Kiven J. Molina Blogs: First Look: Bettinardi’s 2017 Putter Line-up

Deck The Halls with B’s and Honeycombs!

Traditions, that’s what the holiday season should be all about. Festive happenings that you look forward to since they only roll around once a year. Traditions like celebrating (or suffering) through distant relatives, eating entire animals stuffed inside of other animals, and mouthing the lyrics to carols that have words you don’t know and notes you can’t hit.

That’s right; I’m talking about the good times here.

I tend to get a little “you kids get off my lawn” toward the commercial side of the holiday season. Lining up for Black Friday Thursday, November deals seems wrong on many levels. Thanksgiving should only produce gluttony, then food comas, then leftovers, and then post-leftovers food comas. I try really hard not to buy into holiday buying.

That being said, I do have one buy stuff holiday tradition that I look forward to every year. When this catalog rolls out, it kindles my consumer fire more than the Christmas Book from Neiman Marcus (though the Cobalt Valkyrie-X Private Plane in Rose Gold is definitely on my want list).

For many the putter-lover like myself, nothing says the New Year is coming like the release of the new Bettinardi Golf catalog. While not technically a holiday release, for the past couple of years Bettinardi has lifted the curtain on their new putter models right before we dive into turkey and tidings.

Two Years Means Two Years

A couple of years back, Bettinardi decided to separate their model releases and hold each putter line to a two-year life span. That means that we see the BB models and the iNOVAi big mallets in the even years, and the Studio Stocks and Queen B’s in the odds.

Since 2017 will be an odd year, and maybe even odder than 2016 has been, the new Studio Stocks and Queen B’s should soon be arriving at a shop near you.

Rest assured, even though Bettinardi is only updating these two lines, the combined total of the update consists of eight models, both brand new and classic. That’s a sizeable swarm, and it should be enough to fill up any putter-lover’s putter hive.

Overview: Queen B

Formed from a desire to fuse performance and sophistication with substance and grace, the new Queen B 8 and 9 models feature the signature Micro Honeycomb face milling for a crisp feel, branded elegantly with a light satin silver finish and unique swarming bees sole stamping. Paired with a white-corded grip and matching headcover, the Queen B is ideal for men and women looking for the very best in form and function.

While Bettinardi may have originally marketed the Queen B toward women golfers, now they have changed the market scope. Just look at that quote above - now these are ideal for men and women.

Truth be told, they were always ideal for men and women. One even has a PGA win. Though I’ve never checked in person, I’m pretty sure that Stephen Bowditch is a dude, and I’m even surer that he won the 2015 AT&T Byron Nelson Tournament with a custom Queen B #6. Bowditch was first in strokes gained putting that week, and that’s all that really matters.

So roll a Queen B, regardless of your gender. I doubt that the putter is going to check what you are packing in your nether regions anyway.

Queen B Line: Specs

Head Material: Soft Carbon
Head Finish: Satin Silver
Models: 2 (QB #8 and QB #9)
Head Weight: 362g
Face Milling: Micro Honeycomb
Loft: 3°
Lie: 70°
Lengths: 33”, 34”, 35”, and uncut
Grip: White Lamkin Cord
Headcover: White and Gold Velcro
Price: $375.00
Link: http://ift.tt/2fZaKuP

Queen B 8

An entirely new design based on feedback from Tour players around the world, the Queen B #8 is the advancement of a classic mallet design with enhanced perimeter weighting, isolated in the rear bumpers and a squared profile. Its quarter toe hang will be favored by those with a slight arcing stroke while the Micro Honeycomb milled face delivers a muted, yet crisp feel at impact. Milled swarming bees accompany the timeless satin silver finish on the sole and a beautiful black and yellow paint scheme.

The Queen B #9 is a delicate brute. The edges speak to smoothness as you tour the topography. The overall visual impression, however, speaks more bold and blocky.

If you are a fan of the square profile in the putter, you are in luck, as I’d rank this at the top of the squareness scale. Don’t discount that little notch at the back edge either. For me, it brings my eye immediately to the center of the head, and thus likely right behind the ball and the target line.

Queen B 9

The Queen B #9 was specifically designed for the player with a more broadly arcing stroke who prefers rounded and soft aesthetics. This model combines the best of the signature Bettinardi design principles with a gentle sweeping toe and crescent milled neck to complement the compact and curved appearance. The Micro Honeycomb milled face delivers a muted, yet crisp feel at impact while the swarming bee sole stamp and gorgeous black and yellow paint scheme complete this stunning example of the ideal putter.

So the ideal putter thing may ring a bit of hyperbole, but there are some unique design elements in this round mallet. First, it has a flow neck, and with that neck comes a bit of toe hang. Want to play a mallet, but need a little toe hang, here’s your putter. With about 1/4 toe hang, it should give you slight-arc putters just the arc you need.

