Odyssey re-invents the chipper
But now they call it the putting wedge. 'I'd heckle the stars if they used it!'
Posted: 9 October 2007
by Bob Warters
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Credible chipper: Odyssey validates the chipper with its 'putting wedge'
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Never been a fan of the chipper - the purpose-built club that looks like a putter but with the face loft of a 6- or 7-iron. In my world using this club instead of a lofted wedge or a medium iron to play the ball from the fringe, is a form of cheating.
Call me old fashioned, but like the broomhandled or belly putter, it defies the spirit of the game to get the ball closer or often into the hole using equipment that effectively bends the rules.
Long ago, I convinced myself that 'real golfers' never used chippers because they identified a weakness, tended to be made by smaller brands and were 'cheap and nasty products' aimed at the entry level golfer. Some golfers 'of mature age' used them to great effect but they rarely competed in the competitions I entered so I paid little heed .
Now
Odyssey, one of the top brands in golf equipment, part of the Callaway stable with major champions like Padraig Harrington, Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els using their putters, have blown my theories out of the water by revealing the Odyssey Marxman X-act 'putting wedge' at the Golf Europe Trade Show in Munich this week.
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Chip shock: The 37-degree Marxman X-act from Odyssey
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Says Odyssey's official description of the club, with its 37-degree loft (equivalent to a 7-iron): "Tricky shots around the green just got a lot easier. The putting wedge is designed to function like an approach putter, with the hybrid-like sole design allowing the club to move smoothly through the turf, helping eliminate stubbed chips and ensuring the ball finished closer to the hole."
My first impression was that I was appalled by Odyssey's validation and endorsement of a type of club that eliminates the skill-factor of the delicate chip from the fringe.
I would even be inclined, from the comfort of my my favourite TV armchair, to heckle Messrs Harrington, Mickelson and Els if I ever saw their respective caddies handing them the Marxman X-act in a professional tournament.
I'd even question its legality on Tour, such is its simplicity to use in the right hands, though I'd doubt its lack of 'street cred' would allow any pro to be seen with one - even in a practice round.
At a recommended price of £89, it's a far cry from the bargain bucket price of most chippers and it will be fascinating to see if, when the club is released in November, whether Odyssey's authentication, suddenly makes it the must have club of 2008.
By the way, when I get chance to try one under competitive conditions - as Odyssey has promised - I may well forget my principles if it knocks shots of my score!
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New look: Marxman mini mallet out next month
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Other products due to be released by Odyssey next month, include the White Hot XG Marxman mini-mallet - with its two alignment stripes running the depth of the clubhead - and the Odyssey Divine Line of putters (£139), created specifically for women, with shorter shafts and heavier head weights to enhance feel and roll.
And look out in February for the introduction of Odyssey Black Series putters (£189), designed for accomplished players with a heavy flange, the White Hot XG Sabertooth and the White Hot Tour (£109) with weight ports in the sole to optimise shorter-length putters with 33- and 34-inch shafts.
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Discuss this story
Why the mockery? if its legal helps you get the ball in few shots then it deserves a place in the bag. Surely that the idea of golf is to get the ball in the hole in as few shots as possible and not looking the part? We dont snigger at the hybrid replacing the 3/4 irons? so to twist a previous post Learn to Use long irons!! Some people are uncomfortable using 3/4 irons so carry hybrids, while others struggle with chipping so carry a a "putting wedge" what the difference? Both make the game easier for the average golfer
Posted: 09/10/2007 12:52
But my point being, you use what works for the individual golfer. Personally i find my PW and 7 iron do the job for most type of shots around the green but if i found a chipper worked better to such an extent, i would change my club configuration to fit it in. Whats the stat that 70% of golf shots are within 100y of the pin, so if any club is deserving a place in the bag, it is a club that will save you shots around the green. If it is a chipper it is deserving of a place in the bag and therefore not a waste of a club in the bag. I think its being a bit oversimplistic by calling it 6 iron with a short shaft.
