Let it be known that Odyssey Golf listens. They listen to their Tour staff, their professional staff, sales team, and they listen to us. Why do I lead with this? Because finally, the company is giving us what so many have asked for, the White Hot is back!
That said, in the immortal words of one LL Cool J, “Don’t call it a comeback, I been here for years”.
For 2021 Odyssey Golf is officially releasing the White Hot OG lineup of putters, and this putter nerd who has been screaming from the rooftops for years about officially bringing the greatest putter insert of all-time back couldn’t hold back the excitement even if I wanted to.
Let’s dive in.
Legend of the White Hot
Before we get to the White Hot OG line, it is worth diving into just what makes the re-release of this insert such a big deal. Normally, if a company goes back to the well then there will be keyboard warriors and squeaky wheels whining until the cows come home, but the White Hot isn’t just tech, its legend, and from THE #1 putter company on Tour for the last decade that is saying a lot.
I realize writing this, that though some will fondly remember the White Hot and hold it in the same regard as so many of us do, after all Odyssey admits to hearing a desire for this insert to come back for years upon years, others may not have been around to experience the heyday. If that is the case, I bet you have still seen the insert either on a course somewhere or just on TV as over half of the company’s Tour staff uses the White Hot insert retrofitted into their modern putter head-shapes.
The White Hot insert came about when Odyssey’s putter designers were looking for insert materials and had a conversation with Callaway’s golf ball engineers. In that conversation they were lead to the also legendary Rule 35 golf ball and its urethane material. The material itself is a two-part urethane that is firm to the initial touch, but under impact performs much softer and these traits allow it to have better rebound and faster speed compared to other soft feeling options. This is what gives the White Hot insert its legendary feel and roll combo.
For years now, the company has tried to replicate the feel of the White Hot while improving the roll, and to do that they continuously tried to match the hardness as closely as possible, but even as they have accomplished that, something was still off feel and sound wise. Turns out, when they looked at the flex of White Hot compared to their other inserts, though the various designs may have had the same hardness, none of them compared to the White Hot in how it flexes. What does it mean? Basically, that the White Hot was the perfect storm, and though they have designed many inserts since that put a better overall performance roll on the ball, the White Hot remains the be-all for many.
So here we are, 20 years later, and the White Hot is back. Not only is it back, Odyssey wants it made clear, this isn’t a new take on the original, this is the original. The formula, composition, processes, and the way it is cast into sheets and then cut for the models is all the same. It is truly the OG.
Odyssey White Hot OG
While the insert is clearly the star of the show here, Odyssey didn’t want to just throw it into any old head design, nor did they want to miss on the looks. So, they went through their arsenal and selected some of their most popular designs, then they focused in on milling the heads and finishing them with a classic satin silver PVD. With major attention paid to the edge radii of the putters as well as fine milling marks, the company vehemently believes when combined with sole weights, clean graphics, as well as an all-new Stroke Lab (SL) shaft and popular DFX grip in grey, that they will make a lot of golfers incredibly happy.
While the putters will be available with steel shafts for a lower price, the new Stroke Lab is sure to turn some heads. Some of you have spotted a couple on Tour already and the Candy Apple Red upper section is a major departure from the stealthy black of the previous iteration. The new SL has a shorter stepless steel section, is 7 grams lighter, and is a stiffer overall profile which has led to Odyssey’s testing to show 6% more consistent time to impact, 9% more consistent impact location, and a 6% more consistent swing arc.
As for the head shapes, the ever popular #1 and #1 WS (wide sole) make up the blade models alongside the classic #5 SB (single bend) for the mid-mallet option. For mallets, the Rossie with a thinner topline and modernized overall flow is returning in a double bend and slant neck, and naturally their most popular shapes of all time the 2-Ball in double bend, #7 in double bend, and slant neck are also coming to the party.
The Odyssey White Hot OG putters will drop on 1/28/21 and come in at $219.99 for steel and $269.99 with the new Stroke Lab. Do not miss our THP Showcase next week featuring testing of each of these new putters and so much more.
