It was the Tiger Woods of old at Bay Hill, dominating and intimidating his way to an impressive win

Share this post Twitter Facebook Tumblr Email Posted March 26, 2012 in 2012 Bettinardi, 303 Stainless Steel, Alligator Belts, Bettinardi Golf, Bettinardi Putters, Bob Bettinardi, Brian Gay, Butch Harmon, Cash Covers, CNC, CNC Milling, Custom Putters, David Howell and Adam Scott, Exotic Leather Belts, Exotic Skin Wallets, For

The Hank Haney book, “The Big Miss,” comes out this week. In a related note, renowned book reviewer Tiger Woods issued his blurb over 72 holes at Bay Hill:

“Did I read my old swing coach’s book? Eat my dust! – Tiger Woods.

Maybe his review won’t make the back of the paperback version. His performance, however, resonated around the golf globe.

Nobody authors dismissive “Forget you’s” like Tiger Woods. Whether mentally crushing Sergio Garcia or Ernie Els in the early 2000s – two items mentioned by Haney in the detailed, nuanced, instructive portrait of Tiger – or whether stymieing any talk of a permanent Tiger demise with a five-shot win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the lessons of Tiger remain.

If you give Tiger a stage to flex on, eventually he will flex.

Perhaps it was just a coincidence that Tiger chose the week of the Haney book and his last tournament before the Masters to put together the entirety of the Sean Foley golf swing and unveil its ball-controlling glories. Or, more likely, perhaps it was because of those two things – the book and the azaleas – that Tiger was able to summon up “The Package,” as Haney calls it in the book, or “the mystery,” another phrase Haney uses to describe Tiger’s ability to stand tallest at the most important times.

So much of it was familiar: the red shirt, the seventh win at Bay Hill and, perhaps most notably, the shrinking of competitors. Credit to The Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee who pointed out that every challenger, whether Jason Dufner (77) or Charlie Wi (76) on Saturday, or Graeme McDowell (74), Ernie Els (75) or Ian Poulter (74) on Sunday, drowned in Tiger’s wake. Tiger went 65-70 on the weekend.

Taking Chamblee’s cue, we are left with a question going forward: Does this mean the intimidation – the Tiger aura, the atmosphere where his presence on the leaderboard means contenders shrivel up – is back?

As a weekly pontificator in this slice of cyberspace, I have often conjectured that Tiger would win again, that he would reclaim No. 1 and that he still had a 50-50 shot at toppling Jack Nicklaus’ all-time record for major championships. My reasoning always included the following: At 36, Tiger remains relatively young; and with perhaps 10 years of great golf in front of him, 40 major opportunities could surely yield five wins, especially given his comfort level at Augusta National.

On the flip side, however, I included the caveat: He may break Jack’s mark, but he will never, ever be Tiger Woods 1.0 (71 wins and 14 majors before age 34) again. A new generation of players, led by Rory McIlroy, would look at Tiger the way young rockers look at Mick Jagger or Bruce Springsteen: with respect, but with knowledge that the graybeards are past their prime.

The Escalade into the hydrant, the loss of image, endorsements and family, and perhaps most important, the disappearance of his putter and the emergence of a chronic knee injury meant fellow competitors would never fear him again as they once did. At least that’s how I saw it.

But something in “The Big Miss” resonated. Haney details Tiger’s lifelong obsession with the golf swing and ball flight, so much so that you forget all the other white noise that surrounds him, including our dime-store psychology that he was damaged goods. Reading the book reminds you that at his core, Tiger Woods is a golfer and won’t stop for early retirement or other interests or to play minor-league baseball. True, his military obsession, particularly after his father’s death, came close to derailing his focus, but Haney’s explicit description of how Tiger’s golf credo is about the chase for greatness that this pursuit of perfection reminds you that every tinker of his swing is a means to that end, droughts be damned. It’s why he’s on his third golf swing and never settled for the Nicklaus “See Jack Grout Once a Year” plan.

Digesting that information and watching him drive the ball around Bay Hill with some of the most definitive authority of his career made me guess that Tiger feels rejuvenated with Foley’s instruction. Haney writes that Tiger would be bored with a “maintenance” plan on his golf swing, that he gets juiced to learn something new – to re-define his swing. Instead of seeing it as a negative – this switching of instructors – Tiger keeps his gas tank full by taking on new things.

