Versa Jailbird

[RH82]

2 hours ago, PickItUpGolf said:

Well whatever one it was, it sold out.

Now it's back in stock.

50 of them left.

Last time it was saying 40 something, and I thought "oh loads left!" and it sold out FFS!

Maybe they’ll add the MH again.

Edited October 11, 2023 by RH82

[RH82]

3 minutes ago, RH82 said:

The WH felt better to me anyway.

[RH82]

2 minutes ago, RH82 said:

7 minutes ago, RH82 said:

The WH felt better to me anyway.

Nothing wrong with the MH insert. Just a little harder to adjust to the roll of the face.

Edited October 11, 2023 by RH82

[Cactus Jack]

Several White Hot models available at my local PGASS…and everyone has a twist in the grip to some degree. 
 

Edited October 11, 2023 by Cactus Jack

[ebbowron]

I got the MH and the WH.  I havent tried the WH yet because I love the MH, but I had to add a lot of lead tape.  A few of us in AZ are lucky enough to know and play with Ricky Ramano, and this "retail" LE addition is far lighter than his.  I added two layers of lead tape and it is rolling great now.  I didnt personally compare it to Ramano's but two layers of lead tape gets it very close to the version this putter was designed after.  

[dmecca2]

44 minutes ago, ebbowron said:

I got the MH and the WH.  I havent tried the WH yet because I love the MH, but I had to add a lot of lead tape.  A few of us in AZ are lucky enough to know and play with Ricky Ramano, and this "retail" LE addition is far lighter than his.  I added two layers of lead tape and it is rolling great now.  I didnt personally compare it to Ramano's but two layers of lead tape gets it very close to the version this putter was designed after.  

Interesting. After building a version with a 400g head, I've always thought how light a 380g head would feel. But why would odyssey make a version that doesn't match the Fowler and Clark version? (which are supposedly copies of the Ramano putter)

[Pnwpingi210]

3 hours ago, dmecca2 said:

Interesting. After building a version with a 400g head, I've always thought how light a 380g head would feel. But why would odyssey make a version that doesn't match the Fowler and Clark version? (which are supposedly copies of the Ramano putter)

Might have to do with weight distribution?  Looks like they mostly used the old jailbird head molds and inserted the new weights in the front of the putter.  Maybe putting even more weight in the front of the head messes up the feel?

 

also pros play on much much much faster greens than most the the retail customers will ever step foot on.  I couldn’t imagine swinging a 400+ gram head in on an uphill 30 footer on a furry, muni or public green.  Would feel like croquet.

 

all of this is pure speculation.

[onthebogeytrain]

Those that have spent some time with both, which do you like better? I have used my MH for almost a month and have the WH still in plastic… Not wanting to take it out and use it so I wouldn’t be able to get a full refund. Definitely don’t need two jailbirds

[johnnybogey]

20 minutes ago, onthebogeytrain said:

Those that have spent some time with both, which do you like better? I have used my MH for almost a month and have the WH still in plastic… Not wanting to take it out and use it so I wouldn’t be able to get a full refund. Definitely don’t need two jailbirds

 

obviously subjective but I couldn't not get anything going with the MH. Just felt mushy to me.

loving the WH, putts feel crisp, cut it down to 35" and it is perfect for me.

[TheMoneyShot]

2 hours ago, onthebogeytrain said:

Those that have spent some time with both, which do you like better? I have used my MH for almost a month and have the WH still in plastic… Not wanting to take it out and use it so I wouldn’t be able to get a full refund. Definitely don’t need two jailbirds

I love both inserts and I’m trying to figure out what my next move will be.  I originally thought the WH would be the one for me hands down since my tank has a WH insert. But the more I roll the MH the more I am loving it.  Will have a lot of testing being done this off-season.  

[coreyhr]

I drunkenly removed the plastic on mine on the practice green after making two putts in a row with it. So I wasn't able to return it, had to take a tiny loss on it. Some sober at home practice in the following days made me realize there was a lot of vibration in the head. Maybe it was just me and how I was striking the putts. I had the WH version. 

Edited October 12, 2023 by coreyhr

[jak77]

5 hours ago, johnnybogey said:

 

obviously subjective but I couldn't not get anything going with the MH. Just felt mushy to me.

loving the WH, putts feel crisp, cut it down to 35" and it is perfect for me.

 

My experience as well. Sold my MH version and sticking with the WH for a bit. After a couple rounds of getting used to the weight, my putting stats have gone up and I'm digging it so far. 

Now thinking of extending it and trying it out as an armlock....a forever tinkerer. 

[EagleCity]

On 10/10/2023 at 9:16 PM, Cactus Jack said:

Several White Hot models available at my local PGASS…and everyone has a twist in the grip to some degree.

