I have heard that the X-material used in the first lot of hogan bettinardi putters was sub-standard and therefore replaced. I happened to have a BHB1-X in great shape after 2 seasons and dont really see any signs of the metal being "too soft". It has some light scratching on the sole and very light on the face, but no dings or gouges anywhere. I wouldn't say it's mint, but a solid 8.5/9 out of 10 after 50 rounds. Does this seem like its wearing like a traditional steel bettinardi?

That sounds pretty normal for carbon steel. I bought a BHB4-X used and it was thrashed. However, I buffed out the dings and scratches and it still looks good.

I think for someone who keeps the headcover on his putter when not using it and is careful not to clang it off other clubs when being used, the X material will hold up nicely. For someone who doesn't use a headcover, it will look unusually bad in very short order.

The X material tarnishes rapidly (especially if the greens have fertilizer on them) and tends to look "older" than they are. They also do ding easier than carbon steel models.

Headcovers are mandatory if you want to keep them pristine. However, I don't think they wear worse than any of the other putter materials.

[quote name='stage1350' date='Dec 31 2007, 03:57 PM' post='843542']
The X material tarnishes rapidly (especially if the greens have fertilizer on them) and tends to look "older" than they are. They also do ding easier than carbon steel models.

Fertilizers do damage on every model putter no mater the manufacture or finish, they're just very caustic chemicals.

Cleaning or at least wiping down your putter before putting it back in the cover should be a moot point but many don't. I try to clean out my cover every now and then because when using on punched or sanded greens sometimes a grain will get in that will cause scratches on the top line.

If you don't use your headcover forget this whole thread because you obviously don't care about how your putter appears when you look down anyhow.

The only place I ever take off the headcover is the green. Thanks for the tip about cleaning the sand and debris out of the headcover though...Id never thought of that.

If you want a very durable maintenance free Bettinardi putter with great feel (not quite as soft as carbon steel, but close) then get a Bettinardi DASS Tour with sound slots

Are you saying the regular carbon steel putter heads are softer than DASS? I always thought it was the other way round.

Carbon steel is softer than DASS. I know from experience. That said, DASS is the softest stainless steel I've ever used and it is the material my gamer is made of (as well as my backup).