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Odyssey Sticks Their Neck Out With The New Giraffe Beam Putters
As the name suggests, Odyssey’s new line of Giraffe Beam putters are long in the neck. How long are they?
The necks on the Giraffe Beam putters are so long that when they drink coffee, it is cold by the time it gets to their stomachs.
Without a trace of sarcasm, I’d answer that neck length question with “long enough.” I’ll explain that answer shortly.
Global Odyssey aficionados know Odyssey released a few Giraffe-Beam models in the Japanese marketplace in 2024. This new line expands upon that initial offering and, more importantly, will be available in the U.S.
All five new models feature a stunning copper-finish, giraffe-themed aesthetics, Odyssey’s Ai-ONE insert and the namesake Giraffe Beam hosel.
Since you are likely familiar with many of those Odyssey elements, let’s get right to exploring that new hosel design.
Odyssey’s Giraffe Beam hosel
You probably already figured out that the Giraffe Beam hosel is a longer than usual hosel. The extended hosel gives the Giraffe Beam putters an interesting look but it serves a functional purpose as well.
Why are they long and (again) how long are they?
By extending the length of the neck, Odyssey dramatically altered the toe hang of the putter. A typical plumber’s neck hosel will produce moderate toe hang.
With the Giraffe Beam hosel, all of the putters become face-balanced.
Finally answering the length question: the necks are as long as they needed to be to make them face-balanced.
Naturally, this toe hang could also be achieved with a spud hosel and a double-bend shaft. The advantage of the Giraffe Beam hosel is that it creates a putter for players who like the look of a plumber’s neck but with minimal toe hang.
Admittedly, this is a bit of a niche market but I’d bet there are quite a few players out there desiring this combination of looks and play.
The “Beam” part of the name refers to the I-beam-inspired shape of the hosel. Like its building material counterpart, the I-beam shape of the hosel delivers strength and stiffness in a lighter package than a solid hosel of the same dimensions.
The Odyssey Giraffe Beam aesthetic
The Giraffe Beam line includes five models including some of Odyssey’s most popular blade and mallets.
Naturally, all five models are face-balanced with long necks.
Each model features the copper and giraffe aesthetic. Overall, I think Odyssey hit the perfect balance between whimsical and functional.
The grip, headcover, shaft band and head graphics are all quite playful.
Once you look down at the putter behind your ball, all you see is business.
The Odyssey Giraffe Beam putters’ looks make them conversation starters and their performance makes them conversation finishers.
Let’s take a look at the five models.
Odyssey Giraffe Beam #2
Some Giraffes can grow up to 18 feet.
(But most only have 4.)
The Giraffe Beam #2 is the most traditional blade in the line. Due to its smaller overall profile, the neck looks unusually long on the #2 but it is just the right length to achieve a face-balanced toe hang.
The Panlite cavity window gives you a great look at the AI-designed underside of the Ai-ONE insert.
Odyssey Giraffe Beam Double Wide
What do giraffes have that no one else has?
Baby giraffes!
The Giraffe Beam Double Wide is a blade in spirit but more of a mallet on the green. Although it has the same 360-gram head weight as the #2, the Double Wide is shorter heel-to-toe and wider face-to-flange.
In general, it looks blockier behind the ball than the #2. In no way is that a knock against the Double Wide. In fact, the blockier look is exactly what golfers making the transition from a blade to a mallet may be looking for.
Odyssey Giraffe Beam #7
Why do giraffes sing in the rain?
Because they don’t fit in the shower.
The popularity of the Odyssey #7 makes it an obvious inclusion in the Giraffe Beam line. Some day, it would be interesting to count the number of #7 variations Odyssey has produced. I wouldn’t be surprised if that number gets deep into the double digits.
The long plumber’s neck gives the Giraffe Beam #7 a similar look to Xander Schauffele’s #7 but in a face-balanced package. I can see many folks preferring this look to the traditional face-balanced #7 with the spud hosel and double-bend shaft.
Odyssey Giraffe Beam Jailbird Cruiser
What is a giraffe’s favorite fruit?
Necktarines!
Odyssey included one extra-stout bull giraffe in the batch, the Giraffe Beam Jailbird Cruiser.
Fun fact: Did you know the male giraffe uses its horns for fighting other males to determine which is the alpha male? And here I though the horns were just to hold on to while shopping for toys.
Anyway, the Giraffe Beam Jailbird Cruiser is a 38-inch counterbalanced model with the heavier Stroke Lab 140 shaft, 17-inch grip and 400-gram head. When you grip the putter, the additional shaft above your hands offsets the additional head weight. This build scheme makes the putter exceptionally stable.
Odyssey Giraffe Beam Jailbird Mini
You are riding a giraffe at full speed, there is a lion right behind you and a horse in front of you, what do you do?
Get off the merry-go-round.
The Odyssey Giraffe Beam Jailbird Mini closes out the cohort. As you can likely guess from the photos, I was able to get my hands on one of these for some play testing.
My first impression after seeing the putter was that these were novelty putters.
The giraffe aesthetics were all I initially noticed. I found them quite whimsical and thought that fans of the animal would be Odyssey’s primary customer for these putters.
My impression changed dramatically after I rolled the Odyssey Giraffe Beam Jailbird Mini.
I love rolling balls with this putter and I can’t really pinpoint why. Part of it is the feel of the black Ai-ONE insert.
I’m not sure if Odyssey made the insert black to match the color of a giraffe’s tongue but I am really hoping they did.
As I said, it is tough for me to pinpoint the single element that makes the Odyssey Giraffe Beam Jailbird Mini work for me. The neck is involved, for sure, but I also think the alternating copper and white sections work better for alignment than the more traditional alternating black and white Versa scheme.
I suppose it doesn’t really matter but I would 100 percent classify these as putters with a giraffe theme instead of giraffe novelty putters.
I’ll not make that giraffe gaffe again.
You won’t find the Odyssey Giraffe Beam putters at your local zoo
The only real negative I can think of for the new Odyssey Giraffe Beam putter line is that you will not find them in your local shop. These are going to be sold online only at the Callaway/Odyssey website.
If the demand is great enough, perhaps that will change. As of today, though, these are online only.
The good news is that you can order your favorite Giraffe Beam putter right now. The four non-Cruiser heads are priced at $399.99 with the Jailbird Cruiser costing $449.99.
That price point places them above equivalent stock models but it seems appropriate for the added value found in the non-stock Giraffe Beam putters.
You can find out more and order your Giraffe Beam putter today at Odyssey.CallawayGolf.com
The post Odyssey Sticks Their Neck Out With The New Giraffe Beam Putters appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