 

My White Hot came from Callaway last week and has a slightly twisted grip. Very annoying. When I grip it based on grip alignment vs face - the face sits open.

[Sankacoffee]

How durable was the original MH face? I remember some QC issues but not sure if it was this one or one of the other MH faces.

[ebbowron]

On 10/11/2023 at 3:21 PM, Pnwpingi210 said:

Might have to do with weight distribution?  Looks like they mostly used the old jailbird head molds and inserted the new weights in the front of the putter.  Maybe putting even more weight in the front of the head messes up the feel?

 

also pros play on much much much faster greens than most the the retail customers will ever step foot on.  I couldn’t imagine swinging a 400+ gram head in on an uphill 30 footer on a furry, muni or public green.  Would feel like croquet.

 

all of this is pure speculation.

The real version is 600+ grams. Like you can see the lead tape build up. And honestly when I did it (added the tape), it didn’t feel THAT different, but it all of the sudden got the ball to the hole. I think it is just because with a mid-counter balance, the amount of weight seems less noticeable?

 

I got my WH but had knee surgery today so haven’t had a chance to roll it. I love the MH on 8.5-9.5 greens but considering just keeping both and having the WH (w same weight set up) for faster greens 

[KMeloney]

My preordered 39" just came in last week. Still have it in the plastic as I figure out what I'm going to do with it... But it seems really well balanced and seems like it would be a pretty natural transition from my 2-Ball.

 

I know some of you are trying to figure out still where to place your hands on the grip. And maybe this question is entirely dependent on whether your hands are placed lower, in the middle, or higher on the grip, but... How are you moving this putter for the best results? Anyone employ a forward press to start the stroke? Are you finding you're mostly rocking the shoulders, or are you mostly hands? Given the long grip and the counter-balance aspect behind it, do you find that your hands act like a pivot point there on the grip (where the top of the grip moves forward as the club head goes back), or are you moving the whole grip back and through?

 

Interested in hearing if your previous stroke works just the same with this putter, or you've needed to make changes to your stroke.

[sixfootnick]

I'm using this putter much like an armlock.  No wrist hinge, the whole grip moves back and through.  The weight keeps my hands quiet so better distance control.  That's the plan anyways.

[Sankacoffee]

9 minutes ago, KMeloney said:

My preordered 39" just came in last week. Still have it in the plastic as I figure out what I'm going to do with it... But it seems really well balanced and seems like it would be a pretty natural transition from my 2-Ball.

 

I know some of you are trying to figure out still where to place your hands on the grip. And maybe this question is entirely dependent on whether your hands are placed lower, in the middle, or higher on the grip, but... How are you moving this putter for the best results? Anyone employ a forward press to start the stroke? Are you finding you're mostly rocking the shoulders, or are you mostly hands? Given the long grip and the counter-balance aspect behind it, do you find that your hands act like a pivot point there on the grip (where the top of the grip moves forward as the club head goes back), or are you moving the whole grip back and through?

 

Interested in hearing if your previous stroke works just the same with this putter, or you've needed to make changes to your stroke.

I haven't taken the plastic off the WH, but on the MH I forward press anytime there's distance. It definitely adds loft if I don't and will hop like crazy (crosshand at least. Haven't noticed it regular putting). That happens to me sometimes anyway if I don't press but I've notice it more with the MH. Mid and short putts it rolls very pure for me though.

[onthebogeytrain]

On 10/12/2023 at 10:46 PM, ebbowron said:

The real version is 600+ grams. Like you can see the lead tape build up. And honestly when I did it (added the tape), it didn’t feel THAT different, but it all of the sudden got the ball to the hole. I think it is just because with a mid-counter balance, the amount of weight seems less noticeable?

 

I got my WH but had knee surgery today so haven’t had a chance to roll it. I love the MH on 8.5-9.5 greens but considering just keeping both and having the WH (w same weight set up) for faster greens 

I’ve seen the specs at 400 grams. There is no chance its 600 grams

 

[ebbowron]

1 hour ago, onthebogeytrain said:

I’ve seen the specs at 400 grams. There is no chance its 600 grams

 

Ok. I have nothing to prove lol. 

[BYK]

5 hours ago, ebbowron said:

Ok. I have nothing to prove lol. 

Holy cow 600 gm!

 

Interesting you say it feels no different but rolls even better

wonder how long that took to figure out final HW. Trial and error lol.

[iputts_28]

On 10/13/2023 at 10:55 AM, KMeloney said:

My preordered 39" just came in last week. Still have it in the plastic as I figure out what I'm going to do with it... But it seems really well balanced and seems like it would be a pretty natural transition from my 2-Ball.

