Insider Interview: Bettinardi Putters

Five years ago, famed putter designer Robert Bettinardi generously accepted our invitation to become the inaugural interviewee for PutterZone.com's Insider Interview series. Ever since, we've always looked forward to catching up with him to learn about what's new and what's next at Bettinardi Golf.

Heading into the new year, Bettinardi has teed up a suite of BB Series and Studio Stock models for 2012. He has also been active on the accessories front, recently releasing a new line of licensed NFL and MLB putter covers.

Another exciting addition to the Bettinardi putter portfolio is the Queen B Series, starting with the Queen B1 and Queen B2 (pictured here) putters for 2012. The Queen B putters are precision milled in the U.S.A. from soft carbon steel and boast a striking cashmere bronze finish.

We recently caught up with Bettinardi to learn more about the Queen B and other new putters for 2012. Following is our exclusive interview:

With the new 2012 BB Series and Studio Stock Series putters, what was your vision for building upon the 2011 models?

Very simply, to make the line look extremely elegant and perform just as well. And I will tell you that the response has been over whelming.

Several new models in the BB and Studio Stock series feature widened flanges, such as the “boxcar” look of the BB35 and the wide body of the SS9. What performance advantages can some players gain from going wider?

A wider body gives you the impression of more mass behind the ball. It’s a very sturdy look and it produces results. I use the BB35 right now.

What was the inspiration behind the Queen B series—including the name—and what makes the Queen B putters special?

The Queen B putter was inspired by my wife Ann. She has told me for years that there needs to be a ladies line strictly for the ladies….no pink grip added onto a man's putter, no chartreuse lettering, etc. So we have a true ladies putter now. The funny thing is that we sell about 50 percent of them to men.

Can you explain the Honeycomb face technology found on your putters, and what benefits it provides? Some folks may wonder how a textured face is used to achieve the flattest surface possible.

Honeycomb facing is my way of making the face flatter than a normal fly mill finish. When a machine fly mills across the face it produces extreme heat. This heat leaves a concave area in the center of the putter face from toe to heel. You cannot see it with the naked eye but it is there. I personally would rather have a textured surface that I know is flat across.

What’s next from Bettinardi Golf?

We intend to continue to make the best.

Thanks, Robert! Stay tuned for PutterZone.com's Bettinardi Queen B putter review.

read more...

The Fringe: SCOR Wedge Review

The wedge is the spiritual sibling of the putter.

Like the putter, the wedge is often a thing of visual beauty. Like the putter, the wedge spurns the machismo of the driver and other long clubs, favoring finesse over power, and ever focused on the art of scoring.

Nevertheless, the wedge is often an afterthought in the bag of the average golfer, treated more as a necessity than an opportunity: “Gotta have a sand wedge, right? My set came with a pitching wedge, so I got one of those, too. And I saw Lefty hit an amazing flop shot with a 64-degree wedge, so I grabbed one of those—even though I can’t really hit it. But hey, look at my $400 driver, watch me grip it and rip it!”

Which brings us to SCORGOLF’s comprehensive suite of customizable 4161 wedges dedicated to raising your “short game intelligence.” Now you have no excuse to tread the course like a Neanderthal, beating balls down the fairway but scratching your head as you near the hole. Now is the time to improve your short-game IQ with a more strategic approach to populating your bag.

Under The Hood

“What do you think you’d shoot if you were better inside 120-140 yards? Very simply, if you want to shoot lower scores...you need a better short game. So, at SCORGOLF, we are declaring war on the short game. We’ve started by introducing the most revolutionary re-design of scoring clubs ever. And we’re complementing that with the most advanced short game fitting system anywhere. The result is the most comprehensive package of innovative technology ever developed for your short range performance.”

-Patented V-SOLE combines high and low bounce qualities to match different lies
-Progressive weighting for precise trajectory and enhanced distance control
-Proprietary short game-specific shafts for feel and control
-Available lofts of 41 to 61 degrees, covering a full range from short irons to lob wedges

-Custom built and made to order
-Starting at $149 for one club, $399 for a matched set of three clubs

Why It Rocks

Simply put, SCORGOLF enables you to step into the virtual tour van and take firmer control of your short game. The array of fitting options is stunning. At the point of purchase, you can choose your shaft type and flex, as well as length, lie and grip size. Lofts can be dialed into one-degree increments from 41 to 61 degrees, and the clubs accordingly feature progressive weighting and design. SCORGOLF also offers an online fitting platform to help guide your selections.

In other words, from the comfort of your own home, you can easily build your own custom wedge set to become a true sniper around the green.

