Equipment
2020 Odyssey Golf launches new Bird of Prey and Stroke Lab Ten putters
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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Whats in the Bag
WITB Time Machine: Billy Horschel’s winning WITB, 2017 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
The tournament bearing the name of one of golf’s all-time greats is now known as the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Back in 2017, it was still the AT&T Byron Nelson and Billy Horschel was still a full-bag PXG staffer. The Florida Gator leveraged those wares to a playoff victory over Jason Day securing his fourth PGA Tour win in the process.
Check out the clubs Horschel had in play seven years ago in Texas.
Driver: PXG 0811X (9 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Atmos Tour Spec Black 6 X
3-wood: PXG 0341X (15 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black 75 6.5
5-wood: PXG 0341 (18 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black 75 6.5
Irons: PXG 0311T (3, 5-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: PXG 0311T Milled (52-10, 56-10, 60-07)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: PXG Bat Attack
Grip: SuperStroke Flatso 1.0
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Check out more in-hand photos of Billy Horschel’s gear from 2017 here.
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Equipment
Golf fans left surprised by LIV’s choice of course for its 2024 individual championship event
On Tuesday, LIV announced their individual championship will be held at Bolingbrook Golf Club just outside of Chicago. The event will take place September 13-15.
The late announcement is seemingly due to LIV looking for the right course in the Chicago area that has the infrastructure that can accommodate a professional event.
The choice of Bolingbrook Golf Club has received some feedback on social media.
Maybe Rich Harvest Farms wasn't available? RHF is 50miles from Chicago but at least it's surrounded by farm land so plenty of space to set up
— Crawf_Indiana (@captaincrawf) April 30, 2024
Awful course choice, it's a dog track!
— Rob (@piratedwight) April 30, 2024
????#LOOK: Bolingbrook GC in Illinois, site of LIV Golf’s just announced Individual Championship has tee times available around the $50 mark.
Are you teeing it up here? pic.twitter.com/b8Lgv9ZzhK
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) April 30, 2024
LIV fans were quick to point out that Bethpage Black, which is hosting the 2025 Ryder Cup, can also be played for a reasonable price, making the point the greens fees don’t always equate to the quality of the golf course.
During LIV’s first two seasons, LIV utilized Rich Harvest Farms in Chicago. It’s unclear why that course is off the rotation in favor of Bolingbrook.
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New here?
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Equipment
Tiger Woods’ Sun Day Red apparel line officially launches with ‘The Hunt’ collection
Sun Day Red, the brand from 15-time major champion Tiger Woods and TaylorMade Golf, today launched its initial release of golf, training and lifestyle apparel and accessories. The company’s first-ever release is now available exclusively on SunDayRed.com
This first release, entitled “The Hunt,” is a preview of the colors Tiger will be wearing at the PGA Championship in a few weeks at Valhalla Country Club, in Louisville, KY.
Visual references of friendly rivalry allude to Tiger’s back and forth battle at the 2000 PGA Championship, as well as to the action-oriented nature of the collection’s name. The brand will follow up with additional special releases in May as it unveils the full breadth of the first product line to fans.
“We have been eagerly awaiting this moment since our brand was first announced in February 2024. The outpouring of support from our fans has exceeded our wildest dreams. We are excited for everyone to experience firsthand the exceptional quality of Sun DayRed apparel.” – Brad Blankinship, President, Sun Day Red
For the debut of the initial collection, Sun Day Red is featuring a range of men’s apparel and accessories. Key pieces including:
- A favorite of Tiger Woods, the Training Dry Hoodie was built upon his insights of needing a lightweight versatile piece—especially in the Florida heat.This is something he can throw it on and head out to the range to hit balls. Plus, it’s a cold-weather essential that won’t weigh him down, no matter what the unpredictable Florida weather has in store.
- The inception of the 3D Lightweight Hoodie stemmed from one of the first things Tiger told us when we started working together. He said,”I don’t want to feel like I’m wearing anything.” That became the driving force behind creating this innovative 3D knit piece. Tiger loves how the seamless construction allows him to transition from the course to high-profile events like late night TV appearances and charity functions.
Over time, Sun Day Red will broaden its global presence through wholesale expansion in key markets outside of North America, at retail, and broaden its product offering to include footwear, women and kids’ lines
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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)
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.
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.
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?
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.
Kiko
Oct 16, 2019 at 2:55 pm
Nice TM and PXG knockoffs, lol….
parsky
Oct 16, 2019 at 12:36 am
Is this a fancy new drone or a putter?
Iknowdonkeys
Oct 15, 2019 at 10:34 pm
Did I say Kuchar sucks big donkey?
Hesucks
Oct 16, 2019 at 10:04 am
Kuchar is a cheap SOB.
reef
Oct 16, 2019 at 10:31 am
HeeHaw, heehaw
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…
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?
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….
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.
Tony P
Oct 15, 2019 at 3:37 pm
Putting with a dinner plate. Yeah – not for me.
S
Oct 15, 2019 at 1:17 pm
Kuch sucks
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!
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!
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
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.
Andy
Oct 15, 2019 at 12:19 pm
You know golf clubs have hit a wall after reading this article!
Chris G
Oct 15, 2019 at 12:02 pm
cough*taylormade*cough
KMack
Oct 15, 2019 at 10:35 am
So Odyssey has their version of the Spider? I don’t get it