Posted: 09/10/2007 13:17
Aces is right - if you let appearances restrict your choice of clubs, you're a poser not a golfer! Part of learning about the game is learning what kit helps you. If this gives you confidence, more power to your elbow. Personally, I enjoy chipping with a 7-iron, but I don't expect everyone else to, just like honey monster doesn't expect everyone to want to use a 2-iron, or like we might advise a beginner not to hit his driver.
Posted: 09/10/2007 13:22
SOME CHIPPERS ARE ILLEGAL IN COMPETITIONS http://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/articles/0311cr-golfqampa0311Z12.html this shows you all the rules about chippers if a chipper doesn't break any of the rules then i guess it is fair
Posted: 09/10/2007 13:46
Bet the shambles group would use one.  Oi, i heard that! As far as im aware there is only one mupp....... er i mean golfer that uses a chipper and he gets mocked on a regular basis Personally i wouldnt use one if my life depended on it but its purely down to personal preference, if it works for you then why not.
Posted: 09/10/2007 14:31
If a chipper works, use one !! How many of you use Graphite shafted 460cc drivers rather than Hickory shafted persimmons ? If it's legal - use it to your advantage. I'm going to try one and if it kicks the duffed chips into touch I'll be investing !!
Posted: 09/10/2007 15:42
It is the price that gets me. £90 seems a lot of cash for a club that has limited application. I am sure that it will be of excellent quality but I doubt that it will offer much more for the average golfer than the £5 Dunlop or Donnay's you can pick up in Sports World, on top of that I doubt you will see these in the hands of Tour players I struggle to see the market they are aiming at.. I can only guess there are a lot of people out there with deep pockets who will want to be seen with the newest "gadget".
Posted: 09/10/2007 16:20
Well, If I thought that one of these would help my game, i would have a bit of a dilemma. On the one hand, golfing logic says that what works, works. That's why we have oversized clubs, 2ball putters, broomhandle putters, graphite shafts etc etc. On the other hand, i would know that my mates would take the p*ss something rotten. that is not a good golf reason not to carry a chipper, but it is pretty powerful none the less. I suspect that if I had the chip-yips, i would be prepared to try anything, and hang what everyone else things. Academic point though, becasue I am a supreme chipper............
Posted: 09/10/2007 17:02
"Bet the shambles group would use one. " Your right, but I'm not telling you who, or I'll get another warning for good play, DOH.
Posted: 09/10/2007 17:45
OF course it will sell and will be successful. When you have guys playing off 20+ who spend £30+ on a dozen balls because it gives them more spin on the green. When you have guys who can't break 100 spending £250+ on a driver because it promises to hit the ball straighter. Of course people will buy "putting wedge" to help with their chipping. IF it promises an easy fix it will sell.
