Bettinardi Studio Stock 18 Putter £399
GM Verdict
Bettinardi is a putter brand with a growing reputation thanks to its wide range of styles and models as well as an increasing presence out on tour, including in the bag of Matt Fitzpatrick.
The Studio Stock range is its more traditional offering in terms of looks, but modern performance remains at its core. The SS18 model we tried is one of two blade styles available and it is very pleasing on the eye. It features a warm satin finish and clean lines combined with rounded corners.
The star of the show is the face design, specifically the groove pattern, which helps produce a soft, gentle sound at impact. We found the speed off the face to be slightly down on most other putters we’ve tried, but once you’ve recalibrated this in your mind it actually encourages a more positive, committed putting stroke and certainly comes in handy when playing on fast greens.
The sheer length from heel to toe creates an illusion of forgiveness because you’ve got so much face to work with, and while it feels as stable as most other blades we’ve tested, other models in the Studio Stock range will offer more stability if this is something you prioritise. The SS18 is aimed more at feel players, possibly with slightly lower handicaps, who like a soft, controlled touch and also play a firmer-feeling golf ball.
The grip options also impressed us. There’s the jumbo grip and the smaller, standard pistol grip that we tested, which has a firm-buttacky feel and a wide, flat front edge to position our thumbs for a comfortable hold. A special mention also must go to the very stylish and eye-catching bright red headcover, which boosts strong shelf appeal.