- Bettinardi Golf continues their Twenty fifth-anniversary celebration with one other limited-edition putter.
- The BB28 Slotback is the ninth putter within the collection.
- 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 implies it’s time for the subsequent Bettinardi XXV Anniversary limited-edition putter launch—the BB28 Slotback.
Final month’s limited-edition anniversary putter, the BB30, is a troublesome act to comply with. That putter was the one one within the XXV Anniversary collection with a welded neck and was a head form beforehand solely accessible to Bob Bettinardi’s buddies.
How can this month’s BB28 Slotback probably compete with the BB30’s backstory?
Realistically, it could’t. How might 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 superb instance of how easy design modifications 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 in the course of the previous decade. Proper now, three completely different variations of the BB28 can be found on the Bettinardi web site. 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 cling 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 conventional flymill face. The aggressive milling removes extra face materials than the standard fly milling. Extra open house 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 among the materials on the again fringe of the putter could not seem to be a lot of a design change however this little tweak considerably modifications the optics of the putter at deal with.
Eradicating the fabric on the rear of the putter attracts the eyes to the center part of the putter. For many of us, this can be 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. 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 Positive Flymilled face provides the face of the BB28 Slotback slightly extra pop than the inventory BB28. The face is much less agency than Bettinardi’s HoneyComb face, their firmest face sample. Total, 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 navy grade aluminum
- Development: CNC milled
- End: Violet Haze PVD
- Face: Positive 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 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 title of the end.
Outside, the BB28 Slotback was a putter of a distinct coloration. The bottom coloration was nonetheless vintage bronze however now it was overlaid with a dusting of purple and blue. The colours differ with the contours however stay refined and non-distracting at deal with. Total, 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 emblem 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.
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 purpose, 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 in regards to the bumpers and the again finish of the putter simply doesn’t swimsuit 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 had been these tweaks beauty however the alteration to the again edge primarily modified the BB28 design from unplayable to instantly 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’ll nonetheless promote out shortly. The BB28 design is a Bettinardi traditional. Followers of the design shall be drawn to this restricted version. Even somebody like me who just isn’t normally a fan of the BB28 shall 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 in regards to the Bettinardi XXV limited-edition BB28 Slotback and the remainder of the XXV Anniversary collection 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 total report on Bettinardi’s historical past, try 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 provide 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 challenge with the inventory BB28 is similar challenge I’ve with quite a few different related blade putter designs. At deal with, I would like the entire 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 deal with. 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 really want an costly putter?
After all not. What you want is a putter that helps you take pleasure in enjoying golf. First level of order needs to be going via a putter becoming. Making putts is a sure-fire approach to make golf extra enjoyable. In case you are within the space, Bettinardi’s Studio B in Oak Brook has an incredible putter becoming program. If that’s not an possibility, discover a native fitter. As soon as what putter you want, spending extra cash for a elaborate one is as much as you. When you have the inclination and the means, deal with your self to one thing good.