[ Related: Eric Adelson: Will Tiger Woods’ ‘resurrection’ be enough to satiate public? ]

And watching that ball flight around Bay Hill? Being ranked No. 1 in the field in total driving? Playing from the fairway almost every hole? A 35-hole streak of greens hit in regulation? Goodness gracious. It was some of the most gorgeous golf Tiger has played since his Haney heyday.

Yes, the putter and the knee remain the biggest questions. But here are more questions:

Can the re-emergence of Tiger break Rory, as it did Sergio and Ernie?

Can the re-emergence of Tiger stifle Phil Mickelson’s recent mastery over Woods?

Can the re-emergence of Tiger surpass all our expectations and restart the greatest comeback in golf since Ben Hogan, post-car accident?

We’re tantalized. The answers will come.

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Bob Childs: Alligator-skin Craftsman; Owner, House of Fleming

Share this post Twitter Facebook Tumblr Email Posted March 24, 2012 in 2012 Bettinardi, 303 Stainless Steel, Alligator Belts, Bettinardi Golf, Bettinardi Putters, Bob Bettinardi, Brian Gay, Butch Harmon, Cash Covers, CNC, CNC Milling, Custom, Custom Putters, David Howell and Adam Scott, Exotic Leather Belts, Exotic Skin Wall

Bob Childs: Alligator-skin Craftsman; Owner, House of Fleming
For a guy who didn’t actually start playing the game until just a couple of years ago, Bob Childs runs in some impressive golf circles.

“I was at The Players Championship in Jacksonville this past March,” recalled the 54-year-old Atlanta [Ga.] resident. “I had dinner at Ian Poulter’s house with Luke Donald, Justin Rose, David Howell and Adam Scott. It was pretty much half the European Ryder Cup Team.”

While Poulter is a proven winner in Europe, and as Childs added, “A wonderful cook,” the Englishman is best known for his sartorial style and his clothing panache. And that’s the reason he connected with Childs, the owner of House of Fleming in Atlanta, a man widely acknowledged as one of the premiere alligator-skin craftsman in the world.

Though his business is more than 25 years old, Childs had scant association with the game until seven or eight years ago. His introduction to golf? That falls under the category of, “build it, and they will come.”

Noted instructor Butch Harmon was on a flight to Atlanta, heading to the Masters some years ago. He saw someone wearing an unusual belt, found out it had been purchased at House of Fleming, and Harmon, who’s described by Childs as an “alligator addict,” beat a path to his door.

“It was only five or 10 minutes into our lunch meeting that I realized that Butch was interested in belts not only for himself, but also for Tiger,” Childs said. “I might not have known who Butch Harmon was at the time we met, but I certainly knew Tiger Woods.” 

As Tiger goes, so goes the golf world. Now Childs boasts an All-Star lineup of world-class golfers, including Darren Clarke, Jose Maria Olazabal and Natalie Gulbis. Oh, and Steve Elkington, Rocco Mediate, Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell, Matt Kuchar and a guy named John Daly. Childs claims one of his favorite customers is Marty Hackel, Fashion Director at Golf Digest.

The House of Fleming has had a celebrity clientele for years. Satisfied customers like Ronald Reagan, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Burt Reynolds and the famous check-forger and con artist, Frank W Abagnale, Jr., whose exploits were made famous in the movie “Catch Me If You Can,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. 

However, the golf category has exploded since the late 1990s, now accounting for about 20 percent of their business. Even more significant is the transformation of the belt finishes. The previous standard for these pricey accessories ($300-$500 as a general rule of thumb) was a glazed finish, which Fleming describes as “a shiny look, often used with a suit.”

Due in large part to the proliferation of pro golfers now wearing his product, the matte finish belt, previously about 5 percent of the business, is now closer to 50 percent. The matte finish is the better choice in wet, hot or humid weather. 

Ultimately, this is work apparel for the pro golfers who use them, and the belts need to look good regardless of the atmospheric conditions present.

A Georgia native and a Georgia Tech graduate, Childs always liked working with his hands. As a young man, the concept of working with leathers and other exotic skins like alligator appealed to him. He got started the old-fashioned way. 
“I locked myself in a room with some skins and some tools,” Childs said. “I didn’t come out ‘till I had a belt.” 

