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Bettinardi’s Military-inspired, limited-edition BB1 Armageddon putter

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With a passion for military, Robert Bettinardi has created a prototype putter inspired by military-grade weaponry. The BB1 Armageddon has a topline made to look like a Picatinny Rail, a term that has evolved from a military standard, and more specifically a “MIL-STD-1913 (AR).”

Armageddon Sole

The putters are made from soft carbon steel with Bettinardi’s F.I.T. (Feel Impact Technology) Faces for better feel and roll. For that stealthy military look, the putters have a new “Flat Dark Earth TPT” finish applied to both the putter heads and shafts. Filling out the look are hits of a hunter’s orange color on the sole, hosel and topline, and it comes with an orange Lamkin Deep-Etched grip.

Robert Bettinardi also developed the headcovers, called “UPatch,” which are made of velcro and allow golfers to apply custom patches in different locations to personalize the look. Bettinardi will be making four patches available for stock purchase.

Bettinardi’s BB1 Armageddon will sell for $550 apiece on The Hive starting at 10 a.m. on Thursday May 26, and at select Bettinardi Specialty Accounts on June 2. Only 200 putters are available, and a portion of the proceeds will go to the Warriors of Freedom charity.

Armageddon Sightline

Specs

  • Weight: 350 grams
  • Lie Angle: 70 degrees
  • Loft: 3 degrees
  • Toe Hang: Half
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He played on the Hawaii Pacific University Men's Golf team and earned a Masters degree in Communications. He also played college golf at Rutgers University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

5 Comments

5 Comments

  1. Mad-Mex

    May 31, 2017 at 12:24 am

    I noticed a trend, GolfWRX “writers” don’t answer questions nor comments unless they are being given praised.

  2. Mad-Mex

    May 28, 2017 at 9:40 pm

    With 20+ years of military service, I can say most if not all the equipment I used was function based.
    A military inspired IMHO would have been a putter would be sand blasted or with no finish at all, edges smoothed down a bit. Minimum stamping/engraving, smooth sole. Headcover canvas with stencil like stitching, again, minimum.

    And like it has been said, I would have loved to know what percent is being donated.

  3. MilSpec

    May 25, 2017 at 10:10 pm

    This is cool…but nobody in the military could ever actually afford this stick…wish he could make a mil only version!

  4. rebfan73

    May 25, 2017 at 6:45 pm

    Agreed. I don’t like he “stole” Ping’s grooves on the face……..

  5. ooffa

    May 25, 2017 at 2:26 pm

    What is the portion of the proceeds that are being donated. 1%, 10%, how bout 100%, That would be a nice gesture. It’s only 200 putters c’mon if you’re gonna step to the plate do it right!

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Equipment

Spotted: Tony Finau’s driver shaft change at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open

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Tony Finau has always been known as one of the longest players on the PGA Tour, but he has recently been working on adding a little more distance. Last year, Finau averaged 118.3 mph club head speed and 178.08 mph ball speed, all while playing a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX driver shaft. This year, he has increased his club head speed to 123.93 mph and his ball speed to 183.32 mph.

However, Finau’s overall distance has decreased by two yards in that time. From a fitting perspective, something was amiss. We asked Tony about the shaft change at the Texas Children’s Hospital Open.

“[I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin. My driver’s been a little high spin for me over the last month or so, and so I just figured it was time to probably check out the equipment,” Finau said. “And it definitely showed me that I was using a shaft that’s maybe a little too tip-stiff for me, the way I load the club now. [I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin.”

Finau switched from the Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX into the Diamana GT 70 TX. The newer Diamana GT has a slightly different profile than the D+ Limited with the stiffest handle section in the Diamana lineup. The mid sections between the two are similar stiffness but the tip is just slightly stiffer in the Diamana GT. Both shafts are within one gram of each other in the 70 TX. The torque rating on the GT is 0.1 higher than the D+Limited’s 2.7 measurement.

Mitsubishi lists the Diamana GT as a shaft between the mid-launching Diamana TB and the new low-launch Diamana WB shafts. For most players, it would be considered a mid/low launch and low-spin shaft option. Mitsubishi’s Xlink Tech Resin System makes sure the maximum carbon fiber content is there for smooth feel without reducing the strength of the shaft. MR70 carbon fiber is used for reinforcing the shaft and boron is used in the tip for its high strength and compression properties.

Finau is still using his trusty Ping G430 LST driver in 9 degrees and has the adjustable hosel set to -1 degree of loft (standard lie angle). Finau’s long-time favorite Lamkin UTX Green grip is installed. He definitely has a few extra wraps of tape under that grip as you can see the bulge down where the grip meets the shaft.

One final note: Per Ping’s PGA Tour rep Kenton Oates, Finau’s driver is also adjusted to play one degree upright to help dial in his desired launch.

We’ll see how he fares with the new setup this week in Houston!

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Whats in the Bag

Zac Blair WITB 2024 (March)

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Driver: Titleist TSR2 (10 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Red 6 X

3-wood: TaylorMade M5 Rocket 3 (14 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Speeder 757 Evolution V1 X

Utility: Titleist U510 (3)
Shaft: Aldila Tour Blue 85 X

Irons: Ping i210 (4-6), Miura MB-001 (7-9)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 58-08M @57, 60 @61), Vokey Design WedgeWorks (52-M)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 105 X

Putter: Scotty Cameron prototype

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Ball: Titleist Pro V1

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Whats in the Bag

Martin Trainer WITB 2024 (March)

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Driver: Wilson Staff Staff Model (6.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kai’li Blue 70 TX

3-wood: Wilson Staff WLabs Prototype (13 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 80 TX

Irons: Wilson Staff Staff Model (2, 4-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Wedges: Wilson Staff Staff Model (52, 56, 60)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Putter: Bobby Grace Greg Chalmers Prototype

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

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