Equipment
Is Rory’s Odyssey Putter Coming to Retail?
Rory McIlroy has made more equipment changes than any other top player on the PGA Tour this season, but one club he’s stuck with has been a prototype Odyssey putter. And since the 27-year-old started using the putter early this year, it has has been both literally and figuratively a secret.
As Odyssey does with several of its prototype models, the sole is engraved with question marks to highlight its prototype nature. And out of respect for McIlroy’s current status as an equipment free agent — the No. 2-ranked golfer in the world says he’s playing without an endorsement deal from any equipment manufacturer — neither Odyssey or its parent company Callaway is commenting on what clubs he’s currently using.
That brings us to this week, where we spotted new Odyssey prototype putters on the putting green of the Valero Texas Open, one of which looked almost identical to the prototype putter McIlroy is using. It’s called the 3T, and appears to be a new model in the O Works line Odyssey unveiled earlier this year. While the putter is black, it seems to have the same shape and size as McIlroy’s prototype, and also uses Odyssey’s new Micro-Hinge insert, which the company says helps putts roll more true.
So is Rory’s Odyssey putter coming to retail? A Callaway representative says that the 3T, as well as the other Odyssey putters we spotted in Texas, are just prototypes for now. If it did, however, it’s safe to say that a lot of golfers would buy one.
Related
Cameron Young’s WITB from his win at the 2025 Wyndham Championship. Cameron is a Titleist staff player but his bag is definitely filled with some unique clubs. Here are the clubs he used to secure his first PGA Tour win!
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus HB Black VeloCore+ 10 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (4), Titleist T100 (5), Titleist 631.CY Prototype (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F @57), WedgeWorks (60-K* @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Prototype
- Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist GT3 (10 degrees, C2 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X Denali Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 7 X
7-wood: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X
Irons: Titleist T150 (4, 5), Titleist T100 (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper AMT Tour White X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F, 56-08M @57, 60-04T @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Fastback 1.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Yellow
We’re proud to once again partner with 2nd Swing Golf to bring you GolfWRX Members Choice 2025! 2nd Swing has more than 150,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.
What is the best driver in 2025? At GolfWRX, we take great pride in our online community and the cumulative knowledge and experience of our members. When it comes to the best driver of 2025, we want to know what our forum faithful think.
Since our founding in 2005, the bedrock of GolfWRX.com has been the community of passionate and knowledgeable golfers in our forums, and we put endless trust in the opinions of our GolfWRX members — the most knowledgeable community of golfers on the internet. No other group of golfers in the world tests golf clubs as frequently or as extensively, nor is armed with such in-depth information about the latest technology.
Below are the results of GolfWRX member voting for the 2025 best driver, along with the vote percentage for each club.
Best driver of 2025: The top 5
5. Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond: 6.02%
Callaway’s pitch: “For golfers looking for a fast, forgiving, yet workable driver, the Elyte Triple Diamond features a tour-inspired shape and is the preferred model by most Callaway tour players.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond here.
4. Ping G440 Max: 6.86%
Ping’s pitch: “The most forgiving G440 model, MAX has a hotter face to generate speed and distance, and a lighter overall system weight with a longer shaft (46″) for faster clubhead speed, higher launch and longer carries. The Free Hosel and Carbonfly Wrap crown save weight to create our lowest CG ever and increase forgiveness while contributing to a more muted, pleasing sound.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 Max here.
3. Ping G440 LST: 9.53%
Ping’s pitch: “LST is an especially good fit for faster swings, offering less spin and more control with a penetrating trajectory. A hotter face, lighter overall system weight and longer shaft (46″) deliver more speed and distance while maintaining tight dispersion.”
@phizzy30: “Not a fan of Ping drivers in general, but 440 LST takes the cake. It’s super forgiving across the face for a low spin head, looks and sounds good and the ability to make it play neutral or slightly fade biased through the hosel settings is very appealing.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 LST here.
2. Titleist GT3: 16.55%
Titleist’s pitch: “The GT3 Driver offers Titleist’s boldest combination of power and personalization through adjustable performance. Dial in the CG Track to your frequent contact location to make your biggest drives even bigger while taking total control over flight and shaping.”
