Equipment
Bettinardi releases H2 wedges: Why wedges, Bob?
Bob Bettinardi’s journey into the wedge market started in 2001 with a single block of steel.
“It was 12 or 13 years ago that I milled a wedge from a solid block of steel, just like we do with our putters,” Bettinardi said. “A guy from one of the wedge companies said ‘I can’t believe someone had the [guts] to do that.'”
Since that time, the renowned putter maker has established a cult-like following for his high-end milled putters, but he has only released wedges in small batches. That changed this month, when Bettinardi unveiled his first line of retail wedges, the H2.
Bettinardi’s earlier wedges, which were produced in batches of 1,000, sold out in a matter of months. But they were expensive to produce because of their fully milled construction and carried a price tag of $400-to-$500 each.
Unlike a putter, which golfers can use for decades, wedges are more disposal. As their grooves dull, so does their ability to produce spin, which is why avid golfers usually need new wedges every six months to three years depending on how much they play.
Was there really a place in the market for a $400+ wedge, Bettinardi asked himself? Probably not, at least not for a full-scale release. He knew wanted to bring Bettinardi wedges to the masses, however, so he worked to get the cost down.
Bettinardi called over to the company’s Japanese facility and told the engineers that he wanted to try making wedges with its forging technology. After nearly two years of tinkering, Bettinardi has produced wedges that look, feel and perform nearly the same as the fully milled models and cost less than half the price. The new H2 wedges, which are forged from 1020 carbon steel, sell for $180 with a Satin Nickel finish and $195 with a Cashmere Bronze finish on Bettinardi’s website.
According to Bettinardi, his goal for the wedges was for them to look, feel and sound better than any wedge golfers have ever played. A lofty goal? Yes, but judging by the success of his putter line it might not be out of reach.
The wedges’ H2 name stands for “Hi-Helix,” which is a machine tool that mills the wedge faces at very high speeds to create a rough face texture that improves spin. While many of the top-name brands have dozens of grind and bounce options, Bettinardi keeps it simple — two finishes and five lofts (52, 54, 56, 58 and 60) for a total of 10 wedge options.
With the H2 wedges, you’re not paying for grind options. You’re paying for wedges of the highest of quality and a buttery soft forged feel.
“If golfers want [a cast wedge] — something more rough around the edges or need more forgiveness — they can buy from one of the cast makers,” Bettinardi says. “If they want a high-performance, precision-forged wedge, or they just like the Bettinardi name, they’ll buy these.”
The wedges have a traditional profile and a C-Grind sole that has mild heel and toe relief. Why the C-grind?
“That’s what I like,” Bettinardi says. “That’s what my son plays, who is a scratch golfer, and that’s the grind that I play. It’s a really versatile grind because the leading edge sits low with the face square, and still sits low to the ground when the face is open.”
Bettinardi’s H2 wedges are available for pre-order and will ship starting Dec. 8. They will be in boutique golf stores in the U.S. starting Jan. 15.
Models include a 52-08, 54-10, 56-12, 58-10 and 60-08 and come stock KBS’ High Rev shaft and Pure Grip’s P2 Wrap grip.
Click here to see what GolfWRX members are saying about Bettinardi’s wedges in the forums.
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/18/24): Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made.
From the seller: (@DLong72): “Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made. ?: $1150. ?? 100% milled collectors item from the limited releases commemorating when Ping putters won every major in 1988 (88 putters made). This was the model Seve Ballesteros used to win the 1988 Open Championship. Condition is brand new, never gamed, everything is in the original packaging as it came. Putter features the iconic sound slot.
Specs/ Additional Details
-100% Milled, Aluminum/Bronze Alloy (310g)
-Original Anser Design
-PING PP58 Grip
-Putter is built to standard specs.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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As you probably know by now, Collin Morikawa switched putters after the first round of The Masters, and he ultimately went on to finish T3.
The putter was far from the only change he made last week, however, and his bag is continuing to change this week at the 2024 RBC Heritage.
