First Look: Bettinardi BB1 Armageddon Limited Edition
News

First Look: Bettinardi BB1 Armageddon Limited Edition

First Look: Bettinardi BB1 Armageddon Limited Edition
The BB1 Armageddon putter was created from a desire to fuse Robert Bettinardi’s passion for the military directly into the putter world.

Once again Bettinardi has cracked open the door to The Hive and let out something spectacular. This time around, it’s the military-themed BB1 Armageddon limited edition. Bettinardi has taken its classic BB1 head and incorporated cosmetic and functional elements more typically associated with military weaponry.

Robert Bettinardi designed the BB1 Armageddon not only as a way to show his support of the men and women serving in the military but also as a way to provide them some assistance should they need it when their service ends.

The Bettinardi BB1 Armageddon is a precision tool on the green, and also helps out beyond the confines of the golf course.

Bettinardi BB1 Armageddon - 10

Specifications: Bettinardi BB1 Armageddon LE

  • Material: Soft Carbon Steel
  • Face Miling: Tactical F.I.T. Face
  • Weight: 350g
  • Finish: Flat Dark Earth
  • Lie: 70°
  • Loft: 3°
  • Toe Hang: 1/2
  • Grip: Orange Lamkin Deep-Etched
  • MSRP: $550.00

Exploring Key Elements: Bettinardi BB1 Armageddon

Bettinardi BB1 Armageddon - 13

The Bettinardi BB1 Armageddon is more than just a standard putter with a new paint job or a couple of fancy stamps. This putter started with the BB1’s DNA but quickly evolved to be something unique. Let’s take a look at some of the features that make the BB1 Armageddon more than your usual off the rack putter.

The Picatinny Rail

Bettinardi BB1 Armageddon - 16

This BB1 putter features a unique Picatinny rail inspired top line alignment, featuring one single line painted in the center of the putter head.

It’s interesting how one can recognize something as familiar, and yet still know nothing about it. That’s where I’m at with the Picatinny Rail System. I immediately recognized the topline on the BB1 Armageddon as looking like the top of a gun, but I had no idea that there was a specific name, and purpose for the design.

For those not in the know, like myself, the Picatinny Rail system is usually found on the top edge of a firearm and is used as a platform to mount accessories such as scopes, sights, flashlights, and so on. By adding this design to the top of the putter, along with the single orange line, Bettinardi has not only created something visually similar to the Picatinny Rail, but also something functionally similar, as the rail aids in putter alignment.

Fun fact, the Picatinny Rail is named after the Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey, where the rail system was developed.

Flat Dark Earth TPT Finish

Bettinardi BB1 Armageddon - 9

We are constantly working on new finishes to enrich the look of our precision milled putters. The new TPT “Thermo Plating Technology” finish enhances a number of physical performance properties including abrasion/wear resistance, impact strength, and most importantly feel.  With this new finish we combine durability with elegance and luxury to achieve the premium look Bettinardi customers have known to expect.

So the paragraph above explains the TPT part of the new finish pretty well, and it sounds like all good stuff to me. As one who prefers a carbon steel head, I’m all about these protective finishes. I want to maintain the feel of the carbon, but not deal with the maintenance that comes with non-protective finishes like black oxide.

Each putter has a Flat Dark Earth TPT finish applied to the head and shaft, guaranteeing your model will last in the toughest conditions.

The Flat Dark Earth color is perfect for the military theme of the BB1 Armageddon. Just do a quick Google image search of Flat Dark Earth, and you will find a whole bunch of similarly colored weapons. That connection aside, the finish also looks pretty spectacular in contrast to the putting green, moving somewhere between light brown and gray depending on the light. I applaud the decision to use the same finish on the shaft as it reduces contrasting elements at address, allowing the golfer to really focus on the orange sight line.

UPatch™ Headcover

Bettinardi BB1 Armageddon - 1

The UPatch™ headcover that comes with the BB1 Armageddon is RJB’s latest creation, allowing golfers to customize the headcover to their liking with a patent pending Velcro and patch system.