In terms of core features, the V-SOLE technology is our favorite aspect of the 4161 wedge, with its benefits being as much psychological as mechanical. A traditional wedge with high bounce favors a fluffy lie, while a wedge with low bounce is better for tight lies. But what if you need the distance of a particular wedge, but that wedge’s bounce is at odds with the lie of your ball? If you’re like us, you often psyche yourself out worrying about it, surrounding your short game with a state of uncertainty.

The V-SOLE takes the guesswork out of it. You no longer have to worry about your bounce angle, because it’s the one thing you don’t get to choose when selecting your 4161 wedges. With the V-SOLE, the main part of the sole features what would be considered a low bounce, but the leading quarter of the sole features a high bounce. In other words, these wedges combine high and low bounce into each club. We found this feature to instill confidence, which was enhanced by the fact that the V-SOLE did, indeed, prove to be very versatile across a range of lies.

We could go on and on about these clubs, but that's not how we roll at The Fringe, where brevity is considered a virtue. Nevertheless, we can't wrap it up without a few quick words about the aesthetics of the 4161 wedges. They simply exude elegance, with a stylish minimalism on the graphical front. The overall package presentation of the 4161 wedges is impressive, too. They come snugly tucked into a specialized box with slim Velcro head covers; a bag tag with spots to note your established yardages with each club; and an owner’s information packet that reminds of you of the specifications of each club in your set. Well played, SCORGOLF.

The Bottom Line

SCORGOLF's 4161 wedges offer a remarkable range of fitting options combined with innovative technological features, making them an excellent choice for golfers who want to raise their scoring game.

About The Fringe
The Fringe is where PutterZone.com roams "beyond the green" in search of golf's hottest new gear. This occasional series is reserved for products that truly earn the spotlight by demonstrating superior quality and ingenuity.

read more...

Tiger Back in Balance

In the wake of his win at the Chevron World Challenge, and after sinking crucial putts on the final two holes to seize the victory, Tiger Woods seems to have regained some of his old putting prowess. Along the way, Woods' putter appears to be back in balance with his stroke.

Indeed, in late summer, he switched from a putter that was fully toe-down in balance to one that is only partially toe-down. Specifically, he switched to a Nike Method 001 blade that has a very similar balance to the old Cameron putter that he used for the vast majority of his career.

Putter balance falls into two general categories. A “face-balanced” putter will generally appeal to golfers who employ a more straight-back-and-straight-through putting stroke, while a putter with “toe hang,” also known as “toe droop,” will generally appeal to those with an arcing stroke. And toe hang comes in varying degrees, from slight to full. The deeper the toe hang, the more it will favor a pronounced arc compared to a slighter arc

Prior to his recent putter change, Woods had been bagging a heel-shafted mid mallet that was fully toe-down in balance. When Woods initially switched to the toe-down mallet last year, he said that it helped him "release" the putter head through impact. Later, he said he was trying to fine tune his "release pattern" in accordance with his larger swing changes under the guidance of Sean Foley.

He said, “You want to have the same type of swing with the putter all the way up to the driver. It's the same motion just smaller.”

However, you could also surmise that Woods was getting stuck at the end of his putting stroke, and that he was using the deeper toe hang of the mid mallet to help regain the sensation of completing his arc and releasing the putter. Now, however, he apparently no longer needs that added assistance, which is why he has returned to the type of putter balance he used during his dominant period.

It's ultimately not surprising the Tiger's first "Tiger-like" putting performance since his troubles began in 2008 came with the same type of putter that he wielded with such remarkable authority over the preceding decade. It could be simply a matter of getting back in balance, both with his stroke and his putter.

P.S. For insights into putter balance and other putter putter fitting essentials that you can use to find a better fit for better results on the green, check out PutterZone.com's putter fitting guide, Putter Perfection.

read more...

iPING Putter App Delivers Holiday Surprise

The remarkable iPING Putter App just keeps getting better, as PING has released a new update that enables you to compete with your friends and compare your putting prowess.

As reviewed earlier on PutterZone.com, the iPING app brings high-tech personal putting analysis to the masses. It measures your stroke path, face angle and tempo. Along the way, it can tell you what you’re doing right—or wrong—and help you find a putter that fits your stroke (as such, it's a perfect companion to PutterZone.com's putter fitting book Putter Perfection). The app is free and available for the iPhone 4 and latest iPod Touch (however, a separate $30 cradle is required to hold the device). We like the app so much that we named it to our 2011 Holiday Golf Gift Guide.

