A Timeless Classic Versus 2021’s Most Wanted Blade Putter

Tests of “Old Versus New” never fail to generate buzz, curiosity and usually controversy. Given how far drivers have come from when your “old” is made from wood, finding the answer to the “is newer really better?” question is basically a gimme. But what about the putter space? Sure, there’s been plenty of evolution but how much has really changed?

Let’s find out.

The Old

Scotty Cameron Bullseye- A major winner. Depending on your perspective, it’s either a timeless design or a nostalgic relic. Chances are you’ve rolled a few putts with a Bullseye over the years.

The New

Odyssey White Hot OG #1 Stroke Lab Putter- Our 2021 Most Wanted Blade Putter. Sure, it’s still an Anser shape but it’s also an embodiment of putter evolution.

Can one of golf’s most iconic putters compete with the best blade we tested this year?

Let’s find out.

Most Wanted Putter Testing

Here’s how the timeless Bullseye fared against our 2021 Most Wanted Blade Putter, the Odyssey White Hot OG #1 Stroke Lab.

Strokes Gained Results

Under our Strokes Gained methodology, the field average is basically zero. That means that Bullseye lost strokes to the field at each of the distances we tested while the Odyssey White Hot OG gained strokes across the board.

Looking more closely at the numbers, the White Hot OG bested the Bullseye by a significant difference to the tune of:

Nearly half a stroke (.4875) at five feet 1.05 strokes at 10 feet .75 strokes at 20 feet

That’s a combined difference of 2.2875 strokes overall.

The Simple Numbers

To put this in terms everyone can understand, in a controlled putter test like MyGolfSpy’s Most Wanted, fewest putts wins. Over the course of our 2021 test, with the Odyssey, it took our testers 703 putts to completely hole out with the Most Wanted putter. It took 764 putts with the Bullseye.

What doe that mean? Let me ask you this:

How would you like to miss an additional eight percent of your putts?

Didn’t think so.

Key Findings

1. Technology Matters

Our data suggests technology makes a difference in performance. With the Odyssey White Hot OG #1 Stroke Lab, you have a putter packed with technology.

Its White Hot insert, like the Bullseye, holds its own iconic status. Not only does it offer tremendous feel but Callaway says it offers more consistent rolls. The numbers suggest that might be true.

Over the past three years, Callaway’s Stroke Lab technology has taken off. It has the potential to create more consistency with several key variables within the putting stroke. They are: Length of Backswing, Position at End of Backswing, Face Angle at End of Backswing, Forward Swing Time to Impact, Velocity at Impact and Face Angle at Impact. In 2020, the effectiveness and popularity of Stroke Lab was on full display. Tour usage and positive impacts on the variables listed above were evident.

Putting requires consistency. It’s safe to say the Odyssey White Hot OG #1 Stroke Lab produced more consistency than the timeless, though tech-deficient, Bullseye.

2. Strokes Gained. Period.

Take away the emotional connection with the Bullseye and what are you left with? For its time, an incredible symbol of craftsmanship that holds true to this day. However, our goal is help you shoot lower scores. It is 2021. We are here to encourage you to let go of the past and realize that no-tech putters like the Bullseye might be hurting you on the putting green.

The strokes gained numbers speak for themselves. Overall, the Odyssey White Hot OG #1 Stroke Lab is the best of the two putters by a considerable margin.

1.5297 Strokes Gained compared to -0.7578 Strokes Gained versus the field—a difference of 2.74 strokes overall.

Out With The Old, In With The New

Can the Scotty Cameron Bullseye compete with the Odyssey White Hot OG #1 Stroke Lab? Based on our sample size, no. Can you still make putts with a Bullseye? Most definitely. However, in a game where putting makes up 30 to 40 percent of a golfer’s score, why would you not want to put a product in your bag that can actually help you shave strokes?

It is time to consider putting the “old” away and explore the plethora of “new” putter options available nowadays. The efficiency is there. Go through a fitting process. Dial in the appropriate putter for your game based on stroke type, playing length, lie angle and loft. Whether your next putter of choice is an Odyssey White Hot OG #1 Stroke Lab or another current model, the technology implemented theoretically will enhance your game. Trade in a minuscule sweet spot with little to no forgiveness off the face for a higher MOI, more consistent rolling putter.

Out with the old, in with the new. That is our suggestion. But, ultimately, the choice is yours.

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