The Club Report: Odyssey Works Tank Cruiser

A couple of weeks ago we showed you a preview of Odyssey’s new Works Tank Cruiser line of putters. Today, we are going to get a little deeper into the new line, showing you all of the now available in stores models, and hopefully pointing you in the right fitting direction should you want to give one of these new technological chimeras a go.

By the way, the Odyssey Chimera would also have been a great name for these putters as Odyssey has combined the tech from their different lines into this new beast. In Greek mythology, the chimera was a fierce beast, whose defeat required the combined might of the hero Bellerophon and Pegasus.

The lesson there is that the right combination of components can be fearsome. This time, the combination of tech should give you a fierce ally rather than foe.

Works Tank Cruiser Tech

Let’s take a quick minute to rehash the Lion, Goat, and Serpent technologies found in the Odyssey Chimera Works Tank Cruiser. Remember, this line represents a fusion of the technologies found in previous Odyssey releases. The Works’ Fusion RX Insert, the Tank’s counterweighting, and the Cruiser’s adjustability all come together in one putter.

The Works in Works Tank Cruiser is all about the Fusion RX insert. One could actually argue that it should be insert(s) since the insert is a combination of Odyssey’s time-tested White Hot insert and the Metal-X metal face.

The combination of these two techs makes the Works Tank Cruiser rollie-soft. The scalloped face gets the ball rolling while the White Hot polymer gives the lush impact that Odyssey players expect. In my experience with these, the Metal X part does take some of the softness out of impact, but it’s definitely still there.

Do you remember when Odyssey announced the Tank (or is that TANK) line by bringing a real tank to the PGA show? While that was arguably excessive marketing, it is tough to deny that the huge metal monstrosity helped the golf consumer to remember the name of their new putting line. For comparison, can you quickly tell me the name of the new Camerons announced a couple of weeks back?

Tanks are big and heavy and that was the gist of the Tank line. It represented Odyssey’s entry into the counterbalanced putter market, with the heads being, for lack of a better term, tanks. The original Tank #7 came in at 380g, with that booming weight being compensated for with a longer shaft and counterweight.

The Cruiser tech is infused with adjustability. The Tank Cruiser was the next incarnation of the counterbalanced line, adding the ability to swap out the weights to fit the needs of the player.

While adjustable sole weights had been around for a while in lines at Odyssey and other companies, the adjustable counterweight in the grip was a new development. Grip weights were in the golf previously, of course, but Odyssey was the first big OEM to offer them as a part of a standard putter line.

The not-in-the-name Odyssey tech present in these putters is the Versa alignment system. Maybe adding Versa to the name would have crossed a line. Works Tank Cruiser rolls off the tongue better than Versa Works Tank Cruiser. That’s a mouthful. Maybe something shorter would have been better (re. Chimera or Neapolitan).

Versa alignment tech created quite a storm when it launched a couple of years ago. Many dismissed the funny oreo-esq coloration, but the money won on tour, and earned at your local shop, is all the developers need cite to prove that Versa is a success. What was once shocking is now accepted, as adaptations of Versa have found their way to competitor’s putter lines.

Personally, I knew that there was something to it as soon as black-white-black and white-black-white versions of the same putter produced different accuracy values. The optics influence accuracy.

Odyssey Works Tank Cruiser Specs

• Product At Retail Date: 10/30 (Pre-sale Date: 10/16)
• Head Shape Models (4): V-Line, #7, #1 (Wide), 2-Ball Fang
• Price: $249
• Stock Length Offerings” 35”, 38” (custom lengths available)
• Standard Grip: Superstroke
• Counterweighting (in the grip): 5g, 15g and 30g weight options
• Head Weights:
  • V-Line Head weight: 375g (adjustable to 365g or 385g)
  • #7 Head Weight: 375g (adjustable to 365g or 385g)
  • #1 (Wide) Head Weight: 375g (adjustable to 365g or 385g)
  • 2-Ball Fang Head Weight: 385g (adjustable to 375g or 395g)

Works Tank Cruiser Models

The #1 wide has developed quite a following over the past few years. In light of this, it makes sense that this would be the one blade that is part of the Works Tank Cruiser line-up. A bit surprising though is the plumbers neck on the head whereas the typical #1 wide has a stub neck and double bend shaft. It’s definitely wider than a traditional #1, but maybe not as wide as the Versa #1 wide.

