Preeway

Greetings fellow spies! Super excited to be chosen to be a part of the testing group for the new Ai putters from Odyssey. A little bit about myself.
Who Am I: Greetings. My name is Chris and I live in a suburb west of Omaha, NE. I was born and raised in Oregon and eventually moved to the Midwest because, well, I wanted to stay married. My wife is from Omaha and all her family is here and after we met and got married in Seattle, WA it was clear that my days in the PNW were numbered. I’ve been a regular here on the forum since I joined about a year ago and enjoy sharing in everyone’s experiences both on and off the course.

I’m sharing a picture the 4 putters I’ve used off and on over the years. I currently game the Bettinardi BB1 milled face putter and while not the world’s biggest fan, I have become very comfortable with it and tend to put very well. It found it’s way into my bag after seeing it for sale on the Costco website and was able to get it for a measly $20 with all the gift cards I had at the time. My son was about to start his freshman golf season and I gave him the option of gaming my Scotty Newport or taking a new Bettinardi. I was really certain he would choose a new putter but he’s pretty savvy and he chose the Scotty. Prior to the Scotty I had used a PING Anser for 30 years going back to my high school days. The Odyssey Two Ball putter was something I got cheap on a whim and it never really worked for me. So until I got the Scotty I was a PING Anser guy.

As you can see, I’ve been a blade putter guy all my life. This last couple years I’ve been feeling like I needed something different from a putter. I wasn’t putting poorly but I wasn’t putting the ball as well as I liked either. I was looking at some different options from Scotty Cameron, Mizuno and PING last spring but chose to ride out what I currently had in the bag. I’m excited to test out the new technology from Odyssey and to do it in a model that I’ve been wanting to try for quite some time.
About my game: My handicap at the start of the 2023 season was a 6 and I ended the season at a 3. I attribute much of my game improvement on being fitted for new irons and spending a lot of time working my short game. My GIR percentage was up from 2022 and my three putts were lower. Better approach shots contributed much to these stats and my ability to hit better chips led to more up and downs. Not all was rosy as I struggled much of the year with missing a lot of makable putts and struggling to adapt my stroke on slower greens.
My main area of focus in testing will be my ability to control the swing with this putter. Most of my misses with my current putter come from pushing the ball right or leaving it short. Controlling the swing path on longer putts and controlling the putter face on shorter putts will be two of the bigger areas of focus as I test out this putter and compare it to my Bettinardi. In order for this putter to replace my current gamer it will have to deliver more consistent outcomes and have the same or better feel hitting the ball.
What I’m looking for: I’m most eager to see if there is a significant difference in the milling compared to my Bettinardi and my Scotty. What did Ai do that is different or better? I’m also looking to see if there is any significant difference in non-center face hits compared to my Bettinardi. One of my biggest putting weaknesses is making solid contact on longer putts thereby causing longer second putts and missing mid range putts due to non center contact and coming up short.
Looking forward to receiving the Seven T CH and posting my initial feedback!

 
First Impressions - 12/8/23
My Odyssey Ai-One 7 T CH arrived midday on 12/7 but alas, I was forced to wait until I got home from work to pick it up from the UPS Store near my house. The package was in pristine condition, and inside there was plenty of protective packaging to ensure nothing went wrong.

Upon opening the package the first thing I noticed was the SuperStroke Synergy Tour 2.0 grip I requested but wasn’t sure if I could get. Big shout out to @GolfSpy BOS for coming through like a champ! I love the feel of this grip and it’s going to greatly enhance the testing experience for sure.

After taking it out of the box, I stood over a couple of practice putts on my putting mat and I was immediately able to better stand with my eyes over the ball compared to my Bettinardi.

Maybe its the 34” length versus the 34.5” length of my Bettinardi? Can’t yet say for sure but I can tell my posture is in a better position. I will be checking my putting posture compared to my Bettinardi using a putting mirror as part of my testing process to compare how well I’m able to get my eyes over the ball with each putter. 
Aesthetics - 12/8/23
Straight out of the box, this putter is an easy 10/10. The navy blue PVD finish looks even better in person than it does on the web.


The white alignment line paired with the two lines on the fangs allow me to visibly notice whether the stroke of the putter is off line or not as it rocks back and forth. Initially, I like this, but I’ll be curious to see if this serves as a benefit or a distraction when I get out to the range and start hitting putts.
The gold titanium insert is a great color choice and pairs well with the blue giving a really good look. Not sure yet if this will in more consistent putts but it looks great coming out of the cover and anything to possibly distract my playing partners is great in my book.


The putter cover isn’t anything fancy but again, Odyssey has a great color scheme and overall design. The putter head fits easily inside and the magnetic closure is solid. I’m glad it’s magnetic rather than velcro as I find magnetic closures remain in working order for longer periods of time.

The last detail I want to point out is the difference in the milling compared to my Bettinardi. While the pattern is very similar, the oval loop pattern is noticeably larger on the Odyssey.

