Before I begin, I want to give a big thank you to both MGS and Callaway for continuing to provide testing opportunities amidst the Supply Chain Crisis we are experiencing. When I'm not moonlighting as a tester here, my day job is a Supply Chain Consultant and it's been a hectic few months working with different clients to deploy solutions to accelerate and integrate their Supply Chain and Production technologies. Needless to say, I know that unlike potentially in years past these putters definitely would have ended up in the hands of a customer if they weren't in ours, so thank you again. Ok now on to the fun stuff:
This is my 3rd test (2nd club test: see my Ben Hogan Hybrid Review), and my first involving one of the big 4 OEMs. I'm a 5.5 handicap from Atlanta, Ga. I was down to a 3.8 at the end of last season, but this year work has been significantly busier and I haven't been able to get the practice or rounds in that I got last year. My game mainly consists of a consistent in play drive albeit usually between 255-270 with consistent mid-iron play and the strongest part of my game is by far my putting. This is why I was so excited to test a putter that has such rave reviews both from users and tested well in the Most Wanted. I currently game a spider mini from 2017 35" in length. My putting game is rock solid within 10 feet. I currently gain 7.1 Strokes compared to other ~6 handicaps from within 10 feet according to my Arccos dashboard. I struggle with mid-range putts and I'm more likely to 3 putt from 20 feet than I am from 50 currently which is needless to say frustrating. I'm hoping that if the testing goes well that the white-hot insert can potentially help me get a more consistent pace on those mid-length putts.
I'll start with the unboxing and specs. I am testing the OG #7 as I've always loved that head shape. I remember playing with the original version of this in the local Edwin Watts as a kid comparing it to the Ping Craz-E (what kid doesn't want a crazy putter). I got the #7 in 35" length and set to 1 degree flat with the stroke lab shaft. Like all testing, I was waiting anxiously following the live tracker on UPS for the putter to get in.
I love the look of this putter from head to toe. The headcover is a little too early 2000s for me, but I rarely keep an OEM headcover in my bag. Currently my putter headcover is a Cherokee Town and Country Club cover, so I quickly replaced the headcover. The Silver pistol grip is another great touch that seamlessly transitions into the red stroke lab shaft.
After rolling 40 putts on my perfect practice putting mat from a variety of lengths, I missed 3 of 40 putts. I typically miss ~5-7 when putting with my current Spider Mini. The feel off the face was just pure and true. The morning after the putter arrived, I flew to Scottsdale for a bachelor party. On Friday, we played a round at Troon North and I played with the #7. I had 1 3-putt and didn't miss a single putt inside of 10 feet en route to a 77 (par 71). The 1 3 putt was more situational than an indictment on the putter. I ended up on a plateau about 20 feet past the cup and had to put straight down a hill left myself with about 12 feet left back up the hill.
Some rain is pushing through the Southeast the next couple of days, but I'm going to continue to grind over some practice putts and have a few rounds planned for the next 2 weeks to test this even further. Come back for a more detailed analysis of the putter and to see if it can kick my putter of 4 1/2 years out of the bag!
Looks (9 out of 10)
I completely understand why the #7 head shape outlasted the WhiteHot putters originally and made a comeback with the reboot. Kevin Kisner still uses the #7 head shape and that + our below average driving distances are about the only things our golf games have in common. It's a comfortable head shape to line up and keeping the ball centered at the start by utilizing the prongs on the back. The standard pistol grip is definitely a great look too.
The only reason I docked 1 point off the looks is that I prefer a single line on the center of the top of the putter face but as you can see below the #7 currently has 3 dots. If this was a single line it would've been a 10/10 for looks.
Sound and Feel (10 out of 10)
I wasn't sure about the white hot face sound during my first few practice sessions as it really is an extremely quiet face. I'm very much a feel putter, so feel and sound on mishits is really how I react and adjusting my lines during the round. After a few practice sessions and 9 holes, I noticed I became a little more focused on my line and stroke instead of how the ball was reacting. I started to notice my first putts were much more consistently ending up in the leather and just having tap ins for especially those mid range (10-30ft) putts that I previously struggled with.
I've come to love the sound off the face, but it definitely takes some adjusting especially coming over from the Taylormade face which is a lot louder and firmer at impact. I would recommend getting a few 100 putts in during practice before playing a round. It will teach you a lot about the putter and the minute difference in the sound and feel on mishits.