Now, PING has taken its app to the next level, adding a "Skins Game" feature that allows you to test the consistency of your putting stroke against friends in real time.

To initiate a game, you choose a three, six or nine hole match and invite up to three friends to join (you can also select an auto-match feature to locate playing partners). As with a traditional skins competition, the holes have point values that increase throughout the match, with ties carrying over until someone wins a hole outright. Whoever has the most points at the end wins the match.

A hole consists of five 10-foot putts. From those five putts, the app generates a Consistency Score based on the consistency of your tempo, face angle and stroke path.

In other words, PING has incentivized putting practice by making it both fun and practical, particularly in the cold winter months when indoor practice is required to keep your game sharp.

Better yet, this gaming feature adds a new wrinkle to the important topic of putter fitting, giving golfers a unique opportunity to interact and discuss the fit of their putters with friends.

Simply put, this app belongs in the arsenal of any golfer who wants to improve their fit and performance on the green.

read more...

Insider Interview: Peterson Fine Mill

At first glance, there's nothing particularly flashy about Kevin Peterson and his small metal milling shop nestled into a suburban industrial park in northern Santa Diego County. But if you dig a little deeper, you will discover that there's more than meets the immediate eye. Indeed, for many years, Peterson has quietly helped produce some of the finest putters in the United States on behalf of some of the top boutique putter brands. Along the way, he had an idea for his own personal creation—a line of limited-edition, finely milled putters featuring custom artwork on the face. After coming up with the initial design and concept, it took him three years to perfect his vision and introduce his own line, starting with the stunning Liberty putter under the banner of Peterson Fine Mill. The Liberty putter boasts artful renderings of Old Glory, the Statue of Liberty, the American bald eagle and the magnificent words of the U.S. Constitution: “We the people…”

Now Peterson has released another version of the Liberty putter milled from pure copper (pictured above), exhibiting both craftsmanship and showmanship. PutterZone.com recently caught up with Peterson to discuss his latest creation, and to learn more about the origins of the Liberty putter and future of Peterson Fine Mill. Following is our exclusive interview:

What was the driving inspiration behind your original Liberty putter—and can you describe what makes it special in terms of material, design and detail?

Of all the concepts we could have chosen, we felt that Liberty was the perfect flagship to anchor the Peterson Fine Mill brand. Liberty is what makes this country great, so there wasn’t a better edition to start off with. Of course, it is also fitting, since our company is 100 percent made in the United States. Our standard is to use only genuine materials such as our leather grips and sheepskin-lined leather head covers, and to have these pieces made by hand in America by the most talented leather craftsman we could find. The putter is made with experienced precision, and the artwork, which sets it apart, is meticulously designed, programmed and milled in a lengthy process that is unparalleled.

You have now released an all-copper version of the Liberty putter under the banner of Collectible Series. Why did you make an all-copper version, and what’s different about working with copper compared to steel?

Moving forward, you will find that the Collectible Series will offer creative components and materials that are appropriate for each edition. While the series made its debut with the Solid Copper Edition of Liberty, that material is specific to that putter. Since Lady Liberty herself is made out of copper, it seemed only fitting that we use that material in honor of her. Copper is a much softer metal and more challenging to work with. It wants to push out of the way when it’s being cut instead of holding firm. It’s a beautiful semi-precious metal and complements the Liberty Edition perfectly, but just that much more limited in quantity. It is our dream to make our Investment Series putters out of solid precious metals, and we’re growing in that direction, as well as to offer commissioned editions for special events, companies, and landmarked locations, such as notable golf courses.

The cost of your putters—$1,500 for the stainless steel, $2,500 for the copper—is going to raise some eyebrows. Do you view your putters mainly as collectibles and heirlooms, or as something really cool to stick in the bag?

We would hope that seeing the putters themselves would raise the eyebrows. Our concept was to take the putter, a piece of equipment that already has a collectible appeal, and to invest the time and quality in it to make it a work of art that warrants itself as luxury item appropriate for special occasions. Having more varied experience crafting putters than probably anyone else in the world, we combined our strengths in milling top-of-the-line performance putters with our creativity in artwork, design, and attention to detail. We want to create putters where the added worth was in the exquisite milling work itself, as opposed to just hand stamping or hand grinding. Our pieces take a tremendous amount of time in the upfront conceptualization, design, and programming, not to mention substantially more time on the mill itself. As far as what our customers do with the pieces, it’s entirely a matter of personal choice. Some people buy a Bentley to showcase in their garage while others choose to drive it around town. Our putters certainly have the performance potential to win the Masters, though we imagine that it’s more likely that a custom edition would be presented as part of the winning prize.