@mrmikeac: “I’ve been Anti-Titleist for years and years and years (outside of Vokey, of course). With that being said, HOLY BEGEEZUS the GT3 driver is an absolute NUCLEAR MONSTER! This thing blew my G430 10K Max out of the water in every single category. Forgiveness is the biggest thing that stands out of me, the 3 model has always been one of the less forgiving models in the past but this GT3 can take bad shot after bad shot and still end up in the fairway, I think a ton of that has to do with the adjustability, it’s actually effective. Feel and sound is perfect, that solid crack is so addicting to hear and when you hit it out the screws this thing can absolutely bomb it. Titleist, I’m sorry for doubting you. You have converted me.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT3 here.
1. Titleist GT2: 22.91%
Titleist’s pitch: “Delivering impressive distance from any impact point, the Titleist GT2 Driver extracts maximum performance through a forgiving design. Get the stability and added confidence of a high-MOI driver without sacrificing speed.”
@DTorres: “The Titleist GT2 has proven to be the best driver of the year. Packaged in a classic profile, GT2 perfectly balances performance and forgiveness while consistently being a high performer across all categories.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT2 here.
Other drivers receiving >2% of the vote
| Driver | Vote percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Cobra DS Adapt Max K | 4.85% |
| Ping G430 Max 10K | 3.85% |
| Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond | 3.68% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 | 3.51% |
| Callaway Elyte | 3.18% |
| Cobra DS Adapt X | 2.34% |
| Cobra DS Adapt LS | 2.17% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 LS | 2.17% |
View this post on Instagram
‘Why would anybody want to change that swing?’ – Brandel Chamblee says PGA Tour star was wrong to change his swing
‘The stupidest freaking thing I’ve ever heard’ – Billy Horschel slams Open idea suggested by Padraig Harrington
WITB Time Machine: Brandt Snedeker’s winning WITB, 2018 Wyndham Championship
Golfer proudly posts photo of ball mark on iron, receives immediate roasting
WITB Time Machine: Matthew Wolff’s winning WITB, 2019 3M Open
Oakmont Country Club bans Wyndham Clark over locker incident; Reveals specific conditions to earn reinstatement
Adam Scott puts Callaway blades in the bag at Wyndham Championship
Report: LIV star fires caddie and coach in shock shake up
Rickie Fowler makes equipment change to ‘something that’s a little easier on the body’
The championship formula: How 3 key stats separate winners from the field
Peter Malnati WITB 2025 (August)
Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist...
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2025 Wyndham Championship
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting) Buy here. Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX 3-wood: Titleist...
Camilo Villegas WITB 2025 (July)
Camilo Villegas WITB accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. Villegas was undecided on a 3-wood when we shot his bag. ...
WITB Time Machine: Brandt Snedeker’s winning WITB, 2018 Wyndham Championship
Brandt Snedeker fired a final-round 65 at the 2018 Wyndham Championship to outlast Webb Simpson and C.T. Pan. His 5-under...
Darryl
Apr 20, 2017 at 7:53 am
Things you should use Rory to advertise in golf: Drivers, Fairway Woods, Blade Irons, Tight shirts that make your odd shaped pecs look more defined.
Things you shouldn’t use Rory to advertise in golf: Putters
Tried the Micro-hinge at the recent Scottish golf show, didn’t really notice any difference to my old DFX 2 Ball, if I’m honest. Maybe a bit heavier, but I think that’s a general design trend.
Gozer
Jun 13, 2017 at 12:30 pm
When it comes to putters, Rory does more damage to who he dumps than who he picks up. What he chooses next may not make him a great putter (and thus is no reason for us to leap to that one yet), but he clearly thinks it is better than the old one (based on a lot of his comparison testing), which is at least somewhat damning.
Golf Traditionalist
Apr 20, 2017 at 1:42 am
If the USGA and R&A had any principles to protect the game they would ban the dubious Odyssey Micro-hinge face insert… but we know they are in the pockets of the OEMs to keep the industry scams alive. Golf on it’s last legs.
Chuck
Apr 20, 2017 at 11:31 am
Hey, I’m okay with that. Then, 460cc driver heads, composite shafts, and a re-regulation of multilayer urethane balls.
But seriously (well, I was being serious above); do you think that the Microhinge is a huge/unfair advantage? If so, why?
Mike
Apr 19, 2017 at 7:43 pm
Why does the retail model have the black ferrule and Roy’s doesn’t? Is the ferrule even needed never understood why odyssey put’s them on all of these style putter.
gunmetal
Apr 19, 2017 at 12:24 pm
I love that there is a small dent on the bottom of the shaft of the darker finish one from bending. Some of my clients cry when they see a small ding from club alterations. I tell them to think of it like a badge of honor – no “standard” for you – type a thing. It’s refreshing to see arguably the best player in our game with imperfections on his clubs!
