Equipment
10 awesome photos from Bettinardi’s Summer Social
Bettinardi’s Summer Social, the company’s annual putter bonanza, was open to the public for the first time in 2015. Top collectors from around the country gathered at Bettinardi headquarters in Tinley Park, Ill., for the event that showcased the company’s finest collectible putters, as well as tour models and other one-offs. In addition to the rare putters, Bettinardi also created a variety of accessories including clothing, ball markers, divot tools, cigar trays, belt buckles, and head covers for the event.
Most guests arrived at Bettinardi HQ at 6 p.m. to meet the other collectors, chat about their favorite golf gear and fuel up with food and drink before the doors to Studio B opened at 7 p.m. They then began the mad dash to find the perfect putter (or in some cases putters) for their collections.
Nothing was off limits at the Summer Social, according to Sam Bettinardi, Bettinardi’s vice president of sales and marketing. Attendees were given free reign to wander the facility, and the company ran a night shift so guests could tour the manufacturing facility and see how products were created in Bettinardi’s recently renovated 40,000 square foot manufacturing facility.
Enjoy these 10 photos from the Summer Social, and learn more about Bettinardi’s Summer Social on the company’s website.
The calm before the storm
Bob Bettinardi gave a speech to attendees (and protected the entrance to Studio B) before the doors opened 7 p.m.
My collection needs a mallet!
Nearly every item available for purchase at the Summer Social was a one-off prototype, including this mallet with an R&D sole engraving.
A very special BB Zero
With a “Brook Trout” design and adjustable pocket weight.
Holy Mother of (Pearl)
Because why wouldn’t you want mother of pearl inserts on your putter… or a welded, custom-engraved neck for that matter. For the golfer who has everything, mother of pearl belt buckles, divot tools and ball makers were also available.
If you’re going to buy a rare putter…
It better fit your stroke! Attendees of the Summer Social were able to get fit for their putters at no extra cost with purchase.
So much cooler than lead tape
This variable-weight BB Zero putter allows golfers to adjust head weight through a pocket weight. And those snow stampings…
A BB6 with a twist
Few custom tweaks are more eye-catching than a welded, twisty neck. This putter also has Bettinardi’s F.I.T. Face, a face-milling process that removes material from the face for an extremely soft feel without an insert.
Patchwork Head Covers
Bettinardi’s new “patchworks” head covers sold out almost immediately. They combine different materials and designs for a truly one-off look.
In case you weren’t hungry…
Now you are. What’s a better snack on hot summer day than a Chicago-style dog and some Kool-Aid to wash it down? Representing Chicago proudly!
Holding down the R&D department
When a belt buckle is so much more than a belt buckle. Only gear heads will understand.
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Whats in the Bag
Kris Kim WITB 2024 (May)
- Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 73 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (2, 4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-11TW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 WV 125
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Kris Kim’s equipment here.
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Equipment
Welcome to the family: TaylorMade launches PUDI and PDHY utility irons
TaylorMade is continuing its UDI/DHY series with the successor to the Stealth UDI and DHY utility irons: PUDI and PDHY (which the company styles as P·UDI and P·DHY). TaylorMade is folding the designs in with its P Series of irons.
TaylorMade outlined the process of developing its new utilities this way. The company started with the data on utility iron usage. Not surprisingly, better players — i.e. those who generate more clubhead speed and strike the ball more precisely — were found to gravitate toward the UDI model. DHY usage, however, covered a wider swath than the company might have expected with six-to-18 handicappers found to be bagging the club.
TaylorMade also found that the majority of golfers playing UDI or DHY utilities were playing P Series irons at the top of their iron configurations.
Can you see where this is going?
Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation, Iron and Wedge at TaylorMade: “As we look to the future, beyond the tech and the design language, we are excited about repositioning our utility irons into the P·Series family. P·UDI is an easy pair for players that currently play P·Series product and P·DHY is an extremely forgiving option for players of all skill levels. It is a natural fit to give these players the performance in this category that they are looking for.”
