Could The New Bettinardi Tiki Putter Be Cursed?

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Bettinardi’s annual Tiki limited-edition putter release is always one of my favorites. Some of my adoration comes from the always creative island-inspired visuals. Ultimately, I think I look forward to Tiki releases because they inspire island daydreams.

When I open the box with the new Tiki putter, figurative Hawaiian sand and sunshine spills out, helping me endure this cold, wet January.

In some ways, the Bettinardi Tiki release is like playing the lottery. With the lottery, we know the odds of winning are infinitesimal. Yet, we spend a couple of bucks anyway just for the moments we get to imagine what we would do if we won the jackpot.

Buying a Bettinardi Tiki limited-edition BB1W-LN doesn’t come with a trip to Hawaii, at least not a physical trip.

Mentally, perhaps it does. I see nothing wrong with subconsciously feeling an ocean breeze and listening to the chirps of honeycreepers as you roll balls on the cold concrete in your garage.

The new Bettinardi Tiki features a tiki

Could The New Bettinardi Tiki Putter Be Cursed?

It’s been a while since the Tiki putter actually had a tiki on it. In recent years, we’ve seen mostly animals like orcas, manta rays and tree frogs.

For 2026, Bettinardi went back to basics and put a somewhat menacing tiki on the sole of the Tiki. For the record, his name is Tribal Tiki Man.

Naturally, this little idol made me think of the cursed tiki that Bobby Brady found.

I shared that thought during one of our editorial meetings and one of our younger staff members (let’s just call him “Connor” because that is his name) had no idea about the cursed tiki and how it almost caused Greg to drown while surfing.

“Connor” not getting the reference was a good reminder about how we all start our rides on the wave of life at different times.

Experiences that are canon for some are unknown for others. As such, I’ll include some other amazingly clever tiki references today that may resonate with some of you more recent riders.

Are you going to talk about the actual putter?

Fair point, especially considering there is a whole lot to talk about with the Bettinardi 2026 Tiki. Since I already mentioned the tiki on the bottom, let’s stay with the aesthetic elements.

One of the wildest elements of the 2026 Tiki is its finish. From the top, it is all-business matte brown with a slight blue tint. The teal sight line is a little flashy but nothing distracts you once you get the putter positioned at address.

When you flip the putter over, it’s a whole different story.

On the face and the sole, the putter has a woodgrain TPT finish. You read that right. Bettinardi made this tiki putter look like carved wood. Bettinardi is known for their extensive custom-finish catalog but I think “wood” is new.

On the face, this finish makes the face milling look as if it was carved out of the wood. I suppose milling is a form of carving but the look of this face makes me think “chisel” more than high-speed CNC blade.

Naturally, the face milling is also functional with the removal of material softening up the feel at impact.

The finish on the sole makes the iconic tiki look like it was carved into a log. I dig the tiki but I’m cautious about him. He’s a handsome little guy but there is just a bit of mischief radiating from his expression.

If only there was a catchy ’90s’ alt-rock song that warned us about the dangers of the tiki.

(Yes, I know that is technically still a Brady Bunch reference …)

The 2026 Bettinardi Tiki BB1W-LN build plan

Although the finish and tiki are likely the first things that will jump out at you, there are a couple of putter-themed things worth mentioning.

First of all, the BB1W-LN is a long-neck blade. I love long-neck blades. We don’t see them very often these days but long necks have a rich history on the PGA Tour and special spots in the hearts of many collectors.

The fact that this putter has a long neck probably caused multiple “Buy Now” clicks without those purchasers really even caring about the rest of the putter’s characteristics.

Naturally, the long neck allowed Bettinardi to fit all 10 letters of their name on the neck.

Long-neck putters are scarce because many golf consumers are well versed in how lengthening the neck changes the theoretical insertion point of that shaft into the head. Because of this characteristic, this 303 stainless-steel blade has a nearly face-balanced toe hang.

That’s a lot of jargon, I know. I also know most of you putter freaks understand what I am saying. How many times in the past year or two have we discussed how zero-torque putters are built with either the shaft entering the CG directly or with a novel hosel that lines up the shaft with the center of gravity?

Long necks do the same thing but with a different target.

For the long-neck blade, the extra length of the neck moves the shaft entry line to the middle of the putter face. This makes the putter face-balanced without the need for a far less attractive center-shafted hosel or a pedestrian double-bend shaft.

Long necks look like traditional plumber’s necks at address but have significantly less toe hang. If you need a face-balanced putter but dislike mallets, this is the blade for you.

The neck does bump the weight 10 grams. This BB1W-LN has a head weight of 362 grams with the stock BB1W weighing 352.

There is something happening with this grip

Grips are rarely key story elements with putter releases but the grip on the 2026 Bettinardi Tiki grabbed my attention. When I unboxed the putter, the wild finish and the six-million thread (est.) headcover initially held all of my attention.

When I took the shrink wrap off the bright orange grip and held it for the first time, I forgot about the rest of the putter.

First of all, the material of the grip is very unusual. In some ways, it feels like an Iomic grip. This grip is a little squishier, though, and the material is a bit more translucent.

The grip is also one of the most sticky grips I have encountered. Not like stuff sticks to your hands sticky but more like a Velcro relationship between the grip and your hands.

When I zoomed in on the surface, I could see a chaotic networks of little ridges. I believe this surface pattern is responsible for the softness and stickiness.

However it works, I’m a fan. If it had just a touch more girth, I’d be slapping this grip on a garage-load of putters.

As it turns out, this an orange version of Bettinardi’s new standard grip. There are standard and midsize versions and a bunch of other colors available on the Bettinardi site. Let the re-gripping commence!

The 2026 Bettinardi Tiki BB1W-LN brings no danger, just dreams

Limited-edition putters are always cool but rarely as cool as the 2026 Bettinardi BB1W-LN. From a purely putter-centric standpoint, a long-neck version of the popular BB1W is a unique offering.

Once you add the amazing finish and well-executed tiki elements, this putter becomes exceptional. I appreciate that the top of the putter has such a clean look. The bottom is pure artistry but the top is still about getting balls into the hole.

You might say it is a combination of performance and aesthetics that tiki dreams are made of …

(That one was for you, Connor.)

If you want one of these little idols, head to The Hive on Jan. 13 at 10 a.m. EST. The MSRP is $900. With only 350 available worldwide, I don’t see these lasting very long. Bettinardi will also be releasing other island-themed merch in The Hive that morning as well.