Odyssey has added two new fashions to their Square 2 Square line of Stroke Balanced putters, and they’re going to get individuals speaking.
As a refresher, Odyssey unveiled the primary three Sq. 2 Sq. fashions final fall. These new Stroke Balanced putters have been zero-torque variations of three basic Odyssey designs: the Jailbird, Seven and Double Vast.
Along with being Stroke Balanced, the brand new S2S Max 1 and Max Stripe fashions incorporate different proprietary Odyssey putter applied sciences akin to the Ai-One insert and Stroke Lab shaft. These assistive applied sciences are value-adding inclusions and provides these new fashions a particular Odyssey really feel.
In truth, almost all facets of the S2S Max 1 and Max Stripe are characteristically Odyssey.
All besides one.
The S2S Odyssey Max 1 and Max Stripe.
My normal method for protecting a putter launch is to discover the applied sciences after which dive into the traits of the brand new fashions. I’m going to go together with an abbreviated model of that plan as we speak after which get into the begging query.
As I discussed, the Odyssey Max 1 and Max Stripe are Stroke Balanced putters. Odyssey eliminates torque by having the putter’s hosel positioned on the middle of gravity. Because the putter is balanced across the shaft, it won’t twist in both course, even when swung.
Each fashions are very steady, having MOI values above 6300.
The distinction between the S2S Max 1 and S2S Max Stripe is one in every of alignment. The Max 1 has a brief alignment line on the entrance edge. The aptly named Max Stripe options a big stripe down the middle, visually per Odyssey’s Versa 90 aesthetic.
Whereas this alignment distinction doesn’t appear vital, I’d recommend you roll each fashions to see how the 2 schemes affect your placing. You’ll possible discover a distinction in concentrating on.
By the best way, how cool are these textured wings? They elevate the general cosmetics and that little bit of contrasting texture shifts the visible focus to the middle of the putter.
Odyssey S2S Max 1
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I used to be sure I would favor the Max Stripe but it surely was the Max 1 that went in my bag. Though they’re precisely the identical measurement, the massive stripe makes the Max Stripe seem bigger to me. This isn’t a superb or a foul factor, simply an odd remark.
Odyssey S2S Max Stripe
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Extra importantly, I went with the Max 1 as a result of I used to be far more correct with it. This was considerably stunning as I’m usually an enormous fan of the Versa 90 look. The Jailbird Mini Versa 90 CH is one in every of my favourite putters of 2025.
I used to be shocked that the smaller alignment scheme of the Max 1 was simpler for me. The Max Stripe was nice for common proximity however the Max 1 delivered more precision targeting.
It took me a second however I shortly realized that the alignment scheme on the S2S Max 1 is similar to the alignment scheme on my L.A.B. Golf DF3 gamer and that revelation brings us to the controversy.
Did Odyssey copy L.A.B. Golf?
Once I noticed leaked images of the Odyssey Max 1 on-line just a few months again, I used to be sure they have been AI-generated. Somebody was attempting to rile up the golf-verse by deep faking an Odyssey putter to appear like the L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 3.
It was the proper time for some trolling since Odyssey had simply rolled out their Sq. to Sq. line just a few months prior.
Because it turned out, the photograph wasn’t AI-generated and it wasn’t trolling. Odyssey did in reality constructed a putter that could be very related in form to the DF3.
It’s not equivalent however it’s arduous to disregard the similarities, particularly once you examine the edges of the putters.
Innovation or emulation?
Within the putter enterprise, there are two paths to promoting putters: innovation and emulation.
The innovation pathway is way tougher. Arising with the subsequent Anser, Spider, 2-Ball, SweetFace grooves, White Scorching insert, and so forth is just not a simple activity. Yearly, we see fascinating shapes and revolutionary applied sciences related to new putter releases. Nearly all of the shapes and applied sciences are deserted the next yr for one thing else.
Innovation is a dangerous path. In the event you make a brand new design that doesn’t promote, your organization’s payments head to collections.
It’s fiscally safer, and worthwhile, for an organization to roll out interpretations of confirmed putter designs.