Posted: 09/10/2007 20:31
'So Phil, one round to go in the 2008 Masters and you hold a ten shot lead over the field. What clubs in your bag will be most influential in hanging on to win another green jacket?" "Well Hank, as you know I've only had 50 putts in three rounds thus far and chipped in 25 times using my Odyssey putting wedge. So I'll continued to aim for the fringes around the green and hope to take my opportunities. "Bones, my caddie is also pleased because, as well as the three drivers I'm carrying (fade, draw and straight) I only need a hybrid, five irons, 60-degree sand iron and a putter, as well as my putting wedge, whicvh makes club selection much easier and thbere's less weight for him to carry. Hoping to bring out a PM signature black putting wedge next week." "Thanks Phill and good luck." ED
Posted: 10/10/2007 10:01
Hmmmm! seems I'm in a minority of one , yes I use a chipper , why ? because I can't chip using the conventional methods ( believe me , I have tried), I get better results using a chipper , I'm more accurate and get better distance control , I have also learned to use a chipper for a variety of shots IE , over bunkers , out of bunkers ,over the humps and banks around the green, even from 80 yards out with a fair bit of success. I can alter the height of shot and how much run on I get by changing ball position , its a very versatile club , and thats what it is , A CLUB. You accept all the innovations that Technology has made possible from Offset to draw bias Drivers ,Woods and even Irons and Putters , Wedges with various grooves and different bounce choices, varying shaft compositions and flexes, different head shapes and movable weighting systems all to improve your game , and thats the one thing you all want , IMPROVEMENT. But let someone mention the dirty word CHIPPER and you all or nearly all get on your High Horses and look down your noses at the chipper, why? , it does what all of your other innovations do, it Improves my game , it saves me shots. Using the one argument that's always gets trotted out , Learn to chip the Conventional way , well apply the same argument for all your Faults , learn to hit a ball without slicing or hooking , have a standard Flex shaft for all players , make all clubs the same lofts and lies, make everyone conform to the norm . lets face it, we all want help with something in our game , we all want lower scores , but , A CHIPPER , NO , its cheating , its not Worthy , its not GOLF , Double Standards if you ask me. There, I will step down from my Soapbox and get buried under the abuse and Ridicule I always get, but you know what ?, I don't give a sh*t , I use a chipper , you don't want to use one its your loss, let the ridicule begin, I'm gone.  PS. I've even used it off the Tee on a par 3, and got my par. 
Posted: 10/10/2007 12:05
I know a fella at my club who plays off 14 that uses a chipper.. Our first hole is a short par 4. He had a nice drive to about 250 leaving 75 or so to the pin. Out comes the chipper and he hits a beauty. The ball bounces once before disappearing into the cup for an eagle. I was most impressed. Personally, my perception of a chipper is that it isnt very flexible? What if you are chipping from a slope or if your ball is in thick rough? I chip with lots of different clubs depending on what I want to do with the ball. I think that chips are the most rewarding of shots when they go close and your choice of club is vindicated. Chipping in from off the green is a fantastic feeling. I think that Oddessey have a big perception battle on their hands. I think that if it helps lower your score and you have struggled with chipping then fair play to you if you want to use one.
Posted: 10/10/2007 12:32
Stuart I would love to see Mickleson or Els get one of these babies out next Spring at Augusta. What would the voice of the BBC say? I bet Ernie would love one after his putt into the bunker at the Dunhill this week, the Beeb (Aliss) would probaly make his usual inane comment
Posted: 10/10/2007 14:18
Well said Sham! and also agree Cresote, that in terms of skill development irons are better but for the million of average Joes who just enjoy playing golf to a reasonable standard and dont strive to get to single figures etc, if they save shots why the hell not use them. The question is What is different about this chipper compared to a £10 one from sports world, I guess the same thing could be said about a putter. If its made of better qualilty compenants and well made it will prove better than the £10 one. Also a question: Is it legal? I believe it is classed as an iron not a putter, Are inserts allowed on irons as per putters as the Callaway chipper appears to have one.
Posted: 10/10/2007 14:32
Valid point Dave the Slice, grass over an inch in depth and the chipper is useless , as for off a slope thats not a problem , depending on how much carry over a bunker can be a limiting factor too about 10 foot maximum. I carry a Lob wedge so my chippers short comings are not a problem.
Posted: 10/10/2007 14:38
We all can only use 14 clubs so I guess if people want to use up one of their allocated clubs on a chipper then that's their choice. I find the technique that this chipper replicates to be one of the easier and more repeatable skills in golf, bar putting - so I personally wouldn't use it. My PW gets most often used for the basic chip, but of course I can use that club for a number of things. This chipper, as others have said, lacks versatility. It has one role, and can't even fulfil that in all conditions and situations.
Posted: 10/10/2007 15:04
"PS. I've even used it off the Tee on a par 3, and got my par. " LMFAO, Is this a pitch and putt course? Or a course with wind mills and roundabouts and bumpers etc etc.
Posted: 10/10/2007 19:47
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