Is it time to join the Zero Torque putter brigade? Everything you need to know about the Bettinardi Antidote putter family

The Bettinardi Antidote putter family

With Zero Torque putters being the talk of the town should you switch to Bettinardi’s Antidote in 2025?

Bettinardi is the grandfather of CNC Milled putters. Back in 1991, it was he who set out on a journey to tell the story of one-piece precision CNC milled flatsticks being the best putters in golf. Back then he was the pioneer who told golfers that CNC milled putters could be more beautiful, more precise, and more consistent, than their cast and hand-finished relatives. Bettinardi understood CNC Milling so well Scotty Cameron, Mizuno and Ben Hogan all recognized his brilliance and employed the guy to create putters for them, before in 1998 he stepped up and founded his own premium putter enterprise.

30 years on and Bettinardi is a really big deal in CNC putters. Over 100 tour events around the world have been won using flatsticks bearing the Bettinardi name. Jim Furyk, Francesco Molinari, and Matt Fitzpatrick have all won majors using Bettinardi and players of the ilk of Matt Kuchar, Freddy Couples, and Georgia Hall are willing staff ambassadors today.

However, the putter market has changed more in the last 12 months than it did in the previous decade, and with an army of ‘zero torque’ putters flooding golf shop shelves Bettinardi didn’t want to miss out on the party, so they believe the time is right to introduce a brand new family of square to square Antidote putters.

Everything you need to know about Bettinardi Antidote putters

Square to square balance with zero torque

Much like the best L.A.B. putters the new Antidote family has a hosel set up so the shaft enters the head through the center of gravity, which means the face naturally wants to stay square and the head does not want to deviate from its path. It’s not brand new science, others have done it before but with the Odyssey Square to Square and PXG Allan franchises hitting the market with similar concepts ‘zero torque’ is the fastest-growing trend in golf right now.

There are two new models

Details were a little sketchy on launch day as to the full extent of the new Antidote family but I have been told there will be a more traditional SB1 blade plus a bigger, squarer footprint SB2 to compete with the most forgiving putters, both will be center shafted and available in standard and counter-balance set-ups.

CNC milled with a soft feel face

Much like some of the best Bettinardi putters the new Antidote models are CNC Milled from 303 stainless and 6061 aircraft-grade aluminium. By removing 55% of the face material to create face grooves, golfers get the benefit of Bettinardi’s softest and most responsive feel. 

Sir Nick Faldo to advocate for Antidote

Six-time major champ Sir Nick Faldo was so excited by Matt Kuchar’s prototype Antidote putter earlier this year that he signed as a brand ambassador to advocate for Antidote. Sam Bettinardi, President of Bettinardi Golf said, “Sir Nick remains one of the most respected figures in golf, yet he was so impressed with the Antodote’s incredible balance and stability that he wanted to be a part of this tech breakthrough for our brand.”

“The quality and precision Bettinardi brings to their equipment is really impressive”, said Sir Nick Faldo. “Experiencing this through the Antidote SB2 gives an incredible, feel, balance, and control. The quality and innovation of Bettinardi is undeniably special.”

President of Bettinardi Golf – Sam Bettinardi on the Antidote putters

“The Antidote putter series is the result of two years of dedicated work, involving countless prototypes to perfect every detail. With our Simply Balanced™ technology, golfers can maintain square-to-square balance throughout the entire stroke, enhancing consistency and confidence. Each putter embodies the signature Bettinardi Golf look and feel, ensuring that players experience not just performance, but the pure craftsmanship we are known for.”

About the author

Simon Daddow – Today’s Golfer Equipment Editor

Having tested and played more than 10,000 clubs in his life, what Simon doesn’t know about golf clubs isn’t worth knowing.

He’s a specialist in all things metal having spent a large part of his career as a golf club maker and product development manager, and has worked in the golf industry for more than 30 years.

He joined EMAP Active (now Bauer Media) as Equipment Editor in 2006 and has made todays-golfer.com the most reliable source for golf club testing.

You can contact Simon via email and follow him on Twitter for loads more golf equipment insight.