He still has that first rudimentary effort, though chances are it’s not on display, like successful business owners who frame their first dollar. 

“I never sold that belt,” Childs admitted. “It was too ugly.”
They’ve gotten better looking. Though he began as a sole proprietor, he now has almost a dozen employees, including six other craftsmen. Everything is handmade; no corners are cut. 

There are 56 separate steps, each done by hand, for every belt and strap that the company produces. 

“It’s not a technology-driven business,” stated the belt-maker. “I use the same tools that belt-makers have been using for 60 years.” 

When it comes to the pro golfers, he selects and cuts the skins himself. Asked to explain his almost cult-like following among many of the game’s greatest practitioners, he theorized, “I think they appreciate not just the quality of the product, but also the energy and commitment it takes to produce belts like this, one at a time.” 

Here’s another theory: These pros are awash in freebies. They’re handed courtesy cars, dozens of balls, unlimited clothes, clubs, shoes, gloves and food in the clubhouse. In a way it’s almost refreshing for them to spend their sizeable winnings on the finest toys. That’s why the top earners are private jet fliers, luxury and sports car owners and wine connoisseurs. House of Fleming belts are just another manifestation of that old saw, “he who dies with the most toys wins.”

“I also think another one of the attractions is that these top-level pros have their outfits picked out for tournament play by the corporations they represent, be it Nike, adidas, Dockers or whomever,” continued Childs. “The belts give them the chance to express a degree of individuality and style they don’t get otherwise.

“Some pros get so involved they’ll go beyond picking the skin and the buckle, and even select the color of the thread that’s used for stitching. They really seem to enjoy custom-designing their own belts.”

Childs is affiliated with a tannery in Europe, and he goes over there several times a year to pick out skins. While there, he’ll often visit the European Tour event transpiring that week, lay out the skins, and like kids in a candy store, the Euro-pros fight over the hides that best match their shirts, shoes and slacks. The aforementioned Poulter is trying to chase down Darren Clarke as the most prolific golf customer of the House of Fleming, but with a shake of the head and a chuckle, Childs exclaimed, “Darren has over 150 belts, so Ian will be hard-pressed to catch him.”

The buckle supplier is a high-end jeweler who prefers to “fly under the radar,” according to Childs, and is know internally only as “Mr. Pink.” But this “Dr. Buckle” collaborates seamlessly with “Mr. Hide.” And the silver and gold accoutrements he supplies are interchangeable from belt to belt, adding even more appeal and flexibility to the wearer. 

Is it instructive or meaningful to interpret different belt styles as windows to the golfer’s souls? Probably not, but it’s interesting nonetheless.

For example, Rocco Mediate likes a four-piece buckle set, including two “keepers,” the technical term for the metal strap-holders seen on some belts, and a silver tip. But most pros have just a single piece of metal accompanying their alligator skin – the buckle itself. Europeans prefer wider belts, with the notable exception of Sergio Garcia. He eschews the 1½-inch standard of his Continent brethren, and opts for the 1¼-inch width that most American players prefer. 

And you thought you knew everything about the PGA Tour.

Childs often travels to Tour events with what he calls his “bag of tricks,” an oversize duffel filled with his latest skins.

There’s no such thing as an “average” skin, but the craftsman says generally speaking, he’ll get three or four belts out of a skin, while unusual skins might only yield two. Some of the pros will happen to stop by his Atlanta factory when they’re in town, and get a bit of hands-on experience, cutting the skins themselves. 

A self-described “professional bachelor,” Childs recently wed Florence, finally changing his marital status past the age of 50. He is currently mired with an 18 handicap, and regrets he took up golf later in life. While he has no club affiliations of his own, he’s got no shortage of invitations at this point. Not just from his friends on Tour, but from the well-heeled (and belted) connoisseurs in his hometown. Invitations to Piedmont Driving Club, TPC at Sugarloaf, Capital City and the Golf Club of Georgia have been accepted, and he someday plans on making his way to the twin pinnacles of Atlanta golf – East Lake and Peachtree. 

His first golf contact, Butch Harmon, was helpful in regards to instruction. Well, to a point. 

