Norcross, GA (January 25, 2006) – Mizuno USA, Inc., the forging and technology leader in golf, announced today that the company is combining its expertise in club technology with the hand craftsmanship and milling expertise of world-renowned putter designer Robert J. Bettinardi to introduce a new line of milled putters. The new Mizuno Bettinardi putters will be 100% precision milled at Bettinardi’s headquarters in Tinley Park, Illinois and assembled at Mizuno USA headquarters in Norcross, Georgia. The putters will be available in six new designs to offer a variety of shapes and styles.
"Mizuno has a storied history of producing the world’s finest golf equipment through the combination of cutting edge technology, high quality materials, patented manufacturing processes, and unmatched craftsmanship," said Dick Lyons, Vice President and General Manager, Mizuno USA Golf Division. "So when looking for a putter designer, we were only looking for the best of the best, and Bob Bettinardi is just that. It’s a match made in heaven, Mizuno and Bettinardi have come together to create the finest one-piece milled putters in the industry.
Robert J. Bettinardi engineered and manufactured the first ONE-PIECE TECHNOLOGY putter in 1990, instantly earning him the reputation as one of the most influential putter designers in the world, while simultaneously raising the bar for putter quality and consistency. Bettinardi is known for his mastery of the complex engineering process of milling putters, exotic materials, use of great balance, original shapes and styles, and his demand for perfection out of ever putter he creates. Bettinardi putters are known for precision, craftsmanship, and quality. Each putter will be checked for 20 tolerances by multiple quality control inspectors before they receive Bettinardi’s approval. If the slightest imperfection or flaw is discovered, that putter will immediately be destroyed, a policy Bettinardi has implemented since he began designing and manufacturing these high performance works of art.
"I have the utmost respect for the quality and craftsmanship that the Mizuno brand represents," said Robert J. Bettinardi. "Nobody knows more about feel and performance in a golf club than Mizuno, the maker of the world’s finest forgings, so it wasn’t surprising that their design team could immediately understand the clear advantages in feel, consistency, and performance that the Bettinardi milling process provides in putters. I respect the fact that Mizuno will never compromise when it comes to quality, and neither will I, so I believe it’s a perfect fit."
The Mizuno Bettinardi putters will feature two series:
A-Series: The A-Series will launch with two face balanced, Moment of Inertia, mallet-style putters milled from 6061T6 Aluminum Steel. Each A-Series putter features a low, deep Center of Gravity, Bettinardi’s patented Honeycomb Face for consistent ball striking, optimum offset, a unique proprietary sight line, Custom Exotic True Temper double-bend shaft, and a Winn AVS17 grip. The
A-01, available in a right hand model, features a rounded shaped putter head, 3 degrees of loft and a 71 degree lie angle. The A-02, available in left and right handed models, features a unique crown shaped head, 3 degrees of loft and a 71-degree lie angle. A-Series putters will be available in 34" and 35" lengths, and feature an elegant, anodized Storm Gray finish. A-Series putters will be available mid-April at an anticipated retail price of $180.
C-Series: The C-Series will launch with four heel-toe weighted, pocket cavity putters that are 100% precision milled from 11L17 Carbon Steel. The C-Series features a more traditional, recognized head shape, Bettinardi’s patented Honeycomb Face for consistent ball striking, optimum offset, YSC True Temper shaft, and a Winn AVS17 grip. All C-Series putters feature 4 degrees of loft and a 71 degree lie angle. The C-01, available in right hand, features rounded edges on the trailing flange, and a slightly longer, plumber neck for a unique appearance and perspective on the ball. The C-02, available in right hand, features the same rounded trailing flange as the C-01, but with a standard length plumber "slant neck" for improved framing of the ball. The C-03, available in left and right hand, features a standard length, plumber neck and a squared off trailing flange for a very clean appearance. The C-04 , available in right hand, features an over the hosel standard length plumber "slant neck" and a unique rounded "rocker" back flange. C-Series putters will be available in 34" and 35" lengths, and feature a plated satin pearl finish. C-Series putters will be available mid-April at a suggested retail price of $230.
Mizuno USA, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mizuno Corporation, one of the largest specialty sporting goods manufacturers in the world. Mizuno USA, Inc. manufactures and distributes golf, baseball, softball, running, track & field, and volleyball equipment, apparel, and footwear for North America. Mizuno USA, Inc. is based in Norcross, Georgia.
Contact:
Iver Maple
Mizuno USA
(770) 453-7832
Iver.maple@mizunousa.com
