement. On the professional side—since their introduction at the beginning of 2019 as a prototype product, Stroke Lab putters have become the number one putter on all tours and won more professional tournaments (65 to be exact) than any other brand on all tours combined.

Now, Odyssey’s General Manager Sean Toulon and his design team are looking to advance designs again with what many would call familiar shapes but with unconventional advantages.

Odyssey Stroke lab ten putter golf 2020

First off, we have the Stroke Lab Ten. And, yes, even Sean Toulon himself is willing to admit it shares similarities to a particular arachnid-style putter that he helped originally design at another OEM many years ago. But, as a modern equipment historian, I believe it’s important to point out that as much as the “arachnid” style has been popular for quite some time.

More photos of/discussion about the new Odyssey putters in the forums.

There was another putter that predates it (released in 2005), which offered an extremely high MOI design but without the catchy name: the Ping UG-LE. The UG-LE pushed mass way back and to the corners of the head to create (at the time) the highest MOI putter on the market.

But here’s the thing: Putters and material design have come a long way since the introduction of the UG-LE and the original arachnid designs, and Odyssey is here to prove golfers just how much better with the Stroke Lab Ten.

The Stroke Lab Ten’s frame is made from ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene…don’t worry, I had to look it up too). Here’s a further explanation

“It is an amorphous polymer comprised of three monomers, acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene. ABS is most commonly polymerize through the emulsification process or the expert art of combining multiple products that don’t typically combine into a single product. When the three monomers are combined, the acrylonitrile develops a polar attraction with the other two components, resulting in a tough and highly durable finished product. The different amounts of each monomer can be added to the process to further vary the finished product. The versatility of ABS plastic properties contributes largely to its popularity across several industry sectors.” (Thanks, Adreco plastics)

According to Sean Toulon, what the ABS material allows is maximum distribution of metal (heavy) mass parts to the back and extreme perimeter of the putter to blow past other putters’ MOI (Moment of Inertia: a measurement of forgiveness) but also in sound and feel.

“The sound and feel of this putter is special (thanks to the material advantage of ABS)” Sean Toulon, Odyssey Putters General Manager

Beyond just the shape of the putter, the sole has been meticulously crafted to help the head aligned square when grounded towards the target in the playing position. Sean continues

“We got these putters to the point where ( with the alignment on top ) they have become point and shoot”

There truly is a lot going on to make sure these putters do everything they can to help both regular golfers and touring professionals align properly and get the best possible result when putts are not hit absolutely perfect.

The Stroke Lab Advantage

Considering the MOI of these designs, you would think that the highest of high handicappers would be the target market, but in that assumption, you couldn’t be more incorrect. The designs of both the Stroke Lab Ten and the Bird of Prey were entirely driven by the tour and player desire to get every last bit of performance out of their putting games.

These putters will all come stock with the Stroke Lab shaft, which pulls mass from the shaft and redistributes it under the grip and into the head for even greater stabilization. Odyssey has proven that the shaft alone can help stroke consistency across the board, and the most notable stat is the 13 percent increase in face angle delivery at impact. This increases the make putt percentage, which when you think of a round of golf, equates to strokes saved.

If there is one more thing Odyssey knows about putters, it’s roll and inserts. With the new Stroke Lab Ten and Bird of Prey designs, the company is using an all-new Microhinge Star insert to increase the sound for better player feedback. Generally, inserts are used to decrease the sound, but in the case of the New Microhinge Star, engineers at Odyssey wanted to recreate more of the original sound and feel of the White Hot putter but with the added benefit of the Microhinge to increase forward roll.

Odyssey Stroke Lab Putter Insert roll Ten Bird of prey

This new Microhinge Star insert improves the correlation between the sound and expected distance a player will hit the ball—firmer means further. This is just another step in the design process put in place to help players of all abilities putt with greater consistency since without audible feedback, all players will have a more difficult time controlling distance.

The new Stroke Lab Ten and Bird of Prey putters will be available starting November 1. For more information check out OdysseyGolf.com

Check out what people are saying GolfWRX Forums: Odyssey Stroke Lab Ten discussion
More photos of/discussion about the new Odyssey putters in the forums.

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Ryan Barath

Ryan Barath is a club-fitter & master club builder with more than 17 years of experience working with golfers of all skill levels, including PGA Tour players. He is the former Build Shop Manager & Social Media Coordinator for Modern Golf. He now works independently from his home shop and is a member of advisory panels to a select number of golf equipment manufacturers. You can find Ryan on Twitter and Instagram where he's always willing to chat golf, and share his passion for club building, course architecture and wedge grinding.

23 Comments

DPavs

Nov 20, 2019 at 12:58 pm

What happened to second off? I would have like to have seen more information about the Bird of Prey design and what advantages it offers in comparison to the 10 (ten)

Reply Report comment
Dave r

Oct 18, 2019 at 12:26 pm

Pretty soon will need a bag just to carry the putter , mabey impose a size limit on these things that don’t even look like putter. And Boydie couldn’t agree more.