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TaylorMade PUDI
Crafted with tour player input, TaylorMade sought to develop a confidence-inspiring utility iron that blends with the rest of the P Series irons. Also of note: Interestingly, the PUDI has a more compact head than the P790.
In comparison to past UDI products, the PUDI has a more traditional iron shape, slimmer toplines, and less offset with a little of the backbar visible at address.
TaylorMade PDHY
Larger in profile than the PUDI, the PDHY seeks to position center of gravity (CG) lower in the club for ease of launch. The toe height is larger and the profile is larger at address — roughly five millimeters longer than PUDI — the sole of the club is wider for improved forgiveness.
Club Junkie’s take
Golfers who feel like they are missing something at the top of the bag could find the PUDI or PDHY a great option. The look of the PUDI should fit the most discerning eye with a more compact look, less offset, and a thinner topline. If you want a little more confidence looking down the P-DHY will be slightly larger while still being a good-looking utility iron.
For being small packages both models pack a pretty good punch with fast ball speeds, even off-center. The feel is soft and you get a solid feel of the ball compressing off the face when you strike it well. Your ears are greeted with a nice heavy thud as the ball and club come together. The PDHY will launch a little higher for players who need it while the PUDI offers a more penetrating ball flight. Both utility irons could be the cure for an open spot in the top end of the bag.
PUDI, PDHY, or Rescue?
TaylorMade offers the following notes to assist golfers in filling out their bags:
- PUDI has mid-CG right behind the center face to create a more penetrating mid-to-low ball flight
- PDHY has a lower center of gravity to produce an easier-to-launch mid-to-high ball flight.
- Both PUDI and PDHY are lower-flying than the company’s hybrid/Rescue clubs.
- PUDI is more forgiving than P790.
- PDHY is the most forgiving iron in the entire TaylorMade iron family
Pricing, specs, and availability
Price: $249.99
At retail: Now
Stock shafts: UST Mamiya’s Recoil DART (105 X, 90 S and 75 R – only in PDHY)
Stock grip: Golf Pride’s ZGrip (black/grey)
PUDI lofts: 2-17°, 3-20°, 4-22° in both left and right-handed
PDHY lofts: 2-18°, 3-20° and 4-22° in both left and right-handed
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
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 Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
From the seller: (@wwcl): “Has been gamed as pics show. 33.5 includes original h/c and grip. $575 includes shipping and PP fees.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
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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Benny
Jun 18, 2015 at 8:45 pm
I think its awesome they did this. Showing some true value to their fans and giving them access to all models. So many Pros play Betti’s and the amount of Tour wins shows they know what they are doing. Especially in a market ruled by SC. I would much rather have a handmade Betti or Machine dor 1/3 the price and make just as many if not more putts.
Josh
Jun 17, 2015 at 11:32 am
Thanks for telling us about this AFTER it happened. I missed their facebook post about it even though I follow their page… Ah well. Keeping this in mind for next year.
putter fanatic
Jun 17, 2015 at 11:32 am
Honest question here: did Bettinardi start the Summer Social before or after the Cameron ICC event which has become Pins and Playtime?
ooffa
Jun 16, 2015 at 11:12 am
I commend Bettinardi for his genius. It takes skill, talent and hard work to market a very average putter for such an exorbitant price.
Jeff
Jun 15, 2015 at 10:00 pm
Those covers are absolutely sick! As a chicagoan who has relocated I would die to get any one of those covers. When do they go on sale?
Josh
Jun 17, 2015 at 11:34 am
Jeff, you can find them here: http://tourstockputters.com/collections/bettinardi-headcovers
BOB
Jun 15, 2015 at 8:26 pm
Free putter fitting wow so generous after selling $4 of metal for $2k
Toby
Jun 15, 2015 at 9:33 pm
You do realize you don’t have to buy the $2k (actually I don’t think any of them reached that price). You can just attend the event, socialize, etc.
Just wondering what do you think should come free with a $2k putter? A happy ending 🙂
Chris
Jun 15, 2015 at 7:25 pm
How do i go? I work at golfsmith lol