OFFICIAL FORUM MEMBER REVIEW - EVNROLL PUTTERS

[JBones 1,235]

OFFICIAL EVNROLL PUTTER REVIEW

Fozcycle Stage One Stage Two Stage Three

RevKev Stage One Stage Two Stage Three

Hula Rock Stage One Stage Two Stage Three

BGoergen Stage One Stage Two Stage Three

jlukes Stage One Stage Two Stage Three


Carolina Golfer 2 Stage One Stage Two Stage Three




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[fozcycle 10,730]

 

Evnroll ER6 Putter – Official MGS Forum Review by Fozcycle

 

I am 65 years old, with a 17 – 19 Handicap, play golf every week and have been playing since I was 8 years old. In 1959, the City of Frankfort, Kentucky opened a new city park called Juniper Hills. Located just west of the city, Juniper Hills included a Par 72, 18 Hole rolling terrain golf course. My Grandfather and his buddies joined the club and began playing every week. I was only 8 yrs old, but my Grandfather decided I was old enough to be his caddy. So I began my golfing career pulling a Bagboy cart filled with Powerbilt golf clubs up and down the rolling terrain of Juniper Hills. As a caddy, I learned the rules of golf and how the game was played. My first set of clubs were a hodgepodge set of old hickory shafted clubs. Leftovers from my Grandfathers old clubs. Ones that he took to Africa when he was building a sawmill to harvest mahogany wood to America for office furniture. They carved out some land in the jungle for a 9 hole course and played it for their recreation. Sadly, today I only have the putter left, so it hangs on the wall above my desk at home. I progressed from the hickory clubs to used Powerbilts that were my Grandfather's. At age 10, I got my first set of cleats(steel spikes of course). I felt like I was king of the world when I walked around the clubhouse area going clickety clack, clickety clack. I spent my summers at the club, caddying in the mornings then either hawking lost balls or playing in the hot Summer afternoons. I witnessed a Hole in one at age 13 when one of my friends aced the 140 yard Par 3 #6. When I moved to Florida in 1987, I was a 10 Handicap. Unfortunately, I was either working, or playing with my 4yr old daughter so I did not get much time to retain my handicap and watched it slip to an 18. Fast forward through the years to now, I have been playing with a 6” steel plate, 13 screws & an inch of my left hip bone in my left wrist (ice skating accident in 1998). Because of the injury, my handicap ballooned to the mid 20's for several years, so I moved to graphite irons to reduce as much vibration as possible. I was able to get my handicap back down to 13 for a few months in 2011, but that did not last. For the past several years, I have been bouncing between 17 and 19. My drives usually range from 180 to 210, with an occasional 220 and my 6i is my 150 yard club.

 

• My Bag is as follows: University of Kentucky Team Effort Bucket Bag, Cobra King LTD Driver(Aldila Rogue Black regular set to 11.5*), Cobra F6 Baffler 4W(16*), Cobra Bio Cell 2Hybrid(17.5*), Bombtech 4H(21* regular)Cobra F6 irons 4i-SW(2* flat with Matrix Red Tie regular shaft).

• For the past two years, my bag has carried the following putters:

- Ping Ketsch (mallet)

- Bellum-Winmore 707 (Blade)

- Scotty Cameron Kombi S (mallet)

 

 

I tend toward the mallet style of putter and like the heavier ones, say over 350 grams. My putting is the worst part of my game so I am constantly looking for new ideas. Then the Evnroll putter review became available. What is Evnroll?

 

Here is the Launch interview by GolfPunk Magazine:

 

t's about 5 minutes but provides great insight to Geurin Rife's Evnroll design.

 

My wife called and said I had a delivery on Friday afternoon before Thanksgiving. When I got home, I opened the box to find a shiny new Evnroll putter, made to my specs….ER6, 33”, 2* Loft & 71* Lie.

 

As to how did I get those specs and what happens next, you'll have to wait for Stage Two.

[fozcycle 10,730]

Evnroll Putter – Official MGS Forum Review by Fozcycle

 

Stage Two: Performance

 

Performance @ home & on the Course

• I must say that the Evnroll ER6 putter was gorgeous right from the beginning. The shade of red definitely makes it show against the green grass. The white lines are the width of a golf ball, allowing one to use them easily when lining up your putt.
• I took my stash of putters out(Bellum-Winmore 707 blade, Ping Ketsch mallet & Scotty Cameron Kombi mallet) and spent a couple hours putting on my indoor green. It's just a small 8' green with two raised holes. I took turns with each putter, so I could get the feel for the slight differences. I would keep going back to the Evnroll then take turns going through the others, then back again. I really like the feel off the Evnroll. It was fairly soft using Prov V1's.
• On the Course, I put the Evnroll ER6 in play for three weekends. My putting did not improve immediately. This is not a magical stick. I have “Dry Eye” syndrome which means that I feel like I am looking through a fishbowl when I putt. I cannot get a clear focus on the back of the ball when I am standing over it. That aside, I noticed that the roll was smooth on most putts, especially those over 8 feet. Those putts greater than 15 feet rolled true and much more accurate than when using my other putters.

Course Score: (55 of 60 points)

 

 

Performance Notes

• If you want to know if I was pleased by the performance of the Evnroll ER6, yes, I am very pleased. On days when my eyes are clear to focus the putter is very true.
• My current putter was the Scotty Cameron Kombi. I had just acquired it and only gamed it for a month before the arrival of the Evnroll.
• I especially like how the ball quickly rolls off the clubface rather than jumping. This is due to the 2* face, in place of the standard putter face of 4*. It is my understanding the face of the Evnroll need only be 2* because the grooves are designed to pick up the ball immediately upon impact and begin rolling.

Subjective

 

Looks & Durability

Describe the following:

• The ER6 is quite different than the other Evnroll putters, especially because of the red mallet.
• I do find it somewhat resembling the Ping Ketsch that I also have.

Looks Score: (23 of 25 points)

 

 

Likelihood of Purchase

 

How likely would you be to purchase this accessory?

The purchase price of $359 is a bit steep for my pocket, but I would gather it somehow as this is the best putter I have ever rolled on the green.

LOP Score: (12 of 15 points)

 

 

 

Subjective Notes

 

Besides the roll of the putter, the grip chosen o go with the ER6 is amazing. It is the Winn 1.18 putter grip in a red/white styling that compliments the red putter Head.

 

 

 

Conclusion & Final Score

If you get the chance to roll an Evnroll putter, please do not, because, if you do, you will not wish to roll another putter. It is absolutely the smoothest putting device made.

 

 

Total Score

: (90 of 100)

[fozcycle 10,730]

Stage 3: Follow UP

 

Well, the EVNRoll is still in my bag....I gave it a short vacation recently (one round) then put it back in. I did that for comparison sake and I choose the E6 EVNRoll.

 

Two points: First, the sticker on the shaft is peeling off. It was wrinkled when I got the club and is slowly peeling. Second, I lost the ball marker a few weeks back so I sent them an email. They replied I could order replacements at 1/$5 or 3/$10. Guess I'll get 3.

 

I have never been a great putter, but this putter I can count on, from one course to another, to roll smoothly.

 

Thanks to Guerin Rife. You have designed a terrific putter!

[revkev 21,480]

EVNROLL Putter Review

​By Kevin R. Loughran (RevKev)

 

​​​Stage One -   Meet the Rev.

 

 

Yes I am the Senior Pastor of a Lutheran Church in St. Petersburg, Florida and I have the Sheepskin, online audio sermons, you-tube videos and pictures to prove it.  In the one above I was doing exactly what I'm doing today after writing this review, preparing for a wedding! At 60 years of age with twenty five years in as a minister weddings are always lots of fun for me.

 

Going back in time though to long before the era of video games, smart phones and computers, a time when I was a ten year old boy living in Connecticut I was neither a Pastor nor a Lutheran.  I did however love sports and played them all, baseball, football, basketball and even ice hockey.  That summer a friend of mine found some old golf clubs in the attic and we would regularly go to the school up the street and bang balls.  The next summer his family spent the year abroad because his father, who was a biology prof at Yale, was on loan to a University there.  I suspect that some of you have heard of that school, St. Andrews. 

 

Upon their return my friend Larry was on fire for golf and we began to play for real.  I moved to another town the next year but took a job as a caddy at the local Country Club.  It was hard work but I learned a lot about the game.  The assistant pro would help us out with our swing when there was time and I could play on Mondays whenever I wanted. 

 

Honestly though I was getting better at baseball and even though I would play golf occasionally the next several years late High School and my first two years of college much of free time was devoted to that other sport.  That changed in my junior year of college when a serious bout of mono forced me to avoid any sort of physical contact.  I was still playing my original set of Paul Harney Kroydons but within a month I was breaking 80 regularly even with them.

 

I bought a lovely set of Ram Tour grind irons and PGA Tommy Armor Woods.  I also got some sort of a Ram putter.  I was a very good ball striker but not a very good putter so I didn't really care much about that part of the game.  Unless you belonged to a Country Club greens tended to be shaggy in the 60's and 70's and it was difficult to develop a consistent stroke.  I moved back home to Connecticut in 1979 and soon picked up a Ping putter that I used it until I got a big headed Nicklaus putter the year after he won the '86 Masters.  I gave the Ping to a friend whom I'm happy to report was as adept at throwing it as I was.  I became serviceable enough with the Nicklaus  to get my handicap down to 5, sometimes below that, sometimes a bit higher and then noticeably higher once children came.

 

In 1989 we moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana where I started Seminary.  I was able to play while I was there but not as much as I would have liked and my game slipped until my second year as a Parish Pastor in 1995.  The church that I first served was in a rural community North of Fort Wayne and it was small so once I got the hang of things I had a good deal of free time.  I joined a club and used golf as my outlet.  I got back down to a solid 4 and did quite while in club events.  In my late 30's I wasn't as long as when I had just come off of playing baseball but had developed a very nice short game and my putting moved from being serviceable to solid.  Guys knew me for being able to make par from anywhere a reputation that still follows me around today.

