Bettinardi Putters - Durability?

[apocalypsem3]

Compared to Scotty Cameron

I am thinking about buying a Mizuno Bettinardi C-03 putter. From Mizuno website, it says Bettinardi C-03 putters are made from 11L17 Carbon Steel, which I believe is soft (?). Another possible putter I am looking into is Scotty Cameron Studio Style Newport 2 which is made out from stainless steel.

My questions are:

1. What is the main difference between stainless putters and carbon steel putters other than the materials used? Feel? Sound? Something else?

2. Is Scotty Cameron more durable (in terms of ding/nicks/finish) than Bettinardi putters due to materials used?

3. I am leaning more towards Bettinardi and I was wondering if there is any special caution/method in caring for Bettinardi putters.

4. For those of you using Bettinardi putters made from 11L17 Carbon Steel, how do you rate durability on these putters? Compared to Scotty Camerons?

[Bomb and Gouge]

I own a few Bettinardi's (including the c-03) and a few Camerons. Overall, I'd say the Bettinardi's are more durable because they're nickel plated. STILL A SOFT FEEL THOUGH! :blink:

[drewspin]

I'm not sure what you mean by durability.

 

Use a putter cover and don't abuse it and either 11L17 or a stainless putter will last for millions of putts.

 

If you are talking about finishes, stainless is a maintenance free finish, when compared to mild carbon steel (low carbon content) which requires some care (mineral oil or silicone).

 

11L17 is a popular mild carbon steel that mills well and sounds/feels "soft" - though feel is a subjective thing and depends on other variables such as ball, mass, shaft, grip, etc.

[apocalypsem3]

Since Bettinardi is nickel plated, would it rust if I don't use silicone/baby oil on it?

[Gxgolfer]

If you get fertilizer on it, it will create rust spots like a pro platinum or Circa finish. If you just keep it dry, you will be Ok. Stainless is the maintenance free finish.

[golfalot333]

carbon is softer than stainless steel, however, you have to maintain it...however, it's a good trade off since you'll be using it for a while (you might as well take care of it). Personally, the Betti's feel and look very similar to the sc pro plats.

[Caligula]

IMO the Bettinardi feels a tad softer than the PP maybe halfway between the PP and a carbon.

[Dr Rangelove]

Durability shouldn't be an issue unless you have a history of playing in the rain and leaving the cover on after the round without letting it or the putter dry. The real question is which putter do you feel more confident with (especially from 10' in) and puts the ball in the hole more often for you?

[502 to Right]

I've gamed a C-03 since November and it looks like it's brand new. If you use the headcover and don't hit it against rocks and the like it should look great for years.

 

I've gotten a couple of Cameron Pro Platinum's lately and was very disappointed in the finish. It might be that the former owners abused them, but they have a lots of marks on them.

 

I cannot recommend the Mizuno/Bettinardi C series highly enough. I've owned Cameron Pro Plats, Studio Stainless and Circas and the C-03 has held off all challenges. Cameron has absolutely nothing over Bettinardi. (I'm not saying Camerons aren't good--just that they are no better than Bettinardi).

[apocalypsem3]

So, Mizuno/Bettinardi C Series will be less prone to rusting than other non plated carbon steel putters? Is Scotty Cameron Circa '62 series non plated? I've heard many posts about it being rusting and stuff.

[502 to Right]

The C series will not rust at all unless you damage the finish so badly the nickel finish comes off. In normal use that would never happen. The only way I could see it happening is if you teed off on a rock and smashed it against a wall. Hopefully that's not normal behavior for you.

 

The 2006 Circas are not plated and rust like the dickens. The 2007 version will be in a charcol mist, which is plated and it should not rust.

 

The Nickel plated finish does not require oiling. As long as the finish is not chipped off it will not rust.

[apocalypsem3]

Cool. Thanks everyone for the help. And thank you 502.

[Viking Golfer]

If you want great durability and great feel in a Bettinardi putter, then consider buying a stainless Steel Tour putter from Todd from tksputters.com.

The stainless steel Bettinardi tour putters will probably last a lifetime if you handle them with care.

 

The Bettinardi putters made from carbon steel will be more prone to dinging because of the softer material used and more prone to rusting if exposed to fertilizer and excessive moisty humid climate conditions.

 

The Bettinardi Tour Stainlees Steel putters are not cheap by any means - but in my humble opinion worth every penny.

 

http://www.tksputters.com

[502 to Right]

Also, if you are fine with an Anser/Newport style putter and want a Bettinardi in stainless steel, you can take a look at the Ben Hogan by Bettinardi BHB5-SS, which is made of Double Aged Stainless Steel (DASS). They are selling on eBay for just under $200. Before Bettinardi moved to Mizuno the BHB5-SS's were selling for $350 in stores. I just picked one up and it is a high quality putter. That said, I'm still sticking with my C-03 as a gamer because I prefer the boxier look, but the BHB5-SS is sweet.

[jasonm2089]

I have a BHB5-SS on the way cant wait to test it out. Thanks for all the info 502. Did you ever figure out the head weight on the SS? Also I dont have to worry about oiling or anything with this putter either? I always take care of my stuff and just want to make sure.

[502 to Right]

I have a BHB5-SS on the way cant wait to test it out. Thanks for all the info 502. Did you ever figure out the head weight on the SS? Also I dont have to worry about oiling or anything with this putter either? I always take care of my stuff and just want to make sure.

 

I got mine yesterday and the headweight was 328 grams. They listed them at 329 so that's fine. It feels much heftier than 328. It has a really smooth, solid feel. I was putting in the hallway of my office yesterday and having a great time. It feels much more solid than the BHB1-C. However, I added 7 grams of weight to the sole of the BHB1-C and it feels very good now too. I'm building quite the arsenal of Bettinardi's.

[Viking Golfer]

Also, if you are fine with an Anser/Newport style putter and want a Bettinardi in stainless steel, you can take a look at the Ben Hogan by Bettinardi BHB5-SS, which is made of Double Aged Stainless Steel (DASS). They are selling on eBay for just under $200. Before Bettinardi moved to Mizuno the BHB5-SS's were selling for $350 in stores. I just picked one up and it is a high quality putter. That said, I'm still sticking with my C-03 as a gamer because I prefer the boxier look, but the BHB5-SS is sweet.

 

Are you sure, the BenHogans are made of DASS Steel ?

 

My TOUR DASS Betti putter also weighs 355 grams, which is also a bonus - not a cheap bonus though :blink:

[1t2golf]

Also, if you are fine with an Anser/Newport style putter and want a Bettinardi in stainless steel, you can take a look at the Ben Hogan by Bettinardi BHB5-SS, which is made of Double Aged Stainless Steel (DASS). They are selling on eBay for just under $200. Before Bettinardi moved to Mizuno the BHB5-SS's were selling for $350 in stores. I just picked one up and it is a high quality putter. That said, I'm still sticking with my C-03 as a gamer because I prefer the boxier look, but the BHB5-SS is sweet.

 

Are you sure, the BenHogans are made of DASS Steel ?

 

My TOUR DASS Betti putter also weighs 355 grams, which is also a bonus - not a cheap bonus though :blink:

 

The Hogan BHB5-SS is made of DASS steel.

[502 to Right]

Yes, it's DASS. From the Ben Hogan website:

 

 

 

 

The crown jewel of the Ben Hogan by Bettinardi® putter line. The SS series putter features a solid double aged stainless steel putter head precisely milled to exacting specifications. Double aged stainless steel combined with the unique One Piece Technology manufacturing process featuring the exclusive Honeycomb® face finish; produces the finest putter ever offered in the Ben Hogan by Bettinardi® putter line.