What’s next from Peterson Fine Mill?

Currently, we are actively working on the next fine art edition and have others in the conceptualization stage. We’re also excited to introduce our new stylish sport line that will feature mainstream putters at a lower price point. Both will be released in 2012.

Thanks to Kevin and his wife Kim for sharing their latest news with PutterZone.com. Stay tuned for more on Peterson Fine Mill in the coming year.

read more...

Tiger Woods Finds His "Anser"

Tiger Woods roared back into the winner's circle on Sunday, sinking clutch putts on the final two holes to seize the victory at the Chevron World Challenge.

Tiger Woods' putter is a an "Anser-style" Nike Method 001 blade. Anser-style putters are modeled after the iconic PING Anser, with heel-toe weighting and a crank-neck hosel.

It's fitting that Tiger's return to putting form was accompanied by the same style of putter that he used during his period of dominance before his troubles began in late 2009.

As Woods struggled over the ensuing year and a half, he played a game of musical putters, switching from his trusty Cameron blade (also an Anser-style putter) to the Nike Method 001, then back to his Cameron, then over to the toe-down mallet as his putting woes mounted.

Accompanied by his new caddie, Woods returned to the Nike Method 001 in August at the Bridgestone Invitational. Apparently, both the putter switch and the caddie switch proved to be good choices, given what we saw over the weekend.

When Woods earlier switched to the mallet, marking the first time he played with a mallet as a professional, he cited his “release pattern” and referenced his swing changes, and how everything from driving through putting is connected. And this wasn't one of the forgiving face-balanced mallets that dominate the market. It was a fully toe-down putter that exerted maximum rotational force, indicating that Woods was trying get his stroke "unstuck" with an assist from his equipment.

The switch to a toe-down mallet putter prompted one tour professional to remark: “Tiger relied on his putting to make up for a lot of bad ball striking in recent years. That’s why I don’t understand why he went to a putter that’s harder to putt with, a putter with a face that releases even more. Most people go to putters with less face rotation, not more.”

When Woods returned to the blade putter at the Bridgestone Invitational, we asked: "Will returning to this familiar style help Tiger recapture his old putting magic?"

Now, after a stirring win on Sunday, it's looking like he may now have an "Anser" to that question.

P.S. For insights into the putter fitting subjects discussed in this story and how you can apply them to raise your own game, check out Putter Perfection by PutterZone.com.

Also, check out PutterZone.com's Holiday Golf Gift Guide for hot new gear for the golfer in your life.

read more...

Managing Belly Putter Mania

The belly putter craze just continues to pick up steam as it now graces the cover of one of the major golf magazines under the banner: The New Way to Make Them All.

The rise of the belly putter has been great not only for numerous professional and recreational golfers, but also for the putter industry.

Belly putters are flying out the door, fueling a sudden surge in putter purchasing that defies a dour economy. Heck, the belly putter phenomenon has even brought more folks to PutterZone.com. No complaints here.

To a large degree, this phenomenon is driven by the startlingly sudden success of the belly putter on the PGA Tour. By the end of the past summer golf season, it seemed that belly putters were winning every tournament in sight.

The rest of us, however, need to be careful to manage expectations. Which brings us back to the headline: The New Way to Make Them All.

Of course, we know that hyperbole is no stranger to the world of golf instruction. But even by that standard, this particular headline is over the top. It's one thing for you to believe that you can make them all, but quite another for someone to promise it. Make them all?

The point here isn't to wag our finger at at the headline writer (after all, magazine covers are in the business of selling magazines), but rather to simply add a note of caution to the craze. The belly putter is beginning to exude the aura of a "quick fix," and the fact is that there are very few "quick fixes" when it comes to golf and putting. As with a traditional putter, succeeding with a belly putter requires acclimation and practice. A belly putter can feel alien when you first try it, and grooving your stroke can be challenging at first.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't try a belly putter, but rather that you should manage your expectations amid the hype. Don't approach the belly as "a new way to make them all," but rather as possibly a "a new way to make more putts" with planning and practice.

So where to begin? For starters, as with all putters, you will want to pay attention to the fit of your belly putter. Check out our earlier pieces on finding your belly putter balance and determining your optimal belly putter length.

Next, you will want to seek some instructional advice, even if it's via print or the web if you can't afford a personal lesson. There are some key fundamentals when it comes to using a belly putter, and you will want to understand them before you put the club in your bag.

In fact, the aforementioned magazine story features some great instructional advice on using a belly putter. In other words, you may not make them all, but you might just lower your score!

read more...