- Odyssey is releasing a version of their Versa Jailbird mallet.
- Built to the specs of the model that won at the U.S. Open
- Limited quantities available on June 28 with a MSRP of $399.99
That Odyssey Jailbird is So Hot Right Now
Having the hottest putter on the PGA TOUR is the dream of every putter company. Demand for that hot putter skyrockets. Every golfer, from pros to schmoes, wants to see if the newest hottest putter will also be hot in their bag. For the company, a trendy putter means a huge uptick in putter sales.
Unless said “hot putter” was last manufactured in 2014.
If you’ve watched any professional golf recently, you’ve seen the remarkable resurgence of the Odyssey Versa Jailbird putter. Rickie had one built to some arguably atypical specifications and subsequently used it to set a record low opening round at the U.S. Open and reenter the FedEx Cup conversation.
That low round generated interest in the Jailbird but when Wyndham Clark won the U.S. Open with the same model, Jailbird madness really took off. A once bargain-bin putter was now fetching hundreds of dollars on eBay. Some online retailers have Jailbirds listed at more than $1,500! In poor condition!
For Odyssey, the hot putter dream quickly became somewhat nightmarish. They had the lightning but no bottle. Everyone now wants the putter but since it was made so long ago, they likely had barely enough Jailbirds to supply Tour players, let alone the golfing masses.
I’m no economist but supply and demand rules say that Odyssey needs to restart Jailbird production.
Enter the Odyssey Versa Jailbird 380
With the rapid production of the new Odyssey Versa Jailbird 380, Odyssey is adding some supply to meet the demand. Or at least some of the demand as this is a limited production run.
This version of the Jailbird mallet should be in high demand as it is built with specs matching those of Fowler and Clark’s Jailbirds.
Odyssey Versa Jailbird 380 Specifications
- Jailbird mallet head shape
- Versa high-contrast alignment (black/white)
- 380-gram head weight
- 39-inch standard length
- Microhinge insert
- Face-balanced toe hang
Overall, the build is an interesting one. For sure, it is not a version that was on the shelves a decade ago. This putter is longer (39 inches) and has a 17-inch-long SuperStroke grip. At 380 grams, it is also quite heavy compared to the 355 of the original.
This makes the Odyssey Versa Jailbird 380 a counterbalanced putter. Just like Rickie, you’ll grip the putter at your usual spot, with the grip extending well above your hands. This weight distribution should provide ample stability during the stroke.
Just How Limited and Will it See Retail in 2024
Odyssey did not share the actual number of Odyssey Versa Jailbird 380 putters that they will be producing. I’d bet it’s more than 10 and fewer than 10,000. My guess is they will make as many as they can squeeze into their planned 2023 production quotas.
No matter how many they make, keeping up with demand will be difficult. Keegan Bradley winning with a Jailbird last weekend just adds more fuel to the frenzy. Should Rickie grab a win, even these putters could be headed to well above retail pricing.
Speaking of pricing, Odyssey is charging $399.99 for the Odyssey Versa Jailbird 380. Obviously, $400 is not cheap but I feel like they could have charged more and still sold every one they made. Not gouging the golf consumer is a refreshing and unusual marketing scheme. Good on you, Team Odyssey.
Will this be the last Versa Jailbird we see or is it the first of many? I am curious to see if Odyssey adds the Jailbird to the new White Hot Versa line next year. That would track with the original Jailbird 2014 release as it was released a year after the initial Versa release in 2013. I guess it depends on the continuance of Jailbird madness.
Do you think we will see an Odyssey White Hot Versa Jailbird in 2024?
Learn more and grab your Odyssey Versa Jailbird 380 at Odyssey.com.
Jordan
3 months ago
Coming in months later to ask if you could include this in the most wanted test please!