The Bettinardi Studio B fitting experience

[cmrl1986]

HELLO WRX!

 

 

 

Well, I finally did it. I finally took the jump from reasonably priced putters, to "how did I just justify paying that much for a putter" putters. Let me first start by saying that I putted great last year, probably one of my best putting years ever. I switched to a face balanced putter (Odyssey Versa 7wbw) for the first time and I couldn't have been happier with the results. I had every intention of keeping the Versa in the bag for the next year or two. I had no reson to need a new putter right? If it ain't broke, don't fix it right?

 

 

Hello, my name is Chris, and I'm addicted to buying, selling, and trading golf clubs. This is other wise known as the "club HO". I have had this addiction for the past 4 years or so. Before then, I would play clubs until they broke. What changed? I found the BST, or as my wife calls it, "my golf porn site". Now, I've gone through plenty of sets of irons, drivers, wedges, and hybrids. All of which I would buy on here, and quickly get bent, custom fitted, reshafted, or refinished in order to fit my specs. In a sense, I was getting fitted for all of these items. As I started to think about that, I realized that the only club in my bag that I use on just about every hole, is the only one I'd never been fitted for. How much sense does that make? NONE. I live in Ottawa, IL, about an hour south of Chicago and Tinley Park, home of Bettinardi. I quickly realized that I needed to take advantage of this, as my season is almost here.....well......ya, not really (F U ILLINIOS).

 

I got on the horn and got ahold of Mike Orvis, the fitter for Bettinardi. I got into the studio a few days later, and I was floored from the beginning. Now, I'm not a numbers guy, I don't get on launch monitors, I don't know my spin rate on my 6 iron, I don't even know my swing speed with a driver. That being said, I play to a 1 handicap. I am a huge feel player. If a club sets up right to me and appeals to my eye, that's usually what ends up in the bag. After talking with Mike for a while, I start demoing the goodies! Everything from tour proto's, to the BB production series.

 

I came in there with an eye on the Queen B 5 model. I had roled it at the PGA Superstore a few days prior and loved the feel, head shape, and weight. As it always works, he just got a new QB5 tour stock in the shop. I fell in love. I wanted it. After rolling the QB5 and a few others, it's time to get on camera. The set up shows exactly what face angle you have the putter in at address, as well as what the angle the face is at the start of the follow through, all the way through impact and where it ends. This is key to the fitting as different weight placement, hosel shapes, and head shapes promote different paths. With these of the cameras, we quickly determined that the tour stock QB5 was out. I wasn't getting it as close to square at impact as he felt it should be for a constant role on the ball every time. This broke my heart!

 

The fitting itself is an amazing experience. I learned things about my putting stroke that I would have never thought about before. For instance, I set up to the ball with the putter face 1-2 degrees open. I also learned that my shoulders are open at set up, promoting a push for a miss. As I said before, I'm a feel player and I would have never noticed these things before. After rolling a few more different models, we determined that face balanced was they way to go for me, which made sense considering the Versa that I had putted so well with the year before is also face balanced. I ended up with:

 

Matt Kuchar Model 1 Standard length putter

Loft: 3*

Length: 34

Lie:66* yes! I have low hands at address! I just always have. I'm about 5'10" so I'm average height.

 

I told myself that I was going to go in there with an open mind, and get the putter that would be best for me, no matter what it looks like. I had seen the Kuchar in an arm lock, but never standard. I love the fit face, and at 353 grams, it's about the perfect head weight for my feel. I was excited for the purchase.

 

After the fitting, it's time to pay. Out comes the wallet, out comes the card, life is grand. As Mike comes back with my card, he noticed the 49ers insignia on my wallet. He asked how much of a fan I was. I had been a fan since a was a little boy. When I was growing up, my family were Cowboys fans. This is in the mid to late 90's. At that time, the rivalry was fierce between San Fran and Dallas (think T.O. In a NINERS jersey spiking the ball on the Dallas star after a TD). Naturally I went the opposite of my family and became a Niner faithful. It had stuck with me until now (27 years old). Mike told me to hold on, when he came back he had the Bettinardi NFL 49ers headcover that I had been looking for for the last 2 years with absolutely no luck! With a huge smile in my face I gladly took it.

 

 

This whole experience was one if the best I'd ever had as far as golf goes. Mike Orvis was as the great. He never once complained about me wanting to try that putter, at that length, with that grip (5-6 different putters). His professionalism was only out done by his great customer service and wealth of knowledge on the fitting. He could have easily let me spend more money, on a putter that wouldn't have worked as well for me. He was truely concerned more about me making putts, then Bettinardi making money. This is one reason I believe they get so many repeat customers (which I will be). They treat you with the same care and thought that they would treat a PGA professional, at least that's how I felt. If you're on the fence about spending the money, I would say that it was absolutely, 100%, no question about it, worth every penny. You can spend $350 on an OTR Scotty, or other high end putters. For $50 more I got a fully custom fit putter and a great experience. I even got to pick everything from what grip, how many wraps, what headcover, even what shaft band I wanted! Here are some picture from the studio, including my newest acquisition, enjoy!

[Joebirds55]

Congrats on the purchase, awesome pictures

[oldpalchamp]

Great story, and great photos. The Bettinardi crew does it right! Good luck with your new putter.