“He sent me one of his books, and told me to read it,” Childs said. Asking how to cure his shaky putting, Harmon informed him to “putt with your eyes closed.” But his ever-expanding Rolodex of golf contacts is a real eye-opener.

Despite the allure of celebrity proximity, beyond the fact these young millionaires buy his handmade exotic belts like the rest of us buy packages of tube socks, in other words, in volume, fattening the House of Fleming coffers commensurately, Childs is enjoying all of these burgeoning relationships for another reason entirely.

“These are some wonderful, down-to-earth people,” he said. “They just happen to play extraordinary golf.”
And the handcrafted ribbons that encircle their waists, manufactured under the watchful eye of Bob Childs, are extraordinary themselves.



BOB CHILDS In The Bag

Occupation: Alligator-skin Craftsman; Owner, House of Fleming in Atlanta [Ga.]
Home course: “I don’t have one. I just play wherever I get invited.”
Clubs: Titleist driver, Mizuno irons, TaylorMade Rossa putter and Bridgestone golf balls.
Frequency of play: “I’m a sneaky golfer; I sneak out to the course whenever I can.”
Hole-in-ones?: One; “I hit a 2-iron from 217 yards on the fifth hole at Heritage Golf Club [in Georgia]. I was playing like crap and was with two buddies who had tried to get me to play golf a lot earlier in life, but I passed. I saw them hit 3-irons short of the green. Before the round, I watched one of Butch Harmon’s videos that said a common fault by amateurs is they don’t hit enough club. So I grabbed the 2-iron and let the ball get in the way of the club, just like Butch’s tape said. All I wanted to do was get it on the green. I stood there and watched the ball creep to the hole, and all my friends went nuts.”
 

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Graeme McDowell talks fashion, cars and wine

Share this post Twitter Facebook Tumblr Email Posted March 24, 2012 in 2012 Bettinardi, 303 Stainless Steel, Bettinardi Golf, Bettinardi Putters, Bob Bettinardi, Brian Gay, Cash Covers, CNC, CNC Milling, Custom, Custom Putters, Exotic Leather Belts, Forged, GOLFWRX, Graeme McDowell, Honeycomb, House of Fleming, John Daly, Ma

Graeme McDowell has a style of his own and has been highlighted this blog several times for his classic take on golf fashion. As he did last weekend at the U.S. Open, McDowell sported sharp cardigans layered over crisp, classic collared polos and paired them with well-tailored trousers. His clothes fit him to a tee and it’s easy to see that he is confident and comfortable in his clothes.

Golfweek caught up with McDowell earlier this spring to get some insight to his style and how he goes about putting together his look.

Who are your clothing and shoe sponsors? Are you scripted?

Photo by Associated Press

Graeme McDowell celebrates on the eighteenth hole after winning the U.S. Open

Louis Copeland. He is one of Dublin’s top tailors]. My footwear is by Stuburt. They have the classic all-leather styles. I’m not scripted. I usually just pick my own gear. I kind of go for the certain classic-cut look, tailored pants, just as classic as possible. I like wearing the smoking cardigan styles (final round style cardigan).

What is your favorite part of a golf outfit?

Probably the pants, really. I kind of go with quite plain shirts, so I like to kind of dress it up with some nice pants. Shoes and belts are definitely very important accessories. I like to try and match those up as much as possible. I’ve got some nice colorful shoes coming from Stuburt later in the season but definitely my pants are very important to me.

Are you a belt or watch guy?

I like belts probably. I don’t wear a watch on the golf course. Obviously, I’m with Audemars Piguet, which makes some great watches. House of Fleming in Atlanta do my belts. They do a lot with the guys’ belts, in a colorful way. I’ve got a great blue gator one that I enjoy wearing. House of Fleming makes belts for Darren Clarke,Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood. They do a lot of the guy’s stuff and have some really, really cool skins.

Are you into buckles?

I actually have my own buckle that the guy designed, it’s quite plain but it’s a classy looking buckle and stuff. There aren’t any big G-Mac logos or anything but just a nice classy looking buckle.

Money clip? Or wallet?

I’m a money clip guy.

Any particular brand?

No, no particular brand. I like that, you’ve seen the M clip thing that kind of pulls out? Either that one or one of my players badges that I picked up somewhere. At the moment I’m using my 2009 European Tour badge as my money clip. But I’m definitely a money clip guy.

