CARLSBAD, Calif., Aug 12, 2002 (BW SportsWire) -- Callaway Golf Company (NYSE: ELY) today announced that two new models of the best-selling Odyssey(R) White Hot(R) "2-Ball" Putter are scheduled to hit golf shops around the world this month. The new Odyssey White Hot "2-Ball" Mid and Long Putters have extended-length shafts for players who prefer "belly" or "broomstick"-style putters. These putters utilize the same unique alignment-enhancing design as the standard-length Odyssey White Hot "2-Ball" Putter, which is the best-selling putter of 2002 and has been used to win more than a dozen tour events since its introduction. Odyssey Golf, a brand of Callaway Golf, leads the world's six major professional tours combined in wins and putter usage again this year.

The design concept of the Odyssey White Hot "2-Ball" Mid and Long Putters allows golfers to anchor the butt end of the putter shaft while freeing the putterhead to swing back and through -- eliminating wrist action from the putting stroke. The Odyssey White Hot "2-Ball" Mid Putter will appeal to golfers who want to anchor the putter to their navel while bending at the waist in a traditional putting stance. Meanwhile, the Odyssey White Hot "2-Ball" Long Putter can be anchored to the chest or chin using a more upright stance. Prototype versions of the Odyssey White Hot "2-Ball" Mid and Long Putters have become increasingly popular with professionals on the six worldwide tours for the past several months.

The Odyssey White Hot "2-Ball" Putter Models have extended mallet heads with the unique "2-Ball" alignment system. Two circular alignment discs located directly behind the sweet spot of the putterhead help golfers to line up their putts with greater accuracy. The face-balanced design helps keep the putter stable through impact, and the heavy mallet head promotes a smooth stroke. The patented White Hot insert is both soft and resilient, creating great feel with optimal distance control.

The Odyssey White Hot "2-Ball" Mid and Long Putters each feature proprietary lightweight, round wrapped Winn Grips. The distinctive black-and-white swirl grips are soft and durable -- and available exclusively on all Odyssey White Hot Mid and Long Putters. The Mid model has one extended grip, while the Long model has a split grip that conforms to the rules of golf around the world.

The Odyssey White Hot "2-Ball" Mid Putters will be available in 41-, 43- and 45-inch models, while the Odyssey White Hot "2-Ball" Long Putters will be available in 46-, 48- and 50-inch models. Right-handed models of all putters are scheduled to ship in mid-August, while left-handed models are scheduled to be available by November. The suggested retail price for each Odyssey White Hot "2-Ball" Mid and Long Putter is $285.

Callaway Golf Company makes and sells Big Bertha(R) Metal Woods and Irons, including Big Bertha C4(TM) Compression Cured Carbon Composite Drivers, Big Bertha ERC(R) II Forged Titanium Drivers, Big Bertha ERC Forged Titanium Fairway Woods, Big Bertha Hawk Eye(R) VFT(R) and Big Bertha Hawk Eye VFT Pro Series Titanium Drivers and Fairway Woods, Big Bertha Steelhead(TM) III Stainless Steel Drivers and Fairway Woods, Hawk Eye VFT Tungsten Injected(TM) Titanium Irons, Big Bertha Stainless Steel Irons, Steelhead X-14(R) and Steelhead X-14 Pro Series Stainless Steel Irons, and Callaway Golf Forged Wedges. Callaway Golf Company also makes and sells Odyssey(R) Putters, including White Hot(R), TriHot(R), and Dual Force(R) Putters. Callaway Golf Company makes and sells the Callaway Golf(R) HX(R) Blue and HX Red balls, the CTU 30(R) Blue and CTU 30 Red balls, the HX 2-Piece Blue and HX 2-Piece Red balls, the CB1(TM) Blue and CB1 Red balls, and the Warbird(TM) golf balls. For more information about Callaway Golf Company, please visit our Web sites at www.callawaygolf.com and www.odysseygolf.com.

CONTACT:
Callaway Golf Company, Carlsbad
Larry Dorman/Mick McCormick/Millie Speirs, 760/931-1771

URL:
http://www.businesswire.com

Today's News On The Net - Business Wire's full file on the Internet with Hyperlinks to your home page.

Copyright (C) 2002 Business Wire. All rights reserved.