Javs

The Testing Opportunity

 
Go Balls Out. Always!
A relative newcomer to the direct-to-consumer golf ball scene, ODIN Golf offers two choices, the X and X1, to golfers looking for high performance at an affordable price. ODIN says it aims to “build a golf brand for the everyday golfer no matter the background, experience or handicap.” 
Under their “reload” program, you can earn 20 percent cash back with ODIN on future purchases after creating an account and buying balls. At $34.99 for a dozen of their premium X1 balls, this drops the “reload” price to $27.99. A three-piece urethane offering, ODIN says the X1 plays similar to the Pro V1 at about half the price. 
Emphasizing their commitment to the everyday golfer, ODIN Golf distances itself from the allure of tour pros. "We're not excited about the pros; we're excited about you!" They want their community to directly benefit from and engage in the value they bring as a company, extending beyond merely reloading on ODIN golf balls.
Forum members Javs, LinksGolfFever, Girldad18, fredsharky and Cecil Williams had the opportunity to test ODIN’s X1. Would they perform well enough to earn a spot in their bag? Read on to find out! 
(Spoiler alert: You don’t want to skip this one.)

 
Testing Methodology
Our testers were prepared to put the X1 through the ringer to see if ODIN’s claims held up about competing with the likes of Pro V1, Chrome Soft and TP5. Testing plans varied but consisted largely of the following:
On-course performance Chip and pitch practice sessions Feel, responsiveness, wear, sound  

 
First Impressions
A common theme among our testers was how impressed they were with shipping speeds. ODIN wasted no time in getting these golf balls into the hands of our testers. Another aspect that contributed to initial impressions with a golf ball is physical feel. Does the ODIN X1 feel like a premium golf ball?

Javs: “While doing the fingernail test, the cover made me feel like I was holding an OEM premium ball. The dimple pattern reminds me of a Taylormade ball more than a Callaway or Titleist.”
LinksGolfFever: “ I really love the “other than everyone else's” approach on their box/sleeve design. I would say it’s understated with just a pinch of slap you silly.  Black box and multi-hued paint splatter is great. The ODIN X1 just feels good, quality for sure.”
Fredsharky: “I automatically love the feel and texture. It feels super soft to the touch and has the “it” factor when you pick up a ball and instantly it either feels like quality or it doesn’t and this one does.”
Ball Performance

The X1 checked all the boxes for our testers on initial inspection but looks and feel only get you so far. The ODIN X1 is marketed as a premium and durable three-piece urethane ball with a compression rating of 86 for maximum distance, spin and control. ODIN says this ball plays similarly to the Pro V1, Chrome Soft and TP5. Would this ball perform like a premium OEM golf ball?
For tester Cecil Williams, the X1 delivered on its claims and then some: “This ball is hot off the face of my irons, hits high and I like the roll out I get from it.”
Girldad18: “The ODIN X1 stands up to any other high-end ball out there.  It did exactly what I expected it to do.  I don’t know how else to put it.  Feel is good on all of the clubs.  Driver distance is as good or better than what I am used to.”
For LinksGolfFever, the X1 really shone in the short game: “I think this was my favorite “most surprising” aspect with the ball. If I wanted to go steep on the ball and really force spin, It’d do it.  Clean shallow clip to make the spin on chips, DONE.  I got more consistent hold and ball action inside 130 yards than I have in a long time. I LOVE THIS BALL!!!!”
Javs went head to head with the X1 (284.6 yards) against the Chrome Soft X LS (current gamer; 286.7) and Prov 1 (282.6) on driver distance. While noting the X1 landed squarely in the middle, he had this to add: “A caveat here is that with my gamer and the Pro V1 those averages included playing in the summer heat at over 100 degrees. The temperature was never higher than 51 here this week. While the distance was a couple yards shorter, the ODIN X1 had a better trajectory and much tighter dispersion.”

