Tested by: Brendan James, Golf Australia Editor (GA Handicap 8.4)

MODEL PLAYED : Rossie S, with SuperStroke Mid Slim 2.0 grip. FIRST IMPRESSIONS: The moment I took the headcover off I was keen to get this putter down in front of me. The red and black finish is striking and, combined with the three sight lines, it certainly helped me aim the putter accurately at my target line. HOW IT PERFORMED: I switched to using mallet putters about 10 years ago and the first one in the bag was the Odyssey Two-ball. With each change to the flatstick being carried ever since there has always been one constant – the Odyssey White Hot insert.

The White Hot insert offers the kind of feel I like in the putter and I thought I could be content using a putter with that insert for the rest of my golfing days. But the new incarnation in the EXO putters is even better.

While the insert material is seemingly no different to what can be found in recent Odyssey models, the difference is Odyssey has combined its Microhinge technology with the White Hot elastomer insert and the combination is an absolute winner. Not only do you get the soft feel of the White Hot but I found the Microhinge eliminated those two out of three putts (especially from distances beyond 15 feet) that seem to skip after impact. The roll with this putter was outstanding, which ultimately boosted my confidence in controlling the speed of my putts.

The only drawback for me was the weight of the putter. I found it a little on the heavy side, which is understandable given nearly all the weight is around the perimeter and the red aluminium centre must weigh almost next to nothing. That said, once I got used to the overall weight of the putter I found the EXO Rossie very easy to use.