Rife Putter.....sleeper

So after going through a very inconsistent time with my old #9 I decided to experiment in a different direction by testing out the Rife 2-bar hybrid. Face-balanced, nice alignment aids, lie adjustable, roll faced (grooves). I only spent one hour on the practice green today but I can't remember the last time I rolled the ball like that. Very consistent and it took me no time to get the distance down. I'd been struggling with the three to six footers lately and I was dropping them at a very high rate. Rife gave me a 90 day money back guarantee so basically I can test drive this putter for most of the summer and if I'm not completely satisfied I can send it back and they'll donate it to the First Tee program. Really can't go wrong. I know putting is 50% confidence and 50% technique but it really makes a difference when you put the proper tools in your hand. I think these putters are highly overlooked.

I can't wait to hit the course tomorrow.

Thats because you never have Me either, until the other week when I received my Rife Antigua. Hands down the best putter I have ever used. Scotty Cameron Newport 2, Odyssey 2 ball, Ping Anser, Bettinardi, etc... I have owned several very nice putters. This Rife is by far the best. No question about it. Below is a recent thread I put on the forum.... http://thesandtrap.com/forum/showthr...highlight=rife Below is a link to my new best friend... http://rifeputters.com/products/island/26/antigua/ Since we are talking about putting, I am going to share something I found recently. "Instinct Putting" by Eric Alpenfels, Director of Golf Instruction at Pinehurst, co-wrote this book. Fantastic book and I put it to use today. It works!! Basically, you are looking at the cup, rather than the ball when you putt. Sounds weird? I thought so until I started dropping 20 footers. Anyone willing to think outside the box? Read below.... http://thesandtrap.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23865 .

I got a Rife 2-bar hybrid last fall and love it. Had an Odyssey 2-ball before and my putting instantly improved after switching. To me the feel is so much better. I installed an oversized Winn grip before I ever used it only because I like larger putter grips. The stock grip felt good, just too small for me. I do like the new black version a little better but not enough to spend the money to switch. I see myself keeping this putter for a long time.

If I decide to keep it I may do the same with the grip. I also considered the tour version but I was worried about the adjustability of the lie as well as the how the black finish would wear. I actually considered the Barbados but I was really needing the alignment aids(two bar...eyesight deteriorating) as well as having the weight adjustablility.

I too shunned the blue "Rife" Winn grip. Just got a Winn mid-size putter grip in the mail. It is going on this Saturday. The factory grip is just as nice, but I don't like the blue/white colors.

Just traded in my two bar for the Abaco today. Loved the two bar, but i just got tired of bulky mallets. The Abaco is a great look and rolls it nice. What's interesting to me are the grooves. I was trying similar models and it came down to the fact that the ball rolls off the face so much quicker, and when you stroke it, it just is pure. I love the fact that they do not pay people to play them and they have quite a following, that says alot.

I am not a fan of big bulky putters but I'd gotten to the point where I need alot of alignment help (deteriorating eyesight). Lines don't necessarily help my eyes but the 3D effect of the bars is really helping with the alignment. It's funny, I made fun of a friend of mine who bought a big Spider putter. Now he can do the same with me.

I've been gaming the center-shafted 2-bar hybrid mallet for a few weeks and putting much better. Definitely sinking more and scaring the hole more inside 10'. I had read somewhere that for RH-dominant putting stroke (RH player) it's recommended to have center-shaft / face balanced / SBST stroke.

First round with the new 2-bar hybrid: putted well. I three jack one time but that was just a bad decision by me. I drained my very first putt from 22 feet on the first hole for bird. How sweet is that? I made some good savers from three to six feet and my longer putts were getting closer than normal to the hole. Overall, it was a much different putting experience than usual and so far, I'm pleased.

I love my Rife Antigua...

I love my Black Barbados...

But I think putters are like a bad accident waiting to happen. If you hole a few tough putts early on, you get that "new girlfriend" feeling, and everything is sweet. Then you go on a cold stretch, and its back to the garage for something else! I've the Barbados, a Mizuno BC-3 and C-04. Each has its merits... why oh why are we so fickle!

But again, I agree that the Rife line is under-appreciated. Their roll-grove technology puts a good feel on the ball - at least for me...