Odyssey Putters: 2-Ball, White Hot, and an Overview of All ModelsA

If you look at the golf bags on the PGA Tour, the LPGA, or the DP World Tour, you’ll see the same white face time and time again: an Odyssey Putter. For over 25 years, the brand has been the No. 1 Putter brand worldwide—and that’s no coincidence. Behind this success lie decades of consistent innovation, an iconic insert material, and models that have made history.

This article gives golfers a complete overview of Odyssey Golf putters: from the company’s beginnings in the early 1990s, through the creation of the legendary White Hot insert, to the latest generations of technology centered on artificial intelligence and zero-torque design.

The History of Odyssey Golf—From the Stronomic Insert to Tour Dominance

Odyssey Golf was founded in 1991 and, from the very beginning, embraced a concept that was still unfamiliar at the time: Putter heads made with soft insert materials instead of hard steel or aluminum surfaces. The early models—Rossie I and Rossie II—were made from a polymer called Stronomic. The material was lighter and softer than steel, which provided a significantly more comfortable feel with the golf balls of the time, which were still very hard.

The breakthrough came in 1996, when Nick Faldo won the Masters in Augusta with an Odyssey Dual Force Rossie II—equipped with the Stronomic insert. This victory on golf’s biggest stage instantly brought Odyssey to the attention of a wide audience.

1997: Callaway Acquires Odyssey

One year after its Masters triumph, Odyssey was acquired by Callaway Golf. This partnership would forever change the brand’s history—as it enabled engineers from both companies to work on an idea that would fundamentally transform the putter market.

Learn more here about who owns Odyssey and its parent company, Callaway.

White Hot: The Insert That Changed Everything

In the late 1990s, Callaway founder Ely Callaway asked a seemingly simple question: Why not use the same material for the Putter insert as that used for the golf ball cover? The goal was to achieve what’s known as “ball-on-ball” contact—a strike that feels like two balls colliding.

The result was the White Hot Insert, introduced in 2000. It consisted of a two-component molded urethane blend—the same material used for the Callaway Rule 35, Callaway’s first golf ball.

What makes White Hot so special?

The key lies in what’s known as the flex modulus —the measure of how well a material resists bending forces upon impact. The White Hot Insert feels relatively firm but behaves like a softer material under the force of the Putter stroke. This has a tangible effect on the feel of the shot:

• Consistent sound across the entire face—even on off-center hits
• Efficient energy transfer, comparable to steel Putters
• A feel that immediately won over professional players

Patrick Dawson, Head of Research and Development at Odyssey, described it as follows: “In terms of flex modulus, White Hot is in a completely different league than most off-the-shelf urethane materials.”

Where are Odyssey putters and Callaway golf clubs manufactured? Find out here.

The White Hot Insert Timeline (2000–2021)

Odyssey spent over two decades refining the insert. The key milestones:

Despite all these developments: According to Sean Toulon (SVP Callaway, GM Odyssey), around 60 percent still used the very first White Hot Insert—or the original, reissued in 2021.

The best-selling Putter of all time: The Odyssey 2-Ball

In 2001, Odyssey launched a Putter that literally changed everything: the 2-Ball. The idea was as simple as it was effective—two circular white discs on the putter head, exactly the size and shape of real golf balls. They help players align the putter more precisely with the target line.

The 2-Ball became the most successful Putter model the sport of golf has ever produced —in terms of both sales figures and brand recognition. It proved just as popular on the Tour as it was among recreational golfers. Annika Sörenstam was one of the first major winners to use the Odyssey White Hot 2-Ball, claiming numerous major titles with it.

700+ Wins Worldwide: The White Hot Insert’s Track Record

Since its introduction in 2000, the White Hot Insert has racked up more than 700 victories worldwide —over 100 of them on the PGA Tour alone, plus 48 major titles. Some of the most notable:

Men’s Majors:

• 2005 U.S. Open – Michael Campbell
• 2006 Masters – Phil Mickelson
• 2008 The Open Championship – Pádraig Harrington
• 2010 Masters – Phil Mickelson
• 2010 U.S. Open – Graeme McDowell
• 2016 The Open Championship – Henrik Stenson
• 2018 Masters – Patrick Reed
• 2019 The Open Championship – Shane Lowry

Women’s Majors (Selected):

• 2002–2006 (multiple times) Annika Sörenstam
• 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship – Lexi Thompson
• 2015 KPMG Women’s PGA & Ricoh Women’s British Open – In Bee Park
• 2016 ANA Inspiration – Lydia Ko

In addition, there are numerous titles on the PGA Tour Champions featuring players such as Bernhard Langer, Tom Watson, and Steve Stricker.

Callaway Drivers at a Glance: Quantum, Elyte, AI Smoke, and Rogue ST.

