Bettinardi Antidote
matt martian photography
Why We Like It
- Like Bettinardi’s counterpart blade models, these mallet shapes display the zero-torque effect by keeping the shaft in line with the head’s center of gravity.
- Weight is centered in the head by combining multiple materials, like in the SB2, or by using milled-out cavities in the sole to redistribute mass toward the front of the head, allowing the center of gravity to line up with the shaft axis.
- That weighting increases the tendency of the face angle to stay square to the path of the stroke.
- The SB2 uses a face milled from 303 stainless steel that’s surrounded by a lightweight body milled from 6061 aluminum. The SB3 and SB5 are milled from 303 stainless steel.
- The grooved milling pattern on the face displaces more than half of the steel from the surface, creating a responsive feel.
- The blast finish reduces glare at address.
- Also available are longer, heavier and/or counterbalanced versions with a 17-inch grip to minimize excess hand action in the stroke.
- Top 5 in Sound/Feel, low- and high-handicaps
- Models: SB2, SB3, SB5. Head weights: 360-400 grams. Lengths: 33-40 inches. Loft: 3 degrees
- all
- low
- mid
- high
Hot List testers noted a compact, blade-like mallet that delivers superb alignment and a truer roll. Two-tone crown geometry and a slightly back-set center shaft square the face and encourage a pendulum stroke; the heavy, well-balanced head gives instant, audible feedback on mis-hits and produces tight dispersion. It shines on short-to-mid and lag putts and rewards straight-back, straight-through strokes. One common negative: a few golfers struggled with distance control on longer putts.
Hot List testers noted a compact mallet that bridges blade feel and modern tech — smaller profile suits blade-to-mallet transitions while delivering a blade-like sound and muted click. Strong alignment geometry and crown contrast guide the eye; weight yields a soft but solid stroke ideal for straight-back/straight-through players. Finish and bespoke styling earned praise, and mis-hit feedback is excellent — you can feel and hear the sweet spot. One negative: recoil felt inconsistent for some testers.
Hot List testers noted a remarkably balanced, slightly back-set center shaft and heavy, energy-transferring head that yields instant, confident roll. Two-tone face aids alignment; the putter produces tight dispersion, dependable distance on lag and long putts, and a firm but feedback-rich feel and sound. It's forgiving, repeatable and easy to align despite an unconventional look. One drawback: a few players struggled with distance control on mid-to-long putts.
Hot List panelists observed immediate, informative feedback on strikes—short or long was obvious without looking up. It felt effortless to apply the head’s mass, encouraging a simple pendulum stroke and returning square through impact. Roll was smooth with excellent distance control and tight dispersion on short and long putts; impact was muted yet crisp with pleasant resonance. One caveat: several found the multiple alignment lines and hosel-face junction a bit confusing.
A Skeptic’s Guide To New Golf Equipment
Featured In
Related Clubs