Bettinardi 2021 Putter Review

Bettinardi putters are premium, tour proven, and 100% CNC Milled. 2021 is the year the brand has chosen to give their whole range a fresh new makeover, here’s how to choose which Studio Stock, Queen B or Inovai model suits you. 

You don’t need more than the fingers on a single hand to count the names of putter making legends of the last half century. Karsten Solheim, the inventor of the Ping Anser would be many golfers first pick as a putter legend.

RELATED: Everything you need to know about Bettinardi’s 2022 putter line-up

Second would likely be Scotty Cameron. He’s the guy who understood how golfers would pay more for a beautifully crafted CNC Milled golf putter, he also created Tiger Woods super famous 14 major winning flatstick too. A little less widely known but no less influential a name in shaping the modern premium CNC milled putter market is Bob Bettinardi.

Back in 1993 Bob Bettinardi spotted how only 10 tour pro’s a week used CNC Milled putters on the US PGA Tour. Bettinardi believed the very precise nature of CNC Milling gave a huge accuracy advantage, and the milling process he used meant he could more easily make the very specific shapes that fussy tour players desired.

Bettinardi helped Scotty Cameron mill his initial designs and within 5 years, 75 tour players a week had switched to putting their trust in CNC Milled models.

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WATCH: Bettinardi on making the best putters in the world

Since those humble beginnings Bettinardi has gone through several different guises. Where originally he was contracted to mill other brands putters (which incidentally amassed a stack of tour and major victories), he later broke out on his own before working closely with Ben Hogan (the brand not the man) to create Jim Furyk’s 2003 US Open winning Baby Ben putter, and Luke Donald’s Mizuno blade when he was world #1.  

Over the years, Bettinardi putters have amassed over 85 tour wins, and by working with the very best players Bettinardi has learned more than most about what great players look for in putters.

WATCH: Best 2022 Putter video

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Bettinardi’s created his own distinctive Honeycomb face milling pattern, where the cutter creates the face vertically rather than sweeping across it, which he insists is much more accurate and consistent. He’s also learned how removing more face material in the form of face grooves gives a softer feel and because the guy understands that putters are personal, he’s created three different families to satisfy the desires of all types of golfers.

And, every three years Bettinardi refreshes his entire range, 2021 just happens to be that year. 

Jump to: Bettinardi Inovai 7.0 putters / Bettinardi Queen B putters / Bettinardi Studio Stock putters

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At a glance: Bettinardi Studio Stock putters

RRP: £389

Models: 7 / 17 / 18 / 28 / 28 CTR / 28 Armlock

Grip: Lamkin Sink Fit standard or Straight Jumbo

The Studio Stock was originally created in 2011 so 2021 is their 10^th anniversary. The family is a classic line up of six toe and heel weighted blade putters with different blade proportions, hosel configurations and toe hangs.

Every head is 100% CNC Milled from 303 stainless steel before being given a sleek diamond blast satin finish. Each model comes with Bettinardi’s new Roll Control asymmetrical face groove pattern which helps promote more top spin to get putts rolling quicker.   

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WATCH: Bettinardi on the Studio Stock putters

Bettinardi Studio Stock putter models

Bettinardi Studio Stock 7 putter – Also available in left hand

RRP: £389

Weight: 358g

Toe hang: 0° – Face Balanced

A brilliant compact mid-mallet that will perform best for golfers with straighter putting strokes. Bettinardi say the half-moon back shape helps golfers line-up correctly more consistently, and we really like how the clean unstepped cavity has a long single sightline, which looks brilliant behind an alignment striped golf ball. The brands ‘spud’ neck also means the 7 is face balanced.    

A really good option for golfers who are less concerned about having to use a traditional blade putter, and those who are much more open to accepting a more stable, great looking alternative, without going full out on MOI performance.

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Bettinardi Studio Stock 17 putter

RRP: £389

Weight: 358g

Toe hang: 43°

A traditional compact toe and heel weighted blade. Bettinardi say the tri-plane sole helps golfers set up putts more consistently as this style of putter usually comes with a heavily curved sole.

Expect a super clean high-toe look at address. With a strong 45° of toe hang make sure your stroke arcs enough to work together with, and not fight against the 17’s natural balance.

Bettinardi Studio Stock 18 putter

RRP: £389

Weight: 358g

Toe hang: 45°

An utterly timeless toe and heel weighted, longer blade model. Like many great blade putters over the years the Studio Stock 18 has a good degree of toe hang, which along with its plumbers neck design (so there’s hosel offset) means it’s very well placed to perform best in the hands of golfers with arcing putting strokes.

Very much a putter for golfing purists.

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Bettinardi Studio Stock 28 putter – Also available as an armlock model

RRP: £389

Weight: 358g

Armlock weight: 400g

Toe hang: 15°

Welcome to the modern blade putter. Bettinardi say this head shape is now one of the most sought after on the PGA and LPGA Tours, and thanks to a small amount of toe hang it works really well in the hands of a wide audience of players.

