You remember the scene. Chubbs Peterson hands Happy a gift. It isn't a trophy. It’s a hockey stick—or at least, the mangled soul of one—welded onto a putter head. Happy looks at it, gives it a little waggle, and says, "This is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen."
Most of us agreed.
But for nearly 30 years, the happy gilmore putter was basically a ghost. It was movie magic, a prop department special that existed only on celluloid and in the fever dreams of guys who spend too much time at the local driving range trying to master the "run-up" drive. Fast forward to 2025 and 2026, and suddenly, the ghost is very real. And very expensive.
The Odyssey of the "Real" Hockey Stick Putter
If you were around in 1996, you might recall that Odyssey (now a massive arm of Callaway) actually released a version of this club. It was a limited run—only about 1,000 units. They were right-handed, featured a wooden shaft, and looked remarkably like the one Chubbs gave Happy. Today, those originals are the holy grail of golf memorabilia. Finding one in good condition on eBay is like finding a needle in a haystack, and if you do find it, expect to pay upwards of $6,000.
Honestly, it’s a lot of money for a club you technically can't use in a tournament.
In July 2025, Callaway decided to break the internet. To celebrate the release of Happy Gilmore 2 on Netflix, they dropped a modern version. It wasn't just a wooden stick this time. They actually engineered the thing.
Why the 2025/2026 Release is Different
Callaway didn't just slap a blade on a stick. They handed the project to Odyssey, the guys who make the putters that tour pros actually use. Here is the weird reality: it’s a high-tech piece of equipment that is also a total gimmick.
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- The Face: It features the White Hot urethane insert. That’s the same tech that has dominated the PGA Tour for decades.
- The Specs: It’s 44 inches long. For context, a standard putter is usually 34 or 35 inches.
- The Lie Angle: At 57 degrees, it’s built for a "slap shot" stance, not a traditional pendulum stroke.
- The Headcover: It’s a literal tube sock. A gold, black, and white knit sock that says "Just tap it in."
They retailed for $499.99. People didn't just buy them; they inhaled them. Callaway expected the stock to last until November. It was gone by 10:00 a.m. on release day.
Can You Actually Play With It?
Well, yes and no. Mostly no if you care about the rules.
If you’re out with your buddies on a Saturday morning, go for it. It’s a blast. But if you’re playing in a USGA-sanctioned event, leave the happy gilmore putter in the trunk. The club is "non-conforming."
The main issue is the face. According to the USGA and R&A, a putter can't have two hitting surfaces that are flat and parallel in the way this hockey blade is. Also, the dimensions of the head are a bit of a nightmare for the rulebook. It’s built for fun, not for the Masters.
But here's the thing: it actually works.
Because of that White Hot insert, the ball rolls surprisingly well. If you use the 21-inch pistol grip to steady your lead arm and actually "slap" the ball, you'll find it’s remarkably stable. The heavy 490g head weight helps keep the face from twisting. It turns out that Adam Sandler might have been onto something.
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The Resale Market Madness
Kinda crazy, right? A movie prop that costs five hundred bucks. But as soon as they sold out, the secondary market went nuclear.
By late 2025, the prices on resale sites like eBay and StockX were hovering around $1,000 to $1,500. Some early listings even touched $3,000 during the initial hype of the sequel's release. It’s a classic case of nostalgia meeting scarcity. You’ve got Gen X-ers who grew up on the original movie and now have the disposable income to buy the "coolest thing they've ever seen."
Spotting a Fake
Because of the demand, the market is currently flooded with "fan-made" versions. Honestly, some of them are decent. You’ll see 3D-printed versions or DIY jobs from local machine shops.
If you're hunting for the authentic Odyssey 2025 version, look for the black stepless steel shaft and the triple White Hot inserts. The cheap knockoffs usually have a simple metal face or a plastic 3D-printed head. Don't get scammed. If the price looks too good to be true, you're probably buying a paperweight, not an Odyssey.
How to Get Your Hands on One Now
Since the official Callaway drops are mostly a memory, you have to be tactical.
- Check Topgolf: They did a "Golden Ball" giveaway in late 2025 where players could win the putter on the spot. Some of those winners aren't golfers and just want the cash, so keep an eye on local Facebook Marketplace listings near Topgolf locations.
- The "Second Swing" Route: Shops like 2nd Swing Golf occasionally get these in as trade-ins. They’ll be "used," but in the world of collectors, that just means someone took the plastic off the grip.
- The Sequel Effect: With Happy Gilmore 2 officially in the cultural zeitgeist now, keep an eye out for potential restocks or "Special Edition" colorways. Callaway likes money, and this was one of their most successful lifestyle drops ever.
Why It Still Matters
The happy gilmore putter represents a shift in golf culture. For a long time, golf was the sport of "hush" and "tucked-in shirts." Happy Gilmore—and his absurd putter—symbolized the loud, messy, fun side of the game that didn't take itself too seriously.
Owning the club isn't about shaving three strokes off your handicap. It’s about the guy on the 7th green who sees you pull it out of the bag and immediately yells, "The ball has a home! Why don't you just go home?"
If you manage to snag one, don't just hang it on a wall. Take it to the practice green. Put on a jersey. Take a few steps back. And for the love of everything, just tap it in.
Actionable Next Steps
- Verify the Serial: If buying second-hand, ask the seller for a photo of the Odyssey serial number near the hosel to ensure it's the 2025/2026 authentic release.
- Check Your Local Pro Shop: Surprisingly, some smaller, rural pro shops still have these sitting in a corner because their clientele doesn't "get" the joke. It's worth a few phone calls.
- Practice the Grip: If you actually intend to use it, look up "split-hand putting" tutorials. The 21-inch grip is designed for your hands to be 10 inches apart, which is a total game-changer for stability.