 

We moved to Florida in 2006, the same year that I turned 50.  I played some of my best golf between the ages of 50 and 56 primarily because I could play year round, worked 5 minutes from a course and devoted tons of practice time to my short game as a stress outlet, joined a league that featured individual scoring which meant playing lots of competitive golf, regularly took lessons and got fit for clubs through the bag.  My handicap got down below 2 for an entire season one year and I finished 3rd in the Senior Division of the St Petersburg City Championship. 

 

Once in Florid my putting went from being solid to being borderline great.  It turns out that even though I grew up in the Northern part of the US my putting stroke works much better on grainier Southern grasses.  I picked up a Never Compromise Vodoo Daddy and had it modified at a fitting ten years ago and I have literally only hit putts with one other putter since.  Below is a picture of my bag which includes a G30, Callaway RAZR fit extreme fairways, SLDR hybrids, Wilson C200 irons, SCOR wedges and that old faithful putter thingy:

 

 

My current handicap index is 3.7.  I'm a member of a fine private club called, the Bayou.  The greens there are a brand new strand of Tiff Bermuda, the very same type of grass used at Pinehurst number 2 and just being installed at TPC Sawgrass' Stadium Course.  They are moderately quick, firm and extremely undulating.  The putter that I selected for this test is the ER5.  It immediately struck my eye as a putter that I might like because of the similarity between it and my current putter.  Three putt avoidance is huge at Bayou as is the ability to hole mid length putts.  I will certainly be looking closely at how well I do in these areas with the ER5.

 

 

Here it is above as it arrived at my house two weeks ago.  You'll notice that my hair has changed a bit from that first picture.  Parenting teenagers and running a church with a school of 250 kids and 50 employees will do that to you but I wouldn't trade it for anything.  I've certainly had my putter out to the course a number of times playing with it twice already.  There's lots of stuff to report about those rounds and practice sessions but Bones is telling us that I have to wait which means that you must also. I will tell you that included in what must wait was a personal phone conversation with Guerin Rife himself. Like that birdie on 18 it will be worth coming back just to read about our experiences with him.

 

Until then thanks to EVNROLL and MGS for this great opportunity.  Mr. Rife himself told me that he is "hoping for the Revs blessing on his putter."  We will see......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[revkev 21,480]

​​Stage 2 Review

​​RevKev

 

 

​I think that the reason we have multiple reviewers for these product reviews is that it gives us a variety of approaches.  That's why I believe having stage one be about the reviewer as a player and a person is important.  While we are all different we certainly find other "different' type people who are more similar to us. 

 

​The purpose of that paragraph above was to say that I'm going to approach this review a bit differently.  I will follow the template set by MGS using two numerical score categories, Performance 66 percent and Looks Sound Feel 34 percent followed by a comment on likelihood of purchase.  But I will do that at the very end of the review because its hard for me to separate those categories in a text written about a putter.

 

I'm going to be honest and write here that I'm not a fan of the number grading system for reviewing purposes.  The reality is that when it comes to golf equipment one man's 99.9 might well be another man's F-.  For example if you were to hand me Jason Day's 2 iron I doubt that I could get it off the ground.  Conversely I don't think he'd be too keen on my 5 hybrid even though he'd hit it fine.

 

​So what you'll get below is my take on the EVNroll ER5 to date.  Because its a putter I did not gather data like others might but went based on observations and also on course comments by guys who've played a lot of golf with me.  Here goes, enjoy:

 

 

When MGS first started soliciting testers I would apply for everything offered.  Since then I've become more selective only applying for those pieces of equipment that I felt qualified to comment on or that made sense for my game.  Yes that last phrase seems selfish and it is but if it fits me it will fit others and they will benefit from learning whether or not it performs as anticipated and also whether or not it actually helps.

 

Putter was not in the category of need.  I'm a good to very good putter who is particularly good at holing short putts.  My current gamer has been in the bag for over ten years.  It underwent an over haul when I went for a full bag fitting 5 years ago.  It was cut down and some weight was added to the head bringing that to about 300 grams.  I went from 32 putts per round to  an30 and my handicap index dipped to 1.2 staying right around that number for the entire season.  I turned 55 that year which also means that I moved up a set of tees so that number might be deceptive. Still my putting improved. 

 

Bottom line the EVNroll was going to be in for a battle royal if it wanted to replace my Voodoo Daddy in my bag.

 

 

​As you've no doubt read each of us received a personal phone call from Guerin Rife for a "fitting" prior to selecting our putters.  My call came while sitting beside my daughter's hospital bed in the ER no less.  It was a very welcome distraction from what would become a scary few days.  Mr. Rife was suitably concerned before moving on to the business of selecting a putter.

 

We very quickly agreed that the ER5 was the right fit for me.  My current putter is 32.5" long and he explained that his would need to be 33" to match it because of a counter weight that he uses as a cap.  He was extremely concerned about my dominant eye which is my right eye.  For this reason he determined that I would need 11/2 degrees less loft than standard.  I've used a midsized grip of some sort since my putter fitting and so he recommended a Winn Midsized for my ER5 pictured below:

 

 

During the conversation he talked a lot about the physics behind his new putter line.  The grooves are very important to enlarging the sweet spot on the putter face.  According to Mr. Rife the size of the sweet spot on a traditional putter is about that of a dime and even top players only hit it 2/10 times.  That means that many putts are missed because of distance loss outside the sweet spot on the putter face. This includes players of all ability and skill level.

 

Through his groove technology and weighting in the putter head Rife believes that he has succeeded in creating a hitting scenario where the ball will travel the same distance no matter where it is struck throughout the grooved area.  In fact he told me that at first mishits on the toe would travel farther than center hits.  His design challenge there was to reign that in and get consistency across the club face.  Robot testing has proven that he has done that.  He is hoping that our live people testing will do the same as of course people are not robots.

 

November and December are very busy months for me but I was able to get to the putting green on a number of occasions and have played a handful of rounds already with my ER5.  On the practice green I've struck hundreds of putts with it head to head with my old faithful. 

 

 

The ER5 has a more compact head than the VooDoo Daddy.  It does also have a very different sound and feel.  While some would find it disturbing to me the sound is very much like the old Ping Eye 2.  What is interesting is that sometimes you get the ping, sometimes you don't. 

 

At first it was difficult for me to feel where I had contacted the ball but that changed after a couple of practice sessions and I have no trouble discerning what part of the club the ball is struck on at this point.  There is a very clear white center alignment feature with two small dots on either side.  It is recommended that left to right putts be aligned to the inside line and right to left ones to the outside.  I've been attempting to follow that guideline.  In the first picture of this review I was lining up a right to left breaking putt. 

. 

On the course the putter has performed like a champ.  My course has very large undulating greens.  It is often quite difficult to get the ball on the proper section of a green for a level putt.  My regular playing companions have been extremely impressed by my ability to avoid three putts since this putter has been in my bag.  I have broken 80 in all six rounds that I've played with the ER5 including a round where I did not strike the ball well at all.  Thus far I've been rolling in my normal share of putts inside of 10 feet as well.  So what does all of this mean:

 

​Performance grade is a straight A

 

​I don't know that I would take off any points in this category.  The putter seems to have been built just for me.  Of course it's not magical, I need to make a good stroke but when I do the ball gets rolling quickly and goes where it is aimed, the distance that it is supposed to.  Miss hits become non-factors with this club!!!!!

 

​Looks, Sound, Feel

 

This is a more difficult category for the ER5.  I love the way it looks and also the way that it feels in my hands.  It feels like it was made for me because it was.  In fact this putter is reminding me that everyone who is serious about the game should get fit for their putter more than any other club in the bag.

 

The sound though is a bit of an issue as was the feel off the putter face at first.  I wish that the ping were there on all putts or not there at all.  For me its not even close to a disqualifying factor but it might be for some.  If you are considering this putter you need to be aware of the sound factor.

 

Total Grade - ​95 - solid A

 

​​Likely hood of purchase

 

​This is a more difficult question to answer.  It's clearly worth the $365 price tag as it's designed by a top name in putters and made out of quality components.  The cost is in line with other big name putters. 

 

Frankly the entire experience has been an eye opener for me.  I have about $200 in my current putter - $50 from the bargain basket, $150 for the fitting and tweaks.  If you're serious about golf and recognize that putter is the place to drop some dough I would say that a putter like this one is for you. 

 

I would add that it would be a big mistake to just order without calling and taking advantage of the knowledge of someone at EVNroll before ordering your putter.  Maybe you won't get to chat with Guerin Rife but you will get the proper style and fit. 

 

Likelihood of purchase for me would be very high.

 

​Would you give this putter your blessing?

 

​When we closed our phone conversation Mr. Rife said that he was hoping that I would give his putter my blessing, a clear nod to my profession.  I most certainly do! 

 

Thanks to EVNroll, Mr. Rife and MGS for the opportunity to test the ER5 and write this review.  Merry Christmas everyone and see you in the New Year for a final stage 3 wrap up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[revkev 21,480]

Stage 3 -

 

I just realized that I never did my final follow up.

 

Mr. Rife said he was hoping for my blessing on his putter. From start to finish from customer service to its performance, he's earned it! So here goes:

 

 

I'm Rev Kevin Loughran and the EVNRoll ER5 is officially in my bag having replaced a 10 year place holder and faithful friend.

[Hula Rock 698]

 

 

Introduction

 

Hula_Rock background - I'm a 46 year old, I like to call myself "semi-retired", from the island of Oahu, Hawaii currently living in San Antonio Texas.  I have a sugar mama (a.k.a wife/breadwinner) and a three year old daughter that loves to chase our English bulldog all over the house trying to give it a "Check Up" .  I have been a member of My Golf Spy circa 2012 and had the opportunity to review the 2014 Taylormade TP MC irons and the Bushnell Tour-X laser range finder.  I was stoked to be selected for the EVNRoll putter review!!!!

 

2 weird looking boxes came in ..........

 

 

 

I just checked..... I'm a 5.1 GHIN handicap that's been golfing since the age of 12.  My father introduced me to the game, first hitting shots from the 150 yard marker, moving me back overtime, to the tee box.  I belong to a Country Club just north of San Antonio but find myself playing all over South Texas.  I have been playing SOLID as of late but have an occasional round that drifts into the mid 80's.  Weakness would have to be the Driver, I get too quick and find myself Easter egg hunting on the left side off the fairway.  Strength, by a wide margin, is my short game.  If I were to describe my game:  Middle of the green, 2- putt, Par.

