This is my first time testing a zero torque putter so I was intrigued to see whether Odyssey’s S2S Tri-Hot could really make a difference to my performance on the greens.
With a huge price tag of £499, it’s going to have to really help me to hole more putts if I’m going to consider recommending it to other golfers!
Centre-shafted putters have never been a favourite of mine, even despite testing a number of different head shapes, as I am much more used to seeing the shaft entering at the heel.
However I have previously tested and enjoyed using the Rossie shape, which I used in the Ai-One range, and I’m testing that shape again in this review.
It also reminds me a little bit of the TaylorMade Spider GT Rollback which I had in the bag a while back, so I enjoy that compact rounded mallet shape. Perhaps Odyssey’s latest updates could provide the combination that I’m looking for?
Who Is It Aimed At?
Given that price tag I think you need to be a pretty avid golfer who is really into their technology and invested in the game to consider buying this putter.
Zero torque is something that, in the amateur game, might be used more often by high handicap golfers or those who really struggle with putting. That’s because the technology is designed to encourage more consistent strokes.
However I could also see low handicap ‘tinkerers’ who are looking for something new to make a difference. We all have that one member of the four-ball who’s constantly got something new in the bag – this could be for them.
The Tech
The new S2S Tri-Hot range combines Odyssey’s existing Tri-Hot technology with the benefits of Square 2 Square, which was first introduced last year.
The big difference with this range, compared to lots of other zero torque models, is that the multi-material build allows Odyssey to move weight much further forward in the head.
This means that the shaft sits closer to the face, which is a more natural position, as well as stopping the need for a grip with pre-built shaft lean.
In total more than 80% of the putter’s weight is under the topline, thanks to the use of more than 140g of tungsten along with aluminium and steel. Tungsten has been used in previous Tri-Hot ranges that we’ve tested, and perhaps explains some of that high price tag.
There’s also a new Ai-Dual insert. This features a soft outer layer and a firmer inner layer, and is designed to offer consistent speeds across the face. It combines with a Forward Roll Design (FRD) groove, which is deeper and sharper, to try and improve roll.
Odyssey have also upgraded their grip offering, with a new Pistol Plus which has sharper edges. This is said to sit better in the hands, and give better awareness of the face.
Odyssey S2S Tri-Hot Rossie Putter Review
Looks
As I’ve mentioned, the price tag is high, but I can’t deny the fact that the finish and build quality of these putters is fantastic.
The overall package is really premium, and the colour, milling, paintwork and attention to detail, right down to the Odyssey logo on the sole, look spot on.
To be honest I do find that the red and black colour scheme is a little bit garish for me. I prefer more simple colour schemes, and I feel like this putter would look fantastic as a gun metal or a rust finish.
Red and black is a tiny bit garish for me – I prefer more simple colour schemes. Would look great as a gun metal or rust finish.
The headcover was very good quality, but I did find that the double magnet design was quite fiddly and annoying to use.
Another thing I quickly noticed was the alignment aid, which was pretty unique. The white paint really stands out, but it took a bit of getting used to as it reflected off the black shaft due to it’s central position.
However I can imagine some golfers who struggle with alignment really enjoying this, as the white really pops.
Feel
I found that the feel of this putter was extremely impressive.
In the past I have not been a massive fan of Odyssey inserts. This isn’t one of their White Hot inserts, but as soon as I see an Odyssey putter with a white face, I can’t help but think of that clicky feel that White Hot produces. This doesn’t do that, thankfully.
It was a far more solid reaction with a more muted, tasteful feel at impact. I think it feels more premium, and ties in well with the rest of the premium package.
Straight away it felt like I was getting a good roll, and it was easy to produce consistent performance across the face.
As you’d expect with a Tri-Hot mallet, it did feel solid and reliable whilst putting. It didn’t feel like there was too much movement in the stroke.
Considering the weight has been pushed forward I still felt like there was balance to the head and forgiveness there too.
I remember testing the TaylorMade Spider FCG a few years back, and this had a similar concept in terms of pushing all the weight forward in the head, but this putter felt much more stable.
Performance
When it comes to performance, this putter did take a bit of getting used to. However this is not uncommon for zero torque putters.
This is because there’s a bit more of a traditional look at address. I still felt as if I was looking at a lot of face and a lot of loft down at the ball, but I think it’s an easier switch compared to some other models with lots of forward press or funky hosel placements.
I enjoyed using the Rossie on longer putts. It was still easy to strike out of the middle, and gave me more confidence to commit to the stroke without worrying about strike.
On short putts it was really solid – this is where these putters might give you an extra benefit. Over the course of a season I think you will miss fewer short putts, as the face is designed to stay more stable and stop those little pushes or pulls.
Distance control does take some time to get used to because there is a bit of extra weight and stability in there, which in some ways takes away from the overall feel.
However I did enjoy the feel of the grip in my hands. The new pistol grip still felt like a nice Odyssey grip, but felt a bit firmer than some of their previous putters which gave me a bit more feedback and helped to complete the package. The new, more pronounced ridges on the edges do help you to keep a squarer face too.
Odyssey S2S Tri-Hot Rossie Putter Verdict
Overall I enjoyed using the Rossie – it didn’t transform my putting but I definitely found plus points in there too.
It takes a bit of time to get used to, but I think you would start to see the benefits of using it after a while if you can commit to the zero torque technology and spend the time to get to know it.
The performance was good, but obviously I can’t review it without also looking at value for money too.
Odyssey really have done a great job, as it’s a fantastic looking putter with lots of performance benefits, but you can’t escape the fact that the price is very high.
Would I Use It?
This is the closest I have ever come to considering using a zero torque, even though I do find the red and black finish a tiny bit garish.
Having said that I still wouldn’t pay for it at that price – although you could say that about a lot of different products in the golf equipment market these days!