Prospects acknowledge the design and its confirmed observe report. Model loyalists turn out to be overjoyed that their favourite firm has made a model of that standard putter. In different phrases, the corporate sells putters.
The place am I going with this? That is how I see the Max/DF3 state of affairs. Identical to the Newport is Scotty Cameron’s model of the PING Anser, the S2S Max 1 is Odyssey’s model of the L.A.B. Golf DF3.
I’m certain L.A.B. Golf was not too thrilled after they first noticed the Odyssey Max. Maybe they took some pleasure in the truth that the #1 in Golf Odyssey leviathan preferred their design sufficient to make a model of it.
Maybe not.
The distinction this time round is that the earlier Sq. 2 Sq. fashions have been Odyssey shapes, making the competitors with L.A.B. Golf expertise centered.
Now the competitors is definitively putter versus putter.
Might this be a superb factor?
Your center college fitness center trainer advised you that competitors is nice for you. Might that whistle-wielding wiseman be right?
Assume on this for a second. Are there variations of the PING Anser on the market which might be higher than the unique PING Anser?
After all there are. When different corporations made their variations of the Anser, they added their tweaks and twists, and typically they really improved upon the unique.
One in every of my “pry it out of my chilly useless palms” putters is my milled PING Customized PLD Anser and that putter would possible not exist if Bettinardi/Cameron didn’t make milled variations of PING’s authentic design.
Am I saying the L.A.B. Golf DF3 is the zero-torque Anser? I don’t know if I’m able to go that far simply but, however Odyssey making the Max 1 and Max Stripe tells me that they see worth in exploring the form.
Will the Odyssey Max 1 and Max Stripe lure L.A.B. loyalists?
I’ve had my purple L.A.B. Golf DF3 in my bag for some time. Will I be making the change to the S2S Max 1?
To reply that, let’s discuss sporks.
For the uninitiated, a spork is a mix of a spoon and a fork. Someplace alongside the best way, I noticed that sporks have been the last word tenting utensil. Almost your whole ingestion wants might be met with one plastic spork. From that revelation ahead, my camp field contained a bag of sporks.
A number of summers in the past, I purchased a titanium spork. It’s light-weight and almost indestructible. As such, I now not pack plastic sporks. The plastic sporks are completely practical however the titanium spork is a next-level face feeder.
That’s how I believe DF3 house owners will view the Odyssey Max 1. The Max 1 is a extremely, actually, good putter and performs similar to my DF3.
The Odyssey Max putters are wonderful sporks. They’re absolutely practical and do a terrific job on the desk.
If you have already got a custom-fitted titanium spork, although, you might be possible set.
The Odyssey S2S Max goes to be a factor
My takeaway from all of that is that Odyssey is taking the zero-torque market very critically. The Sq. 2 Sq. Jailbird and Seven are promoting in massive numbers, particularly in locations the place L.A.B. Golf has a restricted or no market presence.
The discharge of the Sq. 2 Sq. Max 1 and Max Stripe are overt salvos throughout the bow of L.A.B. Golf and different corporations seeking to place themselves as gamers on this new putter class.
The one legitimate criticism of those new Odyssey putters is that they appear like L.A.B. Golf’s DF3 putter. If that makes you offended, stand by your rules and don’t purchase one.
That hill could also be robust to die on, although. These are high-quality, solid-performing zero-torque putters. They’re extra than simply Temu copies of the DF3.
(Have you ever see these Temu atrocities by the best way? Oof.)
Odyssey has raised the value on the unique Sq. 2 Sq. fashions from $299 to $349. The MSRP on the Max 1 and Max Stripe shall be $399. The elevated value is probably going attributable to elevated manufacturing prices and tariffs.
This value enhance reduces one in every of Odyssey’s key Sq. 2 Sq. promoting factors: lower cost.
After they first launched, the Sq. 2 Sq. putters have been $150 cheaper than inventory L.A.B. putters. Now the distinction is barely $50.
It will likely be fascinating to see if Odyssey can seize the identical market momentum at $399 that they did at $299.
Be taught extra concerning the new Max 1, Max Stripe, and different Odyssey Sq. 2 Sq. fashions at Odyssey.CallawayGolf.com
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