options – Ultra Golfing

Pros without equipment deals have more options — but also more work

admin — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 22:29:39 +0000

When golf-equipment manufacturers release drivers at the beginning of the year, most staff pros transition into their respective brand’s new clubs — but not without some work.

Much of the nitty-gritty fitting is done behind the scenes and, even after that process is complete, many pros will still hang on to their old gamers as infants do to their security blankets. That’s because while players might see performance gains in new offerings, they still have an emotional attachment to and deep trust in their old clubs gained from thousands of competitive reps.

The transition process can be even trickier for equipment “free agents,” i.e., those pros without gear deals who need to actively seek out testing opportunities. For this breed of pros, the testing process — often across several brands — requires more hustle and patience.

Seven of the top-25 players in the world are free to play whatever clubs they choose, and the drivers they play paint an interesting picture.

Four of those players — Chris Gotterup (Ping G440 LST), Matt Fitzpatrick (Titleist GT3), Ben Griffin (Ping G440K) and Patrick Reed (GT3) — game drivers available at retail, but only Griffin’s is a 2026 model.

The other three players — Justin Rose (Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke TD Max), Sepp Straka (Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke TD Max) and Maverick McNealy (TaylorMade Qi10) — use drivers that were released in 2024 and are no longer available.

Does that mean newer drivers aren’t any better? Absolutely not.

As we noted above, if these seven players want to make a change, they need to seek it out, and for now, none of them have decided to test the market.

Further down the world rankings, however, you’ll see far more movement. Wyndham Clark, in his first year of free agency, already has played at least four different drivers. Same goes for Lucas Glover, who despite being a Srixon staffer, has gamed drivers from different brands. Harry Hall also has been active on the gear-change wheel, switching among three different drivers.

Interestingly, all three of those players are currently using TaylorMade’s Qi4D driver, with Clark set to make his third start in a row with it this week after experimenting with four other drivers in four events earlier in the season.

The Qi4D isn’t the only 2026 driver seeing lots of free-agent usage. Callaway Quantum saw its first worldwide victory this year by way of Nacho Elvira in Dubai, and Anthony Kim also won with it at LIV Adelaide.

Dozens of pros have toyed with new drivers only to switch back and then switch again, a theme many Tour reps have noticed.

“Heads are a close battle this year,” Fujikura Tour rep Marshall Thompson told GOLF. “It’s very competitive in terms of club speed, dispersion, center-face contact, start direction. There’s not one clear-cut winner from what I’ve seen.

“Even on the Tour side of it, these non-contract guys that I continue to work with on a weekly basis, they still have four or five headcovers in the bag and they’re still trying different options, and we’re already to the Florida Swing.”

In other words, don’t be surprised if the drivers in top players’ bags today might look different come Masters week.

3 Things I’m Thinking

Daydreaming of Titleist’s GT1 hybrid: I’ve been thinking about this club since Cameron Young added it to the bag at Torrey Pines, and now that he’s won the Players with it, I can’t wait for my next visit to TPI to try what is their largest hybrid with a fairway-wood shaft. This part of my bag is in flux with a lot of options from Fully Fit, but I did not try this combo specifically.

Putters are rolling: There are many prototype putters on Tour, and I have a feeling many of them are going to end up at retail. Perhaps the most notable models are the L.A.B. Link 2.1 and Link 2.2 HS, which hit the consumer market this week. If you’re searching for a flatstick, now might be a good time to buy.

Spring (and golf) is in the air: My first winter in Boston has been a rough one, but golf season finally seems within reach. The snow is melting, driving ranges are opening and balls are in the air. Opening day is coming!

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Odyssey Ai-Dual putters pair improved roll with new alignment options

admin — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 21:56:32 +0000

Odyssey’s Ai-Dual putters focus on more consistent roll and clearer aim, introducing a new insert design and the Half-Ball alignment option.

Gear: Odyssey Ai-Dual, Ai-Dual Half-Ball putters

Price: $349.99 (Ai-Dual), $399.99 (Ai-Dual Cruiser), $399.99 (Ai-Dual S2S), $449.99 (Ai-Dual S2S Cruiser)

Specs: Multi-material putters featuring a dual-layer, grooved urethane insert with multiple head shapes, shaft configurations, and alignment options.

Who it’s for: Golfers looking for improved distance control, more consistent roll, and clearer alignment cues, particularly players who struggle with face aim or ball position at address.

What you should know: Odyssey’s new Ai-Dual lineup builds on the success of its previous AI-designed inserts by pairing ball-speed consistency with improved roll characteristics, while the new Half-Ball alignment system is designed to help golfers aim the putter face more accurately and center the ball more consistently.

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.

In addition to many familiar shapes and alignment features, Odyssey is introducing a sub-family within the Ai-Dual lineup, the Ai-Dual Half-Ball putters. The concept is simple and easy to see — by adding a half-ball design behind the topline, it is easier for golfers to see when the actual ball is centered and the face is square. When the ball is misaligned, it is immediately obvious.

It works so well that Odyssey’s third-party testing showed that Half-Ball helped golfers hole 11 percent more 6-foot putts compared to their performance with their gamer putters.

The Ai-Dual lineup also expands Odyssey’s presence in the zero-torque category. Square-to-Square models return with familiar shapes such as the No. 7 and Jailbird, with both now updated with the Ai-Dual insert. These putters feature a heavier, stiffer black shaft designed specifically for zero-torque builds, along with a reverse-taper grip meant to complement the built-in shaft lean and promote a more comfortable setup.

Half-Ball models are available across a wide range of configurations, including standard, Cruiser, and longer-length options, allowing golfers to match the alignment system with their preferred stroke style and posture. For players who prefer a more traditional look, Odyssey is also offering Ai-Dual models without Half-Ball alignment in classic head shapes.

Taken together, the Ai-Dual and Ai-Dual Half-Ball putters reflect Odyssey’s focus on refining familiar ideas, improving roll, clarifying alignment, and giving golfers more ways to find a setup that helps them putt with confidence.

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