Basic Characteristics (17 out of 20)
Normally when I'm testing a putter, I like to be able to test the putter from a variety of lengths and different sloping putts. Unfortunately (since my wife hasn't let me install a full putting green in our basement) the first week I had the putter the weather in Atlanta was really rough so I was putting purely on my perfect practice putting mat. I have a drill where I start from 2 ft away and take 5 putts and go back every 6 inches if I make 5 in a row. If I miss any, I go back to the beginning and start over. During my first time running this drill, I was able to complete the drill with the #7 without having to go back to the beginning. Having both strong accuracy and distance control from the beginning was the key component to me having confidence with the putter to begin.
Another drill I ran was one hand putting to test the stability of the face. This is really where I began to notice the stroke lab difference compared to the SpiderMini. The face stayed consistently straight through impact.
On-Course Performance (30 out of 30)
There is truly no better feeling than walking up to a green and knowing that you've got confidence in what's in your hand. My first round with the putter I had 1, 3 putt en route to a 6 over, 77, and during my second round at the Mclemore I had 2, 3 putts. I loved the putter feel through both rounds and you can see below that it performed extremely well. I played a scramble last weekend with friends and I anchored our putting crew, so I didn't often have many putts that mattered because the first guy would get the putt to within 2 putt range and then I would go for the make. Even on slower greens the putter continued to perform well.
Miscellaneous (6 out of 10)
Everything about this putter screams attention to detail and thoughtfulness. Bringing back a classic with modern milling and an upgraded multimaterial shaft. It really is hard to find something to complain about, but honestly the headcover is just hideous. I'm a huge fan of retro looks and I know that's what they were trying to go for, but it just missed the mark completely. I instantly replaced the headcover as soon as I started testing the putter. Also, I'd love to see the putter grip be all red or black instead of gray. It would blend better into the shaft if it were a different color.
Play it or Trade it (19 out of 20)
Anyone in the market for a 2017 Taylormade SpiderMini 35"? I'll be reselling it for best offer.*
*Shipping not included
Really though this putter surpassed my expectations in almost every way I could've asked it to. It has eliminated my biggest struggle in dealing with mid range putts. It'll be staying in my bag no questions asked and I'm ready to take my buddies for free lunch on Saturday am using this weapon.
Final (91 out of 100)
I'd highly recommend getting fitted for any putter you try out. Check out the new MGS article on getting fitted for your putter. When you're testing out options, I'd highly recommend the White Hot line and specifically the #7. It's an amazing club that Odyssey has brought back in the right way. Reinventing a classic is a dangerous line to toe, but wow has Odyssey really done it this time.
Odyssey White Hot OG Putter
Posted
Before I begin, I want to give a big thank you to both MGS and Callaway for continuing to provide testing opportunities amidst the Supply Chain Crisis we are experiencing. When I'm not moonlighting as a tester here, my day job is a Supply Chain Consultant and it's been a hectic few months working with different clients to deploy solutions to accelerate and integrate their Supply Chain and Production technologies. Needless to say, I know that unlike potentially in years past these putters definitely would have ended up in the hands of a customer if they weren't in ours, so thank you again. Ok now on to the fun stuff:
This is my 3rd test (2nd club test: see my Ben Hogan Hybrid Review), and my first involving one of the big 4 OEMs. I'm a 5.5 handicap from Atlanta, Ga. I was down to a 3.8 at the end of last season, but this year work has been significantly busier and I haven't been able to get the practice or rounds in that I got last year. My game mainly consists of a consistent in play drive albeit usually between 255-270 with consistent mid-iron play and the strongest part of my game is by far my putting. This is why I was so excited to test a putter that has such rave reviews both from users and tested well in the Most Wanted. I currently game a spider mini from 2017 35" in length. My putting game is rock solid within 10 feet. I currently gain 7.1 Strokes compared to other ~6 handicaps from within 10 feet according to my Arccos dashboard. I struggle with mid-range putts and I'm more likely to 3 putt from 20 feet than I am from 50 currently which is needless to say frustrating. I'm hoping that if the testing goes well that the white-hot insert can potentially help me get a more consistent pace on those mid-length putts.
I'll start with the unboxing and specs. I am testing the OG #7 as I've always loved that head shape. I remember playing with the original version of this in the local Edwin Watts as a kid comparing it to the Ping Craz-E (what kid doesn't want a crazy putter). I got the #7 in 35" length and set to 1 degree flat with the stroke lab shaft. Like all testing, I was waiting anxiously following the live tracker on UPS for the putter to get in.
I love the look of this putter from head to toe. The headcover is a little too early 2000s for me, but I rarely keep an OEM headcover in my bag. Currently my putter headcover is a Cherokee Town and Country Club cover, so I quickly replaced the headcover. The Silver pistol grip is another great touch that seamlessly transitions into the red stroke lab shaft.
