Odyssey is a popular brand in the golf industry, known for producing high-quality putters for players of all skill levels. Their putters feature cutting-edge technology and innovative design to help golfers improve their accuracy and consistency on the greens. One of their most popular putter models is the Odyssey 7, which has recently been updated with the release of the Odyssey 7S. In this article, we will take a closer look at these two putters and compare their features and performance.
Overview of Odyssey 7 Putter
The Odyssey 7 putter has been a favorite among golfers for several years. It is a mallet-style putter that features a multi-material construction to help improve alignment and stability. The head of the putter is made from stainless steel, while the perimeter weighting is made from tungsten, which helps to increase the moment of inertia (MOI) and reduce the effects of off-center hits.
The 7 putter also features Odyssey’s White Hot insert, which is designed to provide a soft feel and consistent roll. The insert is made from a thermoplastic elastomer material that is infused with tiny bubbles to create a responsive feel and reduce skidding.
Overview of Odyssey 7S Putter
The Odyssey 7S putter is an updated version of the Odyssey 7, featuring a few design tweaks and enhancements. The most noticeable difference is the addition of Odyssey’s Stroke Lab shaft, which is designed to improve the golfer’s stroke mechanics and tempo. The shaft is made from a lightweight graphite material that is 40 grams lighter than a standard steel shaft. The weight savings are then redistributed to the head and grip of the putter, which helps to improve the overall balance and feel.
The 7S putter also features a Microhinge Star insert, which is an upgrade from the White Hot insert found on the Odyssey 7. The Microhinge Star insert is made from a thermoplastic elastomer material that has small hinges built into it. The hinges are designed to flex and rebound at impact, which creates topspin and helps to start the ball rolling more quickly.
Comparison of Odyssey 7 vs. 7S
Design and Construction: The Odyssey 7 and 7S putters are both mallet-style putters with similar head shapes and multi-material constructions. The 7S putter features a Stroke Lab shaft, which is not found on the Odyssey 7.
Insert Technology: The Odyssey 7 putter features a White Hot insert, while the 7S putter features a Microhinge Star insert. The Microhinge Star insert is designed to provide a quicker, more consistent roll than the White Hot insert.
Price: The Odyssey 7 putter is generally less expensive than the 7S putter. This is due in part to the fact that the 7S putter features newer technology and design upgrades.
Performance: Both putters are designed to improve accuracy and consistency on the greens. The Stroke Lab shaft on the 7S putter is designed to improve stroke mechanics and tempo, while the Microhinge Star insert is designed to provide a quicker, more consistent roll.
Alignment: One of the key differences between the Odyssey 7 and 7S putters is their alignment aids. The Odyssey 7 features a single alignment line on the top of the putter head, while the 7S has three alignment lines. The additional lines on the 7S can be helpful for golfers who struggle with alignment and need more visual aids to help them line up their putts.
Weighting: Both the Odyssey 7 and 7S putters have perimeter weighting to increase the MOI and improve stability on off-center hits. However, the weighting is slightly different between the two putters. The 7S putter has a heavier head and grip, which helps to counterbalance the lighter Stroke Lab shaft. This weight distribution can create a smoother stroke and better overall balance.
Feel: Another key factor in choosing a putter is the feel of the putter. Both the Odyssey 7 and 7S putters have a soft feel, thanks to their inserts. However, the Microhinge Star insert on the 7S putter is designed to provide a more consistent, smoother roll. Some golfers may prefer the feel of the White Hot insert on the 7 putter, while others may prefer the Microhinge Star insert on the 7S putter.
Availability: The Odyssey 7 putter has been on the market for several years and is widely available at golf retailers and online. The 7S putter is a newer model and may be more difficult to find in stock. However, the 7S putter is gaining popularity and may become more widely available in the future.
Which Putter is Right for You?
When choosing between the Odyssey 7 and 7S putters, there are a few key factors to consider. Here are some questions to ask yourself to help make your decision:
- What is my budget? The Odyssey 7 putter is generally less expensive than the 7S putter. If price is a significant factor in your decision, the 7 putter may be the better choice.
- Do I need help with alignment? The Odyssey 7S putter features three alignment lines, which can be helpful for golfers who struggle with alignment. If you need more visual aids to help you line up your putts, the 7S putter may be a better choice.
