Mizuno Bettinardi C-02H v. Cameron Mil-Spec 350g

I thought I should add my thoughts about the Mizuno Bettinardi C series. I recently picked up a C-02H off of ebay. Not long ago, I let go a Scotty Cameron 33/350g Mil-Spec that I loved. That putter was in such nice condition that I never wanted to take it out and game it. It sat in my basement, and I ultimately knew I wasn't going to use it, so I got rid of it.

When I sold it, I missed the soft feel of nickel-plated carbon, so I looked at less costly alternatives that I wouldn't feel guilty about gaming. I came across the Mizuno Bettinardi C-02H, and I knew it was a putter that I should consider. At 345 grams, it was just a touch lighter than my Mil-Spec. But the feel is very, very comparable. I couldn't test the two of them side-by-side, but I'd say the Bettinardi was just a touch softer.

The one aesthetic characteristic I particularly liked more about the Mil-Spec is the rounded top line. It just looks more natural and flowing. In general, the Mil-Spec has a softer look. The Bettinardi, on the other hand, has the shape of a classic Anser/Newport, but has some of the harder edges reminiscent of a Cameron 009.

The most distinctive thing about the C-02H (and any Bettinardi) is the face. I run hot and cold on the C-02H's honeycomb face. It might produce a flatter face from edge to edge (as Bettinardi claims), but you certainly feel some bumps when you run your finger across, which makes me think the bumps would counteract the flatness intended by the honeycomb milling. Nevertheless, it looks pretty and distinctive (which I suspect is the main benefit of the process).

The 350g Mil-Specs still go for over $200 in good condition, which puts them among the best Cameron OTRs for resale value. Ultimately, I still think the Mil-Spec is the best Newport/Anser style putter out there if you, like me, like nickel-plated carbon steel. But if you're looking for the characteristics of a 350g Mil-Spec at less than half the price, the Bettinardi C-O2H is a great alternative. At potentially less than $100 on ebay, it's probably one of the top values for a milled carbon steel putter.

Thanks for the review, great stuff. Just a side note - Bettinardi does make a model with a more rounded topline.

Funny you mention the feel of the honeycomb face. I came across this video last night on the Mizuno Europe website with Bob Bettinardi talking about the milling process.

http://golf.mizunoeurope.com/videos/index....icle=2008_05_22

Thanks for the review, great stuff. Just a side note - Bettinardi does make a model with a more rounded topline.

I think you're right, and I assume you mean the C-01? I had considered that, too, but I liked the shorter neck on the C-02 . . . more Mil-Spec like in that regard.

Funny you mention the feel of the honeycomb face. I came across this video last night on the Mizuno Europe website with Bob Bettinardi talking about the milling process.

 

http://golf.mizunoeurope.com/videos/index....icle=2008_05_22

That's actually what I was alluding to in my post, so good find. He even admits it might not feel flat. I wondered to myself, what good is milling for a flat face if the face doesn't in fact feel flat?

Now, this isn't a phenomenon unique to Bettinardi. I think there's always a tension between milling a truly flat face and producing the types of mill marks that putter lovers find attractive (which necessitate a face with some "relief").

As a lefty I've had both the C03H and a 34/340 Milspec. The C03 is more similar to the newport two.

The mil-specs are definitely worth more than the C-series line, maybe name brand or rareness? but when it comes down to what I am gaming and what I am ho-ing... the Betti's in the bag.

Both are top notch putters though, and if I never laid hands on the C03H I would never have parted with the Mil-spec.

I'm a huge Mil-Spec fan (I only own one and have been gaming it forever and will continue to game it forever) but there are a ton of putters just as good or better. I agree, for a great carbon steel putter, that Bettinardi is a major bargain.

As a lefty I've had both the C03H and a 34/340 Milspec. The C03 is more similar to the newport two.

 

The mil-specs are definitely worth more than the C-series line, maybe name brand or rareness? but when it comes down to what I am gaming and what I am ho-ing... the Betti's in the bag.

 

Both are top notch putters though, and if I never laid hands on the C03H I would never have parted with the Mil-spec.

Certainly one of the best things about the Mizuno Bettinardi C Series is that you can get heavy versions of both the Anser/Newport/C-02 and Anser 2/Newport 2/C-03 head styles in carbon steel. I can't think of another OEM that offers that. As many Cameron fans are aware, the Pro Platinum Newport 2 came only in 330g.

Maybe that's what makes the Mil-spec much more highly regarded versus the Pro Plat? The manufacturers were willing to change the putter's headweight to compensate for a shorter shaft (ie the H Betti line were all 34", and the Milspecs' 33/350, 34/340, 35/330)

The Mil-specs were the only NP offered in the pro platinum line I believe. The NP2 was in the same offering, but was not offered in any different weight options. I believe that he did the same thing in the studio stainless, with only the NP available in varying weights. Not until the red x did it start to become more common for the varying weights by length. That's part of why the asian models were so popular 34/340 33/350 options. Now that you have one head and you can just change the weights without having to have a different milling program is the first time, I believe, that the weight/length options are available throughout the whole line (studio selects). Nothing all that rare about the Mil-specs, just people started moving to heavier putters. (If it was about rarity the 36/320 would be the most expensive)

Steve