 

 

Driver: Nike Vapor Flex, Diamana S+ stiff

3-Metal: Nike Vapor , Diamana S+ stiff 

5-Metal: Nike Covert Tour, KK Silver stiff

Irons:  Z-545 3-PW, DG S300

Wedges:  CG RTX-3 Black Satin 52  Tour Raw 56 - 60

Putter:  TPA Tour Prototype XVIII

Winter Ball:  K-Sigs

Range Finder:  Bushnell Tour-X

 

I have been a Nike Guy for a long time, Sling Shot days. I would rarely drink other flavors of cool aid but always found myself back to a bag full of Nike woods and irons.  (Some of the influence came from connections to Nike Golf)  boy am I going to miss some of those guys.  The newest additions to the bag are the Srixon Z-545 irons and CG RTX-3 wedges.  I did also "stray" and bought the Sun Mountain 4.5 LS 14 way stand bag!!!!

 

 

 

TPA XVIII  -vs   ER5

 

I currently game a TPA XVIII Tour Prototype by Tee McCabe.  Selecting a putter, to me at least, is personal.  You can read/do all the test in the world but if you do not like: How it feels, how it looks, etc. its not going in my bag.  Just because it did well in a test, OR, Joe Smoe on tour is playing it, it doesn't mean diddly squat that it's the right putter for "ME".  This is going to be an interesting test between the TPA and ER-5, it's going to take A LOT for the ER-5 to earn a spot in my bag....

 

 

 

 

First impressions:  Let's not beat around the bush, Odyssey #7 is the first thing I thought of.  The ER-5 screams QUALITY the first time you make Ghost Putts with it in your living room; I couldn't wait to get this thing on the course tomorrow afternoon.  Review to Follow!

 

 

 

SPOILER ALERT:  #BUCKETS!

 

[Hula Rock 698]

STAGE 2

 

First, “Mahalo” to MyGolfSpy and EVNroll putters for this AWSOME opportunity.  I just got back from my yearly holiday trip to Hawai'i so please excuse the tardiness….

 

 

 

The Flat Stick.  I'm going to start this off by revealing a little bit of information about me and putting.  I have always been a good putter until I moved from Virginia Beach, Virginia to San Antonio, Texas.  The transition from Bentgrass  greens to Bermuda was an uphill battle, I kept leaving every putt short.  It did not matter if it was from 5,10,15,20,50 feet.  I also struggled with reading breaks in Bermuda., over read them by a mile.  It took me almost 6 months of constant rounds and daily trips to the putting green during lunch in order to get my putting game back in order.

 

This all started with a missed call.  I saw a 321 area code, did not recognize the number, “Telemarketer” and I went on with my day.  I couple hours later, I checked my voicemail only to find out it was the man himself, Mr. Guerin Rife.  When we finally got to chat later on in the evening, we discussed putter design, my putting style,  the Rife putters that I own (2-Bar and Barbados) which lead him to ask me “what putter do you putt with now?”, “TPA” I reply.  After a nice discussion about Terry and Tee McCabe we used my blueprint from my TPA and spec'd it to a EVNroll ER-5.

 

 

SPECS:

 

Model :  EVNroll ER-5

Shaft Length:  35 inches

Head weight:  355 Grams

Resting point:  71.00 degrees

Face Loft:  3.25 degrees.

Grip:  Custom Winn ProX 1.18

 

 

Its on like Donkey Kong.   Im going to put the ER5 through its paces and see if it can earn a permanent slot in my golf bag.  My current gamer is a ProtoType TPA XIII, this putter is DEADLY.  Ever since I bagged the TPA a couple of years ago, nothing has come close to replacing it.

 

 

Looks/ First Impressions:

 

When I found out I was selected for this review I wanted to do some homework.  You name it, dozens of YouTube videos, Golf Blogs, websites,  I wanted to find out more.  The more I found out, the more eager I became, I wanted to see if this thing was the real deal.  Everything I read, watched and heard said it was.

 

 

 

 

Question:  what is one word that best describes your first impression of this putter?

 

Answer: “ ClassicModernSexyQualitySleekAmazingSolid”

 

Catch my drift? It is Impossible to summarize this putter in one word.  The question is, does it perform as well as it looks.

 

Feel:

 

Something I forgot to mention above is that the shape reminded me of the Odessey #7.  The head is a little small on the ER5 which was evident when I first addressed the golf ball on the practice green.  The feeling off the face was kind of surprising, solid but soft.  Hard to explain but it felt like the ball stayed on the face a fraction longer on impact.  Was it the groove technology coming into play?  The real surprise was the sound at impact which was unexpected.  While testing longer putts from 15 feet or more, a noticeable “ding” can be heard.  I am not talking Ping floating face slot sound loud, but there is a noticeable difference in acoustics with longer putts.

 

 

Practice green performance

 

I spend a lot of time practicing my short game, usually 3-4 days a week and at least an hour or so on the putting green.  The  Pro at my course teaches the Mike Malaska principles of putting which actually saved me some strokes on the score card when it comes to aligning a putt. On the putting green I have a routine:  5 feet, 10 feet and 20 feet.  I did test longer putts but anything longer than 30 feet plus is just a lag putt for me.  2 putt pars is the name of the game in my book at greater ranges.

 

I secured a portion of the practice green which was relatively flat, it is used for putting lessons.   My test was simple, take ER-5 out of bag, start putting:

 

TEST BALL:  K-SIG 

 

5 feet 

 

 

10 feet 

 

20 Feet

 

To be honest there was no surprise with the results.  Subconsciously if that is the right word to use, I did notice more, end over end roll, the sign of a perfectly well struck putt.  Another take away from the putting green was putts greater  than 45”ish” feet.  The first few putts where way short and left. Of the ten I sent downrange only three were at “gimmie” range, with only 1 ball finding its home.

 

 

 

On course performance

 

My first round was very interesting.  New putter, TPC  San Antonio Canyons Course, let the slaughter begin, so I thought.  I have never, ever, ever, bagged a brand new putter and adjusted “Just like that”.   I don't know what it was, I was making everything or at the very least I was leaving my putts for par in tap-in range.  It was the first time I put a new putter into play and hit sub-30 putts per round.

 

Over the next few weeks and rounds the transition from my TPA to the ER-5 was seamless.  The only encounter that I had was with really fast greens, more the Indian, than the Arrow.   I struggled to put approach shots in the right place on the green leaving myself super slick putts above the hole.

 

Overall I am really impressed with the ER-5. I have seen a great improvement with putting dispersion.  Putts that I thought were going to be way short ended up closer to the hole.

 

 

 

Overall Review Score:  EAGLE

 

Likelihood of purchase

 

I don't know if you guys and gals have noticed,  EVNROLL is all over the place:  BLOGS, YOUTUBE, TOUR STOPS, TWITTER, etc.   Even more impressive, Mr. Rife , can be seen in majority of the videos , blogs, tour stops, etc.  He is blazing the national sales route like a first year equipment rep, which I respect. He has paid his dues long time ago.  To get to the point,  Likelihood of Purchase ? 100% YES,  The man is a LEGEND in the golf industry, owning one of his putters from the EVNroll is a must for your putter collection.........and YOUR GAME !!!!!

 

The ER-5 has replaced my TPA XVIII Tour Protoype 

 

 

I will have a ER-7 when it is released 

[Hula Rock 698]

Stage 3 - Reserved

[BGoergen 30]

EVNROLL ER2 Putter review.  My name is Ben Goergen, I am a business owner and father of 2 kids, one of which I have taught golf this year, the other only likes to chase butterflies and make sand angles in the bunkers.   I hail from the Big Island of Hawaii but got lost in life and currently live in Bismarck ND.  Bismarck is a great town and minus the winters I really like it here.  The golf courses are actually great for the size of the town though a little expensive given the lack of competition.  With a little drive we have a nice collection of really high quality courses within reach.  I don't get to play as much as I would like but try to make it a priority in any free time I do have and given that I have become quite a golf snob.  This year I only played 16 rounds on a total of 8 different courses but 7 of those 8 courses appear on the Golf Digest Top 100 Public Courses in the US.  If I can only play limited rounds I am going to make them count.  "Home" course is Hawktree Golf Club, par 72, 7051 yards and 75.1 course rating from the tips. 

 

       My father started bringing me out with him when I was about 6 and I had a grandfather that would keep me in the game from then until I grew up a little.  I am self taught and never had one lesson.  Would like to get a couple lessons one day.  I didn't play in high school because I played baseball but I did play two years of college golf.  I have been as low as a 1.2 hdcp but currently play closer to 6.  No range sessions and limited rounds will do that.  Golf is my greatest passion and would love to design golf courses for a living but don't really see that happening.  I love nature and being outside and I am of the opinion that a properly built course enhances the beauty of what God already created.  They can be so stunning.  

 

 

Now for the important stuff.  My golf game struggles with consistency in ball striking mostly.  My short game is always solid and when I play more it gets really good.  I chip in nearly once a round, get most chips within 5 feet and make a good amount of those.  If I can start hitting more greens with my putting being solid, I think the score would really drop.  Where I struggle most is off the tee and my iron play is down right awful the last couple years.  I hit the ball a long ways, Driver swing speed is about 118 to 120.  Carry distance is about 285.  I have literally no idea where it may go though so I currently don't "play" a driver.  I hit a 3 wood about 265 and have been hitting about 10-12 fairways. When I do miss fairways it isn't by much and I almost never lose a ball off the tee as opposed to losing 2-4 off the tee with driver.  My hybrid and long irons off tees are really good but from the fairway hitting into greens I just don't hit good shots.  I don't miss by miles or chunk or blade shots but I do everything else.  Hit one short, the next long, the next right and the next two left.  Just don't give myself many birdie chances.  I can go bogey, bogey without hitting an awful shot but then hit a 230 yard 3 iron to 6 feet the next hole.  Just really inconsistent ball striking.  I can scramble but no matter how good your short game is you will make a couple bogeys and that forces you to hole big putts or make birdies to get those back.  Hence I usually shoot 80 give or take a stroke.  The courses I play are all around that 75 course rating.  This spring, I will be getting a full bag fitting and making my club set for the coming years.  I really don't buy into the media hype, I play what I want regardless of name and I never spend the inflated prices to be the first to have something.  