I need one of those 2-Balls. That looks awesome.
I will have to go to the shop and check one out tomorrow, looked at the #1 today with both the stroke lab and standard shaft and the looks of the stroke lab shaft were super nice.
I’ve got my eye on an Odyssey Rossie on eBay for around $100. Whatever I buy will be a massive upgrade from my set putter but a putter seems like something I’d want to test out a little first, right? Or, for $100 are all the mid-mallets going to be relatively the same?
It is NEVER a bad idea to buy a putter, blind or not. ?
Rossie is a great shape, I think @Tevenor is having some good luck with his lately
hey @Muchmore18 talk to him
For $100 you can always resell and get your money back if you don’t end up liking it.
Uhhhhhh I started putting RH to hit a Chicago. Soooooo do it
I blind bought my versa big t and have been gaming it ever since, replaced a 35" Adams bagged set putter. I looked at some sites to get an idea of length and figured a mallet was better for me at the time….I paid about the same too, now I want to upgrade and spend way more and moving to a wide blade and am consider taking a lesson or getting fit because its a big difference dropping 100 vs 400….but for $100 I’d take the chance again
I ended up finding a White Hot pro 2 for $50. It’s a little beat up and probably needs a new grip but it will at least let me know if I like the Rossie style.
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Stumbled across the OG #1 Stroke Lab and was definitely loving it. I like the curves of the putter head. I like the soft feel of the insert. I dig the red stroke lab shaft. The stock grey grip feels pretty nice.
As a lefty, I am super jealous of the Rossie S , and #1WS owners out there.
Alignment has been a problem for me recently but the 7 is so easy to line up and start on line. Although my putts per round didn’t go down at the weekend I’m sure my distance made went up. The highlights were making 12ft birdie putts on 17 and 18. I actually can’t wait until Saturday to putt again with it!
Those memories are fun.
And welcome to THP.
Great stuff! Welcome to THP!
I changed the stock grip to a Garsen Ultimate, which I really like, but it is kinda light weight (only 50g or so).
Anyone add weight to the top end of their putter, without the superstroke countercore option? I kinda wanna add about 15g. Considering the idea of wrapping some lead around the bottom end of the grip, on theshaft.
Never played a round of golf in my 53 years of life before this summer. Wife and I decided we were going to learn, so I picked up a Strata box set and she nabbed a Solair box set. (Couldn’t see dropping a ton of cash on high end equipment until we were sure we were going to stick with it.) We started hitting the range, signed up for lessons and ended up just going for it and hit the local 3-par course a few weeks ago. Making really good progress (scored two par holes each last weekend!) but struggling so hard with the Strata putter. For grins, I thought “hey let me try the wife’s putter.” Wow, night and day difference. A bit challenging since it was too short for me, but the feel was really an eye opener. Being the beginner that I am, I had no idea what her putter was. Turns out it’s an Odyssey with the MH or WH insert, couldn’t find a whole lot of info on which.
As a beginner, I was struggling with the thought of “hey, I should just learn to hit this” vs. “I should really get a new putter and not struggle so much here.” Many hours of research later, a LOT of carpet putting between the two and the decision was made, it was new putter time!
Oh man, so many brands, shapes, options etc. I was really drawn to the Odyssey WH OG offerings though and was pretty sure it was either the 5 or the Rossie. Went to the GG store today and rolled just about everything they had. Hit a bunch of other brands first so as not to be too predispositioned, but damn, first roll with the #7 and it was all over but the shouting. Went ahead and re-rolled a few more of the other putters that felt good just to be sure; even bounced between #7, #7s, steel shaft and the SL shaft just to be sure.
Long story short, walked out with the #7 db steel shaft and am super stoked. We’re hitting the course tomorrow and looking forward to how this feels in the real world!
The 7 is incredible. I have the 7S SL and haven’t thought much about changing since putting it in the bag.
I tested the Rossie this year with a stroke lab shaft. I loved it. It almost went into the bag. I was able to putt with a very consistent stroke with it. Really glad Odyssey brought back the WHOG line.
