Review: Odyssey ProType Tour 2-Ball Putter

Well I took the plunge and bought the new Odyssey putter that just came out.

It's the ProType Tour Series in the 2-Ball model in 34".

So here is a short review from my findings on the putting green yesterday. Althought the putting green is pretty poor at Sandown Park Direct Golf where I bought it, so watch out for a more full on course review coming up soon. (The ball used was a Srixon Z-Star)

Looks:

The ProType Tour putter has a satin silver finish, this gives the putter a very classic look and whilst understated there is a unique quality to it. I'm assuming the satin finish is also to reduce glare off the putter on a sunny day.

The look from the top is somewhat similar in finish to most odyssey putters along with the familiar two ball alignment aid on top.

However what really caught my eye in terms of design is how Odyssey, maintained somewhat a raw look to the putter as if it’s still in development.

Almost as if it’s a Prototype of the ProType line.

On the Sole it has a forged carbon steel plate which is attached on using screws that are exposed with what appears to be a black weight on the back of the putter, leaving the space in the middle hollow.

Performance / Sound / Feel

I have been a big fan of Odyssey 2-ball putters, it’s stable and the alignment aid really gives you the confidence to putt the ball down the line you picked out. However there was 2 things I used to dislike about the Odyssey 2-ball putters. First one is weight and second one is the insert.

Maybe it’s a personal thing but 2-ball putters before used to feel a little too light for me, but the 360g ProType 2-ball feel dead on, not too heavy to deaden the feel, but heavy enough to have the extra stability I desire.

I was never a huge fan of the odyssey inserts, both the white hot & the firmer white ice insert. The soft balata inserts coupled with so urethane covered tour balls made the putters too soft and unresponsive. Especially the white hot insert giving it a mushy, “did I just hit the ball?” feel to the putter. I have always had a problem with distance control with the soft tour ball + soft insert combination.

Now Odyssey has completely remedied that with the soft forged 1025 carbon steel putter with a deep milled face. This gives the putter a soft yet crisp feel. The precision milled face with the deep milled grooves helps the ball interact with the face of the putter rather than bouncing off. The deep milled face imparts top spin on the ball helping it to run true with less negative spin.

Thanks to the added responsiveness of the putter, I could put a good roll on the ball and the ball consistently rolled out the distance I wanted it to.

Having owned Scotty Cameron’s, Bettianrdi’s, etc in the past, I would have to say Odyssey really out performed themselves this time and I believe the new ProType Tour putters are up there with the rest of them.

One thing I didn’t like about the putter was the grip. Although not a bad grip, the Odyssey ProType Tour putter come with the new Lamkin 3Gen grip in black and red in a pistol grip style.

It’s a very nice looking grip and whilst it feel nice, it is a bit too thin. I’m not sure if I’m just used to a chunkier putter grip or this one is especially thinner than most putter grips but I’m going to be swopping the grip out soon but I love everything else about it.

Even the head cover, which is magnetic now not Velcro, thanks god. Unlike most Odyssey head covers looks great and has an exclusive feel to it.

Anyway can’t wait to try it out for a few rounds this weekend, keep your eyes peeled for a on course review.

Min

http://www.odysseygolf.com/global/en-us/products/putters/protype-tour-series/protype-tour-series-2-ball-putter.html

do the screws allow for the ability to switch out the sole plate with a variable weight? this would be interesting on a 2-ball.

Great review!! My 35" 350g is such a joy to work with. It seems that I'm never long/short by much and when it does happen, it's me and not the putter.

EDIT: Went to the PGAS today to hit my new shaft in the VRs driver and took along my 2-ball. Actually had a fitter on the putting greens and went through the process with him. He was bored I guess and gave me a few pointers as well as installed a new JUMBO winn odyssey grip. While re-gripping he ended up cutting it down to 33 3/4"...wow, what a difference! Going to take some practice to get used to the changes, but I LIKE! Forgot to mention....NO CHARGE!

The bottom does come off, but don't see how they could offer an adjustment other than possibly different weighted plate. Guess they could come up with a plate that had interchangeable weight variables...interesting thought. This beauty is balanced vary nice for me and I'm pretty much a straight pendulum swing.

Joe has done a great job of putting an added alignment feature on his, but I think I would be a bit nervous attempting that myself, but I like it a lot:
[url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/624186-hi-joe-what-have-you-been-trying-lately/"]http://www.golfwrx.c...-trying-lately/[/url]
[attachment=1154818:Joe's Alignment on Two Ball.JPG]

Nice review! I wish they made this putter in a belly model.

Picked up this putter from a board member and I love it. I would like to change out the paint fill though. Anyone ever changed out the paint on the milled face? Also will acetone hurt the finish on the club?

Thanks for your review, not sure if I like the satin finish. I would have much preferred to see that putter with a black finish.