Odyssey’s 2026 putter story actually began back in 2025. Last fall, Odyssey released their Tri-Hot Square 2 Square line of putters that featured two new technologies.
First of all, the center of gravity was repositioned so the shaft could connect at a more traditional location on the top line of the putter as opposed to onset in the cavity like their previous Square 2 Square models. It was a novel approach to zero-torque putter building.
The second piece of technology, and the one that continues on in Odyssey’s 2026 putters, is their new Ai-DUAL face insert. (Callaway insists on using the lowercase “i” in their branding as opposed to AI like everyone else.)
The Ai-DUAL insert combined what Odyssey learned from the Ai-ONE insert about normalizing distance on mishits with new elements that improved forward roll.
All of the new Odyssey putters announced today will feature the cutting-edge Ai-DUAL insert but that insert is only half of the assistive technology story that Odyssey is bringing to the green today.
Ai-DUAL insert refresher
Even though it has been only a few months since the Tri-Hot S2S line was released, let’s take a moment to rehash what the new Ai-DUAL insert is all about.
It all started with what Odyssey learned from their Ai-ONE insert in terms of normalizing distance on mishits. From there, they returned to the supercomputers and polymer chemists to develop a new insert that functioned and felt like Ai-ONE but had improved roll characteristics similar to their older Microhinge insert.
After 15,000 AI permutations and 72 prototypes, Odyssey created the production version of the Ai-DUAL insert. The combination of a soft top urethane layer with a firmer under layer produced the tone and feel that Odyssey was looking for.
To dial in the roll, Odyssey added new Forward Roll Design (FRD) grooves to the surface of the insert. The 19-degree angles of the grooves improve forward roll across the face.
When they finished, the Ai-DUAL insert was able to normalize the roll while improving the characteristics of the roll. How could they not add that insert to everything releasing in 2026?
Ai-DUAL in traditional and Square 2 Square models
Odyssey is putting the new Ai-DUAL insert into all of their 2026 models. This includes traditional Odyssey putter shapes and Square 2 Square models.
I suppose I should call the new Square 2 Square models “traditional” as well. Unlike the Tri-Hot S2S models, both the Ai-DUAL S2S Jailbird and #7 have their hosels located at the “traditional” onset center-of-gravity location.
In addition to the new insert, the new Ai-DUAL Square to Square models have a heavier and stiffer stock shaft as well as a two-degree forward-press reverse-taper grip. This new grip will compensate for the two degrees of forward press built into the Ai-DUAL S2S putters.
The Ai-DUAL line also includes five classic Odyssey putter models that are not zero-torque.
My favorite is the Ai-DUAL Jailbird Mini where the stripe pattern is now reversed. For some reason, having the front of the putter white is making a difference. I don’t have an explanation but as I’ve said before, roll every putter. You may find some surprises.
Here are in-hand shots (and some stock images) of the new models.
Odyssey Ai-DUAL S2S #7
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Odyssey Ai-DUAL S2S Jailbird
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Odyssey Ai-DUAL #1
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Odyssey Ai-DUAL #7 DB
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Odyssey Ai-DUAL Jailbird Mini
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#7 S
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Double Wide
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The other half of the 2026 Odyssey putter tech story
In addition to the Ai-DUAL insert, Odyssey unveiled a new alignment scheme. Although their inserts are their bread and butter, Odyssey has also built up quite a catalog of novel alignment schemes.
Obviously, the 2-Ball is the most well-known and popular alignment plan. There are quite a few folks who also swear by Odyssey’s more recent Triple Track alignment scheme.
I celebrate the fact that Odyssey, the No. 1 putter on professional tours and at retail, still comes up with novel ways to make their putters better.
Trying new alignment schemes is risky because the new schemes are not all winners like the 2-Balls or Triple Tracks. Sometimes, the new ideas, like the Red Ball, are one-and-done affairs. Even if they are not all winners, the fact that Odyssey keeps experimenting and then brings their experiments to market benefits all golfers.
Get rid of 75 percent of the balls
The new alignment design probably originated with the 2-Ball. Rather than adding balls to the top as they did in the past, Odyssey removed a ball and a half.
