Odyssey have really outdone themselves this year with their Ai-One and Ai-One Milled range of putters. Already the most played brand on the professional tours, Odyssey have cemented that position by coming up with a line of putters that have really raised the bar this year.
When it comes to utilising tech I don’t think there is anything out there currently that can match Odyssey’s Ai-One and Ai-One Milled putters. Sister-company Callaway lead the way in the use of Artificial Intelligence and have been producing some of the best driver faces on the market for a while. Now Odyssey have used the same tech and basic principles in their putters to create what they are calling “the most advanced insert in golf”.
This A.I. designed face has been created by utilising information gathered from many thousands of golf shots which has allowed Odyssey to identify where on the face golfers tend to miss. Then that information is used to create contours behind the face which helps to minimise the damage done by those slight mishits.
This technology is used in both the Ai-One and the Ai-One Milled ranges, although visually there is a difference between the two, which I’ll explain shortly. In terms of the tech they are very similar, however. The Ai-One Milled are just that bit more premium and carry a higher price point, but in terms of performance there is little to choose between them.
The standard Ai-One is certainly not inferior, and there are more Ai-One putters in use on tour than there are Ai-One Milled. The higher price is simply due to the build quality. Milled heads cost more to produce so therefore they will be more expensive.
All putters in both ranges are fitted with Stroke Lab weighting in the shaft, which basically means there us 20-30 grams (depending on the grip) of counterbalance weight in the butt end, which allows you to really feel the clubhead during your stroke.
I love the aesthetics on the Ai-One and Ai-One Milled putters. The Navy PVD finish is quite unique and there aren’t many putters out there that look like this. The standard Ai-One differs from the Milled in that it has a white face insert whereas the Milled has a gold insert, which looks fantastic..
In terms of the Seven T, which is in the Ai-One Milled range, it’s a fang shaped head not too dissimilar to the Toulon design used by Xander Shauffele. It has adjustable weighting in the heel and toe and very stylish white and golf branding on the sole.
The premium leather head cover looks great and I really like the grip too. All in all, it’s a great looking putter and worthy of the full five stars.
The Ai-One putters have a softer feel than the Ai-One Milled, in part due to the materials in the head but mostly down to the difference in the face inserts. The Ai-One Milled have a slightly firmer feel off the face but it’s nothing too harsh and it’s a nice feeling when you find the sweet spot. In terms of the acoustics, again, it isn’t the softest sounding but it gives a pleasing ‘tock’ sound and isn’t high pitched.
I really like fang shaped putters so of all the Ai-One and Ai-One Milled models I tested (somewhere around ten I think) the Seven T might just be my favourite. It suits my eye when I’m looking down over the ball and it feels beautifully balanced in the hands. I don’t have much arc in my stroke so this design suits me and I had good results with the Seven T.
The forgiveness on offer is really impressive and putts that didn’t quite find the middle still made it to the hole and I didn’t notice much drop off in distance from the well struck ones. On the poorer strokes there was some drop off but there always will be. If you hit off the heel or toe then you’ll be punished and so you should be!
The performance from long, short and medium range was excellent and if I hadn’t already been custom fit for a Ping PLD Oslo 3 putter then I’d happily put the Seven T in the bag.
Overall this is one of the best putters I’ve ever tried as it’s the complete package. It looks fantastic, the feel and sound is pleasing enough and the performance is great. The only downside is the price, as the Ai-One Milled range are really expensive.