Performance? Check. Chalk up another tally in the positive column for the X1. 
The Good, The Bad and The In-Between
To this point, the X1 has lived up to its claims of on-par performance with the big boys and then some. With no real flaws yet uncovered, did our testers find something, anything, they did not like about this ball?
Fredsharky came into the review prepared to be critical of the ball, but quickly realized that he was fighting an uphill battle: “I cannot really say anything bad about this ball and I tried very hard to do so. I wanted to be super critical and work backwards, but I could never find anything that I did not like about it.”
Similarly, Girldad18 had nothing but praise for this golf ball: “The ODIN X1 is legit.  Definitely worth a shot for anyone looking to try a new ball and save some $$ while you do it.”
Javs was also unable to find anything negative: “The ball is long enough to match the big brand OEM balls. The ODIN X1 is extremely playable, forgivable and downright fun to play! I found the ball long off the tee and very easy to control. Iron play was predictable and I loved the mid-flight of the ball. Around the greens this ball will give any tour caliber ball a run for its money.”

Does the ODIN X1 Make the Bag?
Our testers left no stone unturned with their testing of the X1. Head to head, it competed and out performed some big players in the golf ball game. We saw unprecedented results with our final grading of this ball from our testers—an AVERAGE score of 99.4/100. Not only that but all five testers have put the X1 in play as their full-time gamer. 
LinksGolfFever: “NEW GAMER, PERIOD!! I feel like I really put the X1 through the paces and it didn't disappoint.  Prior to the X1, I was playing the Z-Star and I liked it, but the idea of shelling out $45-50 a dozen just becomes a little maddening.  I would usually wait for a semi-annual sale and buy six dozen for the year (e.g., buy 2 get 1, etc.).  Not worrying about that anymore.  On top of the great product, the business model of having a cashback incentive toward your next purchase is FANTASTIC.”
Consider tester Javs a part of the ODIN family as well: “Every little detail of this ball is designed to help you play better. This is a no brainer for me. I am officially declaring I am joining the ODIN family! This ball is in the bag!!!!”
For Fredsharky, the numbers didn’t lie: “So I guess this is where the rubber meets the road as “they” say. For all the testing that I have done and all the numbers that I have tracked, I have come to this one conclusion, I am now playing the ODIN X1 as my full time ball of choice.”
Bottom Line: The ODIN X1 is the Real Deal

ODIN prides itself on being committed to the everyday golfer and that commitment is proven in the X1. With a ball that performs as well as any premium OEM offering for $34.99 per dozen, the value is unmatched. Do yourself a favor and sign up for their cash back program here to save money on future orders. And as ODIN says …
Go Balls Out. Always!
For an even deeper look into the ODIN X1, head to the MyGolfSpy Forum and check out our testers’ full reviews here!

Forum Staff Picks - Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond

The Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond driver has been a standout pick for Forum Staff Members in 2023. It has made the way into 3 bags with great success and with that it has lead several other staff members to test, consider or seriously look into purchasing one. 
So what makes this driver special and separate itself form the pack? There are a lot of great drivers out there and it would easy to see every staff member playing a different model. 
The Staff Members

First let's start by saying the current three staff members gaming the Paradym Triple Diamond are solid golfers. With handicaps between 1 and 7 they can get around a golf course and all have the potential to shoot very low. It is also fair to say all three (much like the rest of the staff) are pretty big club junkies. They have all played several models and brands prior before landing on the Paradym, so it is definitely not a hype thing.
Standout Features - Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond

Forgiveness - This has been stated by all of them who have put this in the bag. Despite its smaller shape and better player profile it boasts ample forgiveness. We are not talking PING level forgiveness, however for two of the three staff members (myself and Ben Joest) we have had our fair share of struggles off the tee. There is even a full thread about it made by Ben Joest you can find here. This driver has managed to cure many of those woes and rebuilt confidence in their tee game making significant strides to bettering their scores by having confidence off the tee and hitting more fairways. 
Profile - This may not matter to many, however for these three it is a big factor in why this driver has performed well. The smaller, deep faced profile may not be confidence inspiring to all, however the compact shape is exactly what we look for in a driver. Not a big triangle or overly round, but a profile that suits the eye of those looking for a compact head. 
Distance & Spin - These often go hand in hand and while it may not be the absolute longest driver available, it is still long. The consistency in spin numbers are also impressive making dispersion front to back a lot smaller compared to others. With all three being relatively high swing speed players the ability to keep spin lower and not spiking means distance stays up. 
Lofts - GolfSpy_BNG is a low loft guy. I mean he has played Bryson level lofts in his driver and the ability to go low with the sleeve and still retain spin for him is impressive. The various Callaway loft sleeves make it a very enticing option for those look at either low low lofts or bumping the loft up like Ben Joest and Golfspy_APH. 
Shafts - This was an area all three played around with. Ben Joest settled on a Ventus Black before it broke, so his is tbd. BNG settled on a Ventus Blue and APH ended up playing a Graphite Design AD DI. This is something that should not be underrated and finding the proper shaft is critical. 
Shot Shape Bias - Where I found several tour style heads to be farily fade bias I can honestly say it is pretty neutral. Checking in with the others I think they all agree with this assessment. 
Downside?

