Golf Digest thinks so:
Introducing the ODYSSEY WORKS VERSA 2-BALL FANG PUTTER
“Golf Digest 2015 Hot List Gold Medal Winner! The Odyssey Works Versa 2-Ball Fang Putter is a mallet design with perimeter-weighted fangs, Versa high contrast alignment, a double-bend shaft and full-shaft offset.”
When I first started playing golf, I had no clue which putter to buy. I didn’t have an instructor nearby to ask so I watched a lot of golf on TV and checked out what the pros were using. Annika Sorenstam was playing with an Odyssey 2-Ball White Hot putter and she was one of the best players on the tour. So I bought one for myself. I figured if it worked for Annika, it should work for me. Lucky me! It turned out to be one of the most popular putters of all time, and one that fit my game. I still use it. But I’m always looking at options.
When the people of Odyssey asked me to check out the new 2-Ball Fang Putter I welcomed the opportunity. I played a round of 18 holes, using the Fang on the front 9 and my trusty 2-Ball White Hot on the back, just to experience the difference.
To be honest, I still preferred my own putter. I found the Fang to have too many distracting elements: shape, color and lines. On the plus side — the face of the putter with the new Fusion RX Insert was more responsive than that of the White Hot, which I liked.
But that was just one opinion. I decided to give the putter a second chance and handed the Fang Putter to another golfer in my local league. I asked her to test the Fang against whatever she was currently using. Guess what? She loved it! Here’s what she had to say:
At first glance the putter seemed to be another gimmick for Odyssey to make money. A large mallet, lots of lines and two white balls on the mallet make the putter seem very busy and distracting. However, while using the putter I felt my putting stroke improve dramatically. The putter is heavy and helped me keep a straight, short backswing—one key problem I was having. The two balls help me easily line up my puttsl. I only had one or two “3-putt greens” as opposed to the usual 6 or 7 “3-putt greens” using my old putter. Most importantly the Fang gave me some new confidence that I sorely needed. I liked the putter very much and would continue to go back to this putter when my putting stroke goes haywire. Thanks for letting me borrow!” ~ Evelyn
The Bottom LIne????
When it comes to choosing the right putter for your game, it’s all about feel and personal preference. The 2-Ball Fang is one putter you should consider, but the only way you’ll know if it’s right for you, is to test it out. Go to your local pro shop and ask for a demo. See if they will let you borrow one for a round of golf. You, like my friend Evelyn, might just love it!
Are you in the market for a new putter? How do you choose? Add your comment in the space below.
Struggling with the 2 ball fang. It’s length and added weight (including handle) is causing me grief. Played a round a few weeks ago and at the turn stopped in the pro shop a bought a Ping, played the last 9 with it and putted much better. Not giving up on it though; might end up shortening the handle length
Choosing the right putter for you game is a very personal thing. The difference between a blade style and mallet can be massive. Weight distribution, style… all of that makes a big difference. Perhaps you can have your local shop lend you a couple of putters to test out.