Gear News Briefs

Odyssey Antes Up at the Sony Open; Callaway’s Triple Threat

Chris Duthie

Odyssey is debuting two new putters this week at the SONY Open in Honolulu: the Versa Jailbird and the White Hot Pro Havok.

The Versa Jailbird ($169.99 suggested retail) is a high MOI mallet putter equipped with an improved White Hot insert that extends the popular Versa technology. Odyssey has taken the next step in high contrast with Double Versa Technology, which helps highlight the proper face angle at address, through the stroke and at impact. The Jailbird's black and white contrast allows the golfer's eyes to key in on linear designs on the putter that accentuate the face angle and contribute to better alignment.

Havok ($159.99) is part of the White Hot Pro family and is an ultra high MOI putter that provides both forgiveness and a new version of the White Hot insert. The Havok's lower, deeper center of gravity creates forward roll and helps improve distance control and accuracy, while the putter's ultra high MOI helps increase the stability of the putter through the player's stroke so more putts start online.

CALLAWAY’S NEW TRIPLE THREAT

Callaway Golf has added to its high-profile stable of tour players by signing equipment contracts with Henrik Stenson, Matteo Manassero and Harris English (pictured left to right above).

Stenson, the world’s No. 3 golfer, played Callaway equipment last summer and won both the FedEx Cup and Race to Dubai titles on his way to the best season of his career. Twenty-year-old Manassero made headlines in 2012 when he became the first teenager to win three European tour events in one season, then won the BMW Championship last year. English, another rising star on the pro ranks, is a two-time winner including the OHL Classic at Mayakoba last November.

RELATED LINKS

Callaway's Apex Irons: The Icon Returns

Find Out Who Owns the Odyssey Putter from Happy Gilmore

Visit the Sony Open Website

Chris Duthie is a contributor to Colorado AvidGolfer, the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com.