So is this perfect?
Well no, I don't think any driver is or ever will be. In particular the color is not something everyone loves. Is fine with or likes sure, but not something BNG loves. I don't think any of us would be surprised to see him move to an all black version. 
It is certainly a feature of this driver, but the option moving weights of the Paradym is something that some may miss. 
Final Thoughts

I have come to love this driver. To say I have played a few drivers this season would be a massive understatement. I have a whole thread commenting on my driver journey this season. While a few were great there was one small issue with them. It was that they weren't the Paradym Triple Diamond. Backing up a little, I hit this driver at a demo day and was floored. What caught me off guard was the height and flight. The ball came out hot and seemed to stay in the air forever. It was this feeling and shot I was searching for in others. The closest to come was the PING G430 LST (another great driver). From COBRA to Titleist to PING to PXG and to other Callaway drivers I was searching for what I saw on the range with the Paradym Triple Diamond. I finally decided to stop searching and just get what had made begin the search in the start. 
Since then I have been thrilled and it is very hard for me to knock this driver in any aspect. Below there are more comments from the other staff members who chimed in with their thoughts and feelings on the driver. 
What do you think? Would this driver work for you? Have you tried it already? How did it work or didn't for you?
Also for Cyber Monday Callaway Pre-Owned has 30% with Deals on this driver it is hard to pass up! 
 
 

You Asked: What is a Golf Handicap?
One of the most misunderstood elements of golf is a player’s handicap. What is a handicap? How does it work? Is there a difference between a handicap and handicap index? Do I need a handicap? 
These questions are what I found myself asking when I first started establishing an official United States Golf Association (USGA) handicap this past season. Whether you're a high handicap or scratch golfer,  this article will help to answer these questions and more so that you can better understand how this valuable tool can benefit your game the next time you head to the golf course. We will also take a look at some of the changes made to the World Handicap System and how those will be implemented in 2024.

Definition of a Golf Handicap
At its most basic level, a golf handicap is a general term defined as the number of strokes, or shots, a golfer is expected to take above or below a course’s par score. A higher handicap means players are able to subtract more strokes from their gross score to determine their net score. A lower handicap indicates a more skilled golfer, who subtracts, or in some cases may add, a smaller number of strokes from their gross score (this is known as a “plus” handicap).
What is a “Good” Golf Handicap?
 A “good” golf handicap is hard to clearly define, as it is relative to the golfer. For example, a 30-handicap golfer may feel that a 10-Handicap is a good golf handicap. The average handicap index for men in the U.S. is 16 while women have an average of 28. The maximum handicap a golfer can carry, regardless of gender, is 54.0.
Handicap Versus Handicap Index
The general term “handicap” differs from a “handicap index”, which is a rating given to a golfer’s game specific to a scoring system, like the USGA Handicap System. A handicap index is not a representation of your average score. It is used to calculate your course handicap by taking into account the course rating and slope rating. There are other factors that are taken into consideration when calculating course handicap, which will be discussed later on. Establishing an index is relatively easy to do, as the minimum number of scores needed equates to three 18-hole rounds. Internet access makes it easy to enter your scores into the Golf Handicap & Information Network (GHIN) system. Your handicap index will then be updated each time you post another score at midnight local time the following day.

