The Deep Dive: Wine makers often blend different varieties of grapes together to create something unique and special. For instance, that high-priced French Bordeaux that goes great with a steak is really a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. Individually, they’re good, but together they can become great. Putter often makers do the same, routinely taking elements and technologies that have been successful in the past and blend them with new concepts and ideas.

For Oddysey, its engineers took deliberate steps to enhance speed control, roll quality and feel in the just released Ai-Dual family without abandoning shapes that have defined the brand for decades.

At the heart of the new lineup is the Ai-Dual insert, a two-layer urethane construction that combines a softer outer layer on top of a firmer inner core. Odyssey debuted this insert in the Square 2 Square Tri-Hot putters that were released in October. To develop it, engineers used artificial intelligence to refine the topology behind the insert, so it does a better job of maintaining consistent ball speed across the face. At the same time, downward-facing grooves in the hitting area promote forward roll and reduce skidding, particularly on slight mishits.

At the same time, the sound and feel produced by the Ai-Dual putters remains familiar. Odyssey leaned heavily on feedback from both Tour players and everyday golfers to keep the acoustics in line with what players have long associated with the White Hot family.