Equipment
Odyssey’s new Red Ball putter is built for better alignment
A 5,000-plus MOI face balanced mallet, Odyssey’s new Red Ball putter pushes the limits of MOI for maximum putter stability. Odyssey has gone with the popular White Hot RX insert for the Red Ball’s face, coupling it it with high-contrast Versa alignment technology.
The centerpiece of the Red Ball is, as the name suggests, a red ball in the scope of the putter, which offers immediate feedback to let players know when they’re set up properly (and consistently).
Sean Toulon, Odyssey general manager and senior vice president at Callaway Golf told Golf Digest’s Mike Stachura, “We think it satisfies a definite need in the marketplace,” he said. “I guess there’s never really been a super game improvement putter that’s come to the marketplace, but that’s kind of what this is.”
Odyssey says helping players to set up to the ball and align to their intended target lines are the key focuses with the new Red Ball.
“We’ve put a distinct Red Ball inside the scope of the putter so that it’s incredibly easy to align the face to the intended start line on every putt,” the company says.
Exhibit A: Improper alignment
Exhibit B: Proper alignment
“It’s not just that golfers get in an improper setup, it’s that their setup changes from round to round, and sometimes from hole to hole,” said Luke Williams, Odyssey’s senior director of product and brand management for putters. “When you get the ball too far forward, you tend to aim left, and if you get it too far back, you tend to aim right. Having your eyes too far inside the ball or too far outside the ball affects the way you see the line as well.”
The Red Ball is available at retail 7/20 for $179.99.
In our forums, users are talking about top of bag setups that are non-traditional or thought-provoking in some way. Original poster @SuperSpurs106 inquired about other members who might use unorthodox set-ups to help with gapping issues or weak spots.
They wrote:
“I currently have a PING G430 driver, TM Qi35 3W and a TM Qi4D 7W. Driver and 7W are fine but can’t get on with my 3W and have always struggling with this club over the years. Thinking of adding a 2H which I know would look odd. Just wondering if anyone else had a weird set up at the top of their bag?”
Our members in the forum have offered up their thoughts and personal experiences with non-traditional top of bag set-ups, and their reasoning for thinking outside of the box to begin with. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- BowMain42: “Don’t worry about what “looks” odd. If the club does what you need it to do, it’s the right club.”
- scooterhd2: “I cant hit 3 woods either. Thats why I roll with a unicorn XL Hibore 2 wood. 400 cc head at 16 degrees of loft and its just a monster 3 wood off the tee. Off the deck, we are playing the f6 baffler. 5 wood at 41.75 inches and its easy to control.”
- phizzy30: “I had driver, 3 metal, 2/4 hybrid once upon a time as a higher ss player. 4 hybrid is gone and in place is a driving iron nowadays. I don’t think what you’re proposing is weird in anyway, however the yardage gap might be glaringly huge between driver and 2 hybrid. What is it about your 3 metal that has got you all messed up? You could always go 4 metal with shorter shaft and see if that works.”
Entire Thread: “Interesting clubs at top of bag”
If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!
In our forums, one user has gone searching for fellow users of a mini driver. In a post, @TightFade asked for other mini driver users to chime in with their weapon of choice, the reason for employing a mini, and what club follows it in the bag.
@TightFade asked:
“What mini are you playing? What spot in the bag did it take over? What’s the next club after it? For me: Elyte mini 13.5. Replacing 3w. Next up club looks like it’ll be 5w.”
Our members in the forum have been sharing their own bag setups featuring the mini driver, and the various reasons they purchased one in the first place. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- RCGA: “Ping G430 Max 12* ‘Thriver.’ Next club is a 4w and 2i (I play a weird course).”
- JMB3: “R7 at 12.75 with Diamana BB 63s. 3w replacement. Next Club: Elyte Ti 5w at 17*.”
- ColdOkieGolf: “R7 15.5 turned down to 13.5 It replaces the 3w. I found it surprisingly easy to hit off the deck, and it’s very rare that I need or want to hit something beyond 250 from the fairway, so next club is my 7w.”
- ChaosTheory: “I’m sub-90 MPH with driver. But I’m able to hit DOD. I have been wanting something like the R7 15.5, so I just ordered one. I have a spot in the bag so nothing has to go. But I could see it replacing my trusty 4 wood, which I never use for approach shots. Just tee shots and lay ups. If I drop the 4 wood, I will turn my 7 wood down to ~20 degrees and will have good gaps. I recently tried a thriver build: 12 degree driver turned to 14, with a heavier 44 inch shaft and added head weight. I hit it great. Very accurate and not overly high, but the problem was that it sometimes went as far as a typical drive. And that’s not what I needed. So I will probably turn the 15.5 up to 16.5 or even 17.5. It’s all theoretical at this point. ?”
Entire Thread: “Members of the Mini Driver Club…Check In.”
If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!
- Chris Gotterup had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament.
