A couple of years ago Odyssey released the White Hot OG range which was designed as a throwback to the original White Hot putters with some added technologies for extra performance. Now it is the turn of the iconic Versa range to get a reboot.
Versa's instantly recognisable black-white-black styling is all about alignment, and a decade after first release, the model that has been used successfully by the likes of Phil Mickelson and Danny Willett has returned.
The new putters also feature the White Hot insert once again, as well as a whole host of Odyssey's newer technologies to bring this already-popular line up to date with modern performance expectations.
We tested the One, which is Odyssey's traditional blade model, to see whether you can get the best of both worlds - iconic styling coupled with the latest and greatest technology.
The Tech
Odyssey say that one of the biggest issues when it comes to golfers making or missing putts is alignment, and just the smallest errors in judgement can be the difference between saving par or recording another bogey.
The brand employed the expertise of Phil Kenyon, the putting instructor who has worked alongside the likes of Tommy Fleetwood, Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka, and he encouraged them to return to the Versa alignment system.
The idea is that the contrast in the colours highlights the proper face angle from address to impact, making it easier for you to align your putter head throughout the stroke.
The White Hot insert, which is arguably the most famous and most popular putter face in golf, has returned to provide the winning combination of feel, sound and performance to every model in the range.
The putters also feature the latest generation of the multi-material Stroke Lab shaft, which has shortened the steel section to reduce weight by 7 grams. It has also been made stiffer and more stable to provide more consistency in the stroke, and features a new red shaft which you will see across all Odyssey putters with Stroke Lab technology.
There are five different models in the Versa range, from classic blade shapes (One) to Odyssey's iconic fang-shape (Seven) and the new super-forgiving mallet (Twelve), with a range of different neck options also.
Odyssey White Hot Versa One Putter Review
Looks and Feel
The One is a pretty classic looking Anser-style blade putter, with heel-toe weighting and a moderate toe-hang which is best suited to golfers with a slight arc and face rotation.
As a big Newcastle fan I loved the black and white colour scheme, and I actually really enjoyed the fact that you can see the contrast between the two during the stroke. This contrast also helped me to pick up the topline alignment line which I always like to have on any putter that I use.
The putter sits great behind the ball, it's pretty much identical in shape to my existing Odyssey Metal-X putter so it felt very familiar when standing over putts which was a big plus for me personally. As most of you will know, so much of how we rate the looks of a putter is down to personal preferences, so you'll have to make your own mind up here.
In all honesty I'm probably in the minority of golfers who doesn't love the White Hot insert. When I have tested it in the past, I found it a little firm and clicky, but I'd say that it's starting to win me round a little more, especially given the performance.
I actually felt like the Versa One delivered a great sound and feel off the face, providing just the right level of firmness with a healthy reassuring sound at impact.
The Stroke Lab grip is slightly thicker than I normally use but felt nice in the hands and encouraged enough feel without it seeming like the wrists were getting too involved, something that lots of golfers struggle with.
Performance
Having tested the Versa for a while on the putting green and then for 18 holes on the course I can't say for sure whether my alignment had improved but I did feel as if I putted well and was running the ball at the hole pretty consistently.
On short putts in particular I found that the visual of the black and white made it easier to see where the head was during the stroke and eliminate any pushes or pulls.
Stroke Lab shafts have been around for a few years now and they're one of those things that are really hard to prove whether it works or not - I don't think I've ever really seen conclusive evidence but I did enjoy the overall weighting of the putter and found that my pace control was good, so perhaps it is doing something.
I also quite liked the addition of the red to the shaft, having first tested it on the White Hot OG Double Wide Putter last year, and even if you're not 100% sure on the technology you may enjoy the visual appeal it offers.
I found that I had more consistent results on long-range putts than with my existing putter, perhaps due to the Stroke Lab shaft and added weights on the sole which provided a little more consistency.
I have a tendency to strike most putts from the toe but I felt like this wasn't as much of an issue with this putter.
Blade putters are not something that suit everyone but for me I just love the feel of the smaller head and the workability you get from it, and this putter had that with a little more stability which is a big win.
One of the main things you need from a putter is confidence that you're going to be able to hole the putt, and that's what this White Hot Versa One model did for me.
Odyssey White Hot Versa One Putter Verdict
Over the last few years we've seen a number of the big brands reviving iconic names from the past. From Ping's Eye2 wedge to the Wilson Dynapower to TaylorMade's Burner and now Odyssey's Versa, it's nice to see that these familiar clubs from years gone by can still be celebrated.
The new Versa range takes all of the recognisable aspects you remember from the line but with the brand's newest technologies which is a pretty impressive package.
There are five models to choose from, which is not quite as many as you might usually expect from Odyssey, but with a mixture of blades, mid-mallets and high MOI mallets, there should be something for everyone.
Who Is It Aimed At?
If you're someone who enjoys visual cues with your putting then they are well worth a closer look, particularly if you're a golfer that struggles with alignment too.
Would I Use It?
I'm very tempted, although I'd say I prefer the more traditional grip/shaft option on my own Odyssey putter so I may take a bit more persuasion. I did like the Versa design though, and I was impressed with the consistency particularly on longer putts.
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