Bettinardi Golf continues their Twenty fifth-anniversary celebration with one other limited-edition putter.
The BB28 Slotback is the ninth putter within the sequence.
The Slotback cut-out and cavity strains present a singular alignment scheme.
Out there Sept. 28 with a MSRP of $900.
One other month has handed which suggests it’s time for the following Bettinardi XXV Anniversary limited-edition putter launch—the BB28 Slotback.
Final month’s limited-edition anniversary putter, the BB30, is a tricky act to observe. That putter was the one one within the XXV Anniversary sequence with a welded neck and was a head form beforehand solely accessible to Bob Bettinardi’s mates.
How can this month’s BB28 Slotback probably compete with the BB30’s backstory?
Realistically, it will possibly’t. How may any putter compete towards a putter known as the Goombah? It’s not a knock towards the BB28 Slotback. You’ll see shortly that it positively brings some limited-edition uniqueness to the placing floor. The BB20 Goombah was simply next-level distinctive.
What makes the BB28 Slotback completely different from the inventory mannequin?
The Bettinardi BB28 Slotback is a good instance of how easy design adjustments can considerably change how a putter seems and performs. The BB28 is a staple within the Bettinardi putter line. Bettinardi has produced a number of variations of the BB28 throughout the previous decade. Proper now, three completely different variations of the BB28 can be found on the Bettinardi website. Let’s examine the inventory BB28 with a spud neck to the BB28 Slotback restricted version.
The inventory BB28 is a wide-blade design. Toe hold is only a bit previous horizontal, becoming a participant with a slight arc placing stroke. The “Aggressive Flymill” face performs firmer than Bettinardi’s F.I.T. (Really feel Impression Expertise) however softer than a conventional flymill face. The aggressive milling removes extra face materials than the standard fly milling. Extra open area within the face interprets to much less steel touching the ball at impression and a softer really feel.
How did Bettinardi change the BB28 design with the restricted version? The primary design distinction you’ll discover when evaluating the inventory BB28 to the BB28 Slotback is the slot on the again. Eradicating a few of the materials on the again fringe of the putter could not appear to be a lot of a design change however this little tweak considerably adjustments the optics of the putter at tackle.
Eradicating the fabric on the rear of the putter attracts the eyes to the center part of the putter. For many of us, it is a good factor as we need to hit the ball with the center of the putter face. Sure, the sight line on the inventory BB28 additionally attracts the attention to the middle. Nevertheless, the slotback alteration, mixed with the three sight strains, draw the eyes to the middle much more than your new Professional V1 is drawn to the water hazard.
The Nice Flymilled face offers the face of the BB28 Slotback just a little extra pop than the inventory BB28. The face is much less agency than Bettinardi’s HoneyComb face, their firmest face sample. General, the impression really feel of the BB28 Slotback is crisp and sometimes the ball departs with some tempo.
Specs: Bettinardi XXV Restricted-Version BB28 Slotback Restricted-Version Putter
Materials: 303 stainless-steel and 6061 army grade aluminum
Building: CNC milled
End: Violet Haze PVD
Face: Nice Flymill
Neck: Spud
Toe Cling: 3:30
Weight: 361 grams
Shaft: Stepless metal
Grip: Navy leather-based perforated Gripmaster with copper sew again
Manufacturing run: 250
MSRP: $900
The BB28 Slotback’s Distinctive Cosmetics
Admittedly, the form of the putter was not the very first thing I observed after I took off the pinnacle cowl. The Violet Haze PVD end is a showstopper. Initially, I’d have described the end as a weathered bronze. It had an vintage really feel and I didn’t discover the colours. I had opened the field indoors and hadn’t but heard the identify of the end.
Outdoor, the BB28 Slotback was a putter of a unique coloration. The bottom coloration was nonetheless vintage bronze however now it was overlaid with a dusting of purple and blue. The colours fluctuate with the contours however stay refined and non-distracting at tackle. General, it’s extra matte than shiny, even in full solar.
The blue aluminum plate within the cavity offers a monochromatic distinction to the remainder of the putter. I dig its addition however the plate does appear a bit empty to me. I’d have appreciated to see a Hex B brand etched within the center.
The perforated navy leather-based with copper stitching Gripmaster grip and the navy blue headcover complement the seems of the putter properly.
Last Ideas on the Bettinardi XXV Restricted-Version BB28 Slotback Putter
Initially, I used to be probably not excited to see a BB28 after I opened the field. I do know, each putter ought to excite me, particularly a restricted version. For some cause, the BB28 and I’ve by no means actually gotten alongside on the greens. It’s made Matt Kuchar tens of millions however one thing concerning the bumpers and the again finish of the putter simply doesn’t go well with my eye.
A lot for me hyping a brand new limited-edition putter, huh?
Like most fast choices, my preliminary blase perspective with the Bettinardi Twenty fifth Anniversary BB28 Slotback shortly proved inaccurate. The extra I checked out this particular model of the BB28, the extra I found little tweaks to the design.
Not solely have been these tweaks beauty however the alteration to the again edge basically modified the BB28 design from unplayable to right away bagable.
One once more, the Bettinardi XXV Anniversary putter carries a price ticket of $900. In all equity, the BB28 Slotback doesn’t have the identical stage of collectibility because the earlier BB30 however it would nonetheless promote out shortly. The BB28 design is a Bettinardi basic. Followers of the design will likely be drawn to this restricted version. Even somebody like me who shouldn’t be often a fan of the BB28 will likely be drawn to this model. The altered head form and the Violet Haze PVD end make this a standout model of the BB28 design.
Discover out extra concerning the Bettinardi XXV limited-edition BB28 Slotback and the remainder of the XXV Anniversary sequence at Bettinardi.com
FAQ: Bettinardi Twenty fifth Anniversary Putter Line.
Are you able to inform me extra about Bettinardi Golf?
I’m simply going to cite myself on this one. “For the complete report on Bettinardi’s historical past, take a look at this text by our golf historian John Barba.”
Why are these putters so costly?
Economics 101. The market dictates the value. The opposite issue is that it takes longer to supply the limited-edition putters than a inventory mannequin. That Econ class additionally talked about that point equals cash.
Why don’t you just like the inventory BB28?
My subject with the inventory BB28 is identical subject I’ve with quite a lot of different comparable blade putter designs. At tackle, I need all the cavity edges of the bumpers to line up.
Putters with rounded rear bumpers and squared entrance bumpers don’t have a clear line on the cavity. This distracts me at tackle. With the inventory BB28, the rounded rear bumpers are additionally flat, making their distinction to the upper sq. entrance part of the putter much more pronounced.
By including the slotback, the now sq. rear part blends in higher with the sq. entrance part. For my eyes anyway.
Do you actually need an costly putter?
In fact not. What you want is a putter that helps you take pleasure in taking part in golf. First level of order must be going by way of a putter becoming. Making putts is a sure-fire approach to make golf extra enjoyable. If you’re within the space, Bettinardi’s Studio B in Oak Brook has a tremendous putter becoming program. If that’s not an choice, discover a native fitter. As soon as you already know what putter you want, spending extra cash for a flowery one is as much as you. When you’ve got the inclination and the means, deal with your self to one thing good.
