Odyssey has launched a new range of putters called Ai-One and Ai-One Milled that boast insert technologies that create more consistent ball speeds, even on off-centre hits.
Borrowing AI-technology that was introduced to enhance the performance and forgiveness of Callaway drivers, engineers at sister brand Odyssey began experimenting with AI to create putter faces that improved distance control, telling the computers to test various materials, insert shapes and designs.
Odyssey said the Ai-One insert results in putts that finish an average 21 percent closer to the hole. That means a putt that would have stopped 5 feet short should now come to rest just under 4 feet from the cup. That may not sound like a lot, but as every golfer who struggles with three-putts knows, every inch is critical.
Odyssey was able to show staff professional Jon Rahm that switching to a putter with an Ai-ONE insert could reduce his three-putt percentage by nearly 50 percent. He had 23 three putts for the season before the Tour Championship. Odyssey engineers presented the case to the Spaniard showing that speed consistency could help him get this figure to 12 and could move his ‘strokes gained’ putting average from 0.48 before the start of the Tour Championship, which ranked 23rd on the PGA Tour, to 0.68, which would have been ninth. Odyssey also revealed to Rahm that his three-putts cost him more than $2.5 million in prize money. When presented with the stats Rahm, who is a notoriously hard to get into new equipment, changed just two weeks before the Ryder Cup.
Ai-ONE
A multi-material construction includes unique contours on the back of the face that minimise ball speed losses on off-centre hits, and greatly increase the sweet spot. The Ai-ONE urethane insert delivers more consistent ball speeds, even from off-centre hits, leaving putts up to 21% closer to the hole.
To achieve this level of performance, the back of the insert is crafted out of aluminium and a White Hot Urethane is added to the grooved striking surface. These enhancements provide incredible feel, speed control, and consistency.
In a unique addition for Ai-ONE, Odyssey’s designers have developed a Panlite window that makes the contours visible; it’s built from an automotive grade polymer that provides great clarity and scratch resistance. technology.
A lightweight SL 90 steel shaft with 20-30 grams (depending on the grip) of counterbalance weight is placed in the butt end, an evolution of Odyssey’s Stroke Lab Weighting that will appeal to even more golfers. These putters all feature a beautiful navy blue PVD finish that really sets them apart and gives them a premium look.
Ai-ONE Milled
The new Ai-ONE Milled putters feature a 100% milled stainless steel body fit along with a 100% milled titanium insert.
This multi-material construction includes unique contours on the back of the face that minimise ball speed losses on off-centre hits, and greatly increase the sweet spot. With Ai-ONE Milled, putts finish closer to the hole on average than a traditional milled putter.
The unique champagne finish complements the navy blue PVD of the head to give the putter a rich and striking look that sets it apart from other offerings. A lightweight SL 90 steel shaft with 20-30 grams (depending on the grip) of counterbalance weight is placed in the butt end, creating an evolution of Stroke Lab Weighting.
Models, Pricing and Availability
The Odyssey Ai-ONE and Ai-ONE Milled Putters will be available at retail and online on November 3 with an RRP of €349 for Ai-ONE or €549 for Ai-ONE Milled.
Ai-ONE head shapes include #1, Double Wide DB, Rossie S, #7S, and #7CH.Ai-ONE Milled head shapes will include the One T, Two T, Three T, Six T, Seven T DB, Seven T CH, Eight T, and Eleven T. More shapes will also be introduced into the AI-One line-up from March 2024.