On the range of The Masters, Morikawa worked closely with Adrian Reitveld, TaylorMade’s Senior Manager of Tour at TaylorMade, to find the perfect driver and 3-wood setups.
Morikawa started off 2024 by switching into TaylorMade’s Qi10 Max driver, but since went back to his faithful TaylorMade SIM – yes, the original SIM from 2020. Somehow, some way, it seems Morikawa always ends up back in that driver, which he used to win the 2020 PGA Championship, and the 2021 Open Championship.
At The Masters, however, Rietveld said the duo found the driver head that allowed “zero compromise” on Morikawa’s preferred fade flight and spin. To match his preferences, they landed on a TaylorMade Qi10 LS 9-degree head, and the lie angle is a touch flatter than his former SIM.
“It’s faster than his gamer, and I think what we found is it fits his desired shot shape, with zero compromise” Rietveld told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the RBC Heritage.
Then, to replace his former SIM rocket 3-wood, Morikawa decided to switch into the TaylorMade Qi10 core model 13.5-degree rocket head, with an adjustable hosel.
“He likes the spin characteristics of that head,” Rietveld said. “Now he’s interesting because with Collin, you can turn up at a tournament, and you look at his 3-wood, and he’s changed the setting. One day there’s more loft on it, one day there’s less loft on it. He’s that type of guy. He’s not scared to use the adjustability of the club.
“And I think he felt our titanium head didn’t spin as low as his original SIM. So we did some work with the other head, just because he liked the feel of it. It was a little high launching, so we fit him into something with less loft. It’s a naughty little piece of equipment.”
In addition to the driver and fairway wood changes, Morikawa also debuted his new “MySymbol” jersey No. 5 TP5x golf ball at The Masters. Morikawa’s choice of symbols is likely tied to his love of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.
Not enough changes for you? There’s one more.
On Wednesday at the 2024 RBC Heritage, Morikawa was spotted with a new TaylorMade “Proto” 4-iron in the bag. If you recall, it’s the same model that Rory McIlroy debuted at the 2024 Valero Texas Open.
According to Morikawa, the new Proto 4-iron will replace his old P-770 hollow-bodied 4-iron.
“I used to hit my P-770 on a string, but sometimes the distance would be a little unpredictable,” Morikawa told GolfWRX.com. “This one launches a touch higher, and I feel I can predict the distance better. I know Rory replaced his P-760 with it. I’m liking it so far.”
See Morikawa’s full WITB from the 2024 RBC Heritage here.
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Equipment
Why Rory McIlroy will likely use the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper at the RBC Heritage
Although we spotted Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper last week during practice rounds at the Masters, he ultimately didn’t decide to use the club in competition.
It seems that will change this week at the 2024 RBC Heritage, played at the short-and-tight Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head.
When asked on Wednesday following his morning Pro-Am if he’d be using the new, nostalgic BRNR Copper this week, McIlroy said, “I think so.”
“I like it,” McIlroy told GolfWRX.com on Tuesday regarding the BRNR. “This would be a good week for it.”
View this post on Instagram
According to Adrian Rietveld, the Senior Manager of Tour at TaylorMade, the BRNR Mini Driver can help McIlroy position himself properly off the tee at the tight layout.
Here’s what Rietveld told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday:
“For someone like Rory, who’s that long at the top end of the bag, and then you put him on a course like Harbour Town, it’s tough off the tee. It’s tight into the greens, and you have to put yourself in position off the tee to have a shot into the green. It kind of reminds me of Valderrama in Spain, where you can be in the fairway and have no shot into the green.
“I’m caddying for Tommy [Fleetwood] this week, so I was walking the course last night and looking at a few things. There’s just such a small margin for error. You can be standing in the fairway at 300 yards and have a shot, but at 320 you don’t. So if you don’t hit a perfect shot, you could be stuck behind a tree. And then if you’re back at 280, it might be a really tough shot into the small greens.