Ball removal was not without precedent as 1-Ball putters have popped up here and there on tour. Tommy Fleetwood played a 1-Ball blade for a while. Someone, maybe Danny Willett, had a 2-Ball putter that lacked the front ball.
For the new alignment plan, Odyssey has placed half a ball at the front of their Ai-DUAL 1/2 Ball models. The cut edge of the ball aligns with the face and there is a small sight line bisecting the ball.
The idea behind the plan is that your brain naturally detects symmetry. When you use the 1/2 Ball alignment system, your brain is better able to recognize if you are aiming to the left or right of the target.
My image above exaggerates the concept a bit but literally looks wrong to you if you are not aiming at the target.
To create the 1/2 Ball, Odyssey wrapped the front surface of the Ai-DUAL insert from the face to the top of the putter. By making the urethane continuous, Odyssey eliminated the front edge of the putter face.
This allows your brain to focus only on the target line and to make sure you are aimed correctly.
Does the 1/2 Ball scheme actually work?
Internal testing determined that Odyssey could be on to something with the 1/2 Ball. To verify their findings independently, Odyssey had 52 golfers at Baylor and Clemson universities test the 1/2 Ball alignment versus their gamers.
After recording more than 1,000 six-foot putts (a distance chosen because of its influence on Strokes Gained values), Odyssey’s internal findings were supported. Golfers made about 11 percent more putts with the 1/2 Ball than with their gamers.
That 11-percent improvement may not seem significant but it is. Basic math says that if you usually have 30 putts a round, you will have 26.9 putts with the 1/2 Ball. A tour pro who makes 11 percent more putts makes a whole lot more cuts and cash.
Naturally, the test only involved six-foot putts so dropping three strokes is likely unrealistic. Even so, how can one not want to get one of these in play and see if there is indeed magic in the wand?
Available in classic heads and the S2S Max
Odyssey is releasing five classic models with the new 1/2 Ball alignment aid. These are the Double Wide DB, #7 S, #7 DB Cruiser, Jailbird Cruiser and Jailbird Mini. The models also feature the new Ai-DUAL insert.
As for Square 2 Square models, the 1/2 Ball alignment option is available only for the Ai-DUAL Square 2 Square MAX. This does include standard, Cruiser and Broomstick builds, though.
That’s a significant number of models for a new alignment technology. It reminds me of when Odyssey released about a hundred models when they unveiled the Versa alignment scheme.
My take from the number of putters is that the 1/2 Ball is not going the way of the Red Ball. Odyssey released a single Red Ball putter to test the waters. For the 1/2 Ball, the waters are already tested and Odyssey really believes that they are on to something.
Here are some in-hand photos of a few of the 1/2 Ball models.
Odyssey Ai-DUAL S2S Max Cruiser 1/2 Ball
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Odyssey Ai-DUAL Double Wide 1/2 Ball
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Odyssey Ai-DUAL Jailbird Cruiser 1/2 Ball
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#7 S 1/2 Ball
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2026 will be Odyssey’s year (again)
With the new Ai-DUAL line of putters and the new 1/2 Ball alignment plan, Odyssey is making a statement about how they will not be surrendering their position at the top any time soon.
Someone at Odyssey knows that playing the game just to protect your lead is a sure-fire way to lose that lead. They could just coast for a season or two, banking White Hot 2-Ball cash for a couple of fiscal cycles.
If they do that, Odyssey is done for. Innovate or get left behind.
Many folks gave Odyssey grief for the shape of the S2S MAX putter, accusing them of following rather than leading. I get that.
Hopefully, those same critics are applauding Odyssey for adding something new to the putter corral this year. A decade from now, we may realize that the 1/2 Ball scheme was even more helpful than the 2-Ball.
You should find all of the new Ai-DUAL putters at a retail shop near you on Jan. 23.
MSRP: Ai-DUAL: $349.99, Ai-DUAL Cruiser: $399.99, Ai-DUAL S2S: $399.99, Ai-DUAL S2S Cruiser: $449.99.
Find out more about the new Odyssey Ai-DUAL putters at Odyssey.Callaway.com.
The post Odyssey’s New Putters Double The Insert Layers And Halve The Ball appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