The other design feature that I love is the high toe. Some may hate the look, as happens with all things putters, but I love how high toes look at address. The fact that this is a high-toed mallet just makes it that much cooler.

Overview: Studio Stock

A direct evolution of classic putter designs, the Studio Stock Series features a host of new characteristics including a Mercury Gray finish, a blue-black color scheme, and F.I.T. Face milling, which is preferred by those seeking a softer feel. Each of the three new models – a rounded mallet, square mallet and traditional blade – are PGA Tour proven with multiple victories to their credit. Fitted with a matching headcover design and corded grip, this legacy lineup features standard length, counter balance, center shaft, and arm lock options for maximum player versatility.

The Studio Stock line has typically been my favorite Bettinardi line. Most cycles, the Studio Stocks have flashier finishes than the BB putters, and I lean toward flashy.

Well, last year’s BB line was uber flashy, featuring iridescent finishes, bright green paint, and silver matte shafts. This time around, it makes sense that the Studio Stocks would be more muted and business-like to contrast the BB brashness.

The Studio Stock’s Mercury Grey finish is rich looking, but just not crazy bold. I have no problem calling it a more traditional looking finish, and that traditional look actually pairs nicely with the more traditional head shapes in the line.

The Queen B putters push the shape envelope a bit, while the Studio Stocks are much more grounded in the classics.

One other Dave has looked at too many putters note regarding the FIT face. It’s different than previous editions. Yes, in 2017, the FIT face returns to the Studio Stocks, replacing the super fly milling found on the 2015 line. However, previous FIT-faced Studio Stock faces had a combination of honeycomb milling and the FIT grooves.

These 2017 faces have no honeycombs! Instead, the face is fly milled (non-super) and then FIT milled. I’m going to call them FLIT milled!

It’ll take some head-to-head rolling to see the effect the new face has on feel if any. I do tend to associate Bettinardi putters with the honeycomb face milling, though, so it’s a little strange to see it absent again.

Studio Stock Line: Specs

Head Material: Soft Carbon
Head Finish: Satin Silver
Models: 6 (SS #3, #3CB, #8, #28, #28CS, and #28 Armlock)
Head Weight: 358g (SS3CB: 400g)
Face Milling: F.I.T. (Feel-Impact-Technology)
Loft: 3° (Armlock 5°)
Lie: 70° (Armlock 71°)
Standard lengths: 33”, 34”, 35”, and uncut
Armlock 28 lengths: 40”, 41”, 42”, and uncut
Grip: Blue Lamkin Cord
Headcover: Grey and Blue Velcro
Price: $400.00
Link: http://ift.tt/2f7OQI8

SS3

Another proven PGA Tour winner, the Studio Stock #3 is a much-requested addition to the lineup this year. Featuring a stout, compact look with slight toe hang, the famous F.I.T. (Feel Impact Technology) Face has been introduced resulting in a perfectly soft feel at impact. The Mercury Gray finish, matched with a blue and black color scheme, gives each model a stealthy look and contemporary appeal. Standard lengths of 33” – 35” are available in both right and left handed while a counterbalance option is also offered for those seeking the most in stroke stability and control. This is our most versatile offering to date.

Just a hair of hang. That may be the most important feature for those considering the SS3. It’s got the compact mallet looks that many gravitate toward, but it’s not totally face-balanced like you might expect. Just a smidge of hang. A thimble in the hang bucket.

There’s not that much to say about the SS3 visually, except that it is a classic, round profile mallet. For many, that adherence to classic styling will make this one the putter to grab from the set.

SS3 Counterbalance

The Studio Stock 3 Counterbalance offers more balance and stability than the traditionally weighted standard model. By increasing the head weight by 42 grams to 400 grams, and extending the length of the putter an additional 3 inches, the putter swings more stable than ever. Featuring a stout, compact look with slight toe hang, the famous F.I.T. (Feel Impact Technology) Face has been introduced resulting in a perfectly soft feel at impact. The Mercury Gray finish, matched with a blue and black color scheme, gives this model a stealthy look and contemporary appeal.

You don’t hear quite as much about counterbalance these days. When the anchoring ban was eminent, counterbalance was hailed as the savior against the approaching yips.

Bettinardi has produced quite a few options for the counterbalanced player in recent years, and I believe that this one represents the first counterbalanced model in the Studio Stock line.

Of course, the SS3CB will make some of you immediately salivate at the idea of chopping this 400g monster down to standard length. If you need to putt with something with a swing weight more than Mjolnir’s, go for it...