Much to the dismay of the dry cleaners and seamstresses operating near military bases, most uniform patches moved to a Velcro attachment system around 2008 when the Army switched to the new Army Combat Uniform (A.C.U.). This simplified the switching of patches should a soldier change rank or be reassigned, or should the need to sterilize a uniform without destroying the patches arise.

The Bettinardi UPatch™ headcover incorporates a similar patch/Velcro system, allowing one to put the four included patches just about anywhere on the headcover. The orange lining in the headcover ties in ascetically with the orange Lamkin grip and orange paintfill on the putter.

If you just want to pick up one of these headcovers, you are in luck. Bettinardi will soon be releasing UPatch™ headcovers in various colors, as well as additional patches. You can also head over to eBay right now to find a whole bunch of Velcro-backed patches as well.

Tactical FIT Face

Bettinardi BB1 Armageddon - 14

The tactical FIT (Feel Impact Technology) Face engraved into a soft carbon steel head will ensure the softest feeling milled Betinardi putter.

The Tactical FIT face is another unique feature of the BB1 Armageddon. While Bettinardi has been milling deep FIT-face grooves into putter faces for years, I can’t recall one where the grooves looked like this, extending across the majority of the face. Regardless, the grooves impart a very soft feel at impact (Srixon Z-Star used for reference). Roll-wise, the ball moves along quite nicely. At 350g, the swing, roll, and overall feel should feel very familiar to many golfers.

Donation to Warriors for Freedom

WarriorsForFreedomLogo2

A portion of each putter sale will go to RJB’s charity of choice, Warriors of Freedom.

Though not technically a feature of the putter, the fact that Bob Bettinardi will be donating part of the sale proceeds to a military charity is worth mentioning. I was not familiar with Warriors for Freedom, and I figured that some of you might not be either, so I went to their site and found their mission statement.

Our mission is to connect service members, veterans, and their families with resources needed to become united with the community again.

Warriors for Freedom Foundation is a charitable, tax-exempt, 501(c)3 organization that provides support to our nation’s heroes and their families in the areas of recreational and social activities and mental health and wellness as well as to promote awareness of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), Combat Stress Reaction (CSR) and Veteran Suicide.

We also work with community leaders, businesses, schools, legislators and others to enhance awareness and promote veterans’ initiatives through speaking engagements and fundraising.

Now I’m not privy to the portion of the revenue going to Warriors for Freedom, but I truly see the donation to charity as a beneficial feature of the BB1 Armageddon. My nephew is currently serving in the Army, and I find it comforting to know that should he need some post-service assistance, organizations like Warriors for Freedom are there to help, and that people like Robert Bettinardi are contributing.

Pull The Trigger Quickly

Bettinardi BB1 Armageddon - 8

I know that shooting instructors will tell you to gently squeeze the trigger when you are firing a weapon, but I’m willing to bet that you don’t have the luxury of time with the BB1 Armageddon. There are only 200 of these available, and recent releases from The Hive have moved quickly. If you want one of these, it’s time to lock and load. They will sell out.

For You

For You

Golf Apparel
Oct 4, 2024
Golf Apparel Deals of the Week
COBRA KING Black Edition TOUR and CB/MB irons. COBRA KING Black Edition TOUR and CB/MB irons.
First Look
Oct 3, 2024
COBRA KING Black Edition TOUR and CB/MB Irons
We Tried It
Oct 3, 2024
This Rangefinder is Unique!
Dave Wolfe

Dave Wolfe

Dave Wolfe

A putter-obsessed recreational golfer, constantly striving to improve his game while not getting too hung up about it. Golf should be fun, always.

Dave Wolfe

Dave Wolfe

Dave Wolfe

Dave Wolfe

Dave Wolfe

Dave Wolfe





    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

      Erik B

      3 years ago

      Does anyone have one of these and are willing to sell it? I’ve been searching the internet and they’re terribly hard to find! Any leads would help!

