Bettinardi Golf in a heater. Their employee Matt Fitzpatrick and his hotshot DASS BB48 Tout Dept are winning tournaments left and right, placing him first in FedEx Cup competition and third in the OWGR.
Fitzpatrick and his brother Alex shot a tournament-record 57 in Saturday’s best-ball round of the Zurich Classic and then survived a challenging Sunday to win.
Two Bettinardi hammers also placed first and second in the Most Wanted Mallet Test 2026. I’d say Bettinardi’s new VDF (Variable Depth Flymill) face is working as promised. A tip for the Bettinardi design team.
Although the most demanding 2026 zero-torque shooting test is still in progress, the 2025 top five finish of Bettinardi Antidote SB2 sets a high level of expectation.
Which brings us to today’s announcement: Bettinardi is adding two new zero-torque Hexperimental models to their Antidote line of rigs.
While these aren’t official additions to the stock line, they expand the total number of zero-torque Antidote models to six, making Bettinardi one of the most prolific companies in the category.
Bettinardi sticks his neck out (and his back)
These new models are based on classic Bettinardi models, but not necessarily on classic Antidote models.
Even the most myopic observers can’t miss the change in back design.
All previous Bettinardi Antidote zero-torque cheaters are center-shafted with the shaft attached to the iron’s center of gravity. These two new Antidotes are shafted.
Heeled axles are so hot right now
If you feel like it’s Groundhog Day, I’m with you. Shooter design often follows trends. Currently, it’s the zero spin irons with the shaft Hansel-hot.
Numerous companies are now offering zero-torque gauges that are not center-shafted. Balance sheet AND PXG have been using new zero-torque clutches for a while, but the most significant splash with heel shafts came last summer when LAB Golf was released a heel shaft version of their OZ.1 HS shooter. They were recently released The Link2.1 and Link2.2 models are also pivoted.
Recently, the Odyssey took the zero-torque heel shaft to a whole new level building zero-torque bearings that don’t look like zero-torque gauges.
Now we can add Bettinardi to the set of zero shaft torque. I’ll let company president Sam Bettinardi explain why this was a good move for them.
“Simply Balanced™ over the last 18 months has been our most talked about technology, but it’s only ever available on the center shaft. The Hexperimental #7 and #9 open it up to more players, with the same zero torque advantage, in a design they’re more familiar with looking down.”
Bettinard’s back movement methodology
The cornerstone of the new Hexperimental design in the new hosel. At first glance, it looks like a normal plumber’s neck. Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice that it attaches to the head a little further from the face and a little closer to the socket than a normal plumber’s neck.
In addition, the joint at the top of the neck has slipped towards the back. Typical plumber’s necks create an offset shaft, placing the axle shaft in front of the face of the thrower. This new Hexperimental shaft points in the other direction, positioning the shaft behind the neck and well behind the face.
Those of you who have been following along know where this is going. After adding some length to the neck, the new hose design aligns the axle axis with the center of gravity, effectively eliminating torque.
The shaft does not need to be attached to the CG to eliminate torque; just need points in it.
In addition to making zero-torque putters look like more traditional gauges, this new neck allows more traditional head shapes to become zero-torque gauges.
I don’t think any of the new Hexperimental Antidote designs would have worked with the center shaft build.
Let’s take a look at the two models and you’ll see what I mean.
Bettinardi Hexperimental Antidote #7
Hexperimental #7 is a compact hammer. Immediately, you can see why the design would not be possible with a central axis. It is difficult to connect a shaft in a hole.
The hole in the head is important to the design, distributing the weight around the perimeter. This perimeter weighting plan increases MIA and stability.
Hexperimental #7 is a great square option for those who found it Bettinardi Antidote SB5 too round for their liking.
Still, I feel like Bettinardi missed an opportunity here to modernize one of the iconic head shapes, such as the Half Moon Mallet or Boxcar/Slotcar. Had I opened my inbox and seen a zero-torque version of one of those heads, my head would have exploded.
I’ve had a plumber’s neck crescent hammer on my bucket list for decades, and I know I’m not the only one.
Bettinardi Hexperimental Antidote #9
As far as modernizing a classic goes, Bettinardi nailed it with Hexperimental #9. This gauge is a 3-step zero-torque JAM, one of Bettinardi’s iconic shapes.
Many golfers cite the 3 Step JAM as their favorite Bettinardi head shape. Many professionals also like the head. I seem to remember Collin Morikowa putting one in a game not too long ago.
From the back, the Hexperimental #9 looks like a normal 3-step JAM featuring a plumber’s cavity and neck.
This is the big win. It’s zero torque that looks traditional.
As with Hexperimental #7, this meter would not work with the center axis. First of all, the center of gravity is likely too far forward to connect the axle to it. It will likely need an attachment point built into the cavity.
More importantly, a center pivot version of the 3-step JAM would look terrible. Yes, that is very judgmental of me. You may disagree, but when I imagine what that shooter would look like, I get a little nauseous.
Bettinardi is known for making beautiful poles, but a center pivot, 3-step zero-torque pull JAM would be a big ask. Just don’t do things like covering a 1958 Corvette with a camouflage vinyl wrap.
Thankfully, the new clutch is able to add zero-torque technology while keeping the look of the tire intact.
The classic Corvette still looks stock, but has a modern LT5 engine breathing under the hood.
The ever-expanding landscape of zero-torque shifting
These two new Hexperimental Bettinardi shooters demonstrate that innovation is alive and well in the zero-torque shooter category. In many ways, this barrel category is uncharted territory where no one company owns the market and “IT“The putter is still there.
Time will tell if one of these Hexperimental models ends up as part of the upcoming Bettinardi Antidote stock line. This happened with a Hexperimental Inovai shooter. It can happen here.
But why wait for a stock? The Hexperimental Antidote #7 and #9 feature a unique TPT Armor Black finish, with splashes of Distressed Blue on the face and heel.
The combination of 303 Stainless Steel face milling and Bettinardi’s FIT Face™ (Feel Impact Technology) face milling produces one of the smoothest-feeling cutters out there.
At $550, these aren’t cheap, but they’re a solid value. Stock Antidote models cost $450. That extra $100 Hexperimental gets you a new head shape, finish, and a cool Hexperimental head cover.
If one of these suits you, ditch the Benjamin and enjoy the Hexperiment.
Find out more about the new Hexperimental Antidote Zero Torque Gauges at Bettinardi.com.