 

My current bag is 

Titleist 905S Driver, Fujikura Speeder x-stiff 43.5" (Just got it, haven't hit it yet, in the bag but headcover hasn't come off yet)  Got it for $20 in Mint condition.  Went all season without a driver.   

Callaway Razr Xtreme 3 wood.  Fujikura Tour Spec 41" (favorite club by a mile) $30 mint condition

Titleist 712U 3 and 4 iron (KBS Tour x-stiff) -3/4"

Titleist 712MB 5-PW (KBS Tour x-stiff) -3/4"      Irons need to go for something more forgiving

Inazone 52, 56, 60 wedges (custom heads I bought and built myself, actually love them.  Rifle Spinner shafts)

Putter is Rife Legend Z with Superstroke 2.0 grip.  I bored out weight holes and filled them with Tungsten Powder and then put a 60 gram Tungsten plug in the end of shaft under the grip.   

Bag is a Tour Edge Exotics, really like it, tons of features and sturdy but not too heavy.

Currently playing Chrome Soft ball but will be trying out the Kirkland ball as well as the Snell My Tour.

 

I worked for a Custom club fitter for a while doing assembly and repairs so I can tinker but as you know, without getting a true fitting it really doesn't matter what you build for yourself.  I intend to get to a place and get a full bag fitting and ball to try to maximize what I get out of my game.  As far as putters go and really golf clubs in general, I like clean lines, I don't what to look down and see a Transformer at the end of the shaft.  I just can't get confident looking down at big fat ugly and space age looking clubs.  That is why I play blades and I could do it when I was in college but playing so infrequently I need something more forgiving so I will have to switch.  Generally though a clean look gives me confidence so I try to go that route.  I used to play #9 style heads, I had a Snake Eyes platinum that my dad stole from me after a hot putter day on the course for him with it.  So I replaced it with a Rife #9 style putter that a buddy of mine bought from after a hot putter round.  I then after some research bought a Rife Legend Z and then customized it.  I actually hate the look but completely love the feel and performance of it.  I played my first 11 rounds using it without a 3 putt.  I still have only had about 4 or 5 3 putts in maybe 24 rounds with that putter.  Very easy to control distance and pretty point and shoot.  The feel and roll a Rife putter puts on the ball for me has always impressed both me and the people I play with.  They roll so pure off the putter face that if I don't make the putt, you don't know it until the very end.  Every putt has a chance.  After speaking with Mr. Rife I have a little more insight into why that is......and it doesn't make me feel better about my putting game but I will save that for Stage 2.

 

Mr Guerin Rife called us to talk us through choosing a putter and then a basic fitting process.  I being the curious tinkerer, picked his brain and found myself in DEEP water almost immediately.  To speak to the people that are behind the design of these tools is eye opening.  They know so much and he was very gracious answering my questions.  I will give you some of the highlights of that conversation as I give you the review in Stage 2......Stay Tuned....you won't want to miss!!

 

 

 

[BGoergen 30]

Stage 2 

 

 

Now for the meat and potatoes.  Does it work?

 

I have always been very skeptical by nature of the high cost/outrageous claims of golf clubs, especially so in putters.  I can easily see a driver being more forgiving or longer.  I can see woods and hybrids launch balls higher, cut through rough and go further.  I can see wedges putting spin on balls and holding greens.  I can't see technology in putters doing anything for you to help lower scores.......UNTIL NOW!!!

 

When I saw the announcement for the testers wanted, I immediately applied for two reasons, 1) I wanted to prove or disprove so called putter technology.  I think paying $300+ for a putter is absurd by the way.  2) I have owned multiple Rife putters and really do like the way they roll the ball and have come to be known in my golf circle for well above average putting given my hdcp.  I must read greens pretty well and every putt seems to have a chance at going in and I very rarely 3 putt. That being said, I don't hole as much as I think I should for how many quality putts I hit on hole-able putts.  So seeing a Rife designed putter come up with some new technology, it was a perfect fit for me.  

 

The call came from Mr Rife himself a few days later to interview me for a fitting.  Wasn't sure how well you can fit someone for a putter over the phone but after talking to him about his experience, design history and track record, I didn't need anymore convincing that he has probably forgotten more about golf than I will ever know.  You can tell within minutes you are in deep water talking golf with a guy that has been designing putters longer than I have been alive.  He explained the groove technology and how it benefits the average golfer, he explained the difference in strokes and why some putters are better for others and since I counterbalance my putters he went through why it is I like it so much and why it helps me with short putts so much.  All cool information to have.  I knew I loved CB in putters and why I thought I loved it but it was cool to have him back me up on my perceptions. We will get back to that.  

 

Once the fitting part started, his first question was what putter I wanted.  I saw the styles in terms of performance so I asked him which one is the most idiot proof as that is what I would need.  His opinion/position was that the ER6 is the most accurate though in MGS test, the ER2 was most accurate.  I went with the ER2 as I do prefer the cleaner and classier look.  I see it has a bit of a stretched out anser style putter.

 

 

 

I was on the road when he called so I couldn't write down my specs but what I remember is this.  We established I am left eye dominant which I didn't know mattered and also established I do not forward press very much.  Certainly not Phil style.  Based off that I believe he gave me a 1* loft putter.  We made the length 34" and then stock build is with the Winn Pro 1.18 grip which I already use and then a 30 gram counterbalance weight that gets placed 1/2" down from end of grip.  I actually use a heavier counterbalance weight but this one actually feels great so that was nice.  Mr Rife told me that 30 grams is a good weight for a counter balance weight, anything over that is someone excessive and alters swing weight.  

 

 

Performance 

 

The day it arrived I took it out for a little putting green time.  The first thing I noticed was the feel.  Now feel to me is totally subjective but I will say at first it felt very different to me which is odd as the putter I was using was a rife as well so I expected similar feel.  The head itself in my opinion is buttery soft.  I first thought too soft but later realized that was not the case.  I did my normal pre round routine, I do around the world putting a ball from each "hour" on the clock from about 3 feet, 5 feet and 10 feet.  I noticed a lot of putts going in but I also noticed something about the feel.  So I said it was weird but that "weird" feeling turned to a dislike for a while until I realized what I was feeling.  The technology in EVNROLL putters is designed to reduce "miss" hit loss in direction and distance.  How that translated for me was weird.  The more I did it I realized what I was feeling was the actual technology in action.  I started to purposely miss hit putts to see how they were affected.  What I found is that though they felt terrible, they didn't react terrible.  I was hitting putts that felt like the equivalent of a bladed iron or fat wedge and yet they rolled online and ended within inches of the hole or in the bottom of the cup.  His technology is designed to produce a steady roll across the face of the putter so that a miss hit doesn't end up short and left or short and right.  What I got in this putter was the feedback we desire so that we know if we hit it good or bad but without the poor shot quality.  I still immediately knew I hit a terrible putt, made a terrible stroke at the ball yet the putt had a chance at going in the hole way.  What I saw was actual technology that overcomes my flaws. 

 

For testing in the spirit of MGS, I did a data test against my current putter.  I putted twelve balls placed at each hour position on a clock with both putters.  I did this from 3' 4' 5' 6' 8' 10' 12' and 15'.  That is 96 balls with each putter.  My results were eye opening.

 

 

Current putter: Rife Legend Z(modified with tungsten powder in head, 60 gram counterbalance under Winn Pro 1.18 grip.   

 

Current putter made putts from each distance.  

 

3'= 11 of 12                  

4'= 9 of 12

5'= 9 of 12

6'= 7 of 12

8'= 6 of 12

10'= 6 of 12

12'= 4 of 12

15'= 4 of 12

 

EVNROLL ER2

 

3'= 12 of 12

4'= 11 of 12

5'= 10 of 12

6'= 8 of 12

8'= 9 of 12

10'= 6 of 12

12'= 4 of 12

 

15'= 6 of 12       10 more 1 putts.   about an 11% decrease in total putts.  

 

Total performance is really surprising to me.  The technology present in the grooves produces such a true roll that the confidence you have standing over the ball completely changes your outlook on putting.  The 6 and 8 footers you wanted to make sure you didn't 3 putt, are now the make-able putts you are looking to lower your score with.  15 footers are tracking right to the very end.  I can't tell you how many of the missed putts with the EVNROLL were lip-outs.  Every putt I hit with it had at least a shadow over the hole.  Unless I completely misread the putt from the get go, all 96 putts had a legit shot at going in with a foot to go.  I didn't track miss distance but it was easy to see the ER2 putts were closer on misses. The roll it puts on a ball is second to none. I would love to see more slow motion videos of it hitting putts to see just how much faster it gets the ball rolling.  It feels noticeably faster and smoother.  

Total performance (58-60)

 

Looks and feel (25 out of 25)

It looks so clean and classy, nothing distracting, alignment aids are perfect size and color.  The head sets up nice and square.  The feel as I mentioned at first was a turnoff to me but as I got used to the putter and was able to translate the feel and results, I realized I was feeling a terrible putt on my part but getting great results for how bad I struck the ball.   To have groove and roll technology that is so good it gives you the feedback without the poor results is the only real breakthrough I can see in the putter industry.  Needless to say I am excited to see what this thing will do in the spring.  

 

Likelihood of purchase. (13 out of 15)

The hole up for me is whether being a casual golfer like me wants to pay $340 for a putter.  I am pretty tight with my money so maybe not today and I wouldn't get my money back because I don't really gamble or play tournaments.  That being said, if I have every hit a club worth dropping a premium on, this is it.  I shaved 10 strokes off my 96 putts, which translates to roughly 3 or 4 rounds of golf worth of putts for the average Joe.  That means about 2.5 to 3.3 putts per 18 holes.  To be able to buy that, I don't know another area you can do that in a golf bag.

 

Final thoughts.  