      Reply

      station

      7 years ago

      Hey Bettinardi – If a fraction of the proceeds go towards this great program for the military disabled, why only sell a VERY limited number of 200? SELL ALL YOU CAN MAKE – or increase the count to 1000, or 1776, or something which generates revenue. I would buy one to support the program but it doesn’t look like availability will allow that. A “portion of the proceeds” of 200 putters doesn’t really add much money to the fund.

      Reply

      station

      7 years ago

      Between this and Bob Parsons of PXG naming everything he makes after war paraphernalia like the Dagger, Drone, and Gunboat…I think the wounded warrior community would rather take a step away from to tools of death when they head out on the golf course one sunny morning.

      …I do think this putter looks cool, though.

      Reply

      mike mcferron

      7 years ago

      Mine should arrive by Wednesday. Good bye MLA Tour (Blk. Edition)
      See classifieds if interested.

      Reply

      Robin

      7 years ago

      When I was in the Marines 35 years ago most of america treated us like trash . People would ask if I came from a broken home ,or that I joined because i was in trouble with the law.
      Now after 911 the same people who turned their backs on the military when i was in, are now making a profit off them.

      Reply

      station

      7 years ago

      Can’t speak to your personal experience but I would say that this seems like a marketing ploy for Bettinardi. I appreciate the donation to the fun, but frankly marking this as a limited run of 200 pcs doesn’t really help much of anyone. And at the same time it adds to the mystique of Bettinardi putter brand, ala Cameron 009 or “Tour Rat”.

      Reply

      station

      7 years ago

      * “fund”

      Rod

      7 years ago

      When I started golfing, I recall asking if grooves could be cut into the putter’s face and was told that the rules call for a flat surface on the putterface. It seems now that technology has gone rampant and rules have/are changing, whether for the good of the game or not. I now believe that the putterface should be flat, and that the golfer should be the one to “make the putt”.

      Reply

      KM

      7 years ago

      $375 would be better…

      Reply

      Jim

      7 years ago

      Great looking putter and even better finish. But as I’m not a blade putter and $550 seems excessive it’s not for me. Hope some other manufacturers come out with this finish though, it looks fantastic.

      Reply

      Chase

      7 years ago

      $550 for a LE Betti? Actually doesn’t seem that bad to me. It’s a LE with 200 made, what did you expect? $130? I dig it.

      Reply

      Jason LeLeux

      7 years ago

      Crispy!

      Reply

      Jason LeLeux

      7 years ago

      But $550 is ouchy

      Reply

      Shaun Alons

      7 years ago

      Way to price it out of who it’s made to honor. As a vet would love to have one.

      Reply

      OTG

      7 years ago

      Agree. I love the concept and it backs it up with the built tough looks, but that price….. Not going to be able to do it.

      Reply

      Camryn

      7 years ago

      Being former military and an art enthusiast (oxymoron?), I’m stunned. The railings man, bring back to a good time. The colors are spot on and I absolutely love the headcover. Betti’s design team is always on point. Good work you guys.

      Reply

      Alex

      7 years ago

      While this is amazing…. $550, pass

      Reply

      Bob Boyce

      7 years ago

      I don’t see a price anywhere.

      Reply

      Dave Wolfe

      7 years ago

      Check under the spec list… It’s $550, which is actually less than their last LE putter

      Reply

      Hula_Rock

      7 years ago

      I must have one…..

      Reply

      David W

      7 years ago

      And will sell out quickly!

      Reply

    Leave A Reply

    required
    required
    required (your email address will not be published)

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Golf Apparel
    Oct 4, 2024
    Golf Apparel Deals of the Week
    COBRA KING Black Edition TOUR and CB/MB irons. COBRA KING Black Edition TOUR and CB/MB irons.
    First Look
    Oct 3, 2024
    COBRA KING Black Edition TOUR and CB/MB Irons
    We Tried It
    Oct 3, 2024
    This Rangefinder is Unique!