Comments on: Mizuno Bettinardi Black Carbon Putter Review http://thesandtrap.com/equipment/clubs/mizuno_bettinardi_black_carbon_putter_review Golf News, Reviews, and Commentary Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:51:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Don Burner http://thesandtrap.com/equipment/clubs/mizuno_bettinardi_black_carbon_putter_review#comment-12745 Don Burner Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:04:24 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/?p=2324#comment-12745 I own 2 bettinardi putters BHB5-SS and a new black carbon BC1, I have regripped both with rubber grips one has a dual durometer the other a ping and find a much better solid feel. I have found this to be the case with other putters as well, rubber grips give a better feel. I own 2 bettinardi putters BHB5-SS and a new black carbon BC1, I have regripped both with rubber grips one has a dual durometer the other a ping and find a much better solid feel. I have found this to be the case with other putters as well, rubber grips give a better feel.

]]> By: John http://thesandtrap.com/equipment/clubs/mizuno_bettinardi_black_carbon_putter_review#comment-12139 John Tue, 29 Jul 2008 21:42:02 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/?p=2324#comment-12139 Alan, I am a lefthanded player, as most of you know we (the lefties) are extincted. Because of my "handicap" I did not really get the chance to try the any of these Bettinardi putters in the store. After testing the BC2 putter (righthanded) I decided I liked it. So, I ordered a lefty putter :cool: It is going to be delivered next week :D The point is that I was not entierly sure that I made the right choice before I saw your review, even though you pointed out, if I understood it correctly, that you liked the BC1 better. Thank you for this great review! John Sweden, Stockholm Alan,

I am a lefthanded player, as most of you know we (the lefties) are extincted.

Because of my "handicap" I did not really get the chance to try the any of these Bettinardi putters in the store. After testing the BC2 putter (righthanded) I decided I liked it. So, I ordered a lefty putter :cool: It is going to be delivered next week :D

The point is that I was not entierly sure that I made the right choice before I saw your review, even though you pointed out, if I understood it correctly, that you liked the BC1 better.

Thank you for this great review!

John
Sweden, Stockholm

]]> By: Ryo http://thesandtrap.com/equipment/clubs/mizuno_bettinardi_black_carbon_putter_review#comment-12030 Ryo Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:00:28 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/?p=2324#comment-12030 I don't think BC3 is a face balance. Only BC2 is face balance. Interestingly, one will expect BC1 to be face balance but no. I have tried these putters and found that swingweight for a 34" BC1 and BC2 is different, with D6 and D3 respectively. I am interested to know if you get a 33" putter because you want a heavier head when you fit in a 34", will the face balance change? How about the swingweight? I don't think BC3 is a face balance. Only BC2 is face balance.

Interestingly, one will expect BC1 to be face balance but no. I have tried these putters and found that swingweight for a 34" BC1 and BC2 is different, with D6 and D3 respectively.

I am interested to know if you get a 33" putter because you want a heavier head when you fit in a 34", will the face balance change? How about the swingweight?

]]> By: Christopher Gaul http://thesandtrap.com/equipment/clubs/mizuno_bettinardi_black_carbon_putter_review#comment-11628 Christopher Gaul Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:07:45 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/?p=2324#comment-11628 Alan. I have the Bettinardi BCI and have come to really appreciate it, once I got used to it. It's certainly one of, if not the most elegant looking putters I've ever seen or used and the black chrome finish is really welcome on a sunny, cloudless day on the greens. The BCI sets up really well at address, and the weight and balance (I have a 34 inch, 343g head) seems perfect to me. I tend to putt on fairly fast greens most of the time and I get really good distance control from the BCI although, as you noted, when I putt on slower greens I have to strike the ball a bit harder than I think I do, but I soon get used to that. You're right about the "buttery" feel, too. I like it. Even on a bad putt when I'm way off the sweet spot, it still has a good feel and doesn't twist off line, at least not much. I tend to switch between the BCI and my Scotty Cameron Circa 62 charcoal mist carbon #3 model (which I really like) but the shaft is 35 inches (can't get it in 34) so the BCI fits me more comfortably and is getting more bag time than the Scotty. My only mild criticism is an aesthetic one. I would have preferred to see a black line, rather than the yellow one, around the milled "non-insert." Also, I would have preferred the classic Mizuno blue and white/silver coloring scheme for the grip and head-cover, but that's a very minor detail. I can certainly live with the yellow and black. Chris. Alan. I have the Bettinardi BCI and have come to really appreciate it, once I got used to it. It's certainly one of, if not the most elegant looking putters I've ever seen or used and the black chrome finish is really welcome on a sunny, cloudless day on the greens. The BCI sets up really well at address, and the weight and balance (I have a 34 inch, 343g head) seems perfect to me. I tend to putt on fairly fast greens most of the time and I get really good distance control from the BCI although, as you noted, when I putt on slower greens I have to strike the ball a bit harder than I think I do, but I soon get used to that. You're right about the "buttery" feel, too. I like it. Even on a bad putt when I'm way off the sweet spot, it still has a good feel and doesn't twist off line, at least not much.
I tend to switch between the BCI and my Scotty Cameron Circa 62 charcoal mist carbon #3 model (which I really like) but the shaft is 35 inches (can't get it in 34) so the BCI fits me more comfortably and is getting more bag time than the Scotty. My only mild criticism is an aesthetic one. I would have preferred to see a black line, rather than the yellow one, around the milled "non-insert." Also, I would have preferred the classic Mizuno blue and white/silver coloring scheme for the grip and head-cover, but that's a very minor detail.
I can certainly live with the yellow and black. Chris.