Drivers: TaylorMade Qi4D (8 degrees), Ping G440 LST (9 degrees @8), Ping G440 LST (7.5 degrees)
Shafts: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Grey 6.5 TX 70 g, Project X HZRDUS T1100 Handcrafted 6.5 TX 70 g, Project X HZRDUS Smoke Grey 6.5 TX 70 g
Mini driver: TaylorMade BRNR (13.5 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black TX 80 g
5-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (18 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana WB Wood Shaft 83 TX
7-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (21 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB Wood Shaft 83 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (3), Bridgestone Tour B 220 MB (4-9)
Shafts: KBS C-Taper 130 X
Wedges: TaylorMade MG5 (46, 52, 56, 60)
Shafts: KBS C-Taper 130 X, True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Putter: TaylorMade Spider X Tour
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Pistol 2.0
Grips: Golf Pride Z Grip Cord
Ball: Bridgestone Tour B X Mindset
Check out more in-hand photos of Chris Gotterup’s clubs here.
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topsuggests
Sep 13, 2018 at 12:39 pm
I really like your awesome idea that you have given here. thank you so much
Joe
Aug 21, 2018 at 11:46 pm
Getting awful technical nowadays. Whats next, an Iron Byron putting machine?
The voice of reason
Aug 14, 2018 at 10:31 am
the hater-aide is strong in this group…what gives? Sheesh I tried the thing at the pro shop the other day and it feels a lot like a TM spider another ugly duckling that seems to work well, the algnment aide is helpful- gives you confidence and one less thing to worry about. If the ball goes in the hole- it’s a good putter.
jim
Jul 16, 2018 at 3:43 pm
My local pro let me use one at the hallway demo day a month ago. Really nice feel, really easy to putt. Its a bit more hectic than most but t thought it worked well. And what putter is under $200 these days?
shawn
Jul 12, 2018 at 2:48 pm
If you want to slobber over this ridiculous putter, go to the WRX main forum where all the geerheeds post their twitter-sized blurts reflecting their feeeelings and love for their clubs…. and post their WITB goodies they polish daily and play once monthly.
Jack
Jul 12, 2018 at 12:14 am
Time and again new clubs have made us all better (looking) golfers. Buy on people!
Jim McPherson
Jul 11, 2018 at 11:56 am
People don’t want to practice putting. They are continually told they can buy a better putter that will fix their lack of skill. Sadly, they will buy this gimmick.
shawn
Jul 12, 2018 at 2:45 pm
Red ball… the height of stupidity that gullible golfers will buy because their clubs are simply toys to own and flaunt to other equally gullible golfers.
David
Jul 10, 2018 at 7:13 pm
I’ve always been drawn to ugly putters. I was an early adopter of the Directed Force putter, which means, sadly, I will likely buy one of these….
ogo
Jul 10, 2018 at 3:25 pm
This is a 99% zinc die cast putter… except for the red ball which is made of rare-earth metal called “neodymium” as a spherical magnet that interacts with the earth’s geomagnetic field and stabilizes the putter against gravity. Most of the world’s commercial neodymium is mined in China… where the putter head is made no doubt.
ogo
Jul 10, 2018 at 3:15 pm
You must align the red ball to the ring only with the dominant eye because that’s the only eye that provides true alignment vision. Do not open both eyes after alignment otherwise you will lose it in the backstroke. Open both eyes after you start the putting motion and focus on the ball and only the ball. It’s an eye switcheroo putting method.
bob
Jul 10, 2018 at 11:26 pm
Not only that, once the putter is moved into the stroke all alignments are lost and there is no guarantee that alignment at address will assure alignment at impact. If you can’t align your body to the putter and the putting line, you are pathetically incompetent.
cody
Jul 10, 2018 at 3:04 pm
at over 200 dollars, i am not seeing these sell over the Oworks, or exos.. not sure why this is needed. they have some great putters out right now.
rymail00
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:14 pm
I believe it said at the bottom it comes out July 20 at $179.
Te
Jul 10, 2018 at 12:42 pm
That red ball is too small, I need a bigger one so I can see. Wait – Ill just make one and call it Blue Ball – get it? lmao
Golf64
Jul 10, 2018 at 11:50 am
Only thing I like about this putter is the insert. The rest is ugly and too busy for me!
alexdub
Jul 10, 2018 at 11:28 am
Try suing us now SeeMore
Rob
Jul 11, 2018 at 12:03 pm
This wins the internet today!!
greg taylor
Jul 10, 2018 at 11:02 am
The Two ball and #7 looked hideous as well. Now look at them. #1 and #2.
coops
Jul 10, 2018 at 10:52 am
“I guess there’s never really been a super game improvement putter that’s come to the marketplace…..” – is this GM & Vice President ignorant, stupid or just lazy?
Ping Doc 17 from 2004 just to give one example… MOI > 10,000.
Pic any Seemore to see where these geniuses got their revolutionary alignment concept from.
moses
Jul 10, 2018 at 9:46 am
Gimmucks sell.
pkn17003
Jul 10, 2018 at 7:54 am
Looks hideous
ogo
Jul 10, 2018 at 3:28 pm
…. but it’s a godsend for golfers struggling on the greens. Finally a Super Game Improvement putter for the golffing masses who can’t putt worth a snot… 😉
faq
Jul 10, 2018 at 6:16 pm
Hideous sells…. golfers want to own anything that will get a yuk from buddies… like clubhead covers that look like tigers, colleges, brand logos. Golfers are gullible suckers.