 

I really didn't think a putter could do anything for you.  I thought a putter was all about what you like the feel and look of and the rest was in your ability to make a good stroke and read greens.  Boy was I wrong.  Within a couple putts, you can tell that the technology in this putter can help your game today.  The truest roll a putter can put on the ball of any putter I have ever felt.  Anyone in the market should be at minimum having a nice long demo with one of these.  The hype is real with this one!!

[BGoergen 30]

Stage 3 - Reserved 

[jlukes 12,520]

My name is Joe and I am from Central Jersey.  I have been playing golf for about 20 years (since I was 12) and I am about a 4.5 handicap at the moment.  I started hitting balls when I was much younger - my grandfather cut down an old 9 iron and 5 wood and gave them to me so I could hit balls in my backyard.  I remember my first 9 holes being when I was about 11 years old - I shot 63 with my dad.  I starting playing in County tournaments when I was about 13 years old and played varsity golf in High School.  My first job when I was at the local driving range/mini golf, and all through High School I worked at golf course taking care of the carts, running bags, and eventually became the starter.  I have always enjoyed being around the game of golf in any capacity and I have found that it is truly a game for life.

 

When it comes to my golf game, I would say I have quite a few strengths.  I am a long hitter (Carry my driver > 265 yards), I have a good wedge game, and I am a fairly decent putter.  Time is my enemy when it comes to golf; not being able to practice and play as much as I'd like (more than once a week or so) prevents me from being consistent.  I have rounds where I am pounding it off the tee, but I can't hit a GIR, and then I have rounds where I am a little wonky off the tee, but my short game saves me.  Everything finally came together for me last month when I shot a personal best of -1 71, beating my previous best of +2 74.  I enjoy playing golf year round, even in the cold so long as it is not windy.  I have a 12 foot birdie ball green set up where I putt on almost daily and with my first baby due in just a few weeks, I know that I will be using my putting green a ton this winter.  I am the type of golfer that can be extremely competitive, but I also love fun, no-pressure rounds with my buddies.  A lof of the guys I golf with are not as good as me, but I do not care in the least.  I enjoy playing with all skill levels and I have no problem giving advice and helping someone with their game if asked (and only if asked).  I enjoy walking the course as much as possible and nothing frustrates me more than long rounds.  I see no reason why an average round should take over 4 hours, no matter what the golfers' skill levels are.

 

As for my gear, here is what I am using:

 

Bag:

Sun Mountain 3.5LS - I was lucky to have tested this bag for MGS and it is everything I would want in a carry bag.  It is light, comfortable, yet still has ample room for all of my clubs and any accessories or clothing I might store.

 

Driver:

TaylorMade M1 (10.5, Fujikura Pro 60) - I was fit into this driver at my local range right around launch and it has been a love affair ever since.  I am hitting the longest, straightest drives I have ever hit in my life.

 

Fairway/Hybrid:

TaylorMade M2 15* FW/TaylorMade M2 19* H - I had demoed these clubs several times and was in love (especially with the fairway wood).  I got lucky to play in a fantastic outing where I was able to come away with both of these clubs!  The fairway wood is the longest, easiest launching fairway wood I have ever hit.  I used to play a 4W (16.5 to 17.5 degrees of loft) simply because it was easier to hit off the fairway.  With the M2, I was able to drop down to 15* and still have no problem elevating the ball off the deck.

 

Irons:

Srixon 545 (4-PW, DG SL S300) - Simply put: My pride and joy.  I have been gaming them for two years now and they are absolutely everything I would ever want in irons.  They look amazing, they are forgiving, they give me good distance, and they feel fantastic.  I got fit into the shafts this summer and it only made these irons better for my game.  These will stay in my bag until the grooves are gone.

 

Wedges:

Titleist Vokey SM6 (49, 54, 60) - I had been kicking around a few different wedge brands but finally settled on the SM6's.  They feel fantastic, they are versatile around the greens, and most importantly they give me fantastic distance gaps and control into the greens from anything under 125 yards out.

 

My current putter rotates more than I would like - mainly because I just haven't found the one.  In the last year I have gamed the following:

TaylorMade Spider Limited

Scotty Cameron Newport (2011)

Ping Karsten Anser 2 TR

Odyssey Metal X Milled #9

 

Generally I have stuck with smaller heads, but the Spider Limited was a putter I won in an outing and I was extreme intrigued by the higher MOI concept of it.  I did enjoy some success, but I ultimately decided that I liked a more traditional look and the putter simply did not fit my game.  Anser style putters have always been a staple in my bag - classic shape and really no bells and whistles.  My Scotty was a wedding gift from my wife, while the PING was a purchase made after loving the roll my buddy's putter put on the ball.  The Odyssey #9 has always been an attractive shape to me, so I enjoy taking the MXM out on the course every once in awhile, even though it may not give me the most consistent results.  I guess you can say I have just been looking for “the one” for the past few years.  I would love to find that putter that stays in the bag through thick and thin.

 

When it comes to deciding on a putter, the first thing that the putter has to do is be aesthetically pleasing to my eye.  I enjoy playing golf partly because I enjoy playing certain clubs.  If I cannot enjoy looking down at my putter, then I am not going to enjoy my round and the putter won't stay in the bag long.  Another thing I look for in a putter is distance control.  If I pick up a putter and can gain a feel for it relatively quickly, then that is a huge plus.  Everyone knows that distance control is the single most important characteristic of putting, so a putter has to check that box in order to make it into my back.  Lastly, a putter has to feel good off the face.  Some say it is sound, some say it is feel, but whatever it is, you know it when you strike the ball.  The ball comes off nice and starts rolling almost immediately.
 

In terms of my putting, it was never really consistent until two years ago when, at the advice of a friend, I picked up Dave Stockton's Unconscious Putting.  This book really helped me simplify my putting stroke and take the mechanics out of my short game.  Now I find my line and simply focus on rolling the ball on the line.  I always like to pinpoint the spot on the hole where I want the ball to enter and visualize the ball going in the cup.  I do not make any practice swings while next to the ball, only from behind the ball while facing my target, and once I address the ball I think about my line and put a nice roll on the ball.  I would say I average about 30 putts per round and I very rarely 3 putt.  If I three putt twice in a round, that is a lot for me.  When I do three putt, it is generally because I misread a long first putt that put me outside of 6 feet for my second putt.  Part of the reason my putts per round is that low is because I when I miss a GIR, it isn't by much, so I am often putting from the fringe or have a chip/pitch that gets me close enough for a 1-putt.  I am great at scrambling, and when I score well, it is because I am getting up and down around the greens.

 

Now that you got to know me, it is time to get a sneak peak at the putter I will be reviewing.  As part of the process, we were all fit (via telephone) by Mr. Guerin Rife himself.  You will have to wait until Stage 2 to hear more about that, but I was fit into the ER2 putter.  It arrived just 3 days after I spoke with Mr. Rife and I have been putting it through the paces ever since.

 

 

[jlukes 12,520]

jlukes's Stage 2 Review

 

 

When I first got the private message about being selected to test an Evnroll putter, I was a bit confused.  The message from the MGS staff asked for my name, email address and my phone number; no mention of what model I would be testing and any specific specs that I might require.  What we learned soon after was that this was intentional, because Guerin Rife himself would be calling each one of us to give us an over the phone putter fitting!  

 

When Mr. Rife called me, I was floored.  He started by introducing himself, giving a background on his company, and then going into the technology behind the Evnroll line of putters.  He then asked me what type of putter I traditionally enjoy using.  I told him that I usually am an Anser-head guy, but lately I have been looking for something that gives me a traditional look, but offers a little more MOI/stability.  He immediately recommended the ER2 as being the head type for me.

 

He then asked me what length I usually preferred, and I said that I like my putters around 34 inches, so he said that would work, and he would go with the 370g head.  He also mentioned that the putter would have a 30g weight in the butt of the shaft for counterbalancing.  We then got into loft and lie and this is where I was really impressed.  I mentioned that I tended to gravitate to the Ping Karsten Anser 2 I had, more so than the the Scotty Newport I have because the Ping allowed me to hands a little lower and keep my eyes inside the ball.  Mr. Rife then mentioned that Scotty believes in more upright putters, which is why his putters are typically stock 73*, while the Pings are 70-71*.  He recommended that I go with a lie angle of 71*, at it would allow me to keep my eye inside the ball and my hands a little lower, all while keeping the sole of the putter flat across the ground (keeping the toe out of the air).  He then asked me if I forward pressed and which eye was dominant for me.  I replied by telling him that I am right-eye dominant, and that I do not forward press.  He said that because of those two things, that I likely have my hands slightly behind the ball (which would add loft to the putter), and therefore I should have about 1* of loft on my putter - and 1* we went with.  Lastly, he asked me about the grip.  He mentioned that the stock grip was an Evnroll-branded Winn 1.18X, but there was also a normal-sized grip available.  I told him that the Winn grip was my favorite putter grip, so it was a no brainer to go with it here.  What is nice about the counterbalancing of the putter is that it is built into the shaft, so a golf could change the grip without worrying about disturbing the counterbalancing weight.

 

When the putter arrived mere days after speaking with Guerin Rife, I could not wait to put it to work.  The weather in the Northeast is hit or miss this time of year, but I have 15 ft BirdieBall putting green in my living room that was made for putter testing!  Over the last month I have hit over 100 putts a day (some days more than 500) while testing the my Evnroll ER2 and results have been great.  I also got a few rounds of golf in with the putter in the bag, and while the greens aren't in the most optimal condition this time of year, I was still able to gather some thoughts from those rounds.

 

 

Performance

 

The first thing I noticed was how -- solid - the putter felt; not referring to the feeling of hitting the ball with it, but the actual feel of the putter in the hand.  I have traditionally gamed putters in the 345g to 355g range with no counterbalancing, so the ER2 being 370g with a 30g counterbalance lended itself to a different feel throughout the putting stroke.  The weighting of the putter felt spot on, as it seemed to almost swing itself, especially on the shorter putts.  The additional weight also forced me to activate the larger muscles in my arms rather than the smaller twitch muscles - this led to less wrist breaking throughout my stroke and just a more consistent stroke overall.  I didn't feel like I needed to guide the putter through the ball like I did with some lighter putters - the head just flowed through the zone.  

