I’m not one to change putters frequently, but sometimes the mood hits and I start thinking about it. A few months back, I was perusing the putter selection at my local Golfsmith store.
I’m a huge fan of Odyssey putters, so naturally I was leaning toward those. After trying several different models, I found myself drawn to the White Hot XG #7. It was no impulse purchase, though. I stewed over the decision for several weeks, trying to decide whether I was ready to let my White Hot #1 fade into retirement.
As you certainly guessed, I bought the putter, and am glad that I did.
Let’s have a look at the official line about the XG line from Odyssey Golf:
The White Hot XG is the next generation of White Hot Technology. Inspired by proven, high-performance, multi-layer golf ball technology, the White Hot XG is Odyssey’s latest advancement that utilizes a multi-layer insert for phenomenal performance on the green. It combines two materials with different properties to take the level of feedback, feel and distance control to an all-new, extreme level.
- Elastomer Core Material – Soft for great feel, and highly resilient to get the ball rolling quickly.
- Thin, outer striking surface – Firm for fine-tuned responsiveness.
- Textured Impact Zone – Enhances feel and clearly defines the sweet spot.
All together, it allows weight to be shifted to the perimeter of the putter head for a high MOI, creating even better forgiveness and truer roll than previous models. It’s the softest, most responsive insert we have ever created.
The Good
- The XG #7 provides exceptional feel. The face insert makes impact feel somewhat soft compared to a typical milled-face putter, but it’s not mushy. It feels like I’m in total control.
- The weighted “wings” move the weight toward the perimeter of the club face, much like cavity backed irons, meaning off-center hits are more forgiving than what you’d find with a blade putter.
- The wings and alignment dots on top of the face make the putter very easy to align at address.
- The stock grip is very comfortable.
- Distance control is quite good.
- At $119 where I bought it, the price is quite fair. It’s not uncommon for Odyssey putters to be priced somewhat higher.
- The putter feels very balanced to me. It’s almost like the putter itself wants to make a good stroke.
The Bad
- Traditionalists may dislike the look of the wings. A friend commented to me that it looks like a glorified divot tool. Admittedly, the design took a little getting used to, but it didn’t take long once I got to hit a few putts in the store and was impressed by the stroke characteristics.
- People who demand a very firm feel when striking putts (like the distinct *ping* that Ping putters provide) might not like the feel. I think it’s very responsive, but it’s definitely a bit softer than what some might prefer.
Conclusion
As a long-time Odyssey fan, the White Hot XG #7 does not disappoint. It provides exceptional feel and forgiveness over my old faithful White Hot #1. My lag putting has improved markedly since picking up the XG #7 this summer. I think that’s attributable to both the increased feel as well as the forgiveness. Off-center hits definitely don’t get as far off line as they do with my White Hot #1, and they don’t come up as short, for that matter.
If you don’t mind the unique look and are looking for increased feel and forgiveness, then I highly recommend the Odyssey White Hot XG #7.
—————-
Shop for Odyssey putters at Shop.CallawayGolf.com
Shop for pre-owned Odyssey putters at CallawayGolfPreOwned.com
Loading ...
I like your blogs! I love the odyssey #7 long putter!
Played in my Clubs Summer Fourball Final last week and one of our opponents had the #7. He was a twenty handicapper and putted like god. When I see him next week at our prize presentaion night I will try and extract some more info.
BTW we got stuffed 3 and 1.
After testing a mind boggling array of putters I keep going back to my old trusty Ping Anser. Maybe it just has the right feel to give me the right speed. Anyway, nice article.
Hole High, while I love the putter, I didn’t detect any magical powers. Sounds like you might need to look out for sandbagging.
Jack, Finding the right putter can take a lifetime. When you get one you like, you have to stick with it.
‘Sandbagging’. Never heard that expression used before, but a quick search on Google sorted that out. In the UK we tend to use the term ‘Bandit Handicap’ and can be expressed in phrases like ‘the blokes a bit of a bandit’. Means the same thing as sandbagging. Although they are easily spotted by the ‘Ponchos’ they wear or if the sun’s out a brightly coloured ‘Sombrero’.
I haven’t heard that one before, Hole High, but it’s probably a little more accurate and it’s got the old west flavor.