Any luxury indulgences?

I like cars. I’ve always been a Porsche fan. Stuff like that. Nice glass of red wine from time to time. I’m not a cigar smoker or anything. Definitely wine, cars and watches.

What red wine: French or California?

Bit of everything, really. I’ve been getting into my California’s a little bit I’ve always been into Spanish wine, that kind of stuff. But I like I really like some of the California’s.

As a junior player did you have any fashion disasters?

I was a Nick Faldo fan growing up and I owned some very, very dodgy Pringle sweaters. I definitely had a nice Pringle sweater collection in my closet at one point, which I think if you asked me to wear now I would probably laugh at you.

The argyle man?

The argyle man, the pringle man, and definitely some argyle prints in there. And some reasonably – you know, it probably went out of fashion in the ’90s and will probably come back in again. It probably looks pretty cool right now.

What do you like to see women wearing on the golf course?

Photo by Associated Press

Graeme McDowell

Just as little as possible, really. I think I like these, you know, like a Natalie (Gulbis) there, she wears some cool skort and she’s got a good frame to carry it off. Yeah, I think I actually think women can dress a lot better than the men can. They can kind of get away with some riskier stuff. I think women, generally the American women, are very well dressed.

Which LPGA players do you think are most fashionable?

I would go with Natalie. I hardly get to watch the LPGA tour too often. There are a lot of the Ladies European Tour girls that are pretty stylish, a couple Spanish girls. Anna Rawson, she hasn’t quite got the game to match the look, but she’s a well-dressed girl. Stuff like that.

If you are going on a date on Saturday night, what are you wearing?

Depends on where I’m eating. But I mean when I’m hanging out in Florida and it’s casual. I’m a jeans, flip-flops and button-down shirt kind of guy. But I’ll dress it up with some nice shoes and maybe throw a jacket on and that’s kind of a jeans button down shirt, nice sport coat and a nice pair of shoes.

Do you have a favorite designer off the course?

I’m a Hugo Boss guy off the course. Again, Louis Copeland looks after me, he stocks Hugo and keeps me as well dressed as possible.

Do you have a signature look, item or color that you have been sporting?

When I won twice in 2008 I wore green in the last round, green with white pants. I’ve actually struggled to find a shirt with a nice color of green. I’ve got one coming this season. So that’s kind of my Sunday colors, a little bit of Irish green. Some nice white pants, a nice green gator skin belt so that’s kind of what I plan on wearing on Sunday afternoons.

So when you say Irish green we would call it maybe Kelly green?

It’s like an Augusta green or the color of the green in the Irish flag.

How did living in Alabama during college influence or change your European style?

Like I say, probably introduced to jeans, flip-flops and baseball hats. I always remember thinking it was crazy to see guys wearing baseball hats to the bar. But, yeah, the Alabama kind of theme there, you know, baggier jeans and flip-flops perhaps.

You’ve been sporting the rugged scruffy look lately. Is this here to stay or is it an on-again, off-again thing?

It’s just something a little different. I’m just trying to rock it for a little while.

It looks a little more Alabama then?

Yea, perhaps, than London or Dublin.

What about Poulter’s pants are too over the top for you?

No, I actually think he’s kind of calmed it down the last few years. I like Ian’s stuff. I have to say he’s a very stylish guy, carries it well. He has nice colors and like I say, he matches everything really well. I think he gets my vote for best-dressed player.

Your nickname is G-Mac. Who first called you that?

I don’t know who first called me that. Probably way back in my amateur days. It’s just a bit of an identity. It’s nice to have something sort of a little bit of a logo. It’s nice for the Web site. I love it when I go out and I hear fans shouting “Go G-Mac” or whatever. I guess it’s kind of cool to have a nickname like that. It’s not like everyone calls me that. My mom still calls me Graeme, she doesn’t call me G-Mac. It’s something a little bit different I think. Something a bit more marketable in the future when I win about 10 majors.