I am still reading and learning about this new Ai line of putters has me wondering if this different pattern is part of the Ai design and if it will lead to any noticeable changes in the feel and/or effectiveness.
Looking forward to getting outside very soon to put this bad boy to work!

A cut path will have little influence on the direction the ball travels.  Start direction is caused by face angle; most will say 85-95% control on startline.  A putting coach I have worked with sent me a database of strokes he had measured and 99% of them and a right or left biased stroke;  almost no one has a zero'd out stroke. 
Here is an instgram post that shows even extreme pats can start a ball online if the face is in the correct orientation.  People incorrectly thing that you can put hook or slice spin on a ball.  
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0bv6G8rjlO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
 

I use a rub called “pigs a$$ rub” on my ribs.  I usually buy the same pigs ass rub sauce to put on it.  

This is the sliced flat and chopped up point in the serving pan for my staff Christmas party dinner tonight. 

All thing Meat Church are worth getting to be honest. Holy Gospel is my favorite. Honey Hog is amazing on ribs. 

I don’t think anyone should call @RickyBobby_PR a zealot just because his group play by the rules. Isn’t that what everyone should aspire to do? We play by the rules here. The men’s club and a couple groups adhere to some local rules in competition. However, we still play by the USGA rules. I know those that don’t and that is fine for them. I would never berate anyone for doing the right thing and following the rules. Maybe that is my Marine background…….

This is the sliced flat and chopped up point in the serving pan for my staff Christmas party dinner tonight. 

No sliced photos this time. This was my first Choice brisket from Costco. Always done prime before and will never do choice again. A little dry for my liking but still pretty good. I’ve always used Meat Church Holy Cow in the past. This was new rub to me. Will go back to Holy Cow next time. 

No sliced photos this time. This was my first Choice brisket from Costco. Always done prime before and will never do choice again. A little dry for my liking but still pretty good. I’ve always used Meat Church Holy Cow in the past. This was new rub to me. Will go back to Holy Cow next time. 

I don’t always use my handicap as part of my round, but every round contributes toward my handicap. And yes, there are gimmes even when playing by the rules. It’s a part of match play only we use the phrase conceded. I’d venture tongues 1/4 - 1/3 of all my rounds involve conceding putts as part of our side competition games we are playing. 

Brisket turned out great!

Pep and pep/hamburger. Friday special. Two mediums 6.99 each. 

Wife is out of town for the weekend and dads in charge of dinner. 
Papa Murphy’s to the rescue. 😂

Brisket turned out great!

I not upset at Rahm. Just upset the divide is growing instead of narrowing back. The game isn’t going to grow with these two tours at odds with each other. 

Brisket turned out great!

Staff are working on something special for this thread... TBD but we will keep you all posted.

Poochie kinda looks like he's saying, "hey bud where's my goodie box?" 😆
 
So they offer it without the too sightline..? I believe the originals of that style were without alignment aids?

Christmas present came early!

Now I have to explain to SWMBO why I have to spend a few hundred on the speed monitor. Can’t wait until my birthday to get the other half, right?!

And there were several periods of reports/proposals and comment periods.  I know I responded, hopefully everyone else did as well.  That the USGA and R&A choose not to do as I suggested, or as anyone else suggested, doesn't mean they didn't listen.  
I remember a comment period in 2018 regarding the 2019 rules revision.  A number of proposed rules were revised in a way that I advocated, along with lots of others.  
Once again, let's also blame the R&A if we're going to blame the Ruling Bodies.  And as you said, without the influence of manufacturers and professional tours, we WOULD have bifurcation, and no change for most of us.
I can't say I view the change as."punishment", and more than I viewed the increased distance available with graphite shafts and huge driver heads as a "reward".  Its just a change.

Getting back to the actual topic:
I'm personally against bifurcation. Why? Because I like that I play the same rules, balls, clubs and courses (well... 😬) that the pros play. I don't want the option/s to play different (advantage giving) equipment that the pros don't have the option to play. I think it is cool to watch how good the pros really are... using the same equipment I have access to.
Concerning rolling back the ball: what does that actually mean? If it means less distance... and from what I've read it will be around 5 - 10 yards.... what problem does it solve? Certainly not the distance 'problem'? I'm just confused about what the two governing bodies are trying to do with a ball 'roll back'?
If whatever is going to happen/is decided on, I want all golfers to be subject to the same rules and equipment as the pros. Maybe that's a personal, selfish view on my part.
Having said that, I really have no problem with how anyone wants to play the game or what equipment anyone wants to use. I just don't see the 'need' for bifurcation, as that would separate 'us' from the pros (there is enough already 🤣) as playing the same game that we all love. I will play the game regardless of what decision is made.
 
 

The intensity of anticipation is electrifying!

Good morning everyone. Up early to check on the brisket and get it wrapped. Gonna be a multiple cup of coffee kind of day. Now to get ready to prep the baked beans to throw on the smoker. But before that, gonna make some bacon and eggs with some specialty bacon.
Hope everyone has a great Sunday!

It was a week worthy of bourbon on Friday night.