Putter test: TaylorMade TP Patina v Odyssey Toulon Vegas
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TaylorMade TP Patina v Odyssey Toulon Vegas: How do two high-end, big-name putters compare head to head?
Over the last five years Sean Toulon – whose Toulon Design became part of Odyssey and Callaway after he left a 15-year stint at TaylorMade – has become one of golf’s hottest putter designers. So good, in fact, Toulon believes his premium flatsticks are better than Scotty Cameron’s.
But with fierce rivals TaylorMade launching a new skim-milled putter family recently, we couldn’t resist pitting one of Toulon’s newest models against the TP Patina Collection, to see which is worthy of your money.
TaylorMade TP Patina Collection DuPage
• Price: £239
• Toe hang: Face balanced
• Options: 33″ / 34″ / 35″ lengths (2.5g, 5g, 7.5g, 10g, 15g and 20g weights sold separately)
• Grip: Super Stroke Pistol GTR 1.0
THE TECH
Dupage, like the other six TP Patina models, has a thicker 5mm aluminium Pure Roll insert which TaylorMade says gives better sound, feel and roll characteristics. The Patina’s finish ages over time, and thanks to changeable weights in the sole, the whole family can be set up to perform at either 33″, 34″ or 35″ lengths.
Looks and construction: 8/10
Forgiving MOI style putters have come into fashion over the last few years, primarily because tour pros see benefits over traditional blades. New short slant hosels (rather than face-balancing) open up MOI models to blade fans, too. Dupage is cast, then skim milled, so it’s nowhere near as complex to produce as Toulon’s CNC milled head.
Roll feel and feedback: 8/10
TaylorMade have used 45° grooves in putters for years and they’re really popular with tour players. TaylorMade say the tech gets the ball rolling quicker and truer. The firmer feel generated by the new 5mm insert sounds muted, and we reckon Dupage would be good for year-round UK greens.
Sight and alignment lines: 9/10
Dupage manages to bring MOI forgiveness to a compact size, which gets over the factor stopping most golfers switching to MOI models. The lack of any alignment markings on the top edge makes it a good option for golfers who use the top line for aligning. The long, black sight line is completely inoffensive and great for highlighting both the path away from the ball and the path of each putt.
Grip and cost 8/10
SuperStroke grips have grabbed a huge chunk of the putter grip market, and many brands now use their grips as standard. We love the Pistol GTR’s midsize and how the pistol shape fits so nicely into the creases of the fingers.
Verdict: 33/40
A cast and milled construction means the Dupage comes at a more mainstream price than the Toulon. At a time when MOI putters can be pretty wacky in shape and design the Dupage is wonderfully simple and honest. On paper, performance between the pair is closely matched, so consider how each makes you feel when pulling it from the bag. Our verdict, which takes price into account, comes down on the side of the Dupage. Understandably, premium putter fans less concerned by cost are likely to see it differently.
Odyssey Toulon Las Vegas Stroke Lab
• Price: £429
• Toe hang: H7 hosel (33°)
• Options: Double bend face-balanced model also available, 33″ / 34″ / 35″
• Grip: Odyssey Oversize
THE TECH
Sean Toulon left TaylorMade in 2015, setting up Toulon Design which then merged with Callaway and Odyssey. His obsession is creating the world’s best performing putters. Each model’s diamond face pattern channels sound and feel like a car’s tyre. The fanged Las Vegas design is inspired by Odyssey’s hugely popular #7 shape, with subtle modifications to the top line and squared flange.
Looks, size and construction: 8/10
Toulon has taken one of Odyssey’s most successful and iconic putter shapes (the #7) and tweaked it. The top edge is undoubtedly thinner and slicker than previous models, but the new tapered shape does draw the eye. Construction quality is out of this world, and different weighted soleplates (bought separately) give 33g of weight difference so you can choose your desired feel.
Roll, feel and feedback 9/10
We’ve tested Odyssey’s latest Stroke Lab shaft several times on a launch monitor and it has garnered praise from all our testers this year for its feel and consistency. Francesco Molinari, Phil Mickelson, Danny Willett and Xander Schauffele have all won using the tech this year, too. We love how Toulon’s diamond-shaped grooves dissipate sound, giving a softer feel sensation.
Sight and alignment lines: 9/10
Odyssey might have sold hundreds of thousands of #7 putters over the years, but in our opinion Las Vegas is the nicest yet. We’re talking tiny subtleties, like how the finish contrasts more naturally with the sightlines, the squared-off flange (rather than a semi-circle) and a classy charcoal smoke finish, which can only be applied to CNC milled surfaces.
Grip and cost 6/10
Grips are completely subjective, but if there’s one area Toulon could improve upon it’s the grip. Odyssey’s standard stock grip is big, and has very rounded edges which lack definition, giving an impression of being hard to control. We can’t evaluate these two without considering cost. It means the Toulon inevitably loses marks as it’s 79 per cent more expensive than the TaylorMade.
TG Verdict : 32/40
It could be argued that comparing the Toulon and TaylorMade is like comparing chalk to cheese, but essentially they chase the same golfer who’s willing to pay more for a premium putter. Toulon’s attention to detail is second to none and utterly timeless. Realistically, the Las Vegas will only alert golfers happy to consider premium-priced Scotty Cameron or Bettinardi models, too. For those players, it won’t disappoint, which says a huge amount about how Toulon has carved out a lofty platform in the putter arena so quickly.
