Equipment
Rife finds new life with new putter series
The story of Rife sounds like something out of a soap opera.
A couple years ago, the company was selling tons of putters and was one of the most popular putter brands on the Champions Tour. But economic turmoil and reports of dysfunction among owners caused the company to nearly shut operations in 2011. By the end of the year, the company had been sold to company who mainly produced golf balls, Innovex Golf.
Last year, the company resumed production with just a few, minor tweaks to its product line. But this year, Rife has come back with a bang.
At last month’s PGA Merchandise Show, Rife introduced its newest series of putters, the Vault 001 Series. The series is composed of 14 different models, each featuring the RollGroove technology, which Rife says keeps the ball on the putter face for a longer amount of time to give putts a better roll.
Unlike previous models, many of the new Rife putters feature bi-metal construction that uses stainless steel on the sole and face but aluminum on the top, which allows the company to create new sizes and shapes, as well as new sightline options.
As of the beginning of February, only two putters from the Vault 001 Series are available for purchasing on the Rife website: the Iconic Z and the Iconic. They sell for $199.95 and $219.95, respectively.
Also new for Rife this year is two models of golf balls, the V MOTION and E MOTION. Watch the video below for more information on Rife putters and balls.
[youtube id=”JpVy1hATn4s” width=”620″ height=”360″]
Neal Shipley was the first to admit that he enjoyed his food while in college. But since his days at Ohio State, he’s slimmed down and earned a PGA Tour Card.
That hasn’t stopped him from having fun with his wedge stampings, though it’s led to some misunderstandings.
On the 54 (degree), we have ‘Big Fudge,'” Shipley told GolfWRX. “It was supposed to be ‘Big Fridge,’ so this happened a little while ago. ‘Big Fridge’ was a nickname between my college teammates and I, with ‘fridge’ meaning stomach, a big stomach.
“We told the Ping guys to put … ‘Big Fridge’ on it, and I think maybe some bad cell service or something, and they thought I said ‘fudge,’ so they put fudge on it.”
On Shipley’s 50-degree he also continues the food theme, this time with his go-to order at the “Golden Arches,” and his stamping “DONS 7.”
“The number 7 meal, the two cheeseburger meal, that was my McDonald’s order, back when I would have McDonald’s frequently,” Shipley shared.
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @raw10628 has a L.A.B. DF3 putter and Masters putter cover up for grabs.
From the listing: “Some great items here today, time to thin out and make room for next set of gear. All prices include shipping.
LAB DF3 Purple 33.5” 68° lie with TPT – $725. LAB Masters release DF3 cover – $150.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4
3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4
5-wood: Ping G440 Max (19 degrees @18)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4
Hybrid: Ping G440 (23 degrees)
Shaft: Oban Isawa Red Hybrid Shaft 04 Flex 70 Gms
Irons: Srixon ZXi7 (5-P)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i80
Wedges: Cleveland RTZ (50-MID, 54-FULL, 58-MID)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i105
Putter: L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i
Shaft: ACCRA Putter Shaft
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
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Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (10.5 degrees) Shaft: Project X Titan Yellow 60 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D Tour (15 degrees) Shaft: Project...
Jack
Mar 12, 2013 at 1:51 am
IMO these really look very mass produced. Lacks the craftsmanship one or someone like me would like in an expensive putter.
Mateo
Feb 8, 2013 at 2:04 am
funny how Rife putters are no longer designed by Mr Rife. Look out for Guerin Putters.
Kicker
Feb 11, 2013 at 11:09 pm
Guerin Rife’s new line “Guerin” make Scotty’s look like a Walmart brand. Classic look, impeccable milling and improved groove technology. Great putter if you can find one, very limited production.
winstonalan
Feb 7, 2013 at 10:06 am
Love the El Capitan! Not enough to bump the Scotty but those are far better looking than any Rife I’ve seen.
Ian
Feb 6, 2013 at 11:50 am
I love the design of the blade putters! They are really innovative and sleek without being over the top. Can’t wait to try those out.
Desmond
Feb 6, 2013 at 5:01 am
“The company had been sold to company who mainly produced golf balls, Innovex Golf.”
Innovex still produces excellent golf balls.