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MODEL PLAYED: Odyssey Versa Jailbird putter.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: This putter has a very nice look. I was drawn to the eye-catching design of the putterhead as, to me, it seems like you would find correct alignment easier to achieve. The weight of it feels really good, slightly lighter than I am used to, but in practising with it I liked the way I was able to quickly develop a smooth, repeatable stroke.

VERDICT: Every benefit I anticipated before using the Versa Jailbird putter I discovered once taking it onto the course. I made a lot of putts with it and found I was able to roll most putts much straighter.

It was very easy to feel comfortable with this putter. It was as if I was striking the ball with a piece of rubber – it just had a beautifully soft feel rather than a clank when the putterhead connected with the ball. Impact felt smooth and the ball rolled extremely smoothly off the face. I regularly holed ten- and 12-foot putts with the Versa Jailbird, which gets your attention pretty quickly. I liked using it very much and found I grew in confidence and comfort using it as the round went on. Borrowed putters often behave well at first but this one was difficult to give back.

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MODEL PLAYED: Odyssey White Hot Pro Havok putter.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: The three alignment dots and two stripes are visually appealing and lining up to your target looks as though it would be straightforward. Weight-wise it feels good – perhaps a little heavier than the putter I use but that extra mass feels comfortable. I like the look of this putter; it just looks like you could hole putts with it.

VERDICT: It took me a few holes to get the pace right as I found I was rolling putts with the White Hot Pro Havok too far past the cup at first. I didn’t leave many putts short, which is usually one of my bad putting habits.

The alignment features proved to be very useful. The three dots tended to indicate whether I was pointing along the correct line and the two stripes helped me swing the putter through in the chosen direction. I pulled a few putts but that’s the user and not the machinery! It felt good at impact and sounded good, too. I did sink a few nice putts with the Havok but not vastly more, but I’d attribute that to the guy holding the putter.

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FACTS AND FIGURES

SUITABILITY: All golfers.

MODELS AND SHAPES: The three new models of Odyssey putters include the White Hot Pro Havok, Versa Jailbird and Tank Versa, which is available in three shapes.

LEFT-HANDED MODELS?: Yes.

HOW MUCH?: $219 (Versa Jailbird), $229 (White Hot Pro Havok), $280 (Tank Versa).

ODYSSEY SAYS: “The ultra-high moment of inertia Havok putter is an extension to Odyssey’s ever-popular White Hot Pro line-up, providing more forgiveness. It also features a new version of the White Hot insert – the No.1 insert on Tour – which has been highly engineered for more consistent sound, feel and performance across the striking surface. The lower centre of gravity creates forward roll and helps improve distance control and accuracy, while the EyeFit fitting system helps golfers select the model that best fits their stroke.

“Odyssey has taken the next step in high-contrast alignment with its new Double Versa Technology to highlight the proper face angle at address, through the stroke and at impact. This black and white contrast allows the your eyes to focus on the putter’s linear designs to accentuate the face angle and improve concentration.

“The new Tank Versa putters marry the Tour-proven counterbalance design features of the Tank line with Odyssey’s Versa high-contrast alignment system. The Tank design relies on specifically weighted components with a Tour-preferred balance point for a higher moment of inertia and greater stability through impact. Stability weighting and a heavier (400-gram) head and shaft (150g) quiet the hands during the stroke to provide consistent control and keep the wrists from breaking down. Available in 2-Ball, #1 and #7 head shapes.”

Contact Odyssey Golf on 1800 217 777 or visit www.odysseygolf.com