The Club Report: Odyssey Milled Collection RSX

The 411 on the RSX

A couple of weeks ago, Odyssey released some teaser photos and information about their new Milled Collection RSX line. We didn’t know a ton about these putters at the time, except that there would be three models, all milled from carbon steel, and that these three putters would include the Sound Chamber previously unveiled as a component of the limited run Highway 101 release.

Today we can explore these putters a little deeper. We have a bunch of in-hand photos to share with you, along with some first hand player experiences.

The introduction of the new RSX line raised a handful of questions around things like the Sound Chamber’s effect, the head shape modifications in both the #7 and the new 001 head, and, of course, questions about the Milled Collection RSX putters’ premium pricing. Hopefully, today we can answer these questions, and more.

Let’s now dive a little deeper into Odyssey’s Roll Sound eXperiment.

Specifications: Odyssey Milled Collection RSX

• Material: Carbon steel head with stainless steel insert
• Models: 3 (001, #7, & V-Line Fang)
• Head Weights: 001=345g; #7 and V-Line Fang=350g
• Insert: Chemically etched 17-4 Stainless Steel Metal-X
• Loft: 3°
• Lie: 70°
• Lengths: 32-37” if ordered through Odyssey site
• Hand: Right and Left-handed
• Shaft: Black Powder Coat
• Grip: Grip Master perforated Cabretta leather
• MSRP: $379.99

Notes From The Sound Chamber

I think that this may be the first time that I was more excited to hear, rather than see, how a putter rolls a ball. To be totally honest, I was expecting the sound to be a little more pronounced than it was. So much so that I unwrapped and rolled all three models in quick succession just to be sure that I wasn’t missing this awesome sound that the chamber produces.

All three of them just sounded like, well, putters when I rolled ten-footers.

Thinking that I really must be missing something, I broke out my old faithful Versa BWB 90 #7 to compare the tones. That’s when I understood that I had already experienced the effect of the sound chamber.

My Versa #7 rolled the ball with ninja-silent impact, whereas the RSX putters sounded like putters.

That’s the take home message about the Sound Chamber. The putter wizards at Odyssey have done what Phil wanted them to do. They have “made a five-foot putt sound like a five-foot putt”.

Though I typically love the feel of insert putters, I usually just try them for a while and then return to a milled flatstick. For me, distance control has always been better with a milled head, and my preference for sound slots tells me that tone could possibly play a role in my preference and performance as well.

I believe that the RXS line opens the door to players like me who have avoided inserts in the past for this reason. Case in point, while I initially loved this year’s White Hot RX V-Line Fang, distance issues ultimately moved it from the bag to the garage. As my weekly play group will grumpily attest, distance control with the new RSX V-Line Fang has been solid from the first round rolled.

The tone and the roll are in sync, and for me, with the level of tone matching the distance rolled. I believe that’s a recipe for accuracy, but it is tough to quantify exactly why I believe this.

Belief is not fact though, and I guarantee there will be some follow-up objective tests to see if sound actually affects distance control, or if I’m just believing that it does.

Closer Look: Number 7

Odyssey is not afraid to tinker with the #7. If you consider the huge sales of the #7 alone, one could think such tinkering reckless. In a recent car parallel, rumor has it that Lexus’s 2016 introduction of the spindle grill design actually caused (many) customers to buy Acuras instead. One wrong design tweak, and the golden goose lays rotten eggs.

Overall, the RSX #7 retains the weight-to-the-edges fang shape of its predecessors, but the topography of the RSX #7 is definitely different. As you can see, the wings on the putter are no longer solid and triangular, but rather concave and scoop-like, with the alignment lines riding atop elevated rails. For me, I think that the design is a bit too much of a departure from the solid fang build of the classic #7.  

In general, the putter looks much more concave at address than a traditional #7, where the outward sloping fang edges make the traditional address profile much flatter. It may just be my visual preference, but I think that the older design promotes a more squared-to-line feeling at address, without adding any potential lie angle adjustments prompted by the RSX #7’s rounded look.

For some, I’m sure that the new design will help bring the eyes to the middle of the putter, and thus the putting line, but for me, I prefer the older shape.

Closer Look: Number 001

Once again, Odyssey makes a bold move with the RSX line. They only include one blade head in the line, and they make it a new one. Mallet players at least have a choice between two, and one of the mallets is battle tested.

But if the 001 doesn’t work, that’s the end of the blade story.

So how does this 001 head differ from the traditional #1? Luckily, I was able to snap a couple of side-by-side shots at the local shop, showing the RSX 001 and the HWY 101 #1.

001 vs. #1

As you can see, the differences between the 001 and the #1 are not huge. The #1 is a little more compact, and a little thicker from face to flange. Overall, at least compared to the WHRX #1, the 001 is just a bit more complicated in design, with little touches like the changed cavity shape, and the little scoop milled at the base of the neck.

The #1 vs. 001 comparison brings to mind lots of other putter companies pairings where one model is round, and the other more square, like with Ping’s Anser and Anser 2 and Cameron’s Newport and Newport 2. Now Odyssey can add #1 and 001 to that list.

Another fair comparison can be made between Cameron’s 009 and Odyssey’s 001. Perhaps the “00” is a tip of the cap, or some other gesture, toward the Cameron camp.

Closer Look: V-Line Fang

Man did I gush over the V-Line Fang when it was released with the White Hot RX line. Though it couldn’t displace the mighty Sabertooth as my favorite Odyssey mallet, that WHRX V-Line Fang did come close for a while, but ultimately ended up a resident of the Island of Misfit Putters like so many others.

So far, this RSX version is outperforming the WHRX version for me. It sets up great at address, has a solid swing to speed relationship, and it still gets my vote for the best ball-scooping mallet out there.

Perhaps it can stay off the island for a while.

The $379.99 Question

The big question that many will have about the Odyssey Milled Collection RSX line will be something like “Why do they cost $379?”

Though I don’t have a complete (i.e. any) accounting of where that cost comes from, I’d be willing to bet that part of the price increase is associated with increased production times. As milled putters, these likely take longer to produce than an equal number of cast heads, and as the saying goes, time is money. Less heads per day could equate to more cost per head to recoup design, engineering, and marketing costs.

Material costs on these are higher than the WHRX line. The Cabretta leather grip is absolutely fantastic, with the tact and squish living in perfect balance That grip costs more than a rubber one. Even the cool black shaft requires a powder coating step.

Value is always a subjective relationship between the manufacturer and the consumer. There are feature upgrades in the Milled Collection RSX line versus the less expensive White Hot RX line, and those upgrades, such as the leather grip, black shaft, and Sound Chamber, come with a price. The consumer demand will ultimately decide if the price matches the product.

Rounding out the RSX

Pricing discussions notwithstanding, Odyssey has rolled out a very nice line of premium putters with the Milled Collection RSX line. Leather grips, sleek black shafts, and fresh takes on head shapes definitely give these putters some bag candy appeal.

I am cautiously enthusiastic about the Sound Chamber’s impact on putting performance. It seems like it is working wonders for me, but as you know, MyGolfSpy is not about seems. We will definitely be looking to see if the data supports my feelings, or not.

For more information visit the Odyssey Golf website.