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So how did it go?! Excited to hear about it!
Sorry guys – meant to update Monday but work got in the way.
Significant improvement. Played 27 holes over the weekend and putted 22 strokes for each round, several one put holes and picked up three, par holes along the way. (I had been hitting around 30 putts or so prior, so def improvement.) Out little 3-par course does the job but the greens are super inconsistent and bumpy, so it’s REALLY hard to get a smooth roll. I definitely had a much higher sense of confidence and even the wife commented that I was putting much better!
Eight putt difference is huge!! Sounds like it’s doing it’s job well!
Stay tuned….
Rather than focus on a particular brand, find out what type of stroke you have. Strong or slight arc or straight back.
Then find a putter that suits that type of stroke. If it happens to be in the white hot OG line, great. If not, so be it.
It’s a simple process, and it will save you a lot of trial and error, and most importantly, cash.
Yes, I still have it and enjoy it. I have been reviewing a SeeMore MiniGiant here on THP for the last few months, and that putter has been getting most of my attention.
My summary thoughts – its important to know I am a blade user historically, and have been tinkering with mallet styles to see if I can make something gel. For me personally, I love the shape and lines, flow etc of the Rossie S. The toe hang is nice for my stroke and I like how the slant neck sets up.
Because visually I am so used to using the blade like a T-square while putting… more exotic mallet shapes seem to mess with my eye and I am not as good at consistently aligning well. Also, a small problem I had with the Rossie S is that I am not always the best at maintaining a neutral hand position, I tend to get too flat and get the toe in the air. I found that when I got flat the sole shape would tend to make the face close a tad at address. So it was both a good reminder to stay neutral, but also led to some awkwardness as I tried to work on bad habits.
I had some very nice rounds where I putted confidently and things just didn’t drop. At times however, I struggled a little with visuals just because I am used to. The rounded back edge makes it tougher for my eye to settle on a direction.
Absolutely love the feel of the White Hot insert, and overall look of the putter. I wish I were a little more confident with it is all.
– In general, I still prefer the steel shaft over the stroke lab. I just cant get used to the counterbalance.
– The 7 Nano looks cool, but definitely try before you buy. To my eye, the neck position makes the putter appear very flat and open. Wasn’t a good fit for me.
– The 7 Bird is a bit odd looking, but very stable. Would recommend if you get a little yippy.
– The 7CH non stroke lab is an absolute GOAT. Definitely the star of the line for me. Tempted to buy one actually.
We sound pretty similar. I’m used to a blade style as well (Scotty Newport) but I thought getting a more forgiving head in a mallet could help me long term since I am after all a hack. So far I’m in absolute love with the face and how soft it is. I never knew I cared about that before getting this putter. I was really watching the thread about the Tri-hot 5K putters but if I can get myself comfortable with this putter I’d love to not think about that part of my bag for a very long time. My buddies who are good putters just ride with what they have, they don’t tinker.
I apologize if you covered it somewhere and I missed it @GraniteRoost but did you notice any distance control issues etc going from the white hot to the MGDF?
I’ve not had the MGDF on course. But no, no issues indoors. And, last season no issues outdoors between White Hot insert and various milled putters that are my usual.
FWIW, the Tri-Hots are pretty stellar if you want a blade. I got a Tri-Hot One when they came out, and again, have not had it on course yet, but you can feel the MOI in it. Its a beast, looking forward to rolling that one too.
I hate you as I already own 5 putters already LOL..you’re not helping my wallet or typical past of dancing between putters mid-season
I love my Scotty as it is a bit like jewelry out there but I can’t deny how much better the WH insert feels on the Odyssey.
Yes, its a slippery slope. One became 5, became…. more. And I switch putters around a lot too but am trying to quit ?. Putts per round drifted up more than I’d like with the mallet shenanigan’s last year.
I’ll be tuning in to that thread to hear more of your thoughts on that one after a few rounds. The white hot insert is like an broken in old hoodie to me, trustworthy and familiar but something about that MGDF catches my eye and I can’t seem to shake it ?.