– Ashleigh Korzack contributed

 

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2012 Bettinardi Putters Review from The Hackers Paradise

Share this post Twitter Facebook Tumblr Email Posted February 05, 2012 in 2012 Bettinardi, 303 Stainless Steel, Bettinardi Golf, Bettinardi Putters, Bob Bettinardi, Brian Gay, CNC, CNC Milling, Custom, Custom Putters, Forged, Honeycomb, John Daly, Made in the USA, Milling, One Piece Milled Putters, Putter, Studio Stock

2012 Bettinardi Putters Review

I’ve been an equipment tester for THP for almost 2 years now. Each item that comes my way for review is always announced first with an email from the boss letting me know what to expect. Those emails are always pretty cool, but none of them can compare to the last one. “2012 Bettinardi Review” was in the subject line and immediately my heart skipped a beat. I was waiting for the other shoe to drop when I opened it, maybe I’d be asked to proofread a review they had already written for some odd reason. My excitement was soon confirmed as I read the message with eyes that look a lot like a child’s on Christmas morning. The next couple of days waiting for delivery seemed like months but finally it arrived and I was able to start a review that I’ve been secretly hoping for since the first day I started working for THP.

Have you ever wondered how famous musicians like Bruce Springsteen continue to stay motivated to keep their material fresh and new yet still maintain that classic sound that got him to where he is in the first place? I think like this when I think of Bettinardi putters too. How can a company with so much success with the products they’ve produced not get a little bit content and just keep rolling out the same great product each and every year? Lucky for all of us the folks behind the great products at Bettinardi Golf aren’t content with what has already been done and they strive to continue to produce great products each year. Let’s take a closer look at the 2012 line from Bettinardi Golf and see for ourselves.

BB1F Face

BB Series

First up let’s take a look at the BB Series. Across the BB Series you’ll see some classic shapes and styles as well as some that are a little different and new to some. Take the BB8 which is a classic plumber’s neck blade putter or the BB1F where we see a classic heel-toe design with a flow neck (more on this putter later). Also present in the BB Series is the BB53 which is the popular “Half Moon” design in a belly putter and is available in both heel shafted and center shafted models.

All the BB Series putters have a Silver Mercury finish that is dark and simply stunning in person. The finish of the BB Series is complemented nicely by a dark red Winn grip that pulls the look together perfectly. The face of the BB Series is the patented Honeycomb face that ensures the flattest surface possible. On the sole of each putter in the BB series is a great looking American flag logo and the Bettinardi name inscribed to pull together a classic American look.

Studio Stock Series

So you like the classic heel-toe weighted blade with a plumber neck, the SS5 is what you’re looking for. Are you looking or a mallet putter instead? Take a look at the SS10. Like the BB Series you’ll find something for just about everyone in the Studio Stock Series as well. The Studio Stock line has a couple of putters that may look like something you’ve seen or used before but have some subtle differences. The SS9 for example has the look of a heel-toe weighted blade but the wide body and double bend shaft makes it unique. The aforementioned SS10 is a semi-mallet putter with a plumber neck that gives it a look and feel of its own.

The putters in the Studio Stock Series sport a Black Iris finish with some very nice looking yellow graphics on the sole. The face of the SS Series features Bettinardi’s patented tour F.I.T. face. The tour F.I.T. face provides a soft, yet firm feel at impact. People who have rolled the Studio Stock series putters say the putters feel and perform like no other putters they’ve used before. This seems to be a common thing heard after many people roll a Bettinardi putter.

Queen B Series

With the Queen B Series Bettinardi decided to do something they’ve never done before and that is design a putter specifically for the lady golfers. The funny thing about that is that when the 2012 line was first showed to our members in the THP forum everyone loved the Queen B and wanted one, males and females alike. This proves that a great looking putter can merge gender gaps and appeal to both sexes. There are two different models of Queen B’s. Queen B Model I is a pear shaped mallet and Queen B Model II is a classic heel-toe weighted blade. Both feature the gorgeous look of a Cashmere Bronze finish. The face of the Queen B is similar to the honeycomb face of the BB Series putters. I don’t care if you’re male or female, the Queen B is a great looking putter and will definitely get lots of attention from jealous playing partners.

Signature Series

For those of you who simply demand more than the best from the best there is Bettinardi’s Signature Series. These 3 putters are in limited production and if you can get your hands on one you can be sure that you have a piece of classic American art. Milled from Bettinardi’s premier D.A.S.S. (Double Aged Stainless Steel), putters like the Signature Series aren’t your everyday mass produced putters. Both Models One and Two of the series are heel-toe weighted classic blade putters. Model One features the flat surface of the honeycomb face while Model Two features that tour F.I.T. face similar to the Studio Stock series. The last model in this series (Model Three) has a heel shaped flanged design and the patented honeycomb face. The putters in the Bettinardi Signature Series are bucket list putters that every true golf equipment fan has on their must own list.