NoName
Apr 20, 2017 at 12:33 am
The crimp on the hosel is “tour only”
Brad T
Apr 18, 2017 at 1:00 pm
how long before rory has a spider in his bag ?
gg
Apr 19, 2017 at 1:09 am
As he s probably signing/signed a deal with callaway, it doesn t appear to be soon…
Chuck
Apr 18, 2017 at 12:55 pm
So I wanted to tell you guys about a silly little anecdotal-and-not-quantitative “study” I did at my local Golf Galaxy the other day.
First, I grabbed about four or five Pro V1’s on their indoor putting green, which is a carpet and which feels like about 9.5-10.0 Stimpmeter speed.
Next, I grabbed two new putters, and one used putter. Each was 34.” The first putter was one of the new Microhinge O-works Odysseys, a 1W. (My favorite model.) Next, was my favorite current Scotty Cameron, the Newport M2. Similar head shapes. Third and last was my previous favorite Odyssey, an older model Versa BWB 1W. Again, nearly identical head shape.
So the experiment was to hit 4-5 putts with each one, just listening to the sound of the ball on the carpet-y putting green surface. There was a scuffing sound as the ball started to roll in the first 2 feet of the putt, before it started its true roll. The sound of the ball skidding along the top of the surface instead of rolling silently.
The putter that felt the best in my hands, was the Scotty. But it produced the noisiest roll. The putter that produced less noise in the first two feet of roll was the old Versa (which had the softest feel, I must say). The putter that produced NO sound as the ball started to roll was the O-works Microhinge. And it was freaky, what the difference was. There was nothing else like it in the shop. And it seemed as though every O-works Microhinge putter produced the same result. It also seemed like the Microhinge was effectively “faster” too. That is, putts got rolling so fast that it was easy to hit it too far.
This was a completely subjective, unscientific, unquantifiable test. I’m not trying to kid myself or anybody else. But I worked at it for a while. And what I saw/heard was real.
Johnnylongballz
Apr 18, 2017 at 11:50 pm
Cool story bro
Joe
Apr 18, 2017 at 10:41 am
Not funny.
Dat
Apr 18, 2017 at 9:39 am
Funny, it was released years ago as a PING.
Bob Chipeska
Apr 18, 2017 at 9:32 am
You can now own one for the low, low price of $600.
Tony
Apr 18, 2017 at 8:56 am
You can wait for this to come to retail or you can go find a Scotty Cameron Fastback. Exact same shape
rebfan73
Apr 18, 2017 at 12:10 pm
That’s exactly what I thought……
Tyler
Apr 18, 2017 at 1:34 pm
Ditto
Chuck
Apr 18, 2017 at 1:56 pm
No; it’s not the shape. It’s the face insert. And no; a Scotty Cameron Fastback doesn’t have that insert. Nobody else does.
Some people might not like the insert; some people might like it. So far, I see Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson, about ten LPGA players (using amazingly stock-looking models) all gravitating to the Microhinge.
Tim
Apr 18, 2017 at 9:20 pm
Except if you hit the hinge just right it goes off line…
Chuck
Apr 19, 2017 at 2:33 pm
See, you are arguing that the Microhinge is a bad idea. You can make that argument if you want. But no matter what, this O-Works putter is not a Cameron with a different name on it. You just sort of admitted to the point; the Microhinge makes it different. That was my point.
I don’t know if what you are saying is true, by the way. I didn’t hit any putts that I thought jumped off the face off-line. And I have a hard time imagining lots of Tour-level players using Microhinge technology if it were actually suspect, in getting putts started on-line. Just guessing here, that Phil Mickelson knows more about putting, and has more money riding on his making putts, than I do.
NoName
Apr 20, 2017 at 12:35 am
But it doesn’t have the micro hinge technology
Dj
Apr 18, 2017 at 8:46 am
Of course they’re going to release it. They release so many putters per year I’d be incredibly surprised if they don’t sell this at retail.
Tyler
Apr 18, 2017 at 1:35 pm
There are so many Odyssey makes and models out at any given time its confusing.
Dj
Apr 18, 2017 at 9:28 pm
Agreed. Impossible to keep track
Tod
Apr 19, 2017 at 1:10 am
+1