Odyssey Golf released the Ai-ONE putter line recently and it comes with a whole bunch of upgrades over the previous Tri-Hot 5k line you may have read about in 2023’s Most Wanted Mallet Putters.
This year, Odyssey equipped the Ai-ONE Putter line with a unique White Hot face insert designed to get your putts closer to the hole. Looking through the Ai-ONE window on certain models shows the unique topography of the insert. This is supposed to keep a consistent ball speed on all puts, even if you miss the sweet spot.
Also included in the Ai-ONE lineup of putters is the SL90 shaft which is an updated take on Stroke Lab tech with a counterbalance weight included in the design to appeal to even more golfers. Lastly, the heads are colored in a navy-blue PVD that sets them apart from the crowd and offers a premium look.
Selection Process
Our Forum staff handpicked four testers for the Odyssey Ai-ONE putters. After our testers completed their fittings and submitted final specs, putters were built and shipped out for their review.
How much closer to the hole would the Ai-ONE putters get our testers to the hole? Read on to find out!
Insights from Testers
Initial Impressions and First Swings
Our testers found the overall package of the Ai-ONE putters to be cohesive and well thought-out with plenty of color coordination from the head and headcover all the way down to the shaft label and grip design.
Blaine Dye: “The worst part of my game is definitely my putting, but that also means I feel like I am perfect for this test because I have been putting a lot of time into my putting. I love the Blue on the putter and on the cover. It pops and stands out and the Window in the putter is a bonus point to me because it makes the putter unique!”
TJ Hall: “I would consider myself a very streaky putter…have days where I can’t miss and others where I have no idea where the ball is going off the putter.” When he first un Blue would not be a color I would normally go to on my own, but it works for this putter. The blue and white are striking…blue is just the right hue. The 7S has multiple lines to help with set-up and alignment…really frames the ball nicely when sitting behind it.”
Love At First Putt?
Rob Person “did spend quite some time deliberating between the DB and the Rossie S models when applying to this test. The DB profile fits in between the two (double wide blade), and is what I believed I would look for if I was shopping for a new putter.” Once he got it in hand he immediately noticed the AI-ONE window at the back of the putter. “It was really hard to not just stare at it and lose complete track of time. It’s like looking into the proverbial “window to the soul”.
I am not sure it provides any actual performance enhancement, but they crushed it in the visual appeal department for sure!” Next he got to work and started rolling some putts. “I took a few strokes and hit about 6 balls. Then I couldn’t believe how well the ball responded to the face. The feedback was quite a positive revelation for me, as I now realize what I had been lacking in my putting.”
Buckpillar: “As I look back my first thoughts about AI technology were that this is just another concept to sell more putters. After unboxing and taking a few practice strokes I thought this feels good, better than my old Odyssey that’s been in the bag for years. The dark blue matte finish on the head was easy on the eyes and the white alignment marking popped off the putter head and made setting up to the line easy.”
On the Practice Green
Our testers got right to work on the putting green or using their in-home practice set-ups. Some of the setups our testers had are similar to what you’d see here on our Best Indoor Putting Greens of 2023. Some testers reported immediate improvement in their lag putting and touch.
Blaine Dye: “On the practice green I have noticed my make range go out about 2-3 feet from where it was and my number of 3 putts is almost non-existent.” He said that is an impressive feat “coming from the guy who 3 putts at least 3-4 times a round.”
TJ Hall: “No issues on putts of any direction…uphill, downhill, left to right or right to left. This putter inspires confidence!”
Rob Person: “Distance Control – This was something I personally struggled for a long time with. I can say unequivocally that with the DB, I do not miss that struggle at all! The putter responds to pressure and speed inputs very well.”
Buckpillar: “As I began testing, I first noticed the balance and feel of the putter. The weights in the head and the counterbalance in the butt end was perfect. It almost felt as if it could swing itself.”
On-Course Results
Practice green results are great but how did these putters perform under the pressure on the course?
Our testers saw the great performance from the practice green carry over to the real course using Odyssey Ai-ONE putters. They found the forgiveness on mishits to be game-changing as they were closer to the hole using the Ai-ONE putter versus their gamers.
TJ Hall: “This putter really shined on the course…I felt in control with every putt I hit.” Our tester found the speed control and lag putting to be “incredible” and he was set up for many tap-ins. He also mentioned that he “made so many putts with the Ai-ONE that I had people asking what I was playing.”
Rob Person said “the Odyssey AI-ONE DB putter performed better than I could have anticipated throughout this test. The learning curve to adapt to this putter was unbelievably quick for me! It feels natural in my hands, and has increased my confidence on the course. Their claims of more forgiveness hold true in my opinion.”
Buckpillar had great success on the course with his Ai-ONE putter for “any kind of putt you can imagine.” He felt confidence in the putter and tech that he could sink them all. He found “that during the course of a round that I would gain 1.72 strokes for 18 holes from the data I recorded during testing.”
Gripping and Finish Questions
Our testers loved the performance of the Ai-ONE models. If there was an area for improvement noted, not everyone loved the stock grip and there were a few notes of early wear on the finish.
Blaine Dye: “For me personally I think the grip is too skinny, I like the big fat grips but again just picking and installing a new grip on it fixes that.”
TJ Hall: “So many things…distance control, feel off the face, grip (after initial period), weighting, color scheme.” What he noticed was that “the grip felt a little slippery out of the box, but overall was not an issue; second, the giant Stroke Lab sticker on the shaft. It has not been an issue so far but feel like it could wear over time.”
Rob Person: “After barely 5 days, the PVD finish along the back edge of the putter began rubbing off. I don’t know why this area has been affected. The head cover does not have any issues inside the liner. It has never been dragged across any surface. And while this doesn’t affect the performance of the putter, it definitely raises a concern for questioning the longevity aspect.” However, he did note as of the time of his final review there was no further wear to the finish.
Buckpillar didn’t have much to complain about. His only real suggestion was to add a label to the weights so it is easy to tell what to order if you want heavier or lighter. It also sounds like he’s like to see some custom options for alignment aids.
The Final Verdict
All four of our testers are keeping the Ai-ONE putters in their bag! They all feel that the secret sauce in the Ai-ONE White Hot putter face is living up to the hype and performing well.
Our four Odyssey Ai-ONE testers summarized their reviews as follows:
“If you are in the market for a putter don’t overlook the Odyssey Ai-ONE line because not only are they a good-looking putter, but they are ULTRA forgiving and great at getting a consistent speed no matter where on the face you hit it!” – Blaine Dye
“If you are in the market for a new putter (or struggling with speed/distance control), I recommend giving this putter a shot. Putts roll smoothly from on/off the green and the overall look of the putter is stunning. This putter is not leaving my bag…except to go sink some putts!” – TJ Hall
“I have reduced my average number of 3 putts to less than 10%, and increased my 1 putts by 20%. Who doesn’t love to reduce strokes? From its unique “window to the soul” feature, to the integrated AI Insert technology, I was unable to find any particular facet of this putter’s capabilities deficient. I would not hesitate to put it to the test against any putter out there!” – Rob Person
“The new AI#1 CH putter is a keeper and will be for a long time. I really don’t see any other brands in the rearview mirror of this putter. The technology is that far advanced at this moment, quality, looks and most of all the performance it delivers, will benefit any golfer who puts it in play.” – Buckpillar
Want to read the full reviews? Go here: Forum Member Reviews: Odyssey Ai-ONE Putters
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