 

When I began hitting putts with it, the first thing I noticed was the ball seemed to be rolling really well.  I know, it sounds crazy, but I just felt like the ER2 was putting a better roll on the ball than my Scotty.  But this is MyGolfSpy - I can't just say something like that in my review and have nothing to back it up.  Luckily my Nexus 6P shoots in 240 Frames Per Second and allowed me to see if what I was feeling was actually happening.   Sure enough, it was.

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNsq-f3iL84

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGUsPYw3aY0

 

It was only a 12 foot putt, so I wasn't even making that big of a stroke, but the footage shows the ER2 launching through the air less than the Scotty and rolling almost immediately, while the Scotty spends more time in the air and bounces a slight bit before actually beginning to roll.  These results would only be more obvious on longer putts requiring a more powerful stroke.  The reason for the better roll of the ER2 is two-fold.  One is because of the fitting.  Less loft on the putter face means lower launch.  Now I couldn't measure what the effective loft of each putter face was (meaning how much loft I was applying with my hands in addition to the natural loft of the face), but I am almost certain, based on the video, that the ER2 is less (ER2 is 1* of loft vs 3* on the Scotty).  The other reason for the better roll from the ER2 is the grooves.  The Scotty has a simply light milling pattern on the face, which does nothing but aid sound/feel of the putter, while the parabolic grooves on the ER2 help with distance control, accuracy, AND promoting a forward roll.

 

On the course, the more consistent roll I was getting was definitely helping with my distance control.  Even though the winter greens were a little shaggy and bumpy, I did notice that I didn't have any odd “jumpers” where the ball took forever to start rolling.  For the most part, the ball started rolling extremely fast and any bumping or bouncing came from the sub-optimal conditions and not from the strike.  

 

Unfortunately I am not a robot, so being able to test the claims regarding the precise distance control of strikes on the toe vs center vs heel was simply not possible.  What I can comment on is the feel on different strikes and what I did notice was a consistent feel across the face of the putter.  On a lot a putters, much like with a iron or driver, you can feel when you hit the center of the club face and you know that that ball is going to go further than when you don't hit the center.  That feeling of having a “hotspot” in the middle of the putter just simply isn't there with the ER2 and that is a good thing.  The wider grooves in the center of the face mean less surface area for contact, which results in slightly lower ball speeds, and then the grooves get progressively closer together as you get away from the center, increasing surface area for contact.  This varying surface area is what allows center strikes to have similar speed and travel similar distances at strikes that come off closer to the heel or toe.  Again, I am not a robot, so I cannot put exact numbers to prove this, but I saw (and felt) the results for myself.  Even when purposely lining the ball off the heel or the toe, I did not see results that differed from when I lined the ball up in the center of the face.  With my Scotty, strikes near the heel and the toe provided much different sounds, while center strikes felt great and more “hot” coming off the face.  I would guess that if I was able to duplicate stroke speed, I would see faster ball-speeds coming off the center of my Scotty and slower speeds coming off the heel/toe, while I would see more consistent ball speeds across the face of the ER2.

 

On the course, the shorter putts felt great and natural.  The alignment aid is easy to line up and the putter flows through the zone nicely.  On longer putts, it definitely took some getting used to.  I have never game a putter of this weight, or that was counterbalanced, and the lag putting provided me with the biggest learning curve.  Thankfully, after my first round with it I was able to spend some time on the prace green where I was able to hit about 100 putts from 30-50 feet and get a much better feel for how to stroke the longer putts with the ER2.  Once I got the stroke dialed in, it became natural and there was no further adjustments needed.

 

In terms of performance, the putter exceeded my expectations in terms of how the technology delivered, but the weighting may not be for everyone.

 

Performance Score: 55 (out of 60)

 

Looks & Durability

 

 

 

 

 

The Evnroll ER2 just looks and feels like a premium putter.  The head is a grey satin with white alignment line on the flange.  The red Evnroll logo on the face is very clean looking, as is the EVNROLL in the back cavity of the putter.  The sole of the putter is polished and features red, white, and gold paintfil.  The lines of the putter are very inviting and creates a nice flow throughout the putter.  

 

The headcover is magnetic (NOT VELCRO!) and fits snugly over the ER2.  The headcover definitely screams “premium” as well, as it is nearly entirely leather.  The headcover also features a nice little extra - a magnetic ballmarker holder, as well as an Evnroll “Get Even” ball marker.  The Evnroll-branded Winn grip is a great touch as well, as it really ties the entire putter together.  You can tell that the headcover and grips were not simply afterthoughts for Mr. Rife.

 

I have hit hit well over 5,000 putts with the ER2 indoors, and about 250 putts outdoors (rounds and putting green) and have yet to find the slightest blemish on the putter.  I tend to baby all of my putters (as any respectable golfer should), so I did not expect any chips or dings on the putter, and so far so good.  The headcover has held up well too, with no odd creasing or discoloration.

 

Looks & Durability: 25 (out of 25)

 

 

LIkelihood of Purchase

 

As I mentioned in some of my previous thoughts, the Evnroll ER2 looks and feels like a premium putter, and it is definitely priced as one as well. At $329, the ER2 is definitely priced right around other premium brands/models such as the Scotty Cameron Golo.  Are there other putters on the market that are cheaper?  Absolutely.  There are some fantastic putters on the market around $100 and $200.  In fact, you can get a Ping Ketsch putter with TR grooves for around $200.  Does that mean the ER2 isn't worth $329.  That is hard to nail down. The big difference between the Evnroll line and other putters (even ones with TR grooves), is the parabolic grooves.  The TR grooves help promote consistent ball speeds, while the parabolic grooves on the Evnroll putters do that, as well as promote more accurate putters (which has been confirmed via robot testing - watch the videos on youtube and see it for yourself).  That being said - is that increase in accuracy worth another $100?  Again, hard for me to tell how others to spend their money, but for me, it would be hard to justify spending $300 on a putter that DIDN'T have technology that made me a better putter.

 

LoP Score: 11 (out of 15)

 

Total Score: 91 (out of 100)

 

The ER2 will be staying in the bag for the 2017 as I don't see any reason to bag anything else.  It looks great, feels great, puts a great roll on the ball, and while I may not be able to measure the exact benefits of all the technology, I know how the technology works and that it is helping my putting.  I look forward to providing updates throughout the 2017 season on the performance I am seeing.  I encourage all readers to ask me as many questions as possible and I will do my best to answer them!

 

 

 

 

[jlukes 12,520]

Consolidating some of my long-term thoughts here

 

 

 

4/24

So for the past 2+ weeks I have been on paternity leave, and that means I have spent a ton of time putting on my Birdie Ball putting green while my little buddy hangs out on the floor next to me doing tummy time.

 

I have been putting with all of the putters in my stable and each time I putt with something different I yearn for the ER2. For me, the ER2 has the perfect mix of feel, balance, and weight. On anything under 10 feet I really does feel like it swings itself - it is hard to hit a putt offline, you almost have to intentionally try to. The feel is absolutely addicting. The variable depth, parabolic grooves are something else. I do not own another putter that can replicate the feel of the ER2 - and that is across Scotty Camerons, Odysseys, and Pings. I really hope that Evnroll ends up in more stores, because I think if more people rolled these, that would get hooked almost immediately.

 

5/1

As for how the putter is holding up after almost 2 dozen rounds and thousands of putts hit both indoor and outdoor, it still looks almost brand new. I baby my putters, so when I bring them to the green when I am chipping, they stay in the headcover. When they are in the bag, they always have a headcover on.

[Golfspy_CG2 22,687]

 

 

Hello, I'm Rob/Robert/Robby or Bobby, just please not Bob.  Don't ask why, it's a traumatic experience that I'd rather not relive or put in print..ha  

I've been a member here since July of this year I believe, I had often seen some of the blog posts of MGS on Twitter and found them very well done and informative.  So I finally got around to checking out the website and it just felt right, from the start.  

 

My days are varied some days you guys may wonder if I have any work to do and get tired of seeing me post all day, then things may get crazy busy at work for a few days and I don't get a chance to pop in as much, I'm not a big fan of those days!!

 

Like most here, I'm a club ho, if not always in purchasing, but that is quite frankly the case, at least in looking and reading about, and discussing anything equipment or golf related.   It's great to have such a wide range of playing ability and experiences as part of the community here.  Whether someone is a plus or 36 handicap, I value their input and feel I can learn something from just about anybody.    I certainly hope that's the case for others.  As a 17 HC, I may not be able to tell someone how to hit a hooded knock down 6 iron from 170 yards, out of the rough to a tucked pin.   But I feel I can adequately talk about most equipment and courses enough to help most members.

 

I'm fortunate to have been able to change careers 1 year ago at this time.  After 25 years in the Hospitality Industry as a Sales Director and Hotel General Manager, I was offered an opportunity to be Tournament Sales Director for Billy Casper Golf Management at one of its courses in Maryland.   I am responsible for bringing charity/corporate and competitive golf outings to the course, as well as promoting it for local play in the community.   I absolutely love coming to work every day with the opportunity to sell our course and basically talk golf with every customer I come into contact with, how great is that!!

Picture of Hole 1 on our South Course

I have been playing golf regularly for about 25 years, and my love and interest has grown every year.  About 10 years ago, I was playing 75 rounds plus a year and had a pretty decent game and distance off the tee.   An auto accident, natural aging and some recent injuries had decreased the golf to maybe 7 to 10 rounds a year and robbed me of my length.  

Now, I'm learning the importance of the short game.  When I started this job a year ago I was a 26 HC, but with the opportunity to play more regularly--39 rounds this year--I've gotten down to a 17.   That was with not much practice after July when it got so hot for two months.   MY 2017 goal will be a few more rounds played, much more practice and a sub 15 Handicap.  I won't set a limit on how low, why limit yourself, just sub 15.

As for my overall game, as mentioned above, I'm not long off tee anymore, was about 260 to 270 yards at my peak, and now I'm about 215 and occasionally catch one solid and get it out there to 240. However, one benefit of being shorter, I am much more accurate off the tee than I was when I was hitting it longer. 

Being stubborn, I haven't really moved up a tee box, I still play most of my golf from tees that are generally 6200 to 6300.  I know by choosing tees that are in the 5900 to 6000 yard range I might score a bit better, but I'm competitive by nature, and a lot of tournaments I like to play in play the above distances.   So therefore, I have a lot of approach shots in the 160 to 180 and even out to 200 on a lot of my home course holes.  As a result of that, I miss A LOT of greens, putting pressure on my wedge and putter to walk away with no worse than bogey, and salvage the occasional par.    

My wedge game has improved dramatically this year, which I attribute to the new set of wedges I put in play in May, it's the first time I've ever put a lot of thought into a whole wedge setup as opposed to a mixed bag of whatever I felt like buying/trying at the time.   I won't say my wedge game is excellent, but based on what I see, it's better than average. 

I've always considered myself a good putter, and a couple different instructors that I've taken lesson from said, I have such a natural and very solid stroke, they didn't want to mess with it at all.   The only big change is I've moved to a #7 style since that seems to be a universally used description style of putter over the last 6 years or so.   The big benefit of this style for me is that it keeps the putter head very steady throughout the stroke.  With the standard blade style putters, which I absolutely love the look of, I tended to wobble the head on the way back or coming through. 

I learned some very interesting bits of information about putter fitting from Guerin Rife who spent a lot of time with each of us testers.  One thing he told me definitely had an impact on the putter length I chose for this testing.  I'll share those details in stage two.

You can see my WITB below.  I know it looks like I'm a Titleist homer, and if you want to call me that, I'm fine with it.   As I mentioned above, I love all things equipment related and love trying equipment from anybody.   As a matter of fact, I told someone in the past several months, that over the past two years, I have had at least one club in my bag from the following companies, Bridgestone, Callaway, Cobra, Cleveland, Mizuno, Nike, Odyssey, Ping, SeeMore, Srixon, TaylorMade,  Scotty Cameron, Titleist, Toulon and Wilson.  

The bold ones, also represent putters I have played in the past two years from those companies, in some cases multiple models from one company.   So you can see I'm open to whatever will improve my game.  It has just happened that Titleist had a lot of offerings this year that I tried, that each one helped improve my game in that category, and before I knew it, every club was Titleist, it really wasn't a conscious effort to have all 14 Titleist clubs.  But until something beats any of them out in that category, I'll keep it that way.

When looking for a putter, in addition to the #7 style I mentioned earlier, I look for an immediate comfort level at setup.  This encompass, the length, how it frames the balls at address and just an overall sense of confidence at setup.   Sound and feel are subjective, some say they are the same, some say they view them differently.  To me, I told like a harshness or loud click at impact.  I feel that I can tell if I struck the putt solidly or if I may have mishit it a bit.  I have never really considered distance of putts on mishits before reading about the EVNRoll, but that is one of it's touted benefits,which we will find out during testing.  One of the most important factors for me in a putter, is if I can control the speed of the putt, whether it's a 80 footer, that I'm hoping to get within two or three feet for my next putt, of if it's being able to tap a delicate speedy putt on a down-slope. 

I was very surprised and thrilled to be selected as a tester for the EVNRoll putter.  I actually first saw it at the PGA Show in January and I think even took a few quick rolls with it as I strolled the isles.  Once selected to test, I delved into as much information on the putter and company as I could find, the anticipation of receiving it grew by leaps and bounds.  The technology and thought process behind the design sounds so simple, it's amazing.   More actual thoughts and results of the putter will come in stage two, and we'll see if it earns a place in the bag.

Below are some initial pictures, before any real testing was done.  I chose the ER5 based on my style preference and the phone conversation with Mr. Rife.

 

 

A very nice and very cool surprise, the headcover has a magnetic ball marker on it.  The magnet is very strong, and won't fall off the cover.  LOVE IT!

[Golfspy_CG2 22,687]

EVENROLL ER5 Stage 2 Review

 

One of the surprise factors about this testing that wasn't known at signup, was that each of the testers was going to have a personal phone conversation with Guerin Rife to help with the selection and specs of our test putter.

 

I believe I was the last tester to speak to him and even though the other testers had said he was so genuine and approachable, I still had a bit of angst leading up to the call, would I be able to answer his questions sufficiently enough for him to get an ideal of my specs.

 

All those concerns were put to ease after about 30 seconds on the phone with him, something about talking to him, you feel like you've known him for a long time.

 

Well after some basic background info we got into what style of putter I would prefer, I told him I have had the best success with the #7 style, so as I suspected he told me the ER5 would definitely be a good one for me then.   He was very quick to mention that the sound of the ER5 was different than others, that it was kind of a “tingyâ€� sound due to the construction (more on that later) then we moved on to my specs.

 

I'm 6'5â€� and have mostly used a 35â€� putter but have used a few different 38â€� models the past few years thinking they would make it easier for me to get in an athletic putting stance, and also be a lot easier on my back during practice sessions.  I was surprised when Mr. Rife mentioned that he is 6'5â€� as well and he always tells people to go with the shortest length putter that they feel physically comfortable with. 

 

He stated there are multiple reasons for this:

·         It takes more variables out of the stroke

·         No counter weighting is needed

·         It travels less distance

·         Allows you to keep your arms extended, therefore helping take the wrist out of the stroke

 

So 35â€� ER5 to start off, I was liking the sound of that.   Next we talked about my hand position at address, meaning were my hands high or low.   Fortunately I was in my office and my current putter nearby, so I said “let me check real quickâ€�, and mentioned my hands were a bit low.  He then said as a result the toe was probably up in the air a bit, and I confirmed yes it was.   He mentioned that is very common and this putter is built with a 5 degrees toe down, so he said for me to make sure it's like that at address, as this will give me a bit of a pro-nation of the wrist, and help allow for more of a shoulder stroke.

 

In what was now about 10 minutes into the phone call, I had learned more about putting and the stroke, than I had in over 30 years of playing.   This was great stuff and I was scribbling notes down as quickly as I could.

 

The last part of the fitting he mentioned the putter will have 1.5 degrees of loft, he said you want the ball to lift no more than 20 inches after it's hit, but loft is essential, if it didn't have any, you would hit the ball pretty much directly into the putting green causing it to hop up in the air and not even make it halfway it the hole.    I laughed and told him I may or may not be familiar with that type of stroke.   It was a great conversation and got the testing off to a start I couldn't imagine.   He made sure I had his phone number and told me to feel free to call him anytime during the testing with any questions.

After the putter arrived, the first chance I got to test it out was on the putting green.   So I took it out with three balls and just putted casually as I might before a round.   I mainly wanted to get comfortable with the setup, weight and how it felt.    It didn't take too much adjusting at all, the weight of the ER5 is 355 grams and felt very stable. 

I rolled a few long putts of 60â€� feet or more to get an idea of feel and all of them were left with what I would consider an acceptable or normal distance for me from that distance.   Below you will see I did an actual test measuring results of long putts.

One of the most important things to me in a putter is how confident I feel at address over the ball.   I will say the head appeared to be smaller than what I remember from my X7M. 

 

The ER5 head is definitely smaller than the X7M, but I didn't worry about that, I said the results will speak for themselves.   The stock grip I went with on the ER5 is a Win ProX 1.8.  It not only looks great, but gives me a bit larger grip than the stock grip on the SC X7M, without being as large as the 2.0 Super Stroke grips.   It just felt right!

 

Performance

The first official testing I conducted was again on our putting green which is very large and allows for different length and breaking as well as straight putts.  I found a relatively straight 20 footer and a 60 footer with about 4 feet of right to left break.  

 

I tested both the ER5 and the X7M on solid strikes and on intentional miss hits off the toe and heel, to test the forgiveness across the face of each.

First the 20 foot results with 3 center or as close to center strikes as possible with the EVNROLL

 

 

I would take the results of these three any day, take my 2 putt and move along.  Although I HATE leaving putts short..LOL

Next the X7M for the same spot

 

 

 

It's scary how similar the results were, the short miss with the Scotty was a very slight fat hit…there's that possible lack of loft that Mr. Rife mentioned!!

 

 

One of the big features that's been talked about a lot in the EVENROLL putters, is the gear effect of steering putts struck off center back toward the target.   Like one of the other reviews mentioned, I'm not a robot and can't strike it perfectly in the same place every time, but then again robots are taking our putts for us, so I wanted to see how it the design in the grooves worked for a human.

 

Just to recap for anyone unaware, if you look very closely at the face of any EVNROLL putter, you will notice that the grooves are spaced very closely together near the center of the face.  The further away from the center of the face, the space between the groves widens a bit.  This was by design according to Mr. Rife to have the ball come into contact a bit more on off center hits, so it wouldn't lose as much energy and distance on the stroke.  The gear effect of steering back toward the hole he said, was by complete accident.  

 

 

 

The next set of testing was again three putts with each, but one from each part of the face, center, toe and heel.

 

Up first the ER5:  In the picture below, the ball in the hole was the first strike in the center of the face and it rolled straight in, the putt that missed to the right was slightly off the toe and really didn't come up short, but just stayed out to the right.  So the gear effect was definitely in place on the toe hit, and while it didn't curve it back toward the hole, the putt certainly didn't lose any distance, and this to me is the most important part of a miss, the amount of distance loss.  

 

The putt short to the left was a heel miss and it definitely felt the worst of the three.  Although, I'm glad to say, I rarely if ever miss a putt that far toward heel.   However, it is obvious a miss off the heel has the most dramatic effect even with the wider grooves.

 

 

 

Next Up were 3 putts from the X7M from the same spot.  With all three center strike putts.

All three of these were right around the hole, and proved consistent with the feel of the putts with the ER5

 

Now the three putts from across the face with the X7M

 

 

 

These show where the ER really shined on the misses, you can see the center strike by the X7M is just past hole high, but the other two definitely came up short.  

 

So I give the edge to the ER5 on the mishits in that test.   While all the misses are very makeable on the next putt, there's nothing wrong with closer being better.

 

The next test was on the 60 footer with the previously mentioned right to left 4 foot break.  I used a marker as an aiming point, so I was sure I aimed at the same point for all 6 putts, the first three putts it was a leaf (hey nobody said this was a high budget testing…ha) that started to blow away, so I used a putter cover for the next round, that's why you don't see it in the first pic, but it is exactly where the leaf was.

