Introduction
This new model is essentially the same as last year’s S2S Jailbird but with the new Ai-Dual insert and a black shaft rather than chrome. I would describe the S2S range as Odyssey’s attempt at a mass-market zero-torque putter range. It’s taken the familiar Jailbird head and moved the shaft position to make it zero-torque (although, in reality, there’s a bit more to it than that!). But that’s not a bad thing! New technology in a familiar shape can only help with customer acceptance, especially in a head as popular as the Jailbird. I like the head and the versa alignment, it’s one of my favourite mallet putters. I’m interested to see how it performs as a zero-torque option.
First Impressions
Some would say that familiarity breeds contempt, but in this instance, I think that familiarity is the secret to acceptance. There is nothing offensive about the Jailbird head, and it’s not required significant alteration to make it work as a zero-torque putter either. No extra spuds or awkward shaft fittings for example. There’s not too much onset either, which is positive for me. The black shaft (in my opinion) looks much better than chrome, and the whole design holds together really well. I’m glad to see they are back with a top line rather than three dots too!
Then you get to the new S2S grip, and it suddenly gets a bit funky. I don’t ever use emojis in my posts, but I was very tempted to use one here. I know what they were trying to do, but it comes back to the old Einstein quote that “In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not”. More about the grip later, but I guess you’ll already have gathered that I don’t like it!
Specs (as tested)
Total weight: 586g
Head weight: 360g
Swing weight: E5
Length: 34”
Loft: 3°
Lie: 72°
Toe Hang: Zero-Torque
Grip: Odyssey S2S Press
There are no customisation options other than shaft length. At this price, that’s a reasonable compromise. Note that the 72° lie angle is quite different from L.A.B. putters at 69° standard lie.
Protocol Snapshot (How I Tested It)
Surface: The Eden green at the St Andrews Links Academy
Conditions: A bright, but cold, February day. The green was slow, but it was rolling nicely.
Make Test: 6 putts x 3 reps from 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 ft
Lag Test: 40 ft to 3 ft - uphill and downhill - run once
Start Line: Gate drill (two tees at 18 inches ahead, gate only just wider than a ball)
Benchmark: My SeeMore Nashville mFGP
Full testing framework: HERE
How did it perform?
Notes
I wanted to like this putter, I really did. It’s a shape that I like, and I feel comfortable aiming, but the love stopped with the first swing. These were the worst results I’ve had from a putter test for some time.
Pros and Cons
Looks (+ve): I’m a Jailbird fan. I like the shape, and I like the Versa design.
Aim/Alignment (+ve): I’m fortunate that the 72° standard lie angle is pretty much spot on for me. When I stood at address, I felt comfortable with my aim and alignment and didn’t feel I needed any significant negotiations.
Feel (-ve): I’ve tried several heads with the new Ai-Dual insert. I think the head shape does impact the feel of the insert, but this is the one that has felt the softest (for me). Is that the head, or the ZT design, or the combination of both?
Pace control (-ve): I’ve struggled with pace control with several zero-torque putters. With this one, I don’t have much feel for what the head is doing. Add in an insert that feels super soft, and it was a bad combination for me.
Performance (-ve): As distance increased, performance deteriorated, and confidence quickly fell away. That’s a particularly vicious cycle.
Headcover (+ve): I love the picture on the cover. The cover itself is a great quality item. It is well-padded and has a secure magnetic closure. Full marks!
Grip (-ve): Horrible. What a monstrosity. It’s like a severe reverse taper or an upside-down cone. I’ve tried to show the shape by placing it beside a ruler. The putter shaft runs straight into the grip, and to create a forward press, they needed to make the bottom wider than the top. It feels awkward to hold, and it definitely had a detrimental impact on my stroke. I have to assume that L.A.B. have patent protection on their press grip, because it’s so much better than this. I can see customers swapping to a L.A.B. grip or just using a standard grip. That adds more cost and is disappointing. It’s a big miss for me.
Price (neutral): RRP £339 and available online for £299, this remains decent value in the Zero-Torque space, but it does come with compromises. This is more of a mass-market product, and those compromises are acceptable given the price. However, you can pick up the first-generation model for considerably less, and that would be an even more budget-friendly option for someone looking to experiment with zero torque.
Conclusion
From quite liking it on my putting mat to really disliking it on the practice green, the new Odyssey Ai-Dual S2S Jailbird was a miss for me. My favourite ZT mallet so far remains the Taylormade Spider 5K, but that’s considerably more expensive than the offerings from Odyssey. I applaud Odyssey for introducing a more mass-market ZT product, and while it’s not for me, it could be very good for others. I have one regular playing partner who uses his to great effect (unfortunately!). Please don’t let me put you off trying one for yourself. It’s the only way you’ll know for sure.
Fit verdict (for me):
Would I game it tomorrow? No.
What would I change? Get rid of the grip!
What did I learn? Having had some success with zero-torque blades last year, I would be interested to try a double-wide model if they bring one to this range (they had one in the previous range).
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Links:
Full testing framework: here
All my other putter reviews: here
Interesting test Keith. Would be interesting if you were able to change the grip and then retest.