Odyssey Golf White Hot XG 2-Ball F7 Putter
A Futuristic Look For Better Putting? Make it so.
On the surface, the game of golf is a simple one. You want to get the ball into the bottom of the cup in as few strokes as possible. Fast forward to the putting surface; on the green, the game get’s even more straightforward. No more club selection or complex swing mechanics, just you and your flatstick sending the ball tumbling end over end praying that it will, at last, tumble into the darkness.
Of course, if you are a golfer (and not named Woods or Stricker), then you know that nothing is ever that simple, especially when you get on or around the green. The right equipment is crucial; putter technology is important, but the aesthetic and psychological bond that a golfer needs with his most used club is undeniable. If you are going to shave strokes off your scorecard, putting is the first place to look and having a putter that inspires confidence is paramount. Luckily, the folks at Odyssey Golf know a thing or two(ball) about that very thing.
When Odyssey golf released its original 2-Ball design in 2001, it unleashed an absolute putting revolution. For this golfer, the 2-Ball offered a new dimension in putting confidence as, for the first time, I felt truly confident in aligning my putts. Thus, every putter that I’ve used since has offered some sort of visual alignment cue, and many have been Odyssey models.
The new White Hot XG 2-Ball F7, represents the latest iteration in the much vaunted 2-Ball line. The design is undeniably bold (easily bold enough to go where no putter has gone before). Aside from the trademark 2-Ball alignment feature, the face is flanked by weighted alignment wings that help to prevent twisting of the putterhead during your stroke. Our tests confirmed that they perform said function quite nicely.
The F7′s face insert is comprised of the proven White Hot multi-layer compound, which offers excellent feel and feedback on putts of all lengths. This author is accustomed to putting with a variety of mallet-style sticks and, as such, has a great basis of comparison between the F7 and other options. The double-bend shaft makes it easy to set up with your eyes directly over or just inside your desired line, and the feel afforded by the moderately heavy head allows for confident short putts as well as nicely-judged lags.
Again, the Gear Patrol man is a mallet-style guy. If you are too, or if you’re just looking for a flatstick to help you shake off some putting doldrums, we suggest giving the Odyssey White Hot XG 2-Ball F7 a try. Hit your local golf store or pro shop and goes hands-on with this baby. You just might walk out a few strokes poorer. Don’t worry though, you’ll get all the credit, even if the F7 does all the work. There’s a reason that Odyssey putters are the most widely used in the game, and the F7 is a shining example of Odyssey’s effective marriage of technology and design.
Editor’s Tip: Remember that putters are imminently personal. That’s why you see tour pros and amateurs alike using a vast variety of sizes and styles (belly putter, what?). Chances are your current putter is shafted to 35″ (which is standard length). If you are looking to improve your alignment and feel, dropping down to a 34″ putter may help. It may not seem like much, but this small change can help you center over the ball much better. I’ve been doing so for the last few years and feel that it’s one of the keys to my improved putting.
Cost: $170