“So for Rory [with the BRNR], it’s a nice course-specific golf club for him. He’s got both shots with it; he can move it right-to-left or left-to-right. And the main thing about this club has been the accuracy and the dispersion with it. I mean, it’s been amazing for Tommy.
“This was the first event Tommy used a BRNR last year, and I remember talking to him about it, and he said he couldn’t wait to play it at Augusta next year. And he just never took it out of the bag because he’s so comfortable with it, and hitting it off the deck.
“So you look at Rory, and you want to have the tools working to your advantage out here, and the driver could hand-cuff him a bit with all of the shots you’d have to manufacture.”
So, although McIlroy might not be making a permanent switch into the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper, he’s likely to switch into it this week.
His version is lofted at 13.5 degrees, and equipped with a Fujikura Ventus Black 7X shaft.
See more photos of Rory testing the BRNR Mini here
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nikkyd
Nov 29, 2014 at 3:10 pm
Last i checked, higher rpms on an end mill produces more passes of the cutting head and makes a smoother finish. Hmm…
Andy
Nov 28, 2014 at 7:57 pm
Not sure why everyone is so down on Bettinardi and their wedges. If Bob and the team wants to get into the wedge game, let them do it! They make arguably the best putters in golf, so what’s stopping them from expanding their shortgame offering? Yes, they are expensive just like their putters, however I am willing to make an investment into my putter and wedges so I can play the best product and shoot lower scores.
Golfwb
Nov 28, 2014 at 4:36 pm
Anybody ready enough to see the upgraded shaft?
I agree the bounce/ grind options are not very good.
I play all stock vokeys and the only one I can flight is the 50*.
Expensive, yes. But you get a top of the line forged head with a shaft you can do anything with. Just my 2 cents.
patricknorm
Nov 28, 2014 at 10:07 am
I play 3 custom made Scor wedges (48,52,58)with custom grinds and milled faces. They worked out to about $200.00 each but, I can say with confidence that they along with my putter and driver,were “the” most important clubs in my bag. With each wedge having a double grind and custom loft ,my bunker play has improved immeasurably. What it really comes down to is, confidence from 120 yards in and around the green. If your are truly serious about your game its worth the money. Im not sure I’d spend $400.00 on a wedge though. A putter maybe.
Snowman2134
Nov 28, 2014 at 7:44 pm
Good evening
I am also playing the SCOR wedges (52,56,60) and they’re unbelievable. Best money I’ve spent on equipment in a long time, and the fact that they’re built in Texas doesn’t hurt.
Zra
Nov 28, 2014 at 9:42 am
Welp looks nice until the price.
I think Mizuno offers forged wedges at $130 with several loft, lie, grind combinations. Is the Betti $60 better?
Snowman
Nov 28, 2014 at 12:31 am
1 grind option and 1 bounce per loft = no sale.
Chip
Nov 27, 2014 at 6:13 pm
Bettinardi’s son Sam plays a C grind… So that is all he is going to make? Really Bob? Plus, I live in IL (where Bettinardi is located) and I highly doubt any stores will have demos of these. Do I at least get custom stamping with my $400 dollar purchase?
RG
Nov 27, 2014 at 2:49 pm
$180 and only one grind? Can’t get a 46 or 48 to replace a PW? I live and play in Orlando and during the summer months we get ALOT of rain and a “C” grind just won’t cut it. I thought the idea of a wedge was versatility and an ability to customize to fit MY short game and MY playing and course conditions.
krschr
Nov 27, 2014 at 1:56 pm
Good looking wedges. A little too rich for my wallet but no doubt Mr. Bettinardi has built a good wedge and will sell them.
I usually think a lot of the WRX community but pretty disappointed in some of the comments. Why is it people can’t refrain from overly negative comments and personal attacks when opinions don’t align? A few on here about his wedges and someone playing the AM tour are unnecessary and disappointing.
RG
Nov 27, 2014 at 2:58 pm
The people who read and post on WRX are pretty savvy when it comes to equipment and when you see negative comments you should heed that as a warning against something that is maybe overpriced, overhyped or both.