]]> By: Jim http://thesandtrap.com/equipment/clubs/mizuno_bettinardi_black_carbon_putter_review#comment-10883 Jim Wed, 14 May 2008 06:19:55 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/?p=2324#comment-10883 Alan, Is the BC3 a face-balanced design? I assume neither the BC1 or BC2 are. Jim Alan,
Is the BC3 a face-balanced design? I assume neither the BC1 or BC2 are.

Jim

]]> By: Alan http://thesandtrap.com/equipment/clubs/mizuno_bettinardi_black_carbon_putter_review#comment-10803 Alan Wed, 07 May 2008 13:07:34 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/?p=2324#comment-10803 [quote comment="10733"]Alan: Thanks for your review. Bettinardis are certainly beautiful putters. Can you comment on the look of the putter in the address position, and give us some thoughts about alignment? One more thing I like to look for in a putter is the balance in the address position. Specifically, what I mean is that I've noticed that some putters will have a tendency to want to twist or roll open or closed when you sole them behind the ball, before taking your stroke. In other words, I like a putter which can be placed squarely behind the ball, before taking your final grip, and which sits nice and square. Does this make any sense? Some putters, I guess because of their design, weighting, and sole contours, have this tendency to roll...ok, I'll stop saying that. Anyway, let us know if you have any observations in these areas. JP[/quote] JP, The BC2 set up nice and square behind a ball (although the head is a bit smaller than the anser-style I generally use) and I never felt there was a tendency of it wanting to set up open or closed behind the ball due to weighting. The "banana bottom" of the BC2 did take a little bit of time to get used to as there really wasn't a large flat spot to sole the putter. I like a basic alignment aid and the white stripe was a very nice contrast to the black and I felt it was just a continuation of the aiming line on the golf ball. The Black Carbon were some of the nicest feeling milled putters I've putted with. I'm patiently waiting for the BC1 with a plumber neck. :) Alan JP Bouffard said on May 2, 2008:

Alan: Thanks for your review. Bettinardis are certainly beautiful putters. Can you comment on the look of the putter in the address position, and give us some thoughts about alignment?

One more thing I like to look for in a putter is the balance in the address position. Specifically, what I mean is that I've noticed that some putters will have a tendency to want to twist or roll open or closed when you sole them behind the ball, before taking your stroke. In other words, I like a putter which can be placed squarely behind the ball, before taking your final grip, and which sits nice and square. Does this make any sense? Some putters, I guess because of their design, weighting, and sole contours, have this tendency to roll...ok, I'll stop saying that.

Anyway, let us know if you have any observations in these areas.

JP

JP,

The BC2 set up nice and square behind a ball (although the head is a bit smaller than the anser-style I generally use) and I never felt there was a tendency of it wanting to set up open or closed behind the ball due to weighting. The "banana bottom" of the BC2 did take a little bit of time to get used to as there really wasn't a large flat spot to sole the putter.

I like a basic alignment aid and the white stripe was a very nice contrast to the black and I felt it was just a continuation of the aiming line on the golf ball.

The Black Carbon were some of the nicest feeling milled putters I've putted with. I'm patiently waiting for the BC1 with a plumber neck. :)

Alan

]]> By: Keith http://thesandtrap.com/equipment/clubs/mizuno_bettinardi_black_carbon_putter_review#comment-10799 Keith Wed, 07 May 2008 02:45:13 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/?p=2324#comment-10799 Alan, Your review was great. I was wondering when you guys were going to get around to reviewing this putter. I purchased the BC-3 about 5 months ago and even went to the Bettinardi's Studio 1 and got to meet some of the people there. All were extremely nice and more than willing to take time to talk to a fellow golf addict. They tweaked my BC-3 a bit and now it is like butter when I putt the ball. I was even able to select a new putter grip while I was there. The ball comes off smooth and now the only thing I need to work on is dropping more putts :-) I certainly cant blame the equipment. The Bettinardi team has hit a home run with this one, at least in my book. Keith Atlanta, GA Alan,

Your review was great. I was wondering when you guys were going to get around to reviewing this putter. I purchased the BC-3 about 5 months ago and even went to the Bettinardi's Studio 1 and got to meet some of the people there. All were extremely nice and more than willing to take time to talk to a fellow golf addict. They tweaked my BC-3 a bit and now it is like butter when I putt the ball. I was even able to select a new putter grip while I was there. The ball comes off smooth and now the only thing I need to work on is dropping more putts :-) I certainly cant blame the equipment. The Bettinardi team has hit a home run with this one, at least in my book.

