This month, our resident PGA pro Tom takes a closer look at two of the latest putters from Odyssey - the Odyssey Square 2 Square Max 1 and the Max Stripe.
Are these putters just eye-catching, or do they really help you sink more putts? Tom’s here to give you the lowdown - from feel and alignment to roll and forgiveness.
Tom recently had the chance to test out the brand-new Odyssey AI-ONE range, including the Square to Square Max Strike and the Max One putters. These innovative models promise cutting-edge design and performance enhancements aimed at improving consistency and roll on the greens.
In this review, He'll walk you through the key features and benefits of both putters, how they performed during real-world testing on the putting green, and provide the recommended retail prices. Whether you’re a weekend golfer or a serious player looking to sharpen your short game, read on to find out if one of these AI-powered putters could be your next game-changer.
What's the Difference?
The Max One and Max Stripe are identical in shape, feel, and performance—the only difference is in the alignment visuals. The Max Stripe features a bold white stripe from back to front to enhance alignment, while the Max One offers a cleaner look with a single white line on the blue head.
It all comes down to personal preference: bold alignment aid or minimalist design.
Consistently Square
A key selling point of the AI-ONE putters is their ability to keep the face squarer for longer during the stroke. Unlike traditional putters—which tend to open on the backswing and require you to actively square the face on the follow-through—these Odyssey models are designed to stay stable throughout.
In testing, I found that the center-shafted square-to-square design made a real difference. The putter face remained consistently square without needing extra adjustments, helping me focus more on speed and line rather than manipulating the face.
Both the Max Strike and Max One are available in 33", 34", and 35" lengths, so you can choose what suits your setup best.
Built-In Forward Press
One subtle but clever design feature is the built-in forward shaft lean. When addressing the ball, I noticed the shaft naturally points slightly toward the left pocket—this is intentional. Odyssey has engineered the shaft to lean 3.3° forward, effectively creating a built-in forward press.
The idea is to help players achieve the ideal setup position without manually pressing forward, which can often lead to the putter face opening. With this feature, the putter promotes better alignment and roll from the start, making setup simpler and more consistent.
On the Green: First Impressions with the Max 1 & Max Stripe
I started testing the Max One with a series of 12-foot putts, and the first thing that stood out was the size of the head—it’s noticeably large. While it may take some getting used to, it instantly gives off a sense of stability and confidence over the ball.
The white alignment line really pops against the blue head, making it easy to line up putts accurately.
Performance-wise, the putter feels incredibly soft off the face, with a satisfying, stable roll. Pace control was consistent across multiple putts, and the feedback through impact was excellent. After just a few strokes, I felt really confident with it in hand—smooth, soft, and easy to trust.
Switching to the Max Stripe for the same 12-foot putts, the first thing that stands out is the visual alignment. The bold white stripe running from back to front really helps center the ball and makes aiming feel intuitive and easy.
On the green, the performance mirrors that of the Max One—soft feel off the face, stable through the stroke, and solid pace control. A couple of putts ran slightly past the hole, but overall the consistency and feedback were excellent.
After just a few strokes, I found myself gaining confidence with the Max Stripe. The alignment aid combined with the smooth feel makes it a strong contender—two out of three putts sunk, and it’s quickly becoming a favourite.
I moved further back to test the Max Stripe on some longer putts—and despite the distance, the results were impressive. All three putts finished close to the target, with excellent distance control and a consistently soft, stable feel off the face.
While performance was strong, I’ll admit the chunky head design isn’t my personal favorite from a visual standpoint. The thick back may take some getting used to. That said, the white stripe remains a standout feature, really helping with alignment.
Overall, it’s a solid performer—smooth through the stroke, forgiving on longer putts, and confidence-boosting. If the head were just a bit more compact, it would be near perfect for me.
Next, I tested the Max Stripe on a few short putts from about three feet. The feel off the face was excellent—soft and consistent every time.
The putter felt incredibly stable with no unwanted movement on the backswing, allowing for confident, controlled strokes.
I made all three putts with ease, reinforcing just how reliable this model is for those crucial short-range taps.
Check out Tom's full review of the Odyssey Square 2 Square Max 1 & Max Stripe Putters.
Tom's Verdict
My personal favorite from the range was definitely the Max Stripe. I loved the bold white stripe on the back of the head—it not only looks great but also really helped with alignment. Performance-wise, it excelled on long putts, offering excellent distance control, which is crucial for consistently sinking those longer shots.
What impressed me most was how stable the putter felt across all distances—from short taps to medium-range strokes—without any unwanted movement. The feel off the face was soft and controlled, giving me plenty of confidence with every putt.
In summary, the Max Stripe combines strong performance with a standout design, making it a top choice for players looking to improve both accuracy and feel on the greens.
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Equipment Reviewed – Odyssey Square 2 Square Max 1 & Max Stripe Putters
This month, our resident PGA pro Tom takes a closer look at two of the latest putters from Odyssey - the Odyssey Square 2 Square Max 1 and the Max Stripe.
