Review: Bettinardi Studio Stock Series SS18 Plumber's Neck Putter
By Curated Experts
Paul Bancroft and Joshua Curmi
14 photos
The Curated Take
4.8/5
The Bettinardi Studio Stock SS18 Putter suits golfers who prefer blade-style putters but desire more forgiveness. This putter's features, like the white alignment line, plumber's neck design, and the premium SuperStroke grip, make squaring the face and aligning putts easier. Its renowned Honeycomb Milling pattern offers a soft yet responsive feel, providing valuable strike feedback. Its optimal balance and slightly toe-heavy feel promote a consistent stroke, making it a valuable tool for players seeking improved control on the greens.
Ideal for
- Insert with Roll Control Face produces great sound at impact
- Expert execution of a classic design, great blade shape, and balance
- Stands out against competitors in feel and feedback
- High-quality putter made out of 303 stainless steel
- American-made, excellent build quality
Not ideal for
- Not very forgiving, designed for accurate golfers
- Limited range of grip sizes and shapes in stock form
Forgiveness
While blade-style putters like the SS18 typically offer less forgiveness than mallet putters, they still provide a surprising level of forgiveness for their class. Off-center strikes maintain a relatively consistent...Read more
Alignment
The contrasting white alignment line against the sleek charcoal finish on the putter head provides a visually appealing and effective alignment aid. At address, it is easy to square the...Read more
Grip
The SS18 comes with a premium, tour-proven SuperStroke grip, enhancing comfort and control during the putting stroke. The grip design and material dampen vibrations, improving the putter's already excellent feel....Read more
Feel
The feel of the SS18 putter is where it truly shines. The high-quality materials used in its construction contribute to a buttery-smooth sensation upon impact. The face features Bettinardi's renowned...Read more
Balance
The balance of the Bettinardi Studio Stock SS18 putter is genuinely impressive. The classic plumber's neck design effortlessly aligns the putter head with the target line, promoting a more consistent...Read more
Expert Reviews of the Bettinardi Studio Stock Series SS18 Plumber's Neck Putter
Joshua Curmi Bettinardi continues its top ranks in the looks department with this classic-looking blade. Even with an insert, the face looks clean and uses beneficial technology. While testing the ball, it feels great off the face, and I can tell the insert rolled the ball on line. It is noticeable when a mishit is towards the toe, though this putter lets me know what happens with the insert. The high-quality 303 stainless provides consistent results. This is a must-try for any golfer looking to purchase a blade.
Product Specs
| Club Type | Putters |
| Head shape | #18 |
| Neck hosel shape | Plumber's Neck |
| Used (Y/N) | No |
| Loft | 3° |
| Model year | 2021 |
Review Ratings
Forgiveness
4/5
Paul Bancroft gave 4 of 5 stars. While blade-style putters like the SS18 typically offer less forgiveness than mallet putters, they still provide a surprising level of forgiveness for their class. Off-center strikes maintain a relatively consistent distance and direction, making the SS18 more forgiving than many traditional blade putters. This forgiveness factor is a testament to Bettinardi's craftsmanship and engineering prowess, accommodating various golfers' skill levels.
Alignment
5/5
Paul Bancroft gave 5 of 5 stars. The contrasting white alignment line against the sleek charcoal finish on the putter head provides a visually appealing and effective alignment aid. At address, it is easy to square the face to the target line accurately. Combining the alignment line and the plumber's neck design promotes consistent alignment, significantly increasing the chances of holing more putts.
Grip
5/5
Paul Bancroft gave 5 of 5 stars. The SS18 comes with a premium, tour-proven SuperStroke grip, enhancing comfort and control during the putting stroke. The grip design and material dampen vibrations, improving the putter's already excellent feel. Golfers who prefer a thicker grip will find the SuperStroke grip a game-changer, instilling confidence in their grip pressure and reducing tension in their hands.
Feel
5/5
Paul Bancroft gave 5 of 5 stars. The feel of the SS18 putter is where it truly shines. The high-quality materials used in its construction contribute to a buttery-smooth sensation upon impact. The face features Bettinardi's renowned Honeycomb Milling pattern, which ensures a soft yet responsive feel, providing valuable feedback on each putt. This feature allows golfers to gauge the strike quality accurately, helping them fine-tune their distance control.
Balance
5/5
Paul Bancroft gave 5 of 5 stars. The balance of the Bettinardi Studio Stock SS18 putter is genuinely impressive. The classic plumber's neck design effortlessly aligns the putter head with the target line, promoting a more consistent and repeatable stroke. This putter has a slightly toe-heavy balance, providing stability throughout the swing and at impact. Golfers will appreciate how effortlessly the putter glides through the putting stroke, inspiring confidence in their ability to control the ball's direction.
FAQs
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Paul Bancroft My favorite moment with this putter was lining it up for long or difficult putts and having that extra bit of confidence from knowing how the ball would come off the face. The weighting of the putter correlated with the distance I saw from the putts.
Why did you choose this product?
Paul Bancroft I was newly introduced to the brand, and after seeing its marketing, brand message, and intense quality and pride in the club's construction, I knew I had to try it. Before testing, I thought, "Okay, it's another brand trying to be a Scotty Cameron." But after using it, I felt it had its own unique feel and was not a knockoff but a worthy competitor.
What do you love about this product?
Paul Bancroft I love almost everything about the Bettinardi brand. I love that the club is made in the U.S.A., and the quality and standards of the construction are second to none. The feel of this putter, the weight and balance, that minuscule moment of impact of the putter face and ball is ideal.
Paul Bancroft
Golf ExpertJoshua Curmi
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