 

I know some of you are trying to figure out still where to place your hands on the grip. And maybe this question is entirely dependent on whether your hands are placed lower, in the middle, or higher on the grip, but... How are you moving this putter for the best results? Anyone employ a forward press to start the stroke? Are you finding you're mostly rocking the shoulders, or are you mostly hands? Given the long grip and the counter-balance aspect behind it, do you find that your hands act like a pivot point there on the grip (where the top of the grip moves forward as the club head goes back), or are you moving the whole grip back and through?

 

Interested in hearing if your previous stroke works just the same with this putter, or you've needed to make changes to your stroke.

I got lucky and found a MH at a local shop recently. I'm 2.5 rounds in and am loving it.  I'm coming from a Stroke Lab Ten (original) and haven't made any changes to my stroke, other than I let the putter "swing" more.  I do a slight fwd press and find it still works with the Versa.  I keep thinking, maybe I've been putting wrong all these years, not letting the putter swing more lol. There's probably a little less hands, and sometimes I do feel like the hands are more of a pivot point, but I don't do anything consciously with the stroke.  It's quite fun to putt now... distance control has been great and short ones even better.  I also messed around holding the putter grip higher, but found that holding the putter around 35-36" (I'm tall) works just fine for me.

[TheMoneyShot]

41 minutes ago, iputts_28 said:

I got lucky and found a MH at a local shop recently. I'm 2.5 rounds in and am loving it.  I'm coming from a Stroke Lab Ten (original) and haven't made any changes to my stroke, other than I let the putter "swing" more.  I do a slight fwd press and find it still works with the Versa.  I keep thinking, maybe I've been putting wrong all these years, not letting the putter swing more lol. There's probably a little less hands, and sometimes I do feel like the hands are more of a pivot point, but I don't do anything consciously with the stroke.  It's quite fun to putt now... distance control has been great and short ones even better.  I also messed around holding the putter grip higher, but found that holding the putter around 35-36" (I'm tall) works just fine for me.

Pretty much the exact same feeling for me when I switched to this style putter about 10 years ago.  It’s definitely great move for some people like myself.  I am also loving my MH version too and think it could find a permanent place in my bag.  It’s sucks that my season is almost over with bad weather setting in. 

[iputts_28]

55 minutes ago, TheMoneyShot said:

Pretty much the exact same feeling for me when I switched to this style putter about 10 years ago.  It’s definitely great move for some people like myself.  I am also loving my MH version too and think it could find a permanent place in my bag.  It’s sucks that my season is almost over with bad weather setting in. 

I'm in the same boat with the weather... it's going to be a long 6 month wait to see how the Versa holds up under pressure in a tournament. 

[TheMoneyShot]

1 hour ago, iputts_28 said:

I'm in the same boat with the weather... it's going to be a long 6 month wait to see how the Versa holds up under pressure in a tournament. 

Did you get the WH version too?  

[iputts_28]

2 hours ago, TheMoneyShot said:

Did you get the WH version too?  

I didn't... I thought about picking up the WH to compare, but the MH felt great in the shop and after my first round I knew I was set with the MH (it doesn't feel all that different to me than the MH star insert on the Ten I'm coming from).  So far I've played 18 on fast greens, 18 on punched greens, and two 9 hole rounds on slowish greens (post punch but healed).  Great putting days across the board.  I really hope this isn't just a honeymoon thing!

[TheMoneyShot]

11 minutes ago, iputts_28 said:

I didn't... I thought about picking up the WH to compare, but the MH felt great in the shop and after my first round I knew I was set with the MH (it doesn't feel all that different to me than the MH star insert on the Ten I'm coming from).  So far I've played 18 on fast greens, 18 on punched greens, and two 9 hole rounds on slowish greens (post punch but healed).  Great putting days across the board.  I really hope this isn't just a honeymoon thing!

Yeah, the MH is a great insert.  To me, I feel like I can slow my stroke down with the MH because the ball comes off quicker (at least that’s how it feels to me).  Its been hard for me to adjust to the MH since I’ve been playing a 38 inch WH Tank for so long.  I still find myself blowing putts past the hole since the ball jumps off the face more.  I may just end up playing the MH on slower greens and the WH on faster greens next season😃

[Kale_m]

Anyone using this as an armlock?

[jak77]

24 minutes ago, Kale_m said:

Anyone using this as an armlock?

 

I haven't yet, but I plan to try it. I'm waiting for the Zenergy Tour 3.0 grip I ordered to come in so I can extend it a few inches to try.

 

Will have to get loft/lie adjusted once I do as well.

[dmecca2]

Is anyone who ordered the MH version still waiting on their putter to arrive? I ordered one through my pro shop who went through a callaway rep, and anytime I ask where it is or if it's on the way they tell me that I'm last on the list. Now that everyone is receiving their WH versions, I would think that odyssey would be done sending out the MH version.