 

You will notice in the picture below of the ER5, that you only see two balls on the green.  Yep, well guess what happened with the first one.   DRAINO!!  From 60 feet!!  I was tempted to say TESTING DONE!!  But I figure every dog finds a bone now and then, but it sure was a sweet looking putt.

 

The other two, missed by about 8 feet short and the other one was about 4 feet hole high to the right, I missed the line of the break by just enough for it not to break.

 

 

 

The Scotty Cameron had a tough task to follow with the holing of the ER5.  But one of the areas that the X7M has shined for me this year is distance control on long putts.   So how did it do from 60 feet, see below.

 

 

 

They were very similar results.  Of course I didn't sink another one, but 2^nd putt was basically a tap in from about 18 inches.   And again I had one 9 feet short and one just inside the feet slightly past hole high.   At least this shows I was making similar strokes with both putters, and in both cases missed my aiming point on one.   Not uncommon for a 17 HC.

 

For the last part of performance test, I charted my first round out with the putter.  I was fortunate that I found a quiet afternoon on our course, was able to go out by myself and measure and chart each putt.  The chart below shows how far my approach shot landed from the pin, how far away I was after my first putt and how many total feet of made putts I had during the round.  I often hear this stat during a PGA Event, when someone is dropping in bombs from 20 feet throughout the round.   While my numbers didn't come anywhere close to 100 feet or more that I've seen on the PGA Tour, they were I would say about average for me.   

 

Notes below the chart:
 

 

 

 

The two three puts were disappointing as I generally pride myself on avoiding them.  However, the one on hole 9 was just a total misjudge by me on how hard needed to hit the putt to make it up the slope of the green.   Hole 3 is a long par 4 and I left myself a long putt and just over read the amount of break on the 2^nd putt. 

 

But other than those two putts, I think it was a very solid putting round, and not one that I felt cost me too much.  Sure I would have liked to have all or even half of the orange highlighted ones, those were putts that were struck well, but just died on the lip or burned an edge. 

 

As for the final performance score, there wasn't one thing I can really take away from it, other than maybe the smaller head.  I know that's more of a look thing, but if it was a bit bigger and still maintained the forgiveness across the face, oh my!!    But it gets back points for the maintaining distance on the toe hits.

 

Performance Score 57 out of 60  

 

 

Sound, Feel and Looks

I'm lumping these all together as to me they are kind of intertwined.   And I would put them in order of importance of Feel, Looks and Sound.    I know some will argue/state that Sound and Feel are the same ting, what you're hearing is really what you're feeling.   I don't subscribe to that as much especially on putters.   Maybe so on a driver.

 

To begin let's address the above mentioned sound that Mr. Rife warned me about.   He did say the sound was more “tingyâ€� than he liked.   This is due to the hollow design of the wings.   He said this has been corrected in future models…HMMMH J   But it's something that does exist in the current ER5.   He said it does and doesn't bother some, just an individual thing.  I was a bit concerned about this as I've tried a few “loudâ€� putters on the market such as the original CURE line and the sound was definitely a turnoff.

 

But I kept an open mind and went in knowing of that.  I have to say it's not nearly as severe or off putting as I was afraid it would be.  But it was very professional of Mr. Rife to mention it was there.   It is for the lack of a better word “tingyâ€� not near as loud as say an aluminum bat or something of that nature.  In fact, I've gotten to the point where I don't' even notice it and it didn't take long to get there.

 

The feel, is very solid.  The weighting and length are perfect, I'm able to make a stable stroke going back with no wobble (which I tend to do with a lighter blade style) and I have no problem getting it through the stroke.  It gives you a very confident sense that you've made a solid stroke every time.

 

Looks, I mentioned above it's smaller than the X7M head and that was slightly bothersome in the beginning, although I'm becoming more and more comfortable with it.   I should say it's not a small Mallet head.  Earlier in the year I tried the Toulon Memphis mallet, mainly due to the unique cross milled pattern on the face, but it was a very small head and one I never got use to.    The ER5 has required very little adjustment.   Although I do slightly favor the look and way the X7M frames the ball at address for me.

 

Overall the putter does well in all three of these categories

Sound, Feel and Looks 22 out of 25

 

 

Likelihood of Purchase 12 out of 15

The $359 price puts it $20 below the price of the Scotty Cameron X7M and right in the ball park of other high end putters.   It's tough to judge this category as everyone is different.  I can certainly make a case for paying more for a putter than a driver, as I'm likely to use it at least three times as many times during a round as my driver, so paying $100 less than a premium driver shouldn't cause anyone a second thought. 

 

However having come from never paying more than $180 for putters before (I didn't pay full retail for the X7M) it would be hard for me to say with 100% certainty that I would buy it.   That said, both the X7M and the EVENROLL have provided better results for me putting than I was getting previously. So my mindset on that may be shifting. 

 

Overall Score 91 out of 100

I realize this score is the exact same as Jlukes score, and I promise you that's completely a coincidence.  I read his review but didn't really pay attention to his scores as I didn't want to be influenced in any way.  I think it just says that this is a putter that should get strong consideration when making your next putter choice.  Putters are so personal and what's good for one of us may not be for someone else.   But if you're  fan of the number 7 style, then you will want to give this a serious look before making any decisions.

 

Notes: I had intended to get a video up of a test i did, and I will still try to get it up, but I had some logistical issues and the quality was pretty poor.  I didn't want to hold the review up any longer on that end and I'll add it perhaps during the stage 3 review if not before. 

 

[Golfspy_CG2 22,687]

Stage 3 - Update 5/4

 

After a not so long and not so cold winter, I'm ready to put this ER5 through it's final testing phase, and the early returns are outstanding.

 

Stage 3 began last on 5/3 with a 9 hole league round on my home course.

• Greens were firm and fast, as a result of no rain for about 5 days, and sunny and windy conditions the past two days. 
• We also played late 5:00 PM, so they had seen a full days play, 
• All conditions ripe for a bad putting day
• Not so fast, my fellow spies

I had a total of 18 putts, broken out as follows

• 1 One Putt from about 10 feet
• 7 Two Putts, none of the first putts were closer than 15 feet.
• 1 Three Putt (from about 25 feet above the hole)  The first putt was 6 feet short, by far my worst putt of the day.   I just slid the 2nd one buy but being downhill I had a testy 3 footer coming back up the hill.  I was NOT going to miss that. 

Overall I was thrilled with the results, both the numbers but also the actual feel and results of the putts.  I felt comfortable and confident every time I stood over the putt.  I felt confident that i was lined up correctly and the club just felt good in my hands.

 

As touted by Guerrin Rife himself and other testers, the ball holds its line extremely well, I didn't have any huge misses either directionally or speed wide (with the exception of the previously left short putt)  Most 2nd putts were tap ins or left under a foot away for a virtual tap in.

 

Next up 5/4

Spent an hour on the putting green with the putter and two different balls a ProV1 and Bridgestone e6.   The results were great with both.   While I didn't have a tape measure as used in Stage 2, for official results.  I went through a large number of putts ranging from 2 feet to 80 feet.   I alternated hitting the center of the face (and actually had some success doing so )  And also mixed in putts off the heel and off the toe. 

 

note: While doing the testing our superintendent came out and asked what I was working on, I explained to the forum and testing to him, he thought that was cool  I told and showed him the technology behind the putter, he had heard of Rife Putters.   He continued to watch me, and despite me asking for advice on which way some putts broke, he declined to tell me saying he didn't want me to cheat..LOL

 

Again no real data on today's testing, just a report that every putt I rolled seemed to hold it's distance and line very well.  I also watched him putt (he's a low single digit player) and he rolled it extremely well.    He liked the feel and weight of it.   

 

Only because it's been mentioned as one of the few negatives of this putter, I asked him how he felt about the ping sound from it.  He said it was fine, that he actually prefers that to how muted the Scott Cameron's are.  

 

His only other comment about it which, I found insightful but couldn't' say I noticed myself.   That on long uphill putts where he had to give it a bit more "umph" to him it felt like as he was coming into the ball, the head was getting ahead of the stroke, kind of like racing ahead.    He noticed this several times, but it didn't really alter the outcome of his putts.

 

I really like the feel of this putter on both balls.  I'll be keeping it in play for further and frequent testing, that I'll report back on here in the coming weeks.  

 

Stay Tuned!!

 

UPDATE 5/15

 

Just a few more thoughts on this after 2 rounds with it last week and an extensive session on the putting green.   I had played two rounds last week on probably the fastest greens we've had so far this year.   Both results were just OK, but I'm attributing one round due to an absolutely horrible job of reading greens.  I must have misread three or four putts by at least two or three feet.  Which resulted in I think four 3 putts for the round, definitely on me not the putter.

 

My 2nd round was still off from my normal ability to see the line, it wasn't as bad as before, but it still resulted in 5 more three putts.   I need to go back to work on my alignment and take a bit more time reading the putts. But  every putt had that same true and smooth EvnRoll feel.

 

On Friday I was running the putting contest for a 250 person field, so I was stationed on our putting green for over 4 hours.  When I wasn't busy monitoring the putts, I had plenty of time to practice putting.   I rolled anywhere from 4 footers to 80 footers.   I found the distance control to be extremely consistent.

 

During the course of the day, at least 20 or 30 people after seeing the putter near the "tee"  of the contest, asked about it.  I let whoever wanted to take a few roles with it.  I'd like to say one of them used it to win the $5,000 grand prize, but sadly not so.

 

Most had never heard of EvenRoll, so I gave the quick 30 second elevator pitch to them, and let them see and try for themselves.   Not one negative comment from anybody about it.   Most really loved the feel and and roll of the putter.  A couple commented that it was  bit lite for them for a mallet style. 

 

In summary to me where the EvenRoll really shines, is beyond 15 or 20 feet.  The fact that you get consistent distance and speed on every putt, even the ones you mishit slightly, is a huge deal.   usually the difference between having a relative tap in or one 2 footer, versus a 3 or 4 footer on a mishit. 

[jlukes 12,520]

My Stage 1 Review is up and can be found RIGHT HERE!