Chris Loskie
Jun 3, 2015 at 2:00 am
Rg. im willing to bet all the people with the negative comments havent even had one of these wedges in their hand.. how could they come up with any kind of conclusions on how they perform?? Mizuno mp10 wedges were the best playing for me then they came out with the t4 and t5’s which I think are shitty.these bettinardi are the the bed balanced nicest feeling easiest to play wedge ive tried.. I got fitted for a little over an hr hitting every wedge novo golf had and these were by far the best..n (for me) maybe not everyone.. I agree tbe limited options are kind of a bnumber but they fit me perfectly. 52 bent to 50.. 56 bent to 53 and 60 to 58… 180$ each kinda sucked but so be it lol
josh adkins
Nov 27, 2014 at 1:53 pm
Does anyone else feel that these are not that great and do not offer enough options
RG
Nov 27, 2014 at 4:41 pm
Yup. $180-$195 for a wedge and you can’t get a PW to complete a set and only 1 grind is ridiculous. A “C” grind is pretty versatile, a lot like the Ping Eye 2, but it isn’t the end all be all.
Mark
Nov 27, 2014 at 3:11 am
Gorgeous but wedges are made to be thumped out of bunkers and off hardpan lies, a bit like a 4×4. Not sure these will appeal to anyone other than the “my bag cost 5 times more than yours” brigade.
Pat
Nov 27, 2014 at 9:29 am
LOL. Definitely not for poor golfers. Bob always makes top quality products. I have one of his putters and love it. 200 dollar wedges are more common place now. I dropped 150 on my Miura, but it was worth penny. You guys can play your hard, off the rack, clicky Vokey’s and Cleveland wedges. I prefer a higher end wedge that I can get a custom grind and finish.
Bruce
Nov 27, 2014 at 2:58 am
I can see people buying their boutique putters because of the “status” but a boutique wedge.
J
Nov 27, 2014 at 12:15 am
Over priced. Good looking wedge.
simon
Nov 26, 2014 at 11:19 pm
look nice but I am going to stick with my vokeys
JohnnyT
Nov 26, 2014 at 8:52 pm
We can only hope that these heartwarming posts are returned in-kind to the people who post them in *their* line of work. “Yeah, that work that *you* do? Nothing special. We’ll save money and get someone else. PASS”.
lsf_21
Nov 26, 2014 at 8:09 pm
Save money and buy another forged wedge.
Feel just as good and more bounce/grind options.
JL
Dec 1, 2014 at 3:57 am
Bettinardi and Japanese forgings are better (myth). That’s why the best golfers buy $400 dollar wedges (myth). I think it’s more important to get the best shape for your game, and also keep the wedge fresh. Those worn grooves don’t help (when grass/sand is involved). Woods are about the only clubs you can keep for a long time.
James Beatty
Nov 26, 2014 at 7:49 pm
If Bob put this wedge on the market it will be worth it ,I still use he other Wedges he made years ago, and I play a lot of golf in the Amateur Tour with the Golf Channel .
The dude
Nov 26, 2014 at 7:55 pm
BFD
Pat
Nov 27, 2014 at 9:30 am
Good for you. That AM tour is a huge rip off anyways.
Jim Beatty
Nov 27, 2014 at 4:10 pm
Did you play in it ? Or are you with that E-Tour that you pick up after a triple
Rodan
Nov 26, 2014 at 7:04 pm
$200…..pass.
TheBrokenTee
Nov 26, 2014 at 6:30 pm
Yeah they’re nice but nothing special. Especially with only one grind. Yeah it’s a nice forged wedge, but a little pricey.
Jason
Nov 26, 2014 at 6:01 pm
They need a black finish!
Tyler
Nov 29, 2014 at 10:43 am
Nick has some http://tourstockputters.com/products/bettinardi-h2-black-pvd-wedges
sam
Nov 26, 2014 at 5:40 pm
wow