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.
Hey, isn’t that a Studio Stock 9?
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
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.
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: $900The Black Pearl PVD Finish and XXV Elements
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
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
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.
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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