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Rife finds new life with new putter series

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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″]

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6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

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Equipment

Spotted: Tony Finau’s driver shaft change at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open

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Tony Finau has always been known as one of the longest players on the PGA Tour, but he has recently been working on adding a little more distance. Last year, Finau averaged 118.3 mph club head speed and 178.08 mph ball speed, all while playing a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX driver shaft. This year, he has increased his club head speed to 123.93 mph and his ball speed to 183.32 mph.

However, Finau’s overall distance has decreased by two yards in that time. From a fitting perspective, something was amiss. We asked Tony about the shaft change at the Texas Children’s Hospital Open.

“[I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin. My driver’s been a little high spin for me over the last month or so, and so I just figured it was time to probably check out the equipment,” Finau said. “And it definitely showed me that I was using a shaft that’s maybe a little too tip-stiff for me, the way I load the club now. [I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin.”

Finau switched from the Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX into the Diamana GT 70 TX. The newer Diamana GT has a slightly different profile than the D+ Limited with the stiffest handle section in the Diamana lineup. The mid sections between the two are similar stiffness but the tip is just slightly stiffer in the Diamana GT. Both shafts are within one gram of each other in the 70 TX. The torque rating on the GT is 0.1 higher than the D+Limited’s 2.7 measurement.

Mitsubishi lists the Diamana GT as a shaft between the mid-launching Diamana TB and the new low-launch Diamana WB shafts. For most players, it would be considered a mid/low launch and low-spin shaft option. Mitsubishi’s Xlink Tech Resin System makes sure the maximum carbon fiber content is there for smooth feel without reducing the strength of the shaft. MR70 carbon fiber is used for reinforcing the shaft and boron is used in the tip for its high strength and compression properties.

Finau is still using his trusty Ping G430 LST driver in 9 degrees and has the adjustable hosel set to -1 degree of loft (standard lie angle). Finau’s long-time favorite Lamkin UTX Green grip is installed. He definitely has a few extra wraps of tape under that grip as you can see the bulge down where the grip meets the shaft.

One final note: Per Ping’s PGA Tour rep Kenton Oates, Finau’s driver is also adjusted to play one degree upright to help dial in his desired launch.

We’ll see how he fares with the new setup this week in Houston!

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Whats in the Bag

Zac Blair WITB 2024 (March)

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Driver: Titleist TSR2 (10 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Red 6 X

3-wood: TaylorMade M5 Rocket 3 (14 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Speeder 757 Evolution V1 X

Utility: Titleist U510 (3)
Shaft: Aldila Tour Blue 85 X

Irons: Ping i210 (4-6), Miura MB-001 (7-9)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 58-08M @57, 60 @61), Vokey Design WedgeWorks (52-M)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 105 X

Putter: Scotty Cameron prototype

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Ball: Titleist Pro V1

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Whats in the Bag

Martin Trainer WITB 2024 (March)

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Driver: Wilson Staff Staff Model (6.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kai’li Blue 70 TX

3-wood: Wilson Staff WLabs Prototype (13 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 80 TX

Irons: Wilson Staff Staff Model (2, 4-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Wedges: Wilson Staff Staff Model (52, 56, 60)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Putter: Bobby Grace Greg Chalmers Prototype

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

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