The Callaway Odyssey Versa range of putters takes some of the best putter designs that Odyssey have created and uses a black and white paint job to create alignment aids. Whilst using contrasting colours has been around for a while on mallet putters, this is one of the best applications we have seen for blade putters.
You only need a 1 degree alignment change to miss an 8 foot putt so anything that can assist the player will be a benefit. As you can see from the images, there are 2 options for the alignment lines on each model that give you 4 parallel lines of the colour bands to help you line up the putter.
Which is better? Well it is entirely up to personal preference and having tried all the styles, you may not realise which you prefer until you try them out for real on grass. SAM putter test results by Callaway claimed 53% aligned the putter better and 67% more consistently and 47% improved their impact angle and 73% had more consistent impacts.
So far evidence seems to suggest that the Black/White/Black design is better for improve alignment at address and the White/Black/White is better for returning the Versa putter back to square at impact. We found it was more of a visual preference as I personally found the White/Black/White was better for me, whereas others were the opposite.
There is also the option with the #7 and 2-Ball mallets in the range to have the lines going front to back in the same direction as the stroke. When I saw this on paper I thought that was odd and against the principals I have already explained, but this was actually my preferred design as I must like to see lines go with the stroke rather than align the face. So there. It helped me understand my stroke better and made sense since I have always liked long site lines from the back of the ball. However everyone is different and part of the appeal of the Versa putters is that there are all these options and that they are also all correct!
The Odyssey Versa putter comes with a new white hot insert that sounds and feels a little firmer than the original version which is a good change. Even on the white putters that have the black insert it is still a White Hot insert - just the colour has change. Explain that after a few beers.
The Versa is also the first Odyssey putter to feature the eyeFit custim fitting system. This uses one of 4 'dashes' on the sole of the putter to indicate the type of toe hang for each model. This complements the type of stroke you have depending on where you eyes sit over the ball using a custom putter mirror that most Callaway and Odyssey retailers will have. This is a simple and effective system that will help you make a better choice of putter style for your type of stroke and is another good feature of the Versa putters.
If you are already a Callaway putter owner with one of these models then an upgrade would be a great move as this is one of the best alignment aids around. If you are not already coverted to Odyssey then we would strongly suggest trying the Versa putters out as you need to experience them to see the benefit of the black and white design.
Overall Rating - 5 stars: