[Sakman]

Bettinardi Putters - 2010 BB Line




Pros:

A piece of art! Perfect combination of sound and feel. Well balanced. Crisp lines that flow from heel to toe. Made in the USA. Other putter manufacturers take note, Bob Bettinardi is coming on strong in 2010. Are you prepared for the challenge that awaits?

Cons:

Availability. The BB line will only be sold online, select green grass accounts and fitting studios. For those who want to "try before you buy" may have some difficulty finding one depending on your location.

Bottom Line:

Bob Bettinardi is no stranger to the business. He can take a classic design, add his patented Honeycomb face milling to a single block of Mild Carbon Steel (One-Piece Technology) and truly have something unique. This isn't the first Bettinardi in my collection and definitely not my last.


Look:

The entire 2010 BB line is flat out one of the most elegant putter lines to be released in quite some time. From the stealthy 'Black Box' it was packaged in, the minimal use of stampings, all the way down to the elaborate Black Nickel finish, Bob Bettinardi was spot on when crafting this line.

This category is definitely one of the most important key factors for me when deciding on a new putter. If it doesn't fit my eye, how am I supposed to stand over that 6-footer for birdie with enough confidence that the ball is going to hit the bottom of the cup?

I'm more of a traditionalist when it comes to putters and the 2010 BB8 definitely caught my eye when I first saw it. The smaller top line visually made the putter look like it had much more mass behind it when compared to the BB1. The crisp lines made alignment effortless and again, the Black Nickel finish is one of the best that I've seen.

Absolutely flawless!


Performance/playability:

This probably has to be the most difficult category for me while reviewing a putter so let's put it this way...

Some people cannot putt. Period. Give them a broomstick, place them two feet away from a non-regulation size hole and they'll still miss. Face it, it's the Indian and not the arrow...always has been and always will be.

Now, what I can tell you is that Bettinardi's patented Honeycomb face milling does indeed provide a flat surface that gets the ball rolling faster than a few other manufacturers that I've tested. Granted, I'm not a machine, but the dew marks on the greens never lie.

Playability? Yes, the BB8 is secure in the bag this year.


Feel:

This is another key factor for me when choosing a new putter. I want a flatstick that allows me to feel where I've made contact at on the face of the club. Many putter manufacturers these days (especially those with inserts) have forgotten about this simple concept.

The 2010 BB line has the perfect amount of feel (responsiveness) without being too harsh. Misses near the heel or toe can definitely be felt compared to those coming off the sweet spot.

Something else that is important to me that fits into this category is sound. The Bettinardi Mild Carbon Steel putters have always had a unique muted 'pop' to them. Distinct sound, yet noticeable where the ball makes contact with the face.

Perfect!


Overall bottom line:

I have not been this excited about a new putter line for quite some time now. Besides not being able to drive down to your favorite brick and mortar shop to check one out, I do not have one negative thing to say about these putters. Bob Bettinardi's 20+ years of experience can be found from pre-production all the way to presentation with the 2010 BB line. You'll be doing yourself (and your game) a favor by checking one out.

Hands down 5 out of 5 stars!


More information can be found here:

http://www.bettinardi.com

Attached image(s)

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[BuckyBadger]

I have been going back and forth in my mind on which putter I want to get. The BB25 or the Studio Stock 1F. I have always played Camerons or OTR putters and really want to try one of these.

I don't care for that headcover much but you don't putt with a headcover!

Thanks for the review Sakman.

[drpino]

Great review, Ryan! Nice job on the photos too.

I see you got the 360g head... wanna trade for my 348g one?

[LoveSick666]

I agree that this line of putters feel great. In fact i bought one of the BB26 (center shaft) a couple months ago. i putted with it on the carpet, but realized i just didn't like the center shaft as much as i had hoped. Ive been playing around with plumbers neck style putters recently and seem to putt better with them so i am actually selling my BB26 on the bay right now for $230 obo.lol sorry dont want to thread jack or anything, but i definitely recommend these putters regardless if i bought the wrong model for me or not.

[Sakman]

drpino, on 26 January 2010 - 01:08 AM, said:

Great review, Ryan! Nice job on the photos too.

I see you got the 360g head... wanna trade for my 348g one?

Thanks Carlo.

Did you go with the BB line or the new Studio Stock series?

[B-Man]

Very nice. Love the minimal stampings and dark finish. I saw a BB25 the other day out at EJL in the Chicago burbs that looked very nice but alas it will never be for me as the lie, loft and alignment were all totally off. Yeah, it was right-handed.

[newportbeach]

Nice review thanks.

[Asleep]

360 grams??? You dog!

Sweet looking putter.

[lbhitter]

Sakman
Great review.
For a newbie like me in the Betti world, can you please elaborate on where this BB Series are availabe? On the website I only see the Studio Stock Series.

Appreciate the help.

LB

[Sakman]

lbhitter, on 26 January 2010 - 01:42 PM, said:

Sakman
Great review.
For a newbie like me in the Betti world, can you please elaborate on where this BB Series are availabe? On the website I only see the Studio Stock Series.

Appreciate the help.

LB

Specifically I'm not sure what Pro Shops or Fitting Studio's will carry the Bettinardi line, but attached is the 2010 brochure which at least has the contact information to point you in the right direction.

Attached File(s)

•  productBrochure2010.pdf (2.97MB)
  Number of downloads: 186

[drpino]

Sakman, on 26 January 2010 - 07:37 AM, said:

drpino, on 26 January 2010 - 01:08 AM, said:

Great review, Ryan! Nice job on the photos too.

