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- #1,076
Softer than the AiOne is interesting.The Cruiser Coalition - Introduction and Initial Thoughts
Past Updates:
Introduction and Initial Thoughts
- This very post
Yes, two putters. Yes, two new release putters. YES, I am insane....but really I had pro shop credit that HAD to be used by December, so what better situation than this. Plus, since I was pretty sure I wouldn't be part of the forum testing, I wanted to make sure I could still contribute long term. I am and always have been a golf addict of the people, and for the THP brand.
Anywho, the S2S Tri Hot Jailbird Cruiser was the second most immediate, oh my, of the lineup when I finally got to see this release just like the rest of you. Obviously, my thoughts on the Rossie and its shape are well known in here, but to me, the Jailbird has unseated the 7 as the leader of the pack for Odyssey in recent releases.
But, as they are two very different putters, it made sense to me in my wild mind, to also document my feedback on them separately as well, so here we are.
In hand, the red looks GOOD in contrast on the Jailbird shape. Although it is not a mini, it does look much more svelte than my AiONE S2S Jailbird does, and it is the depth of the red in contrast to the black, as well as the nice little visual texture trick done through milling that alternates with each color. More than that though, MY GOSH does this shape look exponentially better with the shaft position here versus the wild press of the previous one.
My thoughts on the press designs of ZT putters are well known, I think it is great, IF you have a Press Grip put onto it in order to eliminate variables. I don't care what any of you say, if you are manually pressing to a point every time, you are not doing it the same EVERY SINGLE TIME (save your story about trying to hide the insert, I have seen some of you putt), and that means variables, which means streaky ass putting, no matter the design technology. So, with the shaft location here, and its NO press setup, one potential variable is eliminated right out of the gates. That also means the ZT nature of the design is now much more accessible to golfers, less thinking, more set up and go.
The slight onset is not off putting, and frankly, that combined with the new alignment aid (which is bloody brilliant IMO, it will work well with left and right eye dominant people) make it comfortable at address. The shape remains the iconic entity that it is, and the red/black contrasts the greens so well its silly, especially on 4-and-in putts for me personally.
Of course, this is the Cruiser version with the full-length grip and extended length that serves as a counterbalance to the heavier 385g head. Honestly, with that CB mechanism implemented here, the feeling at setup weight wise is exactly like my S2S Tri Hot Rossie. What I mean there, this is not going to feel head heavy to most, instead, it feels balanced. That said, it is not light feeling to me, and I am one who traditionally ADDS weight to ALL of my putters (usually getting to 380-385) out of sheer preference for my setup and shoulder rock style. Here, I don't have the urge to add weight right now.
The grip needs its own section because like with the standard model, the CB grip is surprisingly good. I honestly expected to hate it, just like I did with the standard size on the Rossie, but in the same manner I actually quite enjoy it. I worry about durability because of how much golf I play, but from a sheer feel perspective, its the best stock grip design I have seen from them in a while both visually and in terms of tactile feeling/feedback.
Speaking of feedback, the insert. Yeah, its SOFT on this one too. Alternating between my AiONE Mini JB and this one, it is immediately noticeable just how much more muted it is overall. I personally love it, its much more in the wheelhouse of what has made Odyssey legends with the White Hot. That said, the roll groove design on the face is the star here. The roll so far has remained shockingly quick off of both models I have. That is a GOOD thing. Quick, tight, consistent, and it puts the honus on your green-reading.
Now, I'm going to save the performance thoughts for the next update, but as always, if you have any questions please fire away, I am here for you all, after all!