Reply Report comment
John-Magdalene Agel

Oct 17, 2019 at 8:17 am

The 2003 Big Ben and Little Ben putters from Ben Hogan golf and Bertinelli predate the Ping UG-LE.

Reply Report comment
Make it so

Oct 16, 2019 at 4:22 pm

Does the Bird of Prey look like a Star Trek ship or am I just a nerd?

Reply Report comment
Mark Hachey

Oct 16, 2019 at 3:18 pm

Pretty much all putters are point and shoot. The problem is that most golfers don’t know where to point them, or how hard to swing them.

Reply Report comment
Kiko

Oct 16, 2019 at 2:55 pm

Nice TM and PXG knockoffs, lol….

Reply Report comment
parsky

Oct 16, 2019 at 12:36 am

Is this a fancy new drone or a putter?

Reply Report comment
Iknowdonkeys

Oct 15, 2019 at 10:34 pm

Did I say Kuchar sucks big donkey?

Reply Report comment
- Hesucks
  
  Oct 16, 2019 at 10:04 am
  
  Kuchar is a cheap SOB.
  
  Reply Report comment
- reef
  
  Oct 16, 2019 at 10:31 am
  
  HeeHaw, heehaw
  
  Reply Report comment
Bing Hogan

Oct 15, 2019 at 10:03 pm

I can’t wait to buy one or even two!

Just hope it gives me 17 more yards….

Unbelievable…

Reply Report comment
Brandon

Oct 15, 2019 at 8:57 pm

So what if it’s looks like a spider? An Ardmore 3 looks like a fang. Every heal toe weighted blade looks like an anser. What are they supposed to do, make a putter that looks like a Thanksgiving turkey?

Reply Report comment
Exitlowandleft

Oct 15, 2019 at 5:02 pm

Yes Mr Toulon?…you have an incoming call on line one…I believe the gentleman said he was part of legal counsel representing Taylormade golf….he’d like to speak with you for a bit….

Reply Report comment
- Ryan
  
  Oct 16, 2019 at 12:00 am
  
  Patent is 10 years old and expired. I believe I heard Callaway bought it… It’s also Toulon’s design.
  
  Reply Report comment
Tony P

Oct 15, 2019 at 3:37 pm

Putting with a dinner plate. Yeah – not for me.

Reply Report comment
S

Oct 15, 2019 at 1:17 pm

Kuch sucks

Reply Report comment
lawrie mcgregor

Oct 15, 2019 at 12:37 pm

hmm odyssey cashing in on the spider design. putter is the biggest club in the bag these days if you can win an open using a golden goose surley its in the stroke, take designs back to basics instead of carrying a crocket in the bag!

Reply Report comment
Boydie

Oct 15, 2019 at 12:30 pm

Here are few takes from this wonderfully written article.
“stroke consistency,” “polar attraction,” “driven by the tour,” “13 percent increase in face angle delivery at impact,” “increases the make putt percentage,” “Microhinge Star insert to increase the sound for better player feedback,” ” correlation between the sound and expected distance a player will hit the ball—firmer means further,” and finally “greater consistency since without audible feedback, all players will have a more difficult time controlling distance!”

What a bunch of used car salesman gibberish!

Reply Report comment
- K
  
  Oct 15, 2019 at 8:59 pm
  
  Couldnt agree more. The marketing banter these companies have been using the last few years is nothing short of tacky. Its obvious they are desperate to push new product with absolutely zero benefit over whats been available the previous 5-6 years.
  If you need a new club anywhere in the bag, do yourself a favor and pick up some new old stock or something in good used shape thats from this century.
  They say “give a dumb man $1,000 and he will turn it into a new iphone, give a smart man $1,000 and he will turn it into $1,000,000”. Same rules apply
  
  Reply Report comment
- parsky
  
  Oct 16, 2019 at 12:43 am
  
  My entire life advertising has never worked on me. I wish I could say the same for others because it would end spam and lame ads across all forms of media. Imagine how sweet it could be. So much money is wasted with marketing.
  
  Reply Report comment
Andy

Oct 15, 2019 at 12:19 pm

You know golf clubs have hit a wall after reading this article!

Reply Report comment
Chris G

Oct 15, 2019 at 12:02 pm

cough*taylormade*cough

Reply Report comment
KMack

Oct 15, 2019 at 10:35 am

So Odyssey has their version of the Spider? I don’t get it

Reply Report comment

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Equipment

A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic

Published

14 hours ago

Apr 25, 2024

Andrew Tursky

Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.

Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.

We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.

Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).

See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here

Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge

Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.

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A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.

See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here

Turning Back the clock

Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.

But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.

For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.

Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.

The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.

The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.

Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter

Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.

Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.

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It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.

If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.

Brilliant.

See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here

Stricker’s unrecognizable putter

Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.

Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.

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Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates

Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.

Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.

It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.

Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines

Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.

Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.

FitzMagic teams back up

Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.

See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here

And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.

We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!

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