Bettinardi 25th Anniversary SS8 Slant Limited Edition Putter Review

Bettinardi Golf continues their 25th-anniversary celebration with their 10th limited-edition putter. The Studio Stock 8 Slant features a rare neck and deep black finish. Only 250 produced. Available Oct. 31 with a MSRP of $900.

Can you believe we are down to the final three Bettinardi XXV Anniversary Series Limited-Edition putters?

When Bettinardi announced in January that they were releasing a new limited-edition putter every month, I applauded their ambition but was a bit skeptical. A new putter each month seemed a tall order and yet here we are in October with the 10th putter in the series.

Well done, Bettinardi. Your efforts have outpaced my expectations.

For the spooky season, Bettinardi has conjured up a darkly delicious version of their Studio Stock 8 putter. The spookiness is sublimely subtle. You’ll not find a scary spider or skull engraved into this Studio Stock. However, I think you’ll agree that this putter’s aesthetic is appropriate for this time of the year when the shadows are growing longer.

Hey, isn’t that a Studio Stock 9?

The first thing to address is that the Studio Stock 8 Slant is not a Studio Stock 9. I know that math is hard but those two numbers are in fact different. Admittedly, I can understand the mistake, especially since the SS9 is a familiar part of Bettinardi’s current Studio Stock line.

The SS9 and the SS8 are siblings for sure. Both putters feature the three-tiered rear design, high toes and a boxy, ball-width cavity. Where the distance between the models widens is, well, with their widths. At the risk of oversimplifying things, think of the SS9 as a wide version of the SS8.

What makes this Studio Stock non-Stock? The Slanting of the Neck

One could argue that the most unique feature of the Bettinardi XXV SS8 Slant is the rarity of its head. The SS8 head was last in Bettinardi’s retail Studio Stock line in 2017. While it has been missing for a few cycles, the SS8 is not so old that you can’t find a smattering of the 2017 models on eBay.

Now, if you can find the 2011 version of the Studio Stock 8 with the Borealis Black finish, that is a rare treasure.

Ultimately, the one feature that separates the Bettinardi XXV Anniversary SS8 Slant from all previous models, and other putters in general, is the slant neck. This neck is just not one that you see in off-the-rack putters. I went spelunking through the Bettinardi putter archive and the only putter with a slant neck that was even close to a retail model was the 2021 Tiki Limited Edition.

While I don’t have a good explanation as to why the slant neck is so rare, I can explain what it does to the putter. First, the slant neck changes the appearance of the putter at address. It has a little less offset than a plumber’s neck and the neck is a bit more visible behind the shaft.

Second, a slant neck adds a bit more toe hang than a plumber’s neck. The slant neck will best suit someone who has a bit more arc in their swing but not so much that they need a strong-arc putter. The slant neck adds a dash of arc, not a dollop.

Specifications: Bettinardi XXV Limited-Edition SS8 Slant Limited-Edition Putter

Material: 303 stainless steel Construction: CNC milled Finish: Black Pearl PVD Face: F.I.T. Face over Flymill Neck: Slant Toe Hang: 1/3 (4:30) Weight: 360 grams Shaft: Stepless steel Grip: Black leather perforated Gripmaster with white stitching Production run: 250  MSRP: $900

The Black Pearl PVD Finish and XXV Elements

The Black Pearl PVD finish on the Bettinardi XXV SS8 Slant is very black. Not quite as black as Bettinardi’s upcoming Black Friday releases but the Black Pearl PVD is more black than pearl to my eyes.

I do wish the paintfill was orange rather than silver, fully embracing the Halloween release date. The black and silver does give a Las Vegas Raiders vibe so perhaps Raider fans can see this as something positive coming from Chicago after last weekend’s Bear mauling.

Naturally, you will also find numerous XXV Anniversary elements on the Studio Stock 8 as well as a splash of reverse hex milling on the sole similar to what we saw last month with the BB28 Slotback.

Bettinardi Anniversary XXV Studio Stock 8 Slant’s Flymilled F.I.T. Face

One final thing that separates the Studio Stock 8 Slant from the current Studio Stock line is the difference in face milling. The faces look similar but the grooves of the SS8 Slant are F.I.T. Face grooves as opposed to the Roll Control grooves of the current Studio Stock line.

The F.I.T. Face (Feel Impact Technology) grooves provide the softest feel of any of Bettinardi’s face-milling schemes. The SS8 Slant’s face is actually milled twice. Initial fly milling flattens the face while providing a unique aesthetic. The secondary milling of the F.I.T. Face pattern removes material from the center of the face that would otherwise contact the ball at impact. Less metal hitting the ball equates to a softer impact feel.

Final Thoughts on the Bettinardi XXV Limited-Edition SS8 Slant Putter

Nothing about the design of the Bettinardi XXV Anniversary SS8 Slant putter is overt. It’s like the low-key lighting in a film noir movie. With its contrasts and shadows, the Studio Stock 8 Slant’s visuals are smokily atmospheric. Don’t be surprised if someone in a fedora and trenchcoat approaches you on the green when you take off the SS8 Slant’s head cover.

Speaking of head cover, I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out a couple of things about the SS8 Slant’s fancy hat. First, the color scheme is an amazing array of greyscale hexes. The leather looks a little distressed but that adds to the overall aesthetic.

There are two deviations from Bettinardi’s head cover norms. First, the XXV branding is on the side rather than front and center on the top. I support that change. The hex design looks better this way and it’s not a huge departure from the norm as two other XXV covers were similar.

The major head cover madness is the magnets. Yes, this headcover has a magnetic closure. When I first took off the cover, I got about five steps away and had to go back and double-check. Yep, there are magnets. While other manufacturers have used magnetic closures, Bettinardi is, or was, ride-or-die Velcro. Now there are magnets. Mind blown.

Only a return to a neoprene closure would have sent me deeper into the land of mist and snow.

Ten down, two to go. I can’t wait to see what is coming next in the Bettinardi XXV Anniversary series. The Studio Stock 8 Slant is a great example of how Bettinardi has plundered their vaults, designing limited-run putters that will please the Bettinardi faithful as well as the uninitiated.

Find out more about the Bettinardi XXV limited-edition Studio Stock 8 Slant and the rest of the XXV Anniversary series at Bettinardi.com

FAQ: Bettinardi 25th Anniversary Putter Line.

Where can I learn more about Bettinardi Golf?

Check out the definitive delicious discourse about Bettinardi by our resident double-millennial John Barba.

Does anyone on Tour use Bettinardi putters?

Bettinardi has a whole bunch of Tour staffers on various professional tours. Their list of Tour victories is significant. Top of the list is Matt Fitzpatrick. That guy can roll the rock. I got to see a few of his prototype putters when I visited the Bettinardi factory. Can’t wait to see if he putts even better with one of the new designs.

Any speculations for the last two Anniversary XXV models?

I’m still holding out for a BB0 and a half-moon mallet. Maybe an 8802 style Studio Stock 6 would be another guess. A BB8 wide of some kind would also be a short-odds bet.

You mentioned Bettinardi’s Black Friday release next month. Does that mean new lines of stock putters are coming soon?

Your powers of deduction are superb. While I don’t have anything definitive yet, should Bettinardi follow their usual release cycle, we will see new BB and INOVAI putters in 2024. I’ll keep you posted.

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