Golfing News & Blog Articles
Did Odyssey just Max out the zero-torque competition, or the controversy?
Odyssey has added two new models to their Square 2 Square line of Stroke Balanced putters, and they are going to get people talking.
As a refresher, Odyssey unveiled the first three Square 2 Square models last fall. These new Stroke Balanced putters were zero-torque versions of three classic Odyssey designs: the Jailbird, Seven, and Double Wide.
In addition to being Stroke Balanced, the new S2S Max 1 and Max Stripe models incorporate other proprietary Odyssey putter technologies such as the Ai-One insert and Stroke Lab shaft. Those assistive technologies are value-adding inclusions, and give these new models a distinctive Odyssey feel.
In fact, nearly all aspects of the S2S Max 1 and Max Stripe are characteristically Odyssey.
All except one.
The S2S Odyssey Max 1 and Max Stripe.
My usual approach for covering a new putter release is to explore the technologies and then dive into the characteristics of the new models. I’m going to go with an abbreviated version of that plan today, and then get into the begging question.
As I mentioned above, the Odyssey Max 1 and Max Stripe are both Stroke Balanced putters. Odyssey eliminates torque by having the putter’s hosel positioned at the center of gravity. Since the putter is balanced around the shaft, it will not twist in either direction, even when swung.
Both models are very stable, having MOI values above 6300.
The difference between the S2S Max 1 and S2S Max Stripe is one of alignment. The Max 1 has a short alignment line at the front edge. The aptly-named Max Stripe features a large stripe down the center of the putter, visually consistent with Odyssey’s Versa 90 aesthetic.
While this alignment difference doesn’t seem significant, I would suggest that you roll both models to see how the two schemes influence your putting. You’ll likely notice a difference in targeting.
By the way, how cool are those textured wings? They elevate the overall cosmetics, and that bit of contrasting texture shifts the visual focus to the center of the putter.
Odyssey S2S Max 1
I was certain that I would prefer the Max Stripe, but it was the Max 1 that went in my bag. Although they are exactly the same size, the large stripe makes the Max Stripe appear larger to me. This is not a good or a bad thing, just an odd observation.
Odyssey S2S Max Stripe
More importantly, I went with the Max 1 because I was way more accurate with it. This was somewhat shocking as I am normally a huge fan of the Versa 90 look. The Jailbird Mini Versa 90 CH is one of my favorite putters of 2025.
I was surprised that the smaller alignment scheme of the Max 1 was more effective for me. The Max Stripe was great for general proximity, but the Max 1 delivered more precision targeting.
It took me a second, but I quickly realized that the alignment scheme on the S2S Max 1 is very 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?
When I saw leaked photos of the Odyssey Max 1 online a few months back I was certain that they were AI generated. Someone was trying to rile up the golf-iverse by deep faking an Odyssey putter to look like the L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 3.
It was the perfect time for some trolling since Odyssey had just rolled out their Square to Square line a few months prior.
As it turned out, the photo wasn’t AI-generated, and it wasn’t trolling. Odyssey did in fact built a putter that is very similar in shape to the DF3.
It’s not identical, but it is hard to ignore the similarities, especially when you compare the perimeters of the putters.
Innovation or emulation?
In the putter business, there are two paths to selling putters: innovation and emulation.
The innovation pathway is far more difficult. Coming up with the next Anser, Spider, 2-Ball, SweetFace grooves, White Hot insert, and so on is not an easy task. Every year we see interesting shapes and innovative technologies associated with new putter releases. The majority of the shapes and technologies are abandoned the following year for something else.
Innovation is a risky path. If you make a new design that doesn’t sell, your company’s bills head to collections.
It is fiscally safer, and profitable, for a company to roll out interpretations of proven putter designs.
Customers recognize the design and its proven track record. Brand loyalists become overjoyed that their favorite company has made a version of that popular putter. In other words, the company sells putters.
Where am I going with this? This is how I see the Max/DF3 situation. Just like the Newport is Scotty Cameron’s version of the PING Anser, the S2S Max 1 is Odyssey’s version of the L.A.B. Golf DF3.
I’m sure that L.A.B. Golf was not too thrilled when they first saw the Odyssey Max. Perhaps they took some pride in the fact that the #1 in Golf Odyssey leviathan liked their design enough to make a version of it.
Perhaps not.
The difference this time around is that the previous Square 2 Square models were Odyssey shapes, making the competition with L.A.B. Golf technology focused.
Now the competition is definitively putter vs. putter.
Could this be a good thing?
Your middle school gym teacher told you that competition is good for you. Could that whistle-wielding wiseman be correct?
Think on this for a second. Are there versions of the PING Anser out there that are better than the original PING Anser?
Of course there are. When other companies made their versions of the Anser, they added their tweaks and twists, and sometimes they actually improved upon the original.
One of my cold dead hand putters is my milled PING Custom PLD Anser, and that putter would likely not exist if Bettinardi/Cameron did not make milled versions of PING’s original design.
Am I saying that the L.A.B. Golf DF3 is the zero torque Anser? I don’t know if I am ready to go that far just yet, but Odyssey making the Max 1 and Max Stripe tells me that they see value in exploring the shape.
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 a while now. Will I be making the switch to the S2S Max 1?
To answer that, let’s talk about sporks.
For the uninitiated, a spork is a combination of a spoon and a fork. Somewhere along the way I realized that sporks were the ultimate camping utensil. Nearly all of your ingestion needs can be met with one plastic spork. From that revelation forward, my camp box contained a bag of sporks.
A few summers ago, I bought a titanium spork. It’s lightweight, and nearly indestructible. As such, I no longer pack plastic sporks. The plastic sporks are perfectly functional, but the titanium spork is a next-level face feeder.
That is how I think DF3 owners will view the Odyssey Max 1. The Max 1 is a really, really good putter, and plays very similar to my DF3.
The Odyssey Max putters are excellent sporks. They are fully functional, and do a great job at the table.
If you already have a custom fitted titanium spork though, you are likely set.
The Odyssey S2S Max is going to be a thing
My takeaway from all of this is that Odyssey is taking the zero torque marketplace very seriously. The Square 2 Square Jailbird and Seven are selling in large numbers, especially in places where L.A.B. Golf has a limited, or no market presence.
The release of the Square 2 Square Max 1 and Max Stripe are overt salvos across the bow of L.A.B. Golf and other companies looking to position themselves as players in this new putter category.
The only valid criticism of these new Odyssey putters is that they look like L.A.B. Golf’s DF3 putter. If that makes you angry, stand by your principles and don’t buy one.
That hill may be tough to die on though. These are high quality, solid performing zero-torque putters. They are more than just Temu copies of the DF3.
(Have you see those Temu atrocities by the way? Oof.)
Odyssey has raised the price on the original Square 2 Square models from $299 to $349. The MSRP on the Max 1 and Max Stripe will be $399. The increased cost is likely due to increased production costs and tariffs.
This price increase reduces one of Odyssey’s key Square 2 Square selling points: lower price.
When they first launched, the Square 2 Square putters were $150 cheaper than stock L.A.B. putters. Now the difference is only $50.
It will be interesting to see if Odyssey can capture the same market momentum at $399 that they did at $299.
Learn more about the new Max 1, Max Stripe, and other Odyssey Square 2 Square models at Odyssey.CallawayGolf.com
The post Did Odyssey just Max out the zero-torque competition, or the controversy? appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