[Staff_Blades]

Thanks for sharing, that is one trip I would love to make, I have always been a fan of Bettinardi putters

[cmrl1986]

[quote name='Staff_Blades' timestamp='1391738998' post='8613257']
Thanks for sharing, that is one trip I would love to make, I have always been a fan of Bettinardi putters
[/quote]

Thanks for. The compliments. The main reason I wanted to do this write up was so that people who were on the fence about it, had a bit more of an understanding of what you get for your money, and what all goes into your fitting and customizations. The best thing about the fitting is that it's completely free when you buy your putter that day. Let me also say that your putter comes directly off the line, right from the factory I have pictured. He literally goes down there and gets it!

[Cochese23]

Congrats on your new putter. I am super jealous. I live in WI and would love to do a studio fitting. I love Betti putters and will get down there some day.

[foggedz]

Great review. I have an appointment on Feb 17th at Studio B, and reading your thread gets me excited.

What different types of grips, and head covers were avail to choose from?

[cmrl1986]

Any hc you want really. They have a good collection, and even a few they don't have displayed. The 49ers cover I got they don't even make anymore. Just ask Mike and I'm sure he can bring out plenty of choices based on what colors or design you want. As far as grips go. they have PURE, Iomic, and Lampkin. Everything from rubber and leather to cord. Plenty to choose from to make it all yours.

[cjsorge27]

Wow, that sounds amazing. Been thinking about going to the fitting studio in Atlanta but I think I need to go to the source in Chicago.

[L3fty]

Already asked my wife that I want a custom Bettinardi for my 31st birthday this year... but its not until november! i would have to stick with my current one until next season.. cant wait.
thanks for sharing your experience!

[cmrl1986]

I was hoping to meet Bob, but he was in a meeting at the time. My next fitting I will make it a point to meet the man behind the madness!

[Hbeaz15]

That's a pretty awesome experience. Must have been nice to see that Red Wings Brett Hull jersey all framed up and looking nice.

[adg81231]

Congrats it is really a cool experience.. Mike and the crew do a fantastic job..

[TooMuchAwesome]

Awesome pictures! Thank you for sharing

[mws82]

Being from Peoria IL I make my fair amount of trips to the studio. For the last few years it's been at least twice a year. My 5 year old is even hooked. If I lived as close as Ottawa is I would be needing a second job.

[WilliamTighe]

Thanks for sharing, and congrats on a great experience. Go HAWKS!

[Golfinwill]

This post is spot on. I've gone through the entire fitting process also and you describe it exactly how it is. Bettinardi goes above and beyond to make sure you have exactly what you want and need to make putts. They are a true classy company. Orvis is a great guy who is willing to put the time in to make sure you're happy with your putter.

I highly recommend if you are in the Chicago area make a trip to get a putter, you really won't be disappointed. You probably will just be kicking yourself you didn't do it earlier!

OP Congrats on the putter, think Spring!

[Architect]

I'm a sucker for posts like this that tell stories with attention to fitting detail. Congrats and enjoy.

[ZINC68]

VERY awesome. But I have to ask.. Auto'd Brett Hull wings jersey in a Chicago golf shop? Weeeeirrddd. haha

[keaner1014]

What services can they do to modify my putter if I went down? I'm considering heading over to IL before the season...

[scratchswinger]

This is on my bucket list! If/when I ever go to Chicago this will be one of the first things that I book, Studio B has always intrigued me. Thank you for taking the time to create this thread, there is definitely a lack of information on the topic.

+1000000 on the Niner head cover.

Do they offer a lot of tour heads for purchase?

[cmrl1986]

ZINC68- The Hull jerseys was on the floor because a Patrick Kane jersey was hanging. So the Redwings jersey was where it belonged, underneath the Hawks jersey!

Keaner1014- depends on what you mean as far as modification. They fully custom fit (loft, lie, length, ect), they also do full refinishing on Bettinardi putters, as well as stamping and engraving.

Scratchswinger- as far as tour heads go, Mike said it just happens to be either what they just made, or what's not on tour with the reps at that time. I'm guessing if you went during the off season, more tour heads would be available. They probably had 5-6 when I was in there, including tour prototype putters. Some of which he cut down just for me to try. I was trying like hell to make one of the tour prototypes be "the one", but it just wasn't happening!

[mljones99]

I'd love to do this is I ever make it back to Chicago.

I've got the Cowboys putter cover from the run of NFL covers they did and I use it on any blade putter I happen to use.... Odyssey, Scotty, etc... I don't care. I love that cover.

[Hstead]

Great write up. This actually seals the deal for me. I had an appointed scheduled about a year ago. I ended up canceling it and going in another direction. However, I have always wanted to do the B fitting. I lived in Chicago for a few years when I was younger and I take the kids there once a year as my daughter loves it there. It takes me 6 hours to get there. Next time we go, I am going to schedule a fitting. This might even be an excuse to make the trip sooner.

[bppry]

Well I think this just pushed me and a buddy over the edge. Gonna make the 4 hour drive and do it. Anyone know if they take appointments on Saturdays?

[cmrl1986]

[quote name='bppry' timestamp='1391988096' post='8631847']
Well I think this just pushed me and a buddy over the edge. Gonna make the 4 hour drive and do it. Anyone know if they take appointments on Saturdays?
[/quote]

Closed Saturday and Sunday.

[bjackson]

Awesome! Sounds like a great experience and thanks for sharing.

[BobsBugsBeGone]

I'm going to have to make this happen!

[WilliamTighe]

A constant flow of good things heard about the studio B experiences. Have to get in there ASAP, just need $$$

[Hstead]

It looks like Bettinardi just sold at least a couple of dozen more putters.