- How important is technology to me? The Odyssey 7S putter features newer technology, including the Stroke Lab shaft and Microhinge Star insert. If you want the latest and greatest technology in your putter, the 7S putter may be the way to go.
- How does the putter feel to me? Both the Odyssey 7 and 7S putters have a soft feel, but the inserts provide different feedback. If you prefer a quicker, more consistent roll, the Microhinge Star insert on the 7S putter may be a better choice. If you prefer a softer feel, the White Hot insert on the 7 putter may be a better choice.
Putters based on Length and Weight
| Model | Length (inches) | Weight (grams) | Loft (degrees) | Lie Angle (degrees) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 34 | 350 | 3 | 70 |
| 7s | 35 | 365 | 3 | 70 |
| 7 | 35 | 350 | 3 | 70 |
| 7s | 34 | 365 | 3 | 70 |
| 7 | 33 | 350 | 3 | 70 |
| 7s | 34 | 360 | 3 | 70 |
| 7 | 34 | 355 | 3 | 70 |
| 7s | 35 | 370 | 3 | 70 |
| 7 | 35 | 360 | 3 | 70 |
| 7s | 33 | 365 | 3 | 70 |
Grip Style and Material
| Model | Grip Style | Grip Material | Grip Size | Shaft Material |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Pistol | Rubber | Standard | Steel |
| 7s | SuperStroke | Rubber | Jumbo | Steel |
| 7 | Pistol | Rubber | Jumbo | Steel |
| 7s | SuperStroke | Rubber | Standard | Steel |
| 7 | Oversized | Rubber | Standard | Steel |
| 7s | SuperStroke | Rubber | Midsize | Steel |
| 7 | Oversized | Rubber | Jumbo | Steel |
| 7s | SuperStroke | Rubber | Oversized | Steel |
| 7 | Oversized | Rubber | Midsize | Steel |
| 7s | SuperStroke | Rubber | Standard | Graphite |
Head Material and Face Insert
| Model | Head Material | Face Insert | Face Balance | Toe Hang |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Stainless Steel | Microhinge | Face-Balanced | Slight Arc |
| 7s | Stainless Steel | White Hot | Slight Toe Hang | Moderate Arc |
| 7 | Aluminum | White Hot | Slight Toe Hang | Moderate Arc |
| 7s | Stainless Steel | Microhinge | Face-Balanced | Slight Arc |
| 7 | Aluminum | Microhinge | Slight Toe Hang | Moderate Arc |
| 7s | Stainless Steel | White Hot | Slight Toe Hang | Moderate Arc |
| 7 | Stainless Steel | White Hot | Slight Toe Hang | Moderate Arc |
| 7s | Aluminum | Microhinge | Face-Balanced | Slight Arc |
| 7 | Stainless Steel | Microhinge | Slight Toe Hang | Moderate Arc |
Putters based on Alignment Aids
| Model | Alignment Aid | Sightline Color | Sightline Style | Sightline Length (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 2 Ball | White | Dash | 3 |
| 7s | 3 Ball | Red | Dash | 4 |
| 7 | Single Ball | Black | Line | 2 |
| 7s | Triple Track | Blue | Line | 3 |
| 7 | 2 Ball | White | Line | 3 |
| 7s | Triple Track | Red | Line | 2 |
| 7 | Single Ball | Black | Dash | 4 |
| 7s | 3 Ball | Blue | Line | 4 |
| 7 | Triple Track | White | Line | 2 |
| 7s | Single Ball | Black | Line | 3 |
Price and Availability
| Model | Price ($) | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 199.99 | Widely available |
| 7s | 219.99 | Widely available |
| 7 | 209.99 | Widely available |
| 7s | 229.99 | Widely available |
| 7 | 189.99 | Widely available |
| 7s | 209.99 | Widely available |
| 7 | 199.99 | Widely available |
| 7s | 229.99 | Widely available |
| 7 | 209.99 | Widely available |
| 7s | 239.99 | Limited release |
Conclusion
In summary, both the Odyssey 7 and 7S putters are excellent choices for golfers looking to improve their putting performance. The 7S putter features a few design upgrades and newer technology, including the Stroke Lab shaft and Microhinge Star insert. However, these enhancements come at a higher price point. Ultimately, the choice between the two putters will come down to personal preference and budget. Golfers should try both putters out on the greens to see which one feels best for their game.