We particularly like this model because the wider body means extra MOI performance over traditional narrow blade alternatives, yet you don’t stray too far from a traditional blade look, which for many golfers is a compromise well worth making. 

The Studio Stock 28 Armlock is the model used by 9-time tour winner Matt Kuchar, it comes with extra offset and loft to ensure golfers set up correctly to the longer shaft length.

Verdict: Bettinardi Studio Stock #28 putter

Boutique putter brands like Bettinardi cut their teeth on traditional blade style putters, so it’s not too surprising their traditional toe and heel weighted models are much more well-known and revered than their larger MOI style offerings.

Here at TG we’re big fans of wider body blades. For the majority of club golfers they’re just more confidence inspiring than sitting a wafer thin toe and heel weighted blade behind the ball at address. And when it comes to CNC Milled wide body blade putters, nobody does them better than Bettinardi.

The Studio Stock #28 is the height of simplicity, thanks to less toe hang than the other Bettinardi blades it’s really well suited to straighter and slight arc strokes. We love how Bettinardi has refined his face groove pattern over the years. This latest design dials up feel, thanks to removing face material, and topspin consistency is enhanced with a new groove profile.  

£389 is not cheap for a putter, but it’s really important to remember Bettinardi putters are not churned out by the gazillion in China. Every single one is produced in the USA by Bettinardi’s 120+ employees. If you’re thinking of investing in a 100% CNC Milled flatstick in 2021 you really can’t ignore Bettinardi, the guy is a true artist when it comes to great feeling flatsticks.         

Jump to: Bettinardi Inovai 7.0 putters / Bettinardi Queen B putters / Bettinardi Studio Stock putters

Bettinardi Studio Stock 28 CTR putter

RRP: £389

Weight: 358g

Toe hang: 25g 

We’re big centre shaft putter fans here at TG but they’re certainly not for everyone. From our experience they tend to work best for more consistent putt strikers, as hit off centre the face is much more prone to deflection, which will result in missed putts.

We love the simplicity of centre shaft models and if you do you’ll adore this brilliant modern wide body blade which thanks to its design and thinner top edge boasts of a higher MOI number than traditional blade models.

Unusually with a 25° toe hang the CTR will suit slightly arcing strokes. In our opinion at least you won’t find a more premium centre shafted blade in 2021.   

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Bettinardi Queen B putters

RRP: £355

Models: 6 / 11 / 12

Grip: Lamkin Sink Fit standard or Straight Jumbo

Recognising that fast green speeds on tour often lead pros to slightly lighter putters than might be optimal for everyday golfers, Bettinardi introduced the slightly heavier headed Queen B in 2012. Today the Queen B is a three model family which all boast Bettinardi’s iconic vertically milled honeycomb face pattern.

The models range from a traditional narrow body blade with smooth curved bumpers, to a modern wide body blade and beautiful compact mallet, all of which have a new signature Rose Gold PVD finish for 2021.     

WATCH: Bettinardi on the Queen B putters

Bettinardi Queen B putter models

Bettinardi Queen B 6 putter (also available in left hand)

RRP: £355

Weight: 362g

Toe hang: 12°

A brilliant modern wide-body blade with a super simple single bend shaft and single sightline alignment aid. Bettinardi says the model is perfect for golfers with straight and back through strokes.

Subtle touches like a thinner topline and softened back corners help elevate this model into the realms of a modern classic. A putter to be treasured for years to come.

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Bettinardi Queen B 11 putter

RRP: £355

Weight: 362g

Toe hang: 40°

The Queen B 11 showcases the extreme beauty that CNC Milling brings to putters. The edges are so crisp and sharp, which just isn’t possible when casting and hand polishing putters.

A true compact mallet that thanks to a single sightline sets up beautifully behind the ball at address. 40° of toe hang means the 11 is a good fit for moderate arc putting strokes.

Verdict: Bettinardi Queen B #11 putter

There’s more talk around the benefits of stability MOI putters than ever before, but there will always be a place, and an appreciative crowd, for beautiful, well-made traditional blade and mallet putters. And if we’re talking beauty, Bettinardi’s Queen B deserves to be right at the front of any conversation.

For putting in the UK year round, we really like how the whole Queen B series has slightly heavier heads and a firmer feel than the rest of Bettinardi’s range. The #11 is the perfect compact, toe hang mallet, and we love the crisp, sharp appearance which you only get from CNC milling every edge and surface.

The aged copper finish is a joy not just in the hand, but sat behind a white golf ball, too. Anyone who back in the day used beryllium copper Ping irons or putters will welcome the look of these old favourites. The Queen B’s are very much putters that deserves to be treasured. Those who treat the #11 with care will be rewarded every time they take it out of the cover.