Testing

The model I chose to test extensively for this review is the BB1F from the BB series. This putter absolutely redefines the marriage of beauty and function. The BB1F has the classic look of a blade putter but there’s more to it than that. From the flow neck to the tapered flange the setup of this particular putter just feels different than other blade putter I’ve compared it to side by side. The way it sits at address gives you the feeling of the putter simply being an extension of your arms all the way to the ball. The tapered flange makes the BB1F seem like it sits a little closer to the ground and also gives this putter a little added width which really set it apart from the rest to me. The BB1F with Bettinardi’s patented honeycomb face and soft carbon steel complete the total package while delivering a smooth feel that literally becomes addicting to putt with. Every time I would plan to roll a few putts for testing I ended up sticking around putting much longer than I had planned because of this putter.

Overall

Few names in the golf industry carry the kind of respect for their craftsmanship than Bettinardi does and every putter across each line are designed and crafted with the best material available. The 2012 line literally has a putter (or two or three) for everyone. Going into this review I knew I had liked the Bettinardi putters I’ve tried before but never really got a close look at one until now. These putters are more than just a piece of golf equipment, they are works of art. A lot of people have a hard time justifying the purchase of a high end putter like these, in fact, it wasn’t too long ago that I was one of those people myself. The differences in the quality and performance, however, make you realize just what you’re missing. With the release of the 2012 line it just might be the right time for everyone to take a closer look at what Bettinardi Golf has to offer.

 

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Behind the Scenes: Inside Bettinardi Golf

Share this post Twitter Facebook Tumblr Email Posted February 05, 2012 in 2011, 303 Stainless Steel, Bettinardi Golf, Bettinardi Putters, Bob Bettinardi, Brian Gay, CNC, CNC Milling, Custom, Custom Putters, Forged, Honeycomb, John Daly, Keith Webster, Made in the USA, Milling, One Piece Milled Putters, Putter, Studio Stock, Zer

Behind the Scenes: Inside Bettinardi Golf

by ROB on JANUARY 18, 2011

in BEHIND THE SCENES, FEATURED POSTS, GOLF CLUBS, NEWS, PUTTERS

You probably can’t remember the last time you bought something that had the words “Made in the USA” stamped on it. It seems like everything now a days is either made in China or some third world country. In a lot of ways the golf industry is just a cog in the wheel of the global economy. Where golf clubs are researched and developed in the United States, and then manufactured overseas.

I recently made a visit to Bettinardi Golf, one of the few companies that makes its putters in the United States. Bettinardi Golf is named after its founder Bob Bettinardi, which is located in the southwest Chicago community of Tinley Park, making some of the nicest one piece milled putters. Watch this rare behind the scenes look at what goes into making Bettinardi putters and you’ll have a greater appreciation for what “Made in the USA” stands for.

About Bettinardi Golf
The 52 employee operation features 23 CNC milling centers on its 22,000 square foot shop floor, that produce one piece milled putters and custom belt buckles. Located in the same facility is the X-Cel Technologies which Bob opened not too long after graduating from the Milwaukee School of Engineering, which still manufactures parts for medical and defense industry. As an avid golfer, Bob was eager to design one piece milled putters. And in 1998 Bettinardi Golf is born, and like they say, the rest is history.

The Bettinardi Process
All putters at Bettinardi Golf start off as either some kind of an idea or sketch that Bob has for a new putter. At this point the sketch or concept is then entered into special software to render the putter in 3D. It typically takes about 30-45 days to go from design to production, with an additional week for machining on the shop floor to develop a prototype.

From this point the putter, depending on its complexity will go through an 8 step manufacturing process. The material of choice is 303 stainless steel, which comes in 12 foot bars that get chopped down to size. A forging blank that weighs 5 pounds then goes through a series of steps to create a finished head. It can take up to 6 CNC operations to go from forging blank to finish head weighing a ½ pound. The 3 ½ pounds of steel that is removed is then recycled.

