robotnoises Posted April 20, 2018 Share Posted April 20, 2018 I was trying-out putters at my local Edwin Watts yesterday when I noticed within the sea of Odysseys a brand new 35" Rife RFX "Rival" putter. I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to putters, but I knew the name "rife" and I knew it was supposed to be good so I picked it up and tried a few putts. I was blown away by how it felt off the face... like, it felt way better than anything I've felt before (putter-wise). Mind you, I am a putter neophyte, but when I turned the shaft to reveal the price tag I was very surprised to see it was retailing for $99. I decided to do a quick google search and discovered that the original god Guerin Rife is no longer involved with the company. A little more Google-fu revealed that the company went under in 2008 and was snapped-up by what appears to be a private equity firm... all red flags to me, but I don't know. Does anyone here own a newer Rife putter? Has anyone tested the RFX series? There is almost nothing on the internet about these putters so I'm not sure how to reconcile my experience. Here's the current lineup in case you're interested: http://rifegolf.com/rfxstore/ WITB: Driver: Cobra F6 (10.5*) + Project X HZRDUS Black -1" Utility: Cobra KING Utility Black One Length (21*) 5I-GW: Cobra KING F7 One Length SW: Mizuno MP T5 (56*) LW: Mizuno MP T5 (60*) Putter: Odyssey White Hot Pro 2.0 Rossie (Black) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
null Posted April 20, 2018 Share Posted April 20, 2018 Since Guerin Rife has nothing to do with this company and sold off the Brand name and the IP and someone is trying to rekindle the brand, it's nothing of real interest to me. Happens all the time, especially in the golf business. I think I'll stick with Evnroll Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cnosil Posted April 20, 2018 Share Posted April 20, 2018 I am sure it is a fine putter just like almost every putter that you will find in a golf store. Everyone has their thoughts on what the right feel, look, and method of fitting. In the end, if you like it and you can roll the ball on your intended line and can control the speed(distance) it is a good putter for you. Driver: G400 Max 9* w/ KBS Tour Driven Fairway: TS3 15* w/Project X Hzardous Smoke Hybrids: 915H 21* w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype 915H 24* w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype Irons: TR20V 6-11 w/Vizard TR20-85 Graphite Wedge: 54/12D, 60/8M w/:Accra iWedge 90 Graphite Putter: Sacks Parente MC 3 Stripe Backup Putters: Milled Collection RSX 2, mFGP2, Futura 5W, TM-180 Member: MGS Hitsquad since 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfJunkie302 Posted April 20, 2018 Share Posted April 20, 2018 I still think Rife putters are good. It's ultimately up to you. If it feels "way better than anything you've felt before," then it is probably an excellent putter for you. Give it a go! Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk 2017 M1 460, Project X HZRDUS Black 6.0 JPX EZ 3 wood Fly-Z 4H MP-60, 3i-PW, True Temper Dynamic Gold S5 54° & 58°, True Temper Dynamic Gold California Monterey Pro V1x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McaseyM Posted April 20, 2018 Share Posted April 20, 2018 If you like it And it works well for you, do it! I played for many years with a $40 Golden Bear that just fit me well off the rack and that was money for me… Until it wasn't. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy What's in my bag: Driver : F9 10.5, Fujikura Speeder 757 TR Fairway F9 15.5° Aldila Rogue White 80X Hybrid: King F7 18° KBS Tour PROTO Hybrid 95 S+ Irons: z585 4i - 6i, z785 7i-PW, Nippon Modus 120X Wedges: CBX 50.11, 55.11, 60.10 TT DG S400 Black Putter: Honey Badger 34" Ball: Q-Star Tour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robotnoises Posted April 20, 2018 Author Share Posted April 20, 2018 I still think Rife putters are good. It's ultimately up to you. If it feels "way better than anything you've felt before," then it is probably an excellent putter for you. Give it a go! Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk It definitely felt amazing, but I've also never rolled a lot of the premium putters like Scotty Cameron or EVNROLL. You don't think the quality has dropped-off too much since the mid 2000s? Seems to me that the original Rife putters retailed around $200, so I'm curious why they are able to offer at $99. WITB: Driver: Cobra F6 (10.5*) + Project X HZRDUS Black -1" Utility: Cobra KING Utility Black One Length (21*) 5I-GW: Cobra KING F7 One Length SW: Mizuno MP T5 (56*) LW: Mizuno MP T5 (60*) Putter: Odyssey White Hot Pro 2.0 Rossie (Black) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
null Posted April 20, 2018 Share Posted April 20, 2018 It definitely felt amazing, but I've also never rolled a lot of the premium putters like Scotty Cameron or EVNROLL. You don't think the quality has dropped-off too much since the mid 2000s? Seems to me that the original Rife putters retailed around $200, so I'm curious why they are able to offer at $99. Because they're not doing any new R&D and likely have super cheap manufacturing in China. They are selling a name. Just like the Tommy armor or McGregor clubs you see in big box stores Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cnosil Posted April 20, 2018 Share Posted April 20, 2018 It definitely felt amazing, but I've also never rolled a lot of the premium putters like Scotty Cameron or EVNROLL. You don't think the quality has dropped-off too much since the mid 2000s? Seems to me that the original Rife putters retailed around $200, so I'm curious why they are able to offer at $99. Feel is a personal thing and is actually sound related. What feels/sounds good to one player may be horrible to another. The only important thing is that you like it. A putter is basically a piece of metal hitting a ball. The feel/sound can be influenced by how much of the face comes into contact with the ball(groove pattern), type of metal, and face thickness. The price probably has nothing to do with quality. It is about what price point they believe that can sell putters. Because a putter costs >$500 doesn't make it any better than a putter that is People will point to tour presence as an indicator of quality. I advise you to ignore the hype and it you like the putter and it fits your stroke the it is the best putter for you. Spending more money on a putter does not make it better unless it has been custom build to the specifications you need. Driver: G400 Max 9* w/ KBS Tour Driven Fairway: TS3 15* w/Project X Hzardous Smoke Hybrids: 915H 21* w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype 915H 24* w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype Irons: TR20V 6-11 w/Vizard TR20-85 Graphite Wedge: 54/12D, 60/8M w/:Accra iWedge 90 Graphite Putter: Sacks Parente MC 3 Stripe Backup Putters: Milled Collection RSX 2, mFGP2, Futura 5W, TM-180 Member: MGS Hitsquad since 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTexGolfer Posted April 20, 2018 Share Posted April 20, 2018 They are going to have all of the intellectual property that he had put into that company as part of the purchase, so it won't have any new Evnroll ideas but it should still be a good putter designed by Guerin. I can't speak to their manufacturing processes, but if it looks good to you, feels and rools good, and the price is right then I say go for it! 400 Driver (8*) UST ATTAS Punch 6S F6 Baffler (16*) Matrix Red Tie 65Q4 816 H1 Hybrid (21*,23*) Diamana S+ Blue 82 HY Z765 (5-PW) +2* Aerotech Steelfiber i110cw Vokey SM5 50.08F 54.10M Aerotech Steelfiber i110cw PM Grind 60* Dynamic Gold S400 TR 1966 Anser 2 Z Star ball Pioneer Cart Bag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce Posted April 26, 2018 Share Posted April 26, 2018 I wouldn't get wrapped up in price. Both Cleveland and Wilson Staff make excellent putters at similarly low prices. If you liked it, buy it and put it in the bag. What's in My Bag? Driver: Cobra F6 Fairway: Cobra F6 3/4 Hybrids: Wilson Staff D100ES (4 & 5) Irons: Wilson Staff C200 (6i to GW) Wedges: Cleveland CBX (52, 56, and 60°) Putter: Happy Putter Blade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfJunkie302 Posted April 26, 2018 Share Posted April 26, 2018 It definitely felt amazing, but I've also never rolled a lot of the premium putters like Scotty Cameron or EVNROLL. You don't think the quality has dropped-off too much since the mid 2000s? Seems to me that the original Rife putters retailed around $200, so I'm curious why they are able to offer at $99. The guy who used to make Rife putters now designs EVNROLL putters, so they should be similar. You could give those a try and see what you think. You could also do a side by side comparison of an old Rife and a new Rife... Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk 2017 M1 460, Project X HZRDUS Black 6.0 JPX EZ 3 wood Fly-Z 4H MP-60, 3i-PW, True Temper Dynamic Gold S5 54° & 58°, True Temper Dynamic Gold California Monterey Pro V1x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
null Posted April 26, 2018 Share Posted April 26, 2018 The guy who used to make Rife putters now designs EVNROLL putters, so they should be similar. You could give those a try and see what you think. You could also do a side by side comparison of an old Rife and a new Rife... Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk These new putters are Rife in name only. Don't have any of the tech of the Evnroll. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfJunkie302 Posted April 26, 2018 Share Posted April 26, 2018 These new putters are Rife in name only. Don't have any of the tech of the Evnroll.Yep, exactly. Maybe a somewhat similar feel, as long as the new owners of Rife didn't mess with the designs too much... Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk 2017 M1 460, Project X HZRDUS Black 6.0 JPX EZ 3 wood Fly-Z 4H MP-60, 3i-PW, True Temper Dynamic Gold S5 54° & 58°, True Temper Dynamic Gold California Monterey Pro V1x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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