LIVE Q&A with Bob Bettinardi! Wednesday April 10, 2pm ET/11am PT. Plus Giveaway! Ask questions now!

[DblEgl]

Thanks for taking our questions and being a part of the Forum.

What do you think is the greatest determinant of putter design for distance control and your approach to it. Thanks.

[NAM2212]

Does your tour rep ever approach a player that maybe isn't putting so well? and offer to let them try a new putter? Or does someone always seek you guys out? Just curious how that works and how you get your putters in the hands of pros. I have been seeing more and more of them lately.

[Stephen1125]

Thank you for your time.

I've been fit, via a Sam putt lab, into a flow neck putter. A plumbers neck fits my eye much better. I have a machine putter and purchased a shorter plumbers neck to allow for more toe hang. (Best of both worlds for me). I love your putters but have been trying to stay with my suggested fitting.

The Question-

Do you off any putters or options to have a shorter plumbers neck that would allow the look of a plumbers neck but more toe hang like a flow neck?

 

Thank you!

[DatSliceDoe]

Any plans to make a smaller mid-mallet with a single bend shaft (fastback-ish)?

[bvmagic]

With arm lock putters trending now, what are the main drivers behind new trends? Do you rely mainly on tour player input to come up with these ideas or are continually trying to present your own new ideas to them to test when they need to try something new?

[tksputters]

How many milling machines do you currently have as I know you originally started with like 4?

[pdaero]

What is the difference in production between the retail studio putters and the Tour Stock putters, including the use of 303 stainless versus the Double-Aged variety?

[dalillama47]

Any plans on a new model type armlock putter? Is there a reason why all ( I haven't seen any toe hang ) armlock putters are face balanced?

[TNTlefty]

Since it’s Masters week - can you tell the story of how you got Masters champion Fred Couples into a Bettinardi putter and share some details on the development of his signature putter? Thanks!

[Jboblazor]

With the emergence of putter shaft options for things like more stability and better roll is this something you could offer with your newer models or given your extensive fitting process are they often not necessary?

 

[reddwings]

Are there any thoughts of bringing back some of the older designs, like the Half Moon?

[Puttersaurus Rex]

The iNOVAi series had some interesting tech that is now more widely used in other putters. Are there more of these in development?

[rocketmutt]

concerning arm lock putters, your working with Kuch has really helped pave the way in this form. how long and how hard was it to dial in what the settings needed to be to produce optimum and consistent numbers? thank you for your time gentlemen

[dokodiy]

What is your most memorable putter?

[Chopa]

With the high end putter competition being an all-time high (Tyson Lamb, Swag Golf, Piretti, etc.) Do you believe your bi-weekly Hive releases will be a beneficial for Bettinardi in the long run for the secondary market? What is your plan for many "Brand loyalists" to stay with Bettinardi instead of switching?

[Marks23]

Can you elaborate on the differences between DASS and GSS (German stainless steel) as a putter head material? What is the breakdown on tour use with FIT face vs. your other milled face options? Is the choice of type of face milling player preference or does certain milling suit particular putting strokes or tendencies? Are the designs for your great hive head-cover offerings done in house or third party?

[4rheel]

Loved the SS28 Slotback and was wondering why the face height was so shallow compared to the rest of the 2019 SS line. Was that a designed feature or made out of necessity to relocate weight? For me, I had to hover it off the ground to get a consistent strike which I didn't like to do. If I forgot to do that, I'd almost get a pop up or some initial skidding roll even with the FIT face.

[blackngold_blood]

Any thoughts of making a milled QB version of the #7/X5 shape? Also what is all involved in the process of chosing what new headshape come to market? Any new facing milling designs coming to the market?

[BettinardiGolf]

 

Hi Everyone, Sam and Bob Bettinardi are happy to be here today. Hope everyone is ready for the Masters. We'll start answering our favorite questions now but fire away!

[BettinardiGolf]

> @zzyzxx33 said:

> How did you get your start in the putter business?

