Bettinardi Inovai putter review
What do we make of Bettinardi's new putter that stands for 'innovation'?
Bettinardi putters would not look out of place in the Tate Modern. When it comes to the new Inovai, we are siding with "abstract".
Breaking away from the elegant, refined looks of the rest of the new Bettinardi putter line, the independent Inovai has a touch of mallet madness about it – a little like the BB55 of 2014.
But sometimes mad is good.
While there is a lot going on with the head design, the "T" visual through the middle, parallel holes and stainless steel tail weight at the back ensure a real ease of alignment when placing the head behind the ball.
Milled from 6061 aircraft grade aluminium with a stainless steel weight placed low and away from the face, this 358g, high MOI (moment of inertia, or resistance to twisting around an axis) putter possesses a lovely weight about it at address.
Feel is further strengthened by a "Superfly" mill and "F.I.T" (Feel Impact Technology) face that provides a soft, responsive feel on both short and long putts.
Distance control on the 30-foot-plus putts was particularly strong, and putts inside of six feet were seeing the dark more often than not.
One slight niggle, and while a personal preference, the standard grip offering is not fantastic in relation to what is available on the market - plus we do rather like a Super Stroke grip.
Bettinardi offers standard and midsize grips in its putter range, however, so you do have ample choice.
Conclusion
Terrific alignment, great feel and superb distance control.
Appearance will likely divide opinion as this is by far the wackiest design in the new Bettinardi putter line, but we rather quite like it.
Not the cheapest flatstick in the world at £239 (standard) and £259 (counterbalance) but well worth a look at if you are in the market for a stable high MOI putter this season.