If we go by Odyssey’s eyeFIT fitting mirror dash fitting system, based upon eye position at address, this one would be a one dash putter, fitting someone whose eyes naturally line up just inside of the ball line at address. No dashes on the bottom of the putter though. Maybe Odyssey is phasing the eyeFIT out. That would be a shame as it was as simple, self-serve fitting tool for the consumer.

If we go by the iPING type of fitting, this putter’s 4:00 toe hang likely suits our slight arc players.

The V-Line is the first of three mallets in the Works Tank Cruiser line. Like it’s brethren, it is face-balanced and should therefore be a good fit for the straight stroke player.

When you look at the three mallets, you see that while there are definitely some design differences in terms of metal placement, the real difference comes in the alignment scheme.

The V-Line, features the Big T alignment system where a trailing line has been added to the perpendicular Versa line to make a T. Personally, it’s my least favorite of the three schemes. That extra line really pulls my eyes away from the face of the putter, and near as I can tell, the face is what hits the ball. Visually, for me it’s just too distracting. For me…

Because of this, I love that there are two other mallets to choose from in the line. You should be able to sync up with one of the three. Assuming you like putting with mallets. Maybe the Big T is your bag, baby. Maybe you roll 2-Ball or like the looks of Lucky #7. You have options, and options are good to have.

No one can really argue that the 2-Ball is the king of the Odyssey mallets. However, if there was an heir to that throne, it would be the #7. The sweeping fang shape of the #7 really promotes a stable stroke, and the #7 also sports the most minimal alignment scheme of the three mallets.

Minimal alignment scheme? You jest! Now I know that it has the Versa alignment system and some sight dots, but when compared to the overt visuals of the V-Line and the 2-Ball Fang, the #7 is downright visually subdued.

It’s a beefy #7, not just in weight, but in profile. Those of you familiar with the permutations of the #7 design through the years know that there have been some large ones and some small ones in the different lines. This one will need to wear the big pants to feel comfortable.

Again, the face-balanced nature is best suited to the eyes-over-the-ball/straight stroke player. Odyssey did explore some different neck options with their Lucky 777 version of the #7 putter this summer. Maybe that is a hint at things to come in 2016. I really wanted to pick up the single bend with slant joint version since my stroke arcs a bit.

Naturally, the iconic 2-Ball needed to get the full Works Tank Cruiser treatment. This 2-Ball is also sports the fangs found on the standard Works 2-ball. That’s Mr. Odyssey Works Tank Cruiser Versa 2-Ball Fang to you, sir.

Like the other two mallets, the 2-Ball Fang is face-balanced, and thus likely fitting the zero dash/straight stroke golfer. As I mentioned above, mallet fitting is probably going to come down to alignment preference. Do you want a Big T, two balls, or minimal Versa?

Odyssey 2-Balls have earned a whole bunch of PGA Tour money. Obviously the alignment scheme works great for some. I love talking to dedicated 2-Ball players as they may be the most model-loyal group in golf. Let’s just say that those who play 2-Balls really only looked at this putter when the Works Tank Cruiser announcement was made.

The Two Lengths

The Works Tank Cruisers come is two standard lengths, 35 and 38 inches. There is a simple way and a complicated way to know which length would be right for you.

The simple way is to take the length of your usual putter and add an inch or three. Remember that these are counterbalanced and as such when you grip at your normal spot relative to the ground, some of the grip should be above your hands.

So if you usually play something 33″ or shorter, go with the 35″ model. If you play 34″ or 35″, then go with the 38″.

When the answer gets a little more complicated is when you want to deviate from the set counterbalance formula. What if you want something closer to your normal playing length, but you want to manipulate the feel by changing the grip and head weights? Then you may be looking at the shorter model.

There are many ways to alter the set-up with the Works Tank Cruiser. Given time, most should be able to find one that promotes better putting than the others. But it may take a touch of time. For what it’s worth, the SuperStroke grips used on the two lengths are identical, so you can always go 38″ then start chopping on sections until you reach that ideal length. Get your tinker on!

That’s the WTC, Now on to 2016?

I bet that this will be the last new release that Odyssey brings out this year, being that 2016 is just around the corner. We are almost at my favorite time of the year when we get to see what we have on the horizon.

I can’t wait to see the direction that Odyssey takes next year. Will we see the 2016 models build upon the tech of 2015, or will we see something totally outside of the box? Something truly novel like the Versa was when it was unveiled. Again, I can’t wait to see what’s next!