Bettinardi History

1991-1993

Robert Bettinardi saw an advertisement in a golf shop that displayed putters being made on a Bridgeport milling machine. At the time, Bettinardi owned a manufacturing facility with Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines that did work for hydraulic companies and the communications industries. Robert was able to work for another golf manufacturer, creating putters for about three years. It was then that Bettinardi created the first ever one-piece milled putter out of a solid block of steel.

1993 - 1998

In these five years, the number of players on Tour using a milled putter jumped from 10 to more than 75 from 1993 to 1998, per the Darryl Equipment Survey. Bettinardi was contracted by the top Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) to mill putters. These creations captured 49 wins on the PGA Tour, including 4 Major victories. This paradigm shift in player performance solidified Bettinardi’s superior process as one of the most important contributions in the history of golf technology.

1998

Robert Bettinardi branched off on his own to form Bettinardi Golf and the innovations continued. Bettinardi discovered a superior face milling to what he had been producing for other manufacturers. Such an innovative method demanded the use of a special jeweler-grade machine cutter that precisely machines the face of the putter at a perfect perpendicular angle. This unique milling process resulted in a 200% flatter face and eliminated the concave effect found on other manufacturers' putters. Thus, the Honeycomb™ milling was born.

1999

The Bettinardi Golf Brand commenced with six unique introductory models, including the BB1, BB1MS, BB2, BB8, BB10, and BB12. Bettinardi hit the PGA Tour circuit to spread the word with the first stop coming at the Greater Greensboro Open. It was here that Jesper Parnevik picked up an MC-10 and went on to set a tournament scoring record that weekend of 265 (-23), highlighted by just 99 putts. (The record still stands to this day.) This secured Bettinardi’s first professional Tour win.

2000

At the turn of the century, Bettinardi Golf added five new putter models to the line, including the BB41 and BB42, part of the highly acclaimed Millennium Series. Made from 303 Stainless Steel, these special putters featured weighted brass plugs in the face and brass ingots located on the flange, heel, and toe. These works of art were the flagships of this expanded portfolio and some of Bettinardi's finest work in his earlier years. In addition to the Millennium Series, the company introduced the BB11, BB16, and BB19.

2002 - 2004

Bettinardi Golf continued to gain traction across the major global tours and by year's end, the company notched an unprecedented 17 professional victories.

At this time, Bettinardi added the center-shafted BB43, part of the Millennium Series, along with the mallet-style BB23 and popular BB24 in a new patented Black Thunder finish.

2005 - 2008

Bettinardi Golf, ever obsessed with quality, craftsmanship, and precision, partnered with Mizuno for a great four-year partnership. Over the course of this enterprise, Bettinardi produced the C-Series and Black Carbon Series line of putters. Simultaneously, Bettinardi perfected and patented the Feel-Impact Technology (F.I.T.) face milling technique, a process that removed approximately 55% of the material from the face and resulted in a softer feel at impact.

2009 - 2012

Over the next few years,Bettinardi revived the BB Series which featured 5 classic head styles in a black chrome finish. The following year, the Studio Stock and Signature Series of putters were created, adding new families and depth to the product line. In 2012, the Queen B lineup was born to provide golfers with heavier head styles in unique decorative finishes.

2013 - 2015

In 2013, Robert Bettinardi’s son, Sam, joined the company to lead and expand the business. Sam’s addition added a new dynamic to Robert's brand, making Bettinardi Golf one of the few successful family-run businesses in golf. Under this time period, Bettinardi expanded their product offerings into wedges, designed and created the arm-lock putter technology.

2016 - 2018

Sam Bettinardi developed The HIVE™, a place for high-end luxury and Tour-only putters, constructed to house the most exquisite designs and creations. The HIVE™ continues to exist at our store in Oak Brook, IL, as well as an online webpage, which releases collections of limited-edition golf equipment on a first come, first served basis.

2019 - 2023

Bettinardi also joined the metaverse with our very own collections of 777 unique NFTs and launched our NFT community, the Bee Keeper Society (BKS), which has access to special BKS-specific merchandise and events throughout the year.

Bettinardi Golf celebrated 25 years in business, celebrating the company’s heritage, innovation, and craftsmanship over the past quarter of a century.

2023 - PRESENT

Bettinardi products are now available today in more than 40 countries around the world, and features a strong Tour Staff including Alex and Matt Fitzpatrick, Matt Kuchar, Sir Nick Faldo and more.

Studio B Oak Brook opened its doors in August 2023. An immersive performance center and boutique store with unparalleled short-game fittings and tour- grade equiptment, gear and apparel.

In 2024 Bettinardi introduces the highly anticipated, first- generation Irons. The two distinct models: the MB24 and the CB4. Co-forged with premium materials to create a solid body iron, each model is designed to provide golfers with unparalleled feel, control, and forgiveness, elevating their game to new heights.