From the archives: A review of the Odyssey Versa Jailbird putter used to win The Open

Alignment is, no doubt, the buzz word surrounding golf club design this year.

From the Ping i25 driver's racing stripes to Cleveland's new SmartSquare putter, TaylorMade's crown-alignment efforts --- and everything else in between --- helping golfers start their swing with the right alignment is at the forefront of all equipment-makers' to-do lists.

Odyssey's new Versa Jailbird putter is even more proof of that.

The Versa Jailbird features a contrasting black and white pattern --- seen on the old prison uniforms. The contrast between black and white, as well as the spacing between the two black portions of the putter's crown, take alignment a step further than some of the other alignment-based putter models currently available.

Odyssey is calling it high-contrast alignment thanks to the new Double Versa Technology. The alignment highlights the proper face angle at address, through the stroke and at impact. The rear contrasting stripes serve as an additional --- and, perhaps enhanced --- alignment aid as its distance from the face will alert the eye if you're even the slightest bit off of square at address.

Odyssey also used the highly-responsive White Hot face insert in the new Jailbird. The insert's success has been proven on tour and in the market and Odyssey believes it will only improve the functionality and success of the putter.

Unveiled earlier this week, the Jailbird will be available Jan. 17 and retail at $169.