I see you got the 360g head... wanna trade for my 348g one?

Thanks Carlo.

Did you go with the BB line or the new Studio Stock series?

The BB line just like yours but at the lighter head weight. Picked it up for a song back in November in the BST. I only managed one round with it (on punched, top-dressed greens) around Thanksgiving but it felt and rolled relatively well given the conditions.

I noticed in one of your pics the paint from the B hex logo on the face is a little smeared. Did you wipe the putter down with anything? I only ask cause I wiped mine down with a touch of acetone and noticed that the Black Thunder finish seems to have a "polymer" type coating on it.. likely to protect the finish/head from moisture. This "coating" seems susceptible to acetone so careful what you clean it with.

[kevcarter]

Very classy looking putter. I love the gold and white paint fill with the black finish.

Congrats to Bobby for signing Brian Gay!

Kevin

[Sakman]

drpino, on 26 January 2010 - 03:34 PM, said:

Sakman, on 26 January 2010 - 07:37 AM, said:

drpino, on 26 January 2010 - 01:08 AM, said:

Great review, Ryan! Nice job on the photos too.

I see you got the 360g head... wanna trade for my 348g one?

Thanks Carlo.

Did you go with the BB line or the new Studio Stock series?

The BB line just like yours but at the lighter head weight. Picked it up for a song back in November in the BST. I only managed one round with it (on punched, top-dressed greens) around Thanksgiving but it felt and rolled relatively well given the conditions.

I noticed in one of your pics the paint from the B hex logo on the face is a little smeared. Did you wipe the putter down with anything? I only ask cause I wiped mine down with a touch of acetone and noticed that the Black Thunder finish seems to have a "polymer" type coating on it.. likely to protect the finish/head from moisture. This "coating" seems susceptible to acetone so careful what you clean it with.

That pic just may be out of focus, but I'll check when I get home. I haven't wiped it with anything tho besides a damp rag.

[drpino]

I guess the paint just interacts in a weird way with the polymer coating cause the reason I used acetone is there were spots on the face of mine that looked just like that pic above.

[elchene]

Nice review, thanks!

[produffer]

awesome putter.

how did u get a 360g head? custom order? i see online that most of the putters only have the 345g stock option.

[b_riedy]

Sakman - what is the toe hang of the BB8?

[drpino]

Here are some toe hang comparison shots with similar style putters:

[jick]

I myself have a BB8 on the way and I can't wait for it!

[J13]

produffer, on 26 January 2010 - 05:46 PM, said:

awesome putter.

how did u get a 360g head? custom order? i see online that most of the putters only have the 345g stock option.

They can be had through the proper channels. Anyone compare these to the new odyssey black tour yet? I've hit the odyssey black tour's and they were money. Any thoughts?

[b_riedy]

drpino, on 26 January 2010 - 06:42 PM, said:

Here are some toe hang comparison shots with similar style putters:

Awesome pics...THANKS!!!

[th6252]

is the 360g headweight special order? didn't see that as an option in the brochure.

[bepier]

J13, on 26 January 2010 - 09:32 PM, said:

produffer, on 26 January 2010 - 05:46 PM, said:

awesome putter.

how did u get a 360g head? custom order? i see online that most of the putters only have the 345g stock option.

They can be had through the proper channels. Anyone compare these to the new odyssey black tour yet? I've hit the odyssey black tour's and they were money. Any thoughts?

Would also be interested in comparisons to the odyssey black series tour... I'm wavering back and forth. Looking at 35" BB8, little concerned about the 332g noted in the product brochure.

[J13]

bepier, on 27 January 2010 - 11:05 PM, said:

J13, on 26 January 2010 - 09:32 PM, said:

produffer, on 26 January 2010 - 05:46 PM, said:

awesome putter.

how did u get a 360g head? custom order? i see online that most of the putters only have the 345g stock option.

They can be had through the proper channels. Anyone compare these to the new odyssey black tour yet? I've hit the odyssey black tour's and they were money. Any thoughts?

Would also be interested in comparisons to the odyssey black series tour... I'm wavering back and forth. Looking at 35" BB8, little concerned about the 332g noted in the product brochure.

Well I've hit the odyssey black quite of few times now and next week when i'm in FL I'm going to test the BB8 at the lab so I'll let ya know. On a side note a playing friend of mine (mini tour player) is flying out to Chicago to get custom fit for a putter at the bettinardi studio, he's going to fill me in on what he see's. THey are going to make him a custom from scratch so i'll try and get some picks of his new flatstick. He's a luck mofo.

On a side note I mentioned in another thread I compared the black tour with the nike method today. And well put it this way it's now down to the black vs betti

[bepier]

Great, the more info the better. I'm itching to make a decision!

[J13]

bepier, on 27 January 2010 - 11:29 PM, said:

Great, the more info the better. I'm itching to make a decision!

I hear ya, I'll post up my thoughts on it when compared to the black tour next week at some point like wed or thurs

[Ripper17]

Where can I buy one of these online?

[zzmkdw]

Ripper17, on 28 January 2010 - 04:25 PM, said:

Where can I buy one of these online?

The link is posted in Sakmans original post at the bottom.

[SoonerChris]

Great review! If the Studio Stock #4 I've got coming is as good as this I'm going to be very happy. Guess we will see Monday. Pics and review to follow.