Putter Review: Odyssey White Hot XG #7

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.

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Shop for Odyssey putters at Shop.CallawayGolf.com
Shop for pre-owned Odyssey putters at CallawayGolfPreOwned.com

Comments

  1. John says:

    I like your blogs! I love the odyssey #7 long putter!

  2. Hole High says:

    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.

  3. Jack says:

    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.

  4. Double Eagle says:

    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.

  5. Hole High says:

    ‘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’.

  6. Double Eagle says:

    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.

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