- 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 novel alignment scheme.
- Accessible 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 troublesome 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 obtainable to Bob Bettinardi’s pals.
How can this month’s BB28 Slotback presumably compete with the BB30’s backstory?
Realistically, it might’t. How may any putter compete in opposition to a putter known as the Goombah? It’s not a knock in opposition to the BB28 Slotback. You’ll see shortly that it undoubtedly brings some limited-edition uniqueness to the placing floor. The BB20 Goombah was simply next-level distinctive.
What makes the BB28 Slotback totally different from the inventory mannequin?
The Bettinardi BB28 Slotback is a good instance of how easy design modifications can considerably change how a putter appears and performs. The BB28 is a staple within the Bettinardi putter line. Bettinardi has produced a number of variations of the BB28 in the course of the previous decade. Proper now, three totally different variations of the BB28 can be found on the Bettinardi web site. Let’s evaluate the stock 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 Affect Expertise) however softer than a standard 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 affect 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 might not seem to be a lot of a design change however this little tweak considerably modifications the optics of the putter at handle.
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 wish 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. Nonetheless, 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 High quality Flymilled face provides the face of the BB28 Slotback a little bit extra pop than the inventory BB28. The face is much less agency than Bettinardi’s HoneyComb face, their firmest face sample. Total, the affect really feel of the BB28 Slotback is crisp and usually the ball departs with some tempo.
Specs: Bettinardi XXV Restricted-Version BB28 Slotback Restricted-Version Putter
- Materials: 303 chrome steel and 6061 army grade aluminum
- Development: CNC milled
- End: Violet Haze PVD
- Face: High quality Flymill
- Neck: Spud
- Toe Dangle: 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 once 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.
Open air, the BB28 Slotback was a putter of a special shade. The bottom shade was nonetheless vintage bronze however now it was overlaid with a dusting of purple and blue. The colours range with the contours however stay delicate and non-distracting at handle. Total, it’s extra matte than shiny, even in full solar.
The blue aluminum plate within the cavity gives 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 preferred to see a Hex B emblem etched within the center.
The perforated navy leather-based with copper stitching Gripmaster grip and the navy blue headcover complement the appears of the putter properly.
Closing Ideas on the Bettinardi XXV Restricted-Version BB28 Slotback Putter
Initially, I used to be not likely excited to see a BB28 once I opened the field. I do know, each putter ought to excite me, particularly a restricted version. For some motive, the BB28 and I’ve by no means actually gotten alongside on the greens. It’s made Matt Kuchar hundreds of thousands 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 angle with the Bettinardi Twenty fifth Anniversary BB28 Slotback rapidly proved inaccurate. The extra I checked out this particular model of the BB28, the extra I found little tweaks to the design.
Not solely had been these tweaks beauty however the alteration to the again edge primarily 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’s going to nonetheless promote out rapidly. The BB28 design is a Bettinardi basic. Followers of the design can be drawn to this restricted version. Even somebody like me who shouldn’t be normally a fan of the BB28 can 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 article by our golf historian John Barba.”
Why are these putters so costly?
Economics 101. The market dictates the worth. 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 difficulty with the inventory BB28 is identical difficulty I’ve with a variety of different related blade putter designs. At handle, I would like 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 handle. 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?
After all not. What you want is a putter that helps you take pleasure in taking part in golf. First level of order ought to be going by a putter becoming. Making putts is a sure-fire option to make golf extra enjoyable. In case you are 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 what putter you want, spending more money for a flowery one is as much as you. You probably have the inclination and the means, deal with your self to one thing good.
