50 Words or Less
The Odyssey Ai-ONE Square 2 Square Jailbird putter pairs the excellent Ai-ONE face insert with a big modern mallet and toe up balance to create tremendous consistency. Extremely soft feel. Make sure to get the right specs to get the most out of this putter.
Introduction
The latest entry into the zero torque putter arena comes from Odyssey, the biggest name in flat sticks. Technically an extension of their Ai-ONE putter family, the Odyssey Square 2 Square putter mini-family has three members: Double Wide, #7, and Jailbird. In this review, I’ll evaluate how the Odyssey Ai-ONE Square 2 Square Jailbird stacks up against other zero torque putters and how much the Ai-ONE face elevates the performance of a modern mallet.
Looks
The Odyssey Ai-ONE Square 2 Square Jailbird is the most modern of the three shapes in the Square 2 Square line. Though it’s certainly been having a run of recent success, I’d be hard pressed to call the shape a “classic” like Odyssey does in their copy. Regardless, this putter has a large, blocky footprint that screams “Stability!”
When it comes to alignment, the Square 2 Square Jailbird is doing a lot. There’s a three dot alignment aid on the top line, but that’s overshadowed by Odyssey’s Versa alignment – the alternating white and navy blue stripes. Though it’s unconventional, I found myself liking the Versa alignment aid because it got me aiming the whole face, not just a line.
This Jailbird features the same navy blue PVD finish as the other Ai-ONE putters, and it remains a winner in my eyes. It’s different enough to be cool but subtle enough that it’s not distracting. The sole is packed to the gills with the Ai-Window, movable weights, and loads of branding.
Finally, kudos to Odyssey for going all-in on the Jailbird theme with this bold headcover. It’s definitely not for everyone, but it’s well executed and fits the unusual shaft placement like a glove.
Sound & Feel
Like the other Ai-ONE putters, the Odyssey Square 2 Square Jailbird has the Ai-ONE insert. This is made of White Hot Urethane over an aluminum backing. Even on long putts, the White Hot Urethane creates a quiet, gentle impact sound. I could never get the sound above a dull “tock”, and short putts generate no more than a whisper.
I was expecting a soft impact feel based on my experience with other Ai-ONE putters, but the Square 2 Square Jailbird takes it to another level. On center, I barely felt impact. Mishits and long putts create a little more sensation, but it’s very light. Combining the Ai-ONE insert with this high stability mallet almost complete mutes tangible feedback. You need to listen carefully to know if you’ve mishit a putt.
Performance
Let’s start with a word on zero torque putters. The idea behind a zero torque putter is that it naturally stays square to your swing path. This trend was ignited by L.A.B. Golf and their run of success with Lucas Glover in 2023’s FedEx Cup Playoff. While these putters were gathering steam before that, Lucas’s back-to-back wins gave the trend rocket fuel. We’re now seeing brands from Bettinardi to PXG [Allan review HERE] rolling out their own version of zero torque, which brings us to the Odyssey Ai-ONE Square 2 Square Jailbird.
One thing to note about the Square 2 Square putters is that Odyssey does not use the term “zero torque”, instead saying that it’s a “modern center shafted design” which creates “toe up” balance. Additionally, they state that the putter is both “inclined to stay square to your path” and also that it’s best for “golfers looking to minimize their face rotation.”
Those notes are all fairly common among zero torque putters. What Odyssey adds that’s unique is their Ai-ONE face insert. The aluminum backer has contours designed to promote consistent ball speed across the face. In my testing last fall, I found that the Ai-ONE insert was substantially more consistent than a standard milled face [full details HERE].
Another noteworthy trait of the Square 2 Square Jailbird is the forward press. Per Odyssey, there’s a 3.3 degree built-in forward shaft lean. This pairs with the “oversize,” no taper stock grip. The grip does not “negate” the forward press like L.A.B.’s grips, so you will feel your hands leaning forward.
In my testing, the Square 2 Square Jailbird was a marvel of consistency. The combination of the Ai-ONE insert with the large, stable head made mishits barely noticeable. I could make short putts even when I missed the center of the face substantially, and long putts found their way near the cup even with poor contact.
I also tested this putter against my L.A.B. MEZZ.1 MAX gamer [review HERE] using both my Foresight GCQuad and the PUR Truth Trainer [review HERE] on a demanding setting. The consistency of the Jailbird’s toe up balance was very impressive – virtually every putt started on the exact same line. I got the same consistency with my MEZZ.1 MAX, but my start line was on target with the MEZZ, slightly left with the Jailbird. This makes sense given my experience with the MEZZ and the fact that it’s fit to my specs, while the Jailbird is stock. Ultimately, I was very impressed with the Odyssey Ai-ONE Square 2 Square Jailbird, but would stress that getting the right specs is really important.
Conclusion
The Odyssey Ai-ONE Square 2 Square Jailbird putter mixes a variety of elements to create an almost-unparalleled level of consistency. Mishits are nearly irrelevant thanks to the face technology and the high MOI shape, and the toe up balance keeps the putter face steady. If you’re thinking about trying a zero torque putter, this is worth a roll.
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Editor In Chief at Plugged In Golf
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.