Center-shafted mallet putters

I'm definitely holing more putts. I recently purchased a Taylormade Ghost Corza center-shafted mallet putter (white), 35 inch. It's incredibly easy to line up. Maybe the easiest I've ever tried. The insert feels fantastic; not too soft but very pleasing sound and sensation. I had a couple of 20 footers that I rolled in. I have more confidence over the 4 footers than before. 12 footers seems to be easier to get the line on and now I feel like I can make them.

I've slightly changed my stroke as well. I was using too much of a pendulum stroke and was losing my feel and coming up short. Now I'm ever so slightly incorporating a little jab with the stroke so that the ball comes off the clubface a little hotter and more on line. When I get too mechanical with my stroke I seem to lose feel and come up short.

FamousDavis wrote:I'm definitely holing more putts. I recently purchased a Taylormade Ghost Corza center-shafted mallet putter (white), 35 inch. It's incredibly easy to line up. Maybe the easiest I've ever tried. The insert feels fantastic; not too soft but very pleasing sound and sensation. I had a couple of 20 footers that I rolled in. I have more confidence over the 4 footers than before. 12 footers seems to be easier to get the line on and now I feel like I can make them.

I've slightly changed my stroke as well. I was using too much of a pendulum stroke and was losing my feel and coming up short. Now I'm ever so slightly incorporating a little jab with the stroke so that the ball comes off the clubface a little hotter and more on line. When I get too mechanical with my stroke I seem to lose feel and come up short.

Good job FD... I always like mallet putter, don't know why, just feel very comfy with that style. When I putt my RAM Zebra - the one and only one that I've used - I have a ball way forward, almost to my left foot and that forces 60% of my wt on that side resulting in a very steady putt

Recently got used Rife 2 Bar Mallet putter at 33" with thick Winn grip. I tested beaucoup putters and the contenders were several Odysseys-- 2 ball and Marxman mallets, a Ping Mallet name of which I forget and several other mallets. I had tried the Rife I ended up buying a week before and then went and spent hours on the stores' indoor greens and ended up with the center-shafted Rife. For me, the most important thing is