This Mid-Mallet Masterpiece Could Be The Putter You’ve Been Waiting For

Zero-torque putters have well and truly cemented their place on the market, dominating the spotlight as one of the most talked-about equipment trends in golf. But for all their performance benefits, many golfers struggle to adjust to the unconventional-looking, center-shafted designs.

That's why, when I saw the Bettinardi Antidote Hexperimental #7 showcases a new heel-shafted look in a mid-mallet design, I couldn’t wait to take it out on the course and analyse its performance.

Having previously reviewed and absolutely loved the blade-style Bettinardi 2025 Antidote SB1, I was chomping at the bit to see if the limited-run Antidote Hexperimental #7 could deliver that same beautiful feel off the face, in the shape of a more stable mid-mallet design, all in a new-look zero torque aesthetic.

Pulling the Hexperimental #7 out of its magnetic headcover (an absolute must for premium putters in my opinion), the first thing that hits you is that it looks genuinely incredible.

While the SB1 I tested previously featured a bright Diamond Blast and Sapphire Blue finish, the Hexperimental #7 goes down a much darker, stealthier route. Coated in a highly durable, two-tone Black Armor TPT finish, it immediately gives off a premium aura.

It also contrasts sharply with the Distressed Blue accents on the face and sole, showcasing the modern craftsmanship that we’ve come to expect from the best Bettinardi putters.

What really stands out, though, is the profile at address. Setting it down behind the ball, it looks like a classic compact mallet with a modified plumber’s neck. There is a very deliberate rectangular cutout the width of a golf ball behind the face that pushes weight to the perimeter and aids alignment.

But crucially, it will appeal to the eye of golfers who have avoided zero-torque putters because they dislike the look of center-shafted setups, but have always been intrigued by the proposition of the best zero-torque putters.

The real magic of the Hexperimental #7 lies in Bettinardi's patented Simply Balanced technology. Despite looking like a conventional putter at address, the shaft axis is engineered to align perfectly with the putter head's center of gravity (CG), reducing torque and allowing the face to remain square to the putter's path throughout the stroke.

In my testing, I found the head felt remarkably stable through impact and couldn’t help but feel this would be a putter that those with a straighter arc to their stroke would love. That said, I found it takes a few putts to trust that you don't need to manipulate your hands to open and close the face, but once you do, squaring the face feels almost automatic.

In terms of feel, the Hexperimental #7 utilizes Bettinardi’s re-engineered F.I.T. (Feel Impact Technology) Face. While the Antidote SB1 I reviewed removed 55 percent of the face material for a supremely soft impact, the Hexperimental #7 removes 30 percent. The result is a slightly crisper, more responsive audible click off the 303 stainless steel face, while still maintaining that muted, buttery feel.

While I did love how this putter felt through impact and the roll it produced was superb, the overall weight of the putter felt a little light for my liking. This, however, is something you can easily adapt to, and after 9 holes I started to understand the putter even more, and my distance control felt extremely well dialed.

The Hexperimental #7 comes paired with a matte black shaft and a matching Bettinardi Black Hex PU grip that sits wonderfully in the hands and just adds to the overall premium nature of this putter.

At $550 or £549, it firmly occupies the ultra-premium end of the market, but that’s what you’d expect from a limited-run putter. However, if you're a golfer who has been desperate to take advantage of zero-torque forgiveness but couldn't palate the unconventional looks of other models on the market, this beauty could be exactly what you've been looking for.