How is a Handicap Index Calculated?
The formula used to determine your handicap index takes the sum of your eight lowest handicap differentials divided by eight when 20 or more scores have been posted. This calculation gives us a number that is then rounded to the nearest tenth. For golfers with fewer than 20 scores, the table from USGA rule 5.2a provides information on how score differential is calculated. Many golfers believe they should shoot or beat their handicap index on a regular basis, which is not true. It is simply a measure of your playing ability over a given number of rounds. Often, golfers will finish a few strokes higher than their index. It is important to note that both nine-hole and 18-hole scores may be posted towards generating your handicap.
Importance and Benefits of Having a Handicap
We’ve identified both a handicap and handicap index as well as the difference between the two. Now you may be wondering, “Why the heck do I need a handicap, anyways?” The best answer to this question is that you don’t! If you golf casually and don’t take it that seriously, there really is no need to worry about carrying a handicap; official or otherwise. However, if you plan to play in tournaments or leagues, you likely will require a handicap to participate as it is used to level the playing field. Let’s look at an example of how a handicap is used in medal play (also called stroke play) format:
John is a relatively new golfer with a course handicap of 20. His friend Mike, who has been playing golf since he was a kid, carries a course handicap of three. In medal play format, Mike will give John 17 strokes (20-3=17). John’s final score is a 96, giving him a net score of 79, while Mike shoots a 77. Golf's handicap system allows less skilled players, like John in our example, to compete with better golfers based on his current ability.

How is my Course Handicap Calculated?
There are a multitude of factors taken into consideration when determining course handicap. The playing conditions calculation (PCC), maximum hole scores for handicap purposes (net double bogey) and adjustments made to differentials for an exceptional score, in addition to course and slope rating (as mentioned previously) are all used. Both course and slope rating can be found on your scorecard (each set of tees carries its own slope/rating number). Let's take a look at what some of these terms mean.
Playing conditions calculation (PCC). Whether a a course was playing easier or more difficult than normal due to weather or setup Net double-bogey. You may count a maximum of two strokes over par plus any strokes you're entitled to, based on stroke allowance for that hole. Use this chart to determine your per-hole maximum as it varies based on handicap index.  Exceptional Score. A submitted score seven or more strokes better than your handicap index at the time the round is played Course Rating. The difficulty of a course for a scratch golfer Slope Rating. The relative difficulty of a course for players who are not scratch golfers compare to those who are Your handicap may vary across courses or even from one tee box to another due to differences in course slope and rating in relation to the tees you're using. Your handicap index determines your course handicap. For instance, I typically play to a 16 handicap from the white tees at my home course but I'd adjust to a 19 when playing from the back tees. Why? Because the fact that the course plays tougher from those tees affords me more strokes. This practice aids in maintaining accurate scores when navigating courses with varying slope and course ratings.
Another benefit to carrying a handicap if you’re taking your game seriously is that you can see your improvement, or lack thereof, over the course of a season and beyond. As it is a measure of one’s ability, it is easy to track how your golf game progresses.

World Handicap System (WHS) 2024 Revisions
Revisions have been made to the WHS that will be implemented beginning Jan. 1, 2024. Since its implementation in 2020, many countries have seen significant increases in the number of rounds posted for handicap purposes. With more than 100 million scores posted yearly, the WHS helps to unify players globally through a standard measure of playing ability. The upcoming changes include:
Inclusion of shorter-length golf courses. Within the course rating system, 18-hole courses as short as 1,500 yards and nine-hole courses as short as 750 yards will now be eligible for a course and slope rating. Use of an expected score for a hole not played. To handle holes not played, the use of a player's expected score will be implemented rather than a score of net par. Also, as nine-hole rounds are becoming more popular, an expected score can be used to convert a nine-hole round into an 18-hole score differential. Playing Conditions Calculation adjustments made more frequent. PCC has been modified to increase the likelihood of an adjustment for abnormal playing conditions. Enhanced guidance on conducting a handicap review. A yearly handicap review has been recommended to ensure a player's handicap index remains reflective of their ability. New reporting tools that national associations can incorporate into their systems have been developed to assist in conducting the reviews efficiently and consistently. Conclusion
I hope I have been able to adequately explain, and answer, any questions you may have had surrounding golf’s handicap system. It is a beneficial tool that allows golfers of all skill levels to compete with one another, keeps track of how their game progresses over time and leads to more enjoyment and less frustration on the course. If you haven’t carried an official handicap in the past and would like to get started, doing so is easy! Discover your local Allied Golf Association and sign up today! You'll be ready to grab your golf clubs, head out for a round of golf at your local course and start reporting scores for an official handicap in no time.