Today’s putter market has been flooded with “zero torque” offerings. Earlier this year Bettinardi added more options to the market with 2 Hexperimental shapes, but this time they’re flipping the script. The new Bettinardi Hexperimental #2 adapts the high M.O.I. ‘Simply Balanced’ Antidote SB2 shape and converts it into traditional heel-shafted setup without “zero torque” technology.
“We’ve had a wide range of players in our Tour Department, from pros to elite amateurs, fall in love with the Antidote SB2, but zero-torque isn’t for everyone,” said Sam Bettinardi, president of Bettinardi Golf. “That’s exactly the gap the Hexperimental #2 was designed to fill.”
For me, this is such a refreshing thing to see. The “zero torque” category has gotten so full that it’s nice to see the return to a limited launch centered around more traditional performance. I was a huge fan of the Antidote SB2 and I am excited to give the new Hexperimental #2 a roll. It’s very similar to the Spider L-Neck that I’ve been playing, and I’ve been messing around with lots of different options lately to see what might work. Being a milled offering is a huge plus in my book. It’s also helpful that the Hexperimental #2 looks really cool.
The Hexperimental #2 is a three-piece construction with a body milled from 303 stainless steel face and a 6061 aluminum body and center insert. The face also features their F.I.T. Face Milling (Feel Impact Technology) that removes 30% of the material in the face to create a softer feel off the face that remains responsive.
The combination of the Black Armor TPT and Distressed Blue accents makes for some nice bag appeal and combined with the matte black stock shaft and a matching Bettinardi Black Hex PU grip and magnetic head cover, it’s clearly a well-thought-out package. The color scheme is loud enough for your golf buddies to ask questions and want to know what’s in the bag, but its subdued enough to be quiet behind the ball at address. It also has some built in anti-glare properties so you don’t have to worry about any sun reflection into your eyes when you’re standing over that 4-footer to win the club championship.
“When it comes to our Hexperimental line extension, the focus is on innovation and iteration. It’s where we get to explore what’s next in putter design,” Sam Bettinardi said. “The Hexperimental #2 is our take on a non-zero-torque, high-M.O.I. mallet, and we’re excited to put it in players’ hands.”
I really liked the Antidote SB2 when it came out, so much so that I even got a broomstick version built for me, but the Simply Balanced or “zero torque” category never really sat right with my putting performance on the greens. Having the more traditional plumber’s neck style fits me a bit more and it’s definitely something that could fight for a chance at the bag.
The Antidote Hexperimental #2 is available now as a limited line-extension at Bettinardi.com, Studio B Oak Brook, and other select authorized retailers for $550.
Pre-order Bettinardi’s Antidote Hexperimental #2 at Fairway Jockey
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