Depending on the type of putter being made, it goes to art work and engraving where site lines and any custom engraving are added. At this point the putter is 95% completed. The final stage is when the paint fill is added and that is all done by hand, This process can employ anywhere from 1-5 people, depending on how busy the shop is. The last step of the process is assembling the putter.

Quality Standards
As an ISO 9001 certified shop, every part they produce needs to be controlled via documentation and quality standards. Any part that is manufactured that doesn’t meet the quality control standards is automatically rejected and placed in red bins.

2011 Product Line
During my visit I got a chance to look at the 2011 product line that showcases the next step in the Bettinardi evolution.

The BB33 is classic face-balanced mallet putter with a custom double-bend shaft and patented Honeycomb face. The face of the BB33 is gorgeous in my opinion, because of the Honeycomb face which ensures the flattest surface possible.

Another putter in the 2011 product line which really stood out was the Studio Stock Series #8 putter. What makes this compact raised toe putter so unique is the Borealis Black finish, which gives it an iridescent glow to the putter. Simply stunning! Other features of the SS8 are the standard plumber’s neck and patented Tour F.I.T. face milling.

The Model Two Signature Series putter is a limited run of 1000 pieces for 2011. This putter gets its inspiration from one of Bettinardi PGA Tour Staffer’s and is milled from Double Aged Stainless Steel (D.A.S.S.). Featuring a plumber’s neck and Tour F.I.T. face this putter will appeal to any golfer who prefers a classic heel-toe weighted design. One look at the detail work on this putter and you’ll understand why Bettinardi made this a limited edition run and are highly sought after.

After my visit to Bettinardi Golf, I was blown away by the attention to detail and craftsmanship employed at Bettinardi in the manufacturing of their putters. I quickly realized that you’re are buying some of the best putters that money can buy and helping support U.S. manufacturing, which is becoming a rarity in this day and age.

Special thanks to Keith Webster and Bettinardi Golf for making this possible!

www.bettinardi.com

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Bettinardi Golf

Share this post Twitter Facebook Tumblr Email Posted January 01, 2012 in 2012 Bettinardi, 303 Stainless Steel, Bettinardi Golf, Bettinardi Putters, Bob Bettinardi, Brian Gay, CNC, CNC Milling, Custom, Custom Putters, Forged, Honeycomb, John Daly, Made in the USA, Milling, One Piece Milled Putters, Putter, Studio Stock

In an era in which many manufacturers are under tremendous pressure to move their operations overseas, Bettinardi Golf is proud to be one of the few putter makers to have remained in the United States. Despite numerous offers to set up facilities in China and elsewhere, Robert J. Bettinardi remains committed to his staff, his community, and ultimately his dream to produce the finest putters requiring extreme attention to detail. As he notes, “Right now, my office is 15 feet from the shop floor where I can see every piece being created and I can feel confident putting my name on it. I couldn’t do that if my shop were 6,000 miles away…”
Dedication to quality means dedication to quality craftsmen. The highest quality craftsmen are found in the United States of America. They are the force behind Bettinardi Golf’s success. For that, we cannot thank them enough. When you try a Bettinardi Putter, you’ll want to thank them, too.

Commitment. Bettinardi.

In 1990, Robert J. Bettinardi had a dream: To craft the finest putters in the world. Guided by the principle of design intent and fueled by the passion for his craft, Bettinardi puts his heart and soul in every piece he makes in order to, as he states, “…make a golfer a better putter while creating something truly special.”

 

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'Sakman' is Back !

Share this post Twitter Facebook Tumblr Email Posted January 01, 2012 in 2012 Bettinardi, 303 Stainless Steel, Bettinardi Golf, Bettinardi Putters, Bob Bettinardi, Brian Gay, CNC, CNC Milling, Custom, Custom Putters, Forged, GOLFWRX, Honeycomb, John Daly, Made in the USA, Milling, One Piece Milled Putters, PGA Tour, Putter, St

'Sakman' is Back!

January 1, 2010

Another great thread from GolfWRX.com member, Ryan Sakowski! We hope 'Sakman' enjoyed his visit and puts his custom BB8 to good use. Words can't describe his experience. That's why he captured it and is now sharing it with the GolfWRX community. Thanks for the kind words 'Sakman'!

Visit GolfWRX.com to see all the incredible photos!

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