SS8

Perhaps our most classic offering, the Studio Stock #8 has seen numerous professional victories over the past decade. This distinct blade model joins an already proven collection with its popular plumber's neck, traditional perimeter bumpers, a subtle yet square high toe and our iconic F.I.T. (Feel Impact Technology) Face for softer feel. The gentle curves and artisan nature of this design make it a favorite of those pursuing the combination of on-course performance and enduring style.

I’m going to need you to stop looking at the pictures of this putter. Seriously, stop eyeballing my new precious. I love this head shape. Drooled a bunch over the Sig 10 version of this head, but the SS8 is carbon steel and not DASS. For me, feel-wise, nothing touches the suppleness of the carbon steel paired with the FIT (wait, that’s FLIT).

The SS8 may be the only blade putter in the cohort, but I’ll not be voicing a single complaint. If you’re not also all in with the SS8, remember that the BB series is definitely still available, and there are a ton of blades to choose from there.

SS28

Since its inception, the Studio Stock #28 has garnered multiple Tour wins and international competition appearances. The success of this design boils down to a well-proportioned look with a low profile face, wide body and slight toe-hang. While the F.I.T. (Feel Impact Technology) Face ensures a soft feel and consistent performance, this model is also available in either standard length options or with Arm Lock technology that eliminates the need to anchor while still delivering the utmost in stability and control.

Did you miss out on the 1/100 BB28 Raw Limited Editions last year? Don’t worry; you’ve now got three versions of the SS28 to choose from in the Studio Stock line. Plus, the Mercury Grey finish will repel the rust much better than raw metal.

Once again, there is just a touch of toe hang with the SS28 mallet. Not much, but it’s there.

The SS28 lives in the same neighborhood as the Kuchar Model 1. Both are crisp and angular toward the front and then flowing and smooth toward the back. It’s a pretty darn unique look that you won’t find from other putter makers.

SS28 Arm Lock

The Studio Stock #28 has garnered multiple Tour wins and international competition appearances. The success of this design boils down to a well-proportioned look with a low profile face, wide body and slight toe-hang. The SS28 Arm Lock has been completely revamped to feature only 1 shaft of offset, with 5 degrees of loft. This gives golfers a cleaner look to the golf ball at address, while efficiently achieving the same results as the previous arm lock model. This putter is best used when the butt-end of the grip is placed two inches below the golfers left forearm, and the shoulders swing to have a solid, locked in motion. Made with direct impact from 7-Time PGA Tour winner Matt Kuchar.

Cool story bro detour: I got to meet Matt Kuchar at the Safeway Open last month. What a nice guy. I was tagging along with Hunter Mahan for a few Tuesday practice holes, and Matt decided to join Hunter. My goal was to be unobtrusive, but right after Kuchar teed off on the first hole, he walked right up to me, extended a hand, and said: “Hi, I’m Matt.”

What a nice guy. By the way, he’s one tall cat. Didn’t realize that from watching on TV.

Anyway, much as I like Matt, I can’t arm lock putt to save my life. I’m pretty right-hand dominant when I putt, and arm locking gets me all on the left. Not my bag, but like counterbalancing, arm locking has been a solid replacement for anchoring for some golfers.

This version of Matt’s tournament-winning head is different from previous models, with the loft dialed back a little (was 7° before), and a little less offset. Maybe that’s the combination that will let me be more like Matt.

SS28 Center Shaft

Due to heavy demand, we have made our popular Studio Stock #28 model available in a center shaft option that still offers a slight toe hang preferred by most players. This alternative neck style easily places the shaft, eye line and center of the club face directly behind the ball for consistent alignment, repeatable performance and enhanced feel. Standard across this entire line, our iconic F.I.T. (Feel Impact Technology) Face and beautiful Mercury Gray finish complete this fresh take on a Bettinardi classic.

Center-shafted putters have a pretty loyal following. My first Bettinardi was actually a center-shafted Studio Stock 3C. This golf website had a huge forum launch contest that I happened to win...

One of the things that I appreciate about the Bettinardi camp is that they make putters that will appeal to golf’s fringe elements. You have three variations of the SS28 to choose from, along with two different SS3s. Round or square, heel or center shaft, arm lock or counterbalance, with Bettinardi you have choices.

Sure, there’s only one blade in the line, but it’s awesome, and I believe that you were told to stop looking at it.

So When Can I Have These Classy USA Made Creations?

I’ve got some good news and some bad news for you. The good news is that these new 2017 models are available for preorder November 17^th. Yep, that’s today. Head on over to Bettinardi.com, and order away.

The bad news is that these are 2017 models, and as such, you can’t get your hands on them until January 20, 2017, when they hit retailers world-wide.

I’d recommend ordering the one that you want, and then printing a picture of it to drool over for the next couple of months. Memorize its lines. That way, when it arrives, the putter’s amazing looks won’t give you pause, and you can take it immediately to the course.

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