Might The New Bettinardi Tiki Putter Be Cursed?

Bettinardi’s annual Tiki limited-edition putter launch is all the time one in every of my favorites. A few of my adoration comes from the all the time artistic island-inspired visuals. Finally, I believe I stay up for Tiki releases as a result of they encourage island daydreams.

After I open the field with the brand new Tiki putter, figurative Hawaiian sand and sunshine spills out, serving to me endure this chilly, moist January.

In some methods, the Bettinardi Tiki launch is like enjoying the lottery. With the lottery, we all know the percentages of profitable are infinitesimal. But, we spend a few bucks anyway only for the moments we get to think about what we might do if we received the jackpot.

Shopping for a Bettinardi Tiki limited-edition BB1W-LN doesn’t include a visit to Hawaii, at the least not a bodily journey.

Mentally, maybe it does. I see nothing unsuitable with subconsciously feeling an ocean breeze and listening to the chirps of honeycreepers as you roll balls on the chilly concrete in your storage.

The brand new Bettinardi Tiki incorporates a tiki

It’s been some time because the Tiki putter truly had a tiki on it. Lately, we’ve seen largely animals like orcas, manta rays and tree frogs.

For 2026, Bettinardi went again to fundamentals and put a considerably menacing tiki on the only real of the Tiki. For the file, his identify is Tribal Tiki Man.

Naturally, this little idol made me consider the cursed tiki that Bobby Brady discovered.

I shared that thought throughout one in every of our editorial conferences and one in every of our youthful workers members (let’s simply name him “Connor” as a result of that’s his identify) had no thought in regards to the cursed tiki and the way it nearly induced Greg to drown whereas browsing.

“Connor” not getting the reference was a superb reminder about how all of us begin our rides on the wave of life at completely different instances.

Experiences which are canon for some are unknown for others. As such, I’ll embody another amazingly intelligent tiki references in the present day that will resonate with a few of you newer riders.

Are you going to speak in regards to the precise putter?

Honest level, particularly contemplating there’s a entire lot to speak about with the Bettinardi 2026 Tiki. Since I already talked about the tiki on the underside, let’s stick with the aesthetic parts.

One of many wildest parts of the 2026 Tiki is its end. From the highest, it’s all-business matte brown with a slight blue tint. The teal sight line is just a little flashy however nothing distracts you when you get the putter positioned at deal with.

While you flip the putter over, it’s an entire completely different story.

On the face and the only real, the putter has a woodgrain TPT end. You learn that proper. Bettinardi made this tiki putter appear like carved wooden. Bettinardi is understood for his or her intensive custom-finish catalog however I believe “wooden” is new.

On the face, this end makes the face milling look as if it was carved out of the wooden. I suppose milling is a type of carving however the look of this face makes me assume “chisel” greater than high-speed CNC blade.

Naturally, the face milling can also be practical with the elimination of fabric softening up the texture at influence.

The end on the only real makes the long-lasting tiki appear like it was carved right into a log. I dig the tiki however I’m cautious about him. He’s a good-looking little man however there may be only a little bit of mischief radiating from his expression.

If solely there was a catchy ’90s’ alt-rock track that warned us in regards to the risks of the tiki.

(Sure, I do know that’s technically nonetheless a Brady Bunch reference …)

The 2026 Bettinardi Tiki BB1W-LN construct plan

Though the end and tiki are doubtless the primary issues that can soar out at you, there are a few putter-themed issues value mentioning.

Initially, the BB1W-LN is a long-neck blade. I like long-neck blades. We don’t see them fairly often as of late however lengthy necks have a wealthy historical past on the PGA Tour and particular spots within the hearts of many collectors.

The truth that this putter has a protracted neck most likely induced a number of “Purchase Now” clicks with out these purchasers actually even caring about the remainder of the putter’s traits.

Naturally, the lengthy neck allowed Bettinardi to suit all 10 letters of their identify on the neck.

Lengthy-neck putters are scarce as a result of many golf shoppers are effectively versed in how lengthening the neck adjustments the theoretical insertion level of that shaft into the top. Due to this attribute, this 303 stainless-steel blade has a virtually face-balanced toe dangle.

That’s a variety of jargon, I do know. I additionally know most of you putter freaks perceive what I’m saying. What number of instances previously yr or two have we mentioned how zero-torque putters are constructed with both the shaft getting into the CG straight or with a novel hosel that strains up the shaft with the middle of gravity?

Lengthy necks do the identical factor however with a unique goal.

For the long-neck blade, the additional size of the neck strikes the shaft entry line to the center of the putter face. This makes the putter face-balanced with out the necessity for a far much less enticing center-shafted hosel or a pedestrian double-bend shaft.

Lengthy necks appear like conventional plumber’s necks at deal with however have considerably much less toe dangle. When you want a face-balanced putter however dislike mallets, that is the blade for you.

The neck does bump the load 10 grams. This BB1W-LN has a head weight of 362 grams with the inventory BB1W weighing 352.

There’s something taking place with this grip

Grips are not often key story parts with putter releases however the grip on the 2026 Bettinardi Tiki grabbed my consideration. After I unboxed the putter, the wild end and the six-million thread (est.) headcover initially held all of my consideration.

After I took the shrink wrap off the brilliant orange grip and held it for the primary time, I forgot about the remainder of the putter.

Initially, the fabric of the grip could be very uncommon. In some methods, it looks like an Iomic grip. This grip is just a little squishier, although, and the fabric is a little more translucent.

The grip can also be one of the sticky grips I’ve encountered. Not like stuff sticks to your palms sticky however extra like a Velcro relationship between the grip and your palms.

After I zoomed in on the floor, I may see a chaotic networks of little ridges. I consider this floor sample is chargeable for the softness and stickiness.

Nonetheless it really works, I’m a fan. If it had only a contact extra girth, I’d be slapping this grip on a garage-load of putters.

Because it seems, this an orange model of Bettinardi’s new customary grip. There are customary and midsize variations and a bunch of different colours out there on the Bettinardi website. Let the re-gripping begin!

The 2026 Bettinardi Tiki BB1W-LN brings no hazard, simply goals

Restricted-edition putters are all the time cool however not often as cool because the 2026 Bettinardi BB1W-LN. From a purely putter-centric standpoint, a long-neck model of the favored BB1W is a singular providing.

When you add the superb end and well-executed tiki parts, this putter turns into distinctive. I admire that the highest of the putter has such a clear look. The underside is pure artistry however the prime remains to be about getting balls into the outlet.

You would possibly say it’s a mixture of efficiency and aesthetics that tiki goals are made from …

(That one was for you, Connor.)

If you’d like one in every of these little idols, head to The Hive on Jan. 13 at 10 a.m. EST. The MSRP is $900. With solely 350 out there worldwide, I don’t see these lasting very lengthy. Bettinardi can even be releasing different island-themed merch in The Hive that morning as effectively.