Jump to: Bettinardi Inovai 7.0 putters / Bettinardi Queen B putters / Bettinardi Studio Stock putters

Bettinardi Queen B 12 putter

RRP: £355

Weight: 362g

Toe hang: 45°

A very traditional toe and heel weighted blade, with a compact blade length and very slightly wider body. Putter purists will love how the super soft lines and bumpers flow gently into the cavity back design and how the whole head, including the hosel, is crafted from a single block of soft carbon steel.

45° of toe hang means the 12 is well suited to moderate arc putting strokes.

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Bettinardi Inovai 7.0 putters

RRP: £339

Models: Spud / Centre Shaft / Slat Neck

Grip: Lamkin Sink Fit standard or Straight Jumbo

Bettinardi has never shied away from pushing boundaries, so as more golfers than ever realise how mallet and MOI style putters increase distance control forgiveness Bettinardi has developed his own super forgiving flatstick family.

The Inovai 7.0 joins a lightweight aluminium body with heavier 303 stainless steel face to create what Bettinardi says is a true full body MOI mallet. And the family has a very similar shape to Jim Furyk’s US Open winning model.

There’s three different Inovai hosel set-ups to choose from and each head comes with Bettinardi’s F.I.T (Feel Impact Technology) milled face pattern, which thanks to removing 55% of the face material gives the softest feel of any Bettinardi putter in 2021.

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WATCH: Bettinardi on the Inovai 7.0 putters

Bettinardi Inovai 7.0 putter models

Bettinardi Inovai 7.0 Spud Neck putter (also available in left hand)

RRP: £339

Weight: 358g

Toe hang: 10°

Bettinardi only makes one full on face balanced putter within the whole of the new 2021 line-up. But don’tthink if you see putting in straight lines, there’s little for you. The Spud has just 10° of toe hang which means it will happily perform in the hands of straight stroke golfers.

Expect lovely feel from Bettinardi’s softest face configuration.

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Verdict: Bettinardi Inovai 7.0 putter

When it comes to putters MOI style models are the growing trend right now, and there’s a ton of brilliant competition out there. Bettinardi has form in the MOI arena, Jim Furyk used his Baby Ben design to bag his US Open victory in 2003, but where fang designs and straighter lines tend to be king, Bettinardi breaks with the norm with Inovai.

The Inovai’s curved edges and rear end, plus the twin colours will totally divide opinion. You’ll need to really love this design before taking the plunge. If like us you’re on the like side of the fence, then the compact head with its hollow aluminium body is actually really stable and forgiving. What’s particularly impressive is how this model comes in three different hosel set-ups so it can suit any golfers stroke.

You probably won’t see the Inovai 7.0 winning many awards up against a TaylorMade Spider EX or Odyssey White Hot OG #7, but then those models are cast and not CNC Milled to perfection. If you put a premium on CNC Milling and you’re a fan of MOI style bodies, plus you like seeing a long alignment stripe sat behind the ball at address, the Inovai 7.0 is well worth exploring.    

Bettinardi Inovai 7.0 Center Shaft putter

RRP: £339

Weight: 358g

Toe hang: 8°

A brilliant but striking centre shafted MOI design. The face and hosel are created from 303 stainless steel, where the hollowed out back is military grade aluminium, the combination offers excellent MOI performance.

8° of toe hang means the CTR is well suited to straighter putting strokes. If you draw an alignment stripe on your golf ball we like the idea of setting it up in front of the Inovai’s super simple, single alignment line.    

Jump to: Bettinardi Inovai 7.0 putters / Bettinardi Queen B putters / Bettinardi Studio Stock putters

Bettinardi Inovai 7.0 Slant Neck putter

RRP: £389

Weight: 358g

Toe hang: 20°

Slant hosels on models like this are the very reason why over 65% of tour pro’s are now using MOI style putters. The Slant Neck has extra toe hang which means it suits slightly more arcing strokes and players who like to feel they release the putter through impact.

We love the idea of teaming this model up with Lamkin’s brilliant Sink Fit standard sized grip.

Got a question about Bettinardi Putters? Ask us on Twitter.

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Review written by: Simon Daddow   

Job title: Today’s Golfer – Equipment Editor

Bettinardi 2021 Studio Stock putters

RRP: £389

Models: 7 / 17 / 18 / 28 / 28 CTR / 28 Armlock

Head material: 303 Stainless Steel

Finish: Diamond Blast Satin

Grip choice: Lamkin Sink Fit Standard or Straight Jumbo

Bettinardi 2021 Queen B putters

RRP: £355

Models: 6 / 11 / 12

Head material: Soft carbon steel

Finish: Rose Gold PVD

Grip choice: Lamkin Sink Fit Standard or Straight Jumbo

Bettinardi 2021 Inovai 7.0 putters

RRP: £339

Models: Spud / Centre Shaft / Slant Neck

Head Material: 303 Stainless Steel and Military Grade 6061 Aluminum

Finish: Platinum and Cobalt Blue

Grip choice: Lamkin Sink Fit Standard or Straight Jumbo

For further information visit www.bettinardi.co.uk