PUTTER REVIEW! – Bettinardi Studio Stock 11

Putter Tested: Bettinardi Studio Stock 11

“That’s not even a putter…that’s art”

(Written By: GolfSpy Matt) Of all the comments that came from our test panel, this one best sums up how I feel about this putter.  The Bettinardi Studio Stock 11 is a very clean putter that is unlike anything you’ll see from the major OEM’s putter departments.  Its dimensions are akin an Anser-style putter, but you will immediately notice the lack of alignment aids or heel-toe weighting.

The putter head weighs in at 350 grams which seems to be the new standard as many players have found they prefer a slightly heavier head.  As with their BB Series, the Studio Stock putters are all available in custom lengths from 31” to 37”, lofts from 1* to 5*, and lie angles from 68* to 74*.  The Studio Stock line also offers the option of a standard or midsized Winn grip.

Putter Features:

• Soft Carbon Steel
• 350 grams
• 4:30 toe hang
• Half Shaft Offset
• Black Iris Finish
• Lime Winn Grip
• Loft 3 Degrees
• Lie Angle 71 Degrees

BALL USED: Titleist Pro V1

FEEL

The major difference between the BB Series and the Studio Stock line is the face: the BB Series has Bettinardi’s standard honeycomb milling, but the Studio Stock features Bettinardi’s FIT Face.  The FIT Face is not an insert, but a different milling pattern that has a dramatic impact on feel.

Where the BB Series offered a slight “click,” the SS11 does not.  The FIT Face combined with the carbon steel makes for one of, if not the, softest feeling non-insert putter I’ve ever used.

While the feel of the BB Series was universally loved, the softness of the SS11 was a bit more polarizing.  Some testers said flat out that it was too soft, but others loved it.  One tester said that he would need to spend some time with it to get a feel for distance, but that he would happily do it if the putter were his.  Overall, the SS11 offers an extremely soft feel as a result of Bettinardi’s FIT Face milling pattern.

LOOKS

If you read the quote that kicked off this review, you know how our testers felt about the looks of this putter.  Everything about SS11 design reflects the attention to detail that putter-lovers have come to expect from Bettinardi: the round neck melts into the body of the putter, and every line blends seamlessly into the next.  As I said at the beginning: you will not find anything like this on the rack at your average big box golf store.

The finish on the Studio Stock line is a sharp Black Iris plating which, in addition to looking great, provides the user with a low-maintenance putter.  The putter comes with a lime green Winn grip that matches the paintfill and the headcover.

SET-UP  & ALIGNMENT

As you might expect from a putter that (gasp) doesn’t have a sight line, the test group was split on how well this putter sets up.  Some of our testers, myself included, immediately got on board with the lack of alignment aids.  Two of the players in our group looked at me as if I’d asked them to putt with a loaf of bread.  The others withheld judgment until they had putted for a bit, and ultimately decided that they were not negatively affected by the lack of alignment aids.

Obviously, as with feel or looks, the desire for alignment aids (or lack thereof) comes down to personal preference.  While I firmly believe that most golfers would putt and align just as well without lines, many believe that a sight line is an absolute must.  Regardless of personal preference, it’s nice that Bettinardi has an option in the Studio Stock line for those of us who prefer our putters naked.

PERFORMANCE

Performance testing was done by 7 golfers.  The testers were given the putter and asked to hit putts of all lengths (3 to 20 feet).  They were then asked to rate the putter from 1-10 in each of the following categories:

• Distance Control = 8.6
• Accuracy = 9.3
• Sound & Feel = 9.4
• Appearance = 10
• Alignment = 9.1
• OVERALL = 92.80

FIT FOR STROKE™

Don’t change your stroke. Change your putter.

The (FIT FOR STROKE™) concept was developed by PING, yet another genius fitting system they have developed for golfers.  It works hand-in-hand with the iPING Putter App which is highly suggest everyone getting (IT’S FREE!).  You might be surprised to find out that the stroke you think you have isn’t the stroke you actually have.

This addition to the MGS reviews will allow you to become a more consistent putter by matching you with models that better fit your stroke type.  They will be broken down into three categories: (1) Straight – for face balance putters  (2) Slight Arc – for mid toe hang putters  (3) Strong Arc – for toe down putters

“Results from hundreds of player and robot tests at PING offer overwhelming scientific support for the effectiveness of fitting for stroke. In recent years more diagnostic tools and testing equipment have become available, and the results prove that a golfer’s consistency improves when their putter balance matches their stroke type. It was interesting to observe that golfers putt more consistently with stroke-appropriate models, but they also show a personal preference for these models, too. Prior to putting with them, golfers are drawn to models that fit their eye, even before they fit their stroke.” says PING.

The Bettinardi SS11 is a: STRONG ARC

Other Studio Stock Models:

Bettinardi SS5: Slight Arc

Bettinardi SS9: Straight

Bettinardi SS10: Slight Arc

OVERALL

As with the BB Series, the Bettinardi Studio Stock 11 drew rave reviews from our testers.  The look of the putter drew perfect 10’s from the panel.  Other elements of the putter, such as the super soft feel and the lack of alignment aid, were more polarizing, but every tester was impressed with the quality of the SS11.

While not quite as diverse as the BB Series, the Bettinardi Studio Stock line up does offer a putter to fit every type of stroke.  The price of the SS putters is $375 which puts it at the very top end among production putters.  However, given the customization options and the craftsmanship that is evident in each aspect of the putters, I think the SS line represents a good value for someone interested in a top tier putter.