After rolling 40 putts on my perfect practice putting mat from a variety of lengths, I missed 3 of 40 putts. I typically miss ~5-7 when putting with my current Spider Mini. The feel off the face was just pure and true. The morning after the putter arrived, I flew to Scottsdale for a bachelor party. On Friday, we played a round at Troon North and I played with the #7. I had 1 3-putt and didn't miss a single putt inside of 10 feet en route to a 77 (par 71). The 1 3 putt was more situational than an indictment on the putter. I ended up on a plateau about 20 feet past the cup and had to put straight down a hill left myself with about 12 feet left back up the hill.
Some rain is pushing through the Southeast the next couple of days, but I'm going to continue to grind over some practice putts and have a few rounds planned for the next 2 weeks to test this even further. Come back for a more detailed analysis of the putter and to see if it can kick my putter of 4 1/2 years out of the bag!
Looks (9 out of 10)
I completely understand why the #7 head shape outlasted the WhiteHot putters originally and made a comeback with the reboot. Kevin Kisner still uses the #7 head shape and that + our below average driving distances are about the only things our golf games have in common. It's a comfortable head shape to line up and keeping the ball centered at the start by utilizing the prongs on the back. The standard pistol grip is definitely a great look too.
The only reason I docked 1 point off the looks is that I prefer a single line on the center of the top of the putter face but as you can see below the #7 currently has 3 dots. If this was a single line it would've been a 10/10 for looks.
Sound and Feel (10 out of 10)
I wasn't sure about the white hot face sound during my first few practice sessions as it really is an extremely quiet face. I'm very much a feel putter, so feel and sound on mishits is really how I react and adjusting my lines during the round. After a few practice sessions and 9 holes, I noticed I became a little more focused on my line and stroke instead of how the ball was reacting. I started to notice my first putts were much more consistently ending up in the leather and just having tap ins for especially those mid range (10-30ft) putts that I previously struggled with.
I've come to love the sound off the face, but it definitely takes some adjusting especially coming over from the Taylormade face which is a lot louder and firmer at impact. I would recommend getting a few 100 putts in during practice before playing a round. It will teach you a lot about the putter and the minute difference in the sound and feel on mishits.
Basic Characteristics (17 out of 20)
Normally when I'm testing a putter, I like to be able to test the putter from a variety of lengths and different sloping putts. Unfortunately (since my wife hasn't let me install a full putting green in our basement) the first week I had the putter the weather in Atlanta was really rough so I was putting purely on my perfect practice putting mat. I have a drill where I start from 2 ft away and take 5 putts and go back every 6 inches if I make 5 in a row. If I miss any, I go back to the beginning and start over. During my first time running this drill, I was able to complete the drill with the #7 without having to go back to the beginning. Having both strong accuracy and distance control from the beginning was the key component to me having confidence with the putter to begin.
Another drill I ran was one hand putting to test the stability of the face. This is really where I began to notice the stroke lab difference compared to the SpiderMini. The face stayed consistently straight through impact.
On-Course Performance (30 out of 30)
There is truly no better feeling than walking up to a green and knowing that you've got confidence in what's in your hand. My first round with the putter I had 1, 3 putt en route to a 6 over, 77, and during my second round at the Mclemore I had 2, 3 putts. I loved the putter feel through both rounds and you can see below that it performed extremely well. I played a scramble last weekend with friends and I anchored our putting crew, so I didn't often have many putts that mattered because the first guy would get the putt to within 2 putt range and then I would go for the make. Even on slower greens the putter continued to perform well.
Miscellaneous (6 out of 10)
Everything about this putter screams attention to detail and thoughtfulness. Bringing back a classic with modern milling and an upgraded multimaterial shaft. It really is hard to find something to complain about, but honestly the headcover is just hideous. I'm a huge fan of retro looks and I know that's what they were trying to go for, but it just missed the mark completely. I instantly replaced the headcover as soon as I started testing the putter. Also, I'd love to see the putter grip be all red or black instead of gray. It would blend better into the shaft if it were a different color.
Play it or Trade it (19 out of 20)
Anyone in the market for a 2017 Taylormade SpiderMini 35"? I'll be reselling it for best offer.*
*Shipping not included
Really though this putter surpassed my expectations in almost every way I could've asked it to. It has eliminated my biggest struggle in dealing with mid range putts. It'll be staying in my bag no questions asked and I'm ready to take my buddies for free lunch on Saturday am using this weapon.
Final (91 out of 100)
I'd highly recommend getting fitted for any putter you try out. Check out the new MGS article on getting fitted for your putter. When you're testing out options, I'd highly recommend the White Hot line and specifically the #7. It's an amazing club that Odyssey has brought back in the right way. Reinventing a classic is a dangerous line to toe, but wow has Odyssey really done it this time.