Equipment
10 awesome photos from Bettinardi’s Summer Social
Bettinardi’s Summer Social, the company’s annual putter bonanza, was open to the public for the first time in 2015. Top collectors from around the country gathered at Bettinardi headquarters in Tinley Park, Ill., for the event that showcased the company’s finest collectible putters, as well as tour models and other one-offs. In addition to the rare putters, Bettinardi also created a variety of accessories including clothing, ball markers, divot tools, cigar trays, belt buckles, and head covers for the event.
Most guests arrived at Bettinardi HQ at 6 p.m. to meet the other collectors, chat about their favorite golf gear and fuel up with food and drink before the doors to Studio B opened at 7 p.m. They then began the mad dash to find the perfect putter (or in some cases putters) for their collections.
Nothing was off limits at the Summer Social, according to Sam Bettinardi, Bettinardi’s vice president of sales and marketing. Attendees were given free reign to wander the facility, and the company ran a night shift so guests could tour the manufacturing facility and see how products were created in Bettinardi’s recently renovated 40,000 square foot manufacturing facility.
Enjoy these 10 photos from the Summer Social, and learn more about Bettinardi’s Summer Social on the company’s website.
The calm before the storm
Bob Bettinardi gave a speech to attendees (and protected the entrance to Studio B) before the doors opened 7 p.m.
My collection needs a mallet!
Nearly every item available for purchase at the Summer Social was a one-off prototype, including this mallet with an R&D sole engraving.
A very special BB Zero
With a “Brook Trout” design and adjustable pocket weight.
Holy Mother of (Pearl)
Because why wouldn’t you want mother of pearl inserts on your putter… or a welded, custom-engraved neck for that matter. For the golfer who has everything, mother of pearl belt buckles, divot tools and ball makers were also available.
If you’re going to buy a rare putter…
It better fit your stroke! Attendees of the Summer Social were able to get fit for their putters at no extra cost with purchase.
So much cooler than lead tape
This variable-weight BB Zero putter allows golfers to adjust head weight through a pocket weight. And those snow stampings…
A BB6 with a twist
Few custom tweaks are more eye-catching than a welded, twisty neck. This putter also has Bettinardi’s F.I.T. Face, a face-milling process that removes material from the face for an extremely soft feel without an insert.
Patchwork Head Covers
Bettinardi’s new “patchworks” head covers sold out almost immediately. They combine different materials and designs for a truly one-off look.
In case you weren’t hungry…
Now you are. What’s a better snack on hot summer day than a Chicago-style dog and some Kool-Aid to wash it down? Representing Chicago proudly!
Holding down the R&D department
When a belt buckle is so much more than a belt buckle. Only gear heads will understand.
Equipment
Neal Shipley, AKA, the “Big Fridge’s,” custom stamping
Neal Shipley was the first to admit that he enjoyed his food while in college. But since his days at Ohio State, he’s slimmed down and earned a PGA Tour Card.
That hasn’t stopped him from having fun with his wedge stampings, though it’s led to some misunderstandings.
On the 54 (degree), we have ‘Big Fudge,'” Shipley told GolfWRX. “It was supposed to be ‘Big Fridge,’ so this happened a little while ago. ‘Big Fridge’ was a nickname between my college teammates and I, with ‘fridge’ meaning stomach, a big stomach.

“We told the Ping guys to put … ‘Big Fridge’ on it, and I think maybe some bad cell service or something, and they thought I said ‘fudge,’ so they put fudge on it.”
On Shipley’s 50-degree he also continues the food theme, this time with his go-to order at the “Golden Arches,” and his stamping “DONS 7.”
“The number 7 meal, the two cheeseburger meal, that was my McDonald’s order, back when I would have McDonald’s frequently,” Shipley shared.
Equipment
From the GolfWRX Classifieds: L.A.B. Purple DF3 with Masters cover
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @raw10628 has a L.A.B. DF3 putter and Masters putter cover up for grabs.

From the listing: “Some great items here today, time to thin out and make room for next set of gear. All prices include shipping.
LAB DF3 Purple 33.5” 68° lie with TPT – $725. LAB Masters release DF3 cover – $150.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
Whats in the Bag
Maria Torres WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4

3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4

5-wood: Ping G440 Max (19 degrees @18)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4

Hybrid: Ping G440 (23 degrees)
Shaft: Oban Isawa Red Hybrid Shaft 04 Flex 70 Gms

Irons: Srixon ZXi7 (5-P)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i80

Wedges: Cleveland RTZ (50-MID, 54-FULL, 58-MID)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i105

Putter: L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i
Shaft: ACCRA Putter Shaft

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet











Benny
Jun 18, 2015 at 8:45 pm
I think its awesome they did this. Showing some true value to their fans and giving them access to all models. So many Pros play Betti’s and the amount of Tour wins shows they know what they are doing. Especially in a market ruled by SC. I would much rather have a handmade Betti or Machine dor 1/3 the price and make just as many if not more putts.
Josh
Jun 17, 2015 at 11:32 am
Thanks for telling us about this AFTER it happened. I missed their facebook post about it even though I follow their page… Ah well. Keeping this in mind for next year.
putter fanatic
Jun 17, 2015 at 11:32 am
Honest question here: did Bettinardi start the Summer Social before or after the Cameron ICC event which has become Pins and Playtime?
ooffa
Jun 16, 2015 at 11:12 am
I commend Bettinardi for his genius. It takes skill, talent and hard work to market a very average putter for such an exorbitant price.
Jeff
Jun 15, 2015 at 10:00 pm
Those covers are absolutely sick! As a chicagoan who has relocated I would die to get any one of those covers. When do they go on sale?
Josh
Jun 17, 2015 at 11:34 am
Jeff, you can find them here: http://tourstockputters.com/collections/bettinardi-headcovers
BOB
Jun 15, 2015 at 8:26 pm
Free putter fitting wow so generous after selling $4 of metal for $2k
Toby
Jun 15, 2015 at 9:33 pm
You do realize you don’t have to buy the $2k (actually I don’t think any of them reached that price). You can just attend the event, socialize, etc.
Just wondering what do you think should come free with a $2k putter? A happy ending 🙂
Chris
Jun 15, 2015 at 7:25 pm
How do i go? I work at golfsmith lol