 

Bob - "Walked into a local golf shop in 1992 and saw an ad for a putter milled on a bridgeport milling machine. Called the company saying I could help make it better on my own CNC (computerized) machines because at the time I was milling hydraulic parts. The company flew me to California, and I came back to Chicago with a goal of milling a single putter from a block of steel. 6 months later we did it, and the rest is history.

[BettinardiGolf]

> @akseem said:

> Is there any plan for more Queen B models in left handed?

 

Sam: We currently offer the Queen B 6 in lefty, however we do not have any current plans to offer anything else, but you never know what Bob has on his mind. Stay tuned! Thank you for asking.

[BettinardiGolf]

> @FryeManTX said:

> What's the back story to the Poison Kool-Aid logo? And how do I get one?!?

> Thanks love your putters, I have two BB0's I switch between all the time.

 

Sam: Great question. Come to the Hive, we can explain more in person! :) You can get one by visiting the Hive or paying attention to our social media and upcoming Hive releases as we sometimes add one into an online release. The Poison Kool-Aid is one of our special logos that you cannot custom order. Thank you for asking!

[BettinardiGolf]

> @th6252 said:

> Are there any plans to release a retail plumber's neck mallet or mid mallet putter(for instance, like a QB10 or SS38 with plumber's neck)? Not to be confused with a wide body blade like the QB5. Thanks!

 

Bob: Currently machining a new PROTO right now in my shop, expect to see these hit Tour in about 3-5 weeks. This one, and accompany heads will be big winners. Thanks!

[jrazz16]

Thank you for taking the time for WRX. What is your most memorable putt you have seen with a Bettinardi tour player or not?

[BettinardiGolf]

> @crsmith1234 said:

> What is the weirdest request you have had for a custom putter?

> Thanks

 

Bob: Very good question. The weirdest custom putter request was an illegal putter that was a long rectangle. The USGA does not allow the length of the putter to be longer than the width of the face. I thought I could make everything with this idea too! But never went into production.

[BettinardiGolf]

> @kiw1982 said:

> What is yours brands strength over Scotty Cameron in your opinion?

>

> (I love yours more anyway lol)

 

BOB: We make our own putters, in our OWN shop 15 ft feet away from mine and Sam's office. The family-owned aspect is something i'am very proud of... I couldn't sleep at night knowing I had to answer to shareholders. End of story.

[jonnyb03]

I really enjoy the honey comb face milling. I am curious to why we curently only see it on the Queen B models?

 

[BettinardiGolf]

> @jrazz16 said:

> Thank you for taking the time for WRX. What is your most memorable putt you have seen with a Bettinardi tour player or not?

 

SAM: My most memorable putt was Molinari's 8 foot clinching putt at Carnoustie to win our first Open Championship. :)

Bob: My first PGA Tour win, which was Jesper Parnevik's tap in on 18 to win the 1999 GGO. 99 putts today is still a tournament record.

[mystic]

What’s the difference between the tour putters and retail when it comes to metals, milling and other?

[BettinardiGolf]

> @TWshoot67 said:

> Hello Mr. Bettinardi, Sam and Crew, I really like where you guys are going with The "Hive" releases and cover designs. My main question is who would you say is/was the main artists/ deigner of these great characters such a s the Wizard, the Fat Cat, The Stinger and Kool Aid, Double Bubble, T-Hoives and not to forget all the different Zombies? My personal favorite has always been the "Party On" theme from Waste Management Open. Keep up the great work. Another question is how does one get an invite to the different Social events held at Studio B?

>

> Thanks for reading my question, Tim W.

>

> PS: Here's what I have so far of the Party On, Think I'm just missing the Tour Version 2019 and the 1 of Buffalo versions. I have the 2016 version. If you could can you tell me if I'm missing any others versions I'm not aware of? Thanks Again!

>

>

 

Bob: I have given Sam a lot of free rain since he started working here 6 years ago. With his creative vision and some of my guidance, we really feel we are on a great upward trajectory!

Sam: Wow, what an awesome collection! One of my favorite and most fun release we do all year. Thank you for being a valued collector. Not missing anything like you mentioned!