Bettinardi Hexperimental heel-shafted, 'zero-torque' putters: What you need to know

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Bettinardi’s movement toward reduced or zero-torque putters now adds heel-shafted options with the Hexperimental #7 compact mallet and #9 high-toe blade. Both models are the first to be completely milled from 303 stainless steel. The additions of the Hexperimental models complements the previously introduced Antidote models, which have more of a center-shafted and more onset approach to the zero-torque trend and came in wider blade and deeper mallet shapes. The Hexperimental heel-shafted design uses a modified plumbers neck hosel for minimal onset.

PRICE: $550, in limited quantities.

3 Cool Things

1. Sightlines. One main challenge with the stroke-simplifying zero-torque putter trend is the typical visual of a significant onset with a more center-shaft look. The Bettinardi Hexperimental lineup utilizes a heel-shaft via a modified plumber’s neck hosel that provides a more traditional setup at address with less onset. The plumber’s neck design here uses a longer, thinner bar that connects the putter head and shaft more vertically and shifts slightly more toward the center of the putter face. That modified design of a traditional hosel aims to align the shaft axis with the center of gravity of the head to reduce the torsional demands on the hands for a stroke that requires less manipulation to return the face to square.

Aligning the shaft axis and the center of gravity has been the approach on the Antidote lineup, called “SimplyBalanced” by the company, one that according to Sam Bettinardi, company president, has been dramatically well received over the last year.

“Simply Balanced over the last 18 months has been our most talked-about putter tech, but it's only ever been available in center-shaft," he said. "The Hexperimental #7 and #9 opens that up to more players, with the same zero-torque advantage, on a design they are most familiar looking down at.”

2. Shaping up. The two Hexperimental models look to capture a more traditional middle ground in terms of shape. The Hexperimental #7 is a more traditionally compact mallet shape, but a cutout in the back flange allows mass to be distributed to the perimeter for more stability on mis-hits. Cutouts in the sole help to consolidate mass toward the front of the putter to facilitate the shaft lining up directly with the center of gravity of the head. The Hexperimental #9 is more of a high-toe, slightly wider body blade.

3. Face value. Both Hexperimental putters will feature the latest version of Bettinardi’s F.I.T. face milling pattern. Designed to produce an impact sensation that combines soft and responsive aspects, it utilizes a process that removes 30 percent of the face surface through the parallel lines milling operation. The F.I.T. face has been seen by the company as its answer to players looking for the softer feel of putters that use some kind of face insert.