Keith
Atlanta, GA

]]> By: Tony http://thesandtrap.com/equipment/clubs/mizuno_bettinardi_black_carbon_putter_review#comment-10734 Tony Fri, 02 May 2008 17:30:43 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/?p=2324#comment-10734 Alan, I actually tried the entire series out at my local demo days event. Even though I need a new putter about as much as I need a case of the shanks, I simply fell in love with the feel of the BC series. It's softer than any other non-insert putter I've tried (and I try a lot of them). I prefer a shorter putter, so the heavier weighted 33" models are ideal for me. It's funny, having only seen pictures, I was partial to the BC2. However, after actually trying all 3 models, I absolutely had to have the BC1. I do like the flange design of the BC2, but the neck didn't set up properly for my tastes. So yeah, I'd agree that having some neck options would be nice. That said, I don't have any complaints about the neck on the BC1. I'm trying to move away from a mallet, which is mostly why I didn't give too much consideration to the BC3. My other issue with the design is that, for a mallet, the face looks smallish at address. If you're going with a mallet, go big; at least that's my thinking. My BC1 was ordered 10 business days ago today, so I'm hoping against hope that it comes in today so I can have it for the weekend. I get the color scheme, and I don't have a problem with it, but truthfully, I'll be more than happy when the Winn Grip wears out. Hopefully golf pride will make a decade multi putter grip in yellow. Anyway, thanks for the write-up. I've been a huge Bettinardi fan for years, so it's nice to see a high-end alternative to Scotty Cameron get a little play. Alan,

I actually tried the entire series out at my local demo days event. Even though I need a new putter about as much as I need a case of the shanks, I simply fell in love with the feel of the BC series. It's softer than any other non-insert putter I've tried (and I try a lot of them). I prefer a shorter putter, so the heavier weighted 33" models are ideal for me.

It's funny, having only seen pictures, I was partial to the BC2. However, after actually trying all 3 models, I absolutely had to have the BC1. I do like the flange design of the BC2, but the neck didn't set up properly for my tastes. So yeah, I'd agree that having some neck options would be nice. That said, I don't have any complaints about the neck on the BC1.

I'm trying to move away from a mallet, which is mostly why I didn't give too much consideration to the BC3. My other issue with the design is that, for a mallet, the face looks smallish at address. If you're going with a mallet, go big; at least that's my thinking.

My BC1 was ordered 10 business days ago today, so I'm hoping against hope that it comes in today so I can have it for the weekend.

I get the color scheme, and I don't have a problem with it, but truthfully, I'll be more than happy when the Winn Grip wears out. Hopefully golf pride will make a decade multi putter grip in yellow.

Anyway, thanks for the write-up. I've been a huge Bettinardi fan for years, so it's nice to see a high-end alternative to Scotty Cameron get a little play.

]]> By: JP Bouffard http://thesandtrap.com/equipment/clubs/mizuno_bettinardi_black_carbon_putter_review#comment-10733 JP Bouffard Fri, 02 May 2008 13:05:23 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/?p=2324#comment-10733 Alan: Thanks for your review. Bettinardis are certainly beautiful putters. Can you comment on the look of the putter in the address position, and give us some thoughts about alignment? I agree with you on the importance of the tactile feel of the putter. With so many putters using inserts, different materials, and different face treatments, feel is all over the place on putters today, and can make a big difference in whether you like a putter and have confidence in it or not. I like putters that give what I call an audible yet soft click at impact, and have a solid/heavy feel to the hit. This can be a tough combination to find. One more thing I like to look for in a putter is the balance in the address position. Specifically, what I mean is that I've noticed that some putters will have a tendency to want to twist or roll open or closed when you sole them behind the ball, before taking your stroke. In other words, I like a putter which can be placed squarely behind the ball, before taking your final grip, and which sits nice and square. Does this make any sense? Some putters, I guess because of their design, weighting, and sole contours, have this tendency to roll...ok, I'll stop saying that. Anyway, let us know if you have any observations in these areas. JP Alan: Thanks for your review. Bettinardis are certainly beautiful putters. Can you comment on the look of the putter in the address position, and give us some thoughts about alignment?

I agree with you on the importance of the tactile feel of the putter. With so many putters using inserts, different materials, and different face treatments, feel is all over the place on putters today, and can make a big difference in whether you like a putter and have confidence in it or not. I like putters that give what I call an audible yet soft click at impact, and have a solid/heavy feel to the hit. This can be a tough combination to find.

One more thing I like to look for in a putter is the balance in the address position. Specifically, what I mean is that I've noticed that some putters will have a tendency to want to twist or roll open or closed when you sole them behind the ball, before taking your stroke. In other words, I like a putter which can be placed squarely behind the ball, before taking your final grip, and which sits nice and square. Does this make any sense? Some putters, I guess because of their design, weighting, and sole contours, have this tendency to roll...ok, I'll stop saying that.

Anyway, let us know if you have any observations in these areas.

JP

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