Odyssey Golf Putters Today: The Current Product Lines

Ai-ONE: AI-powered Putter design

With the Ai-ONE line, Odyssey is focusing on machine learning and AI-powered design. At the heart of the design is the Ai-Dual Insert with the FRD (Face Roll Design) groove system: The grooves are arranged at a 19-degree angle to the face. The deeper rear milling ensures more consistent ball speed across the entire striking area.

The insert is complemented by the ½-Ball Alignment System: A semicircular element on the head creates the optical illusion of a ball lying exactly on the target line. Studies by Baylor and Clemson Universities show that this system can improve the hit rate at 1.8 meters by up to 11.3%.

Available Ai-ONE models: #1, #2, #5, #7, Rossie, Jailbird, Double Wide—as well as milled versions for enhanced precision.

Tri-Hot Square 2 Square (S2S): Zero Torque

The S2S line combines the proven White Hot Insert with Zero Torque (ZT) technology. A forward center of gravity (Forward CG) reduces unwanted twisting of the face at impact, ensuring a smoother, more stable roll.

The Tri-Hot S2S line includes the Seven, Jailbird, Rossie, Cruiser, and Double Wide models. High-density tungsten weights (up to 140 g) enable precise center-of-gravity control.

Damascus Milled: Limited-Edition Premium Series

For golfers with the highest standards, Odyssey offers the Damascus Milled putters —a limited edition series featuring fully milled steel heads, a specially developed Damascus steel insert, and an AI-optimized contour structure.

White Hot Versa: The Classic Insert, Reimagined

The White Hot Versa line combines the classic White Hot insert with a high-contrast alignment design. Jeeno Thitikul won the Mizuho Americas Open in March 2025 with an Odyssey White Hot Versa #7.

Learn more about Callaway golf balls here.

Odyssey on the 2025 Tour

Odyssey remains the most-played Putter brand on all major Tours in the 2025 season:

• #1 Putter on the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, and DP World Tour
• #1 Putter at the 2025 majors
• Sam Burns played with an Odyssey Ai-ONE 7S at the 2025 U.S. Open and was the only player in the field with a Strokes Gained Putting of over +1.0 strokes per round
• Jeeno Thitikul won the 2025 Mizuho Americas Open with the White Hot Versa #7
• Two consecutive majors on the PGA Tour Champions were won in 2025 with the Jailbird Mini T

Noteworthy: About 70% of Odyssey players on the Tour are unpaid users —they choose Odyssey out of conviction.

Which Odyssey Putter suits which swing type?

Choosing the right Putter depends primarily on your individual stroke type.

Blade putters (e.g., Odyssey #1, #2, Rossie)

Blade putters are suitable for golfers with an arc-shaped swing (arc stroke). The slimmer head shape complements the natural rotation of the face. The White Hot Insert provides a soft, controlled feel.

Mallet putters (e.g., Odyssey 2-Ball, Ai-ONE #7, Double Wide)

Mallet putters are designed for players with a straight stroke (straight-back, straight-through). The larger head offers more stability and a higher MOI. The 2-Ball and ½-Ball alignment features, in particular, make it easier to align the Putter.

Spider-like designs (e.g., Jailbird, Ai-ONE Jailbird)

These shapes offer maximum forgiveness thanks to a center of gravity positioned far back. The Jailbird is widely used both on the Tour and among amateur players.

Premium Milled (Toulon, Damascus Milled)

Milled putters are designed for golfers who prefer a direct, unfiltered feel at impact. They offer the most precise feel but require a technically sound putting stroke.

Learn more about Callaway irons and iron sets here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Odyssey Putters

What is the most famous Odyssey Putter? The Odyssey 2-Ball is considered the world’s most famous and best-selling Putter model. Its distinctive design, featuring two white circles on the head, makes it instantly recognizable on any course.

What does “White Hot” mean at Odyssey? “White Hot” refers to the two-component urethane insert that Odyssey introduced in 2000. It was developed using the same material as the cover of the Callaway Rule 35 golf ball. The insert combines a soft feel with efficient rolling characteristics and remains the most widely used insert on the PGA Tour to this day.

When did Callaway acquire Odyssey? Callaway Golf acquired Odyssey in 1997, one year after Nick Faldo’s Masters victory with an Odyssey Putter. Since then, Odyssey has been positioned as an independent Putter brand within the Callaway Group.

Which Odyssey Putter is suitable for beginners? Mallet putters from the Ai-ONE or White Hot lines are particularly well-suited for beginners. The ½-ball or 2-ball alignment makes it easier to line up the putt, and the White Hot insert delivers a consistent feel even on slightly off-center strikes.

What is the difference between Odyssey Ai-ONE and White Hot? The Ai-ONE line features an AI-developed dual insert with FRD grooves and modern ½-ball alignment. White Hot is the classic two-component urethane insert, known for its soft feel and true sound. Both lines use White Hot urethane as a base—Ai-ONE further optimizes roll angle and stability using AI methods.