Odyssey releasing belly and long putters

• By Ryan Ballengee
• Sep 29, 2011 9:46 AM ET

In the latest example of “hacker see, hacker do,” the demand for unconventional putters has increased among amateurs. Odyssey Golf is responding by introducing new mid-length and long putters to the public.

The company is releasing 43-, 48- and 50-inch versions of their White Ice D.A.R.T. that will hit store on October 14, priced at $189. The release will mark the introduction of a second Odyssey putter in those lengths. The White Ice 2-Ball model is already available.

In August at the PGA Championship, Keegan Bradley became the first player in major championship history to win wielding a putter of unconventional length. Mentor Phil Mickelson turned to the long putter at the Deutsche Bank Championship and used it through the remainder of the FedEx Cup playoffs. Adam Scott and Webb Simpson won three events combined in August and September with long putters.

The victories created a curiosity about the utility and future legality of the putters and, according to Odyssey, that curiosity has translated into sales.

“The number of belly putters being used – and used to win – on the PGA Tour has certainly led to increased interest in belly putters by amateur players,” said Austie Rollinson, principal designer for Odyssey. Rollinson consulted with Mickelson to develop the belly putter he now uses.

“In the months and weeks that followed, Odyssey moved quickly to increase the availability of mid and long putters and we’re excited that players of all levels will now be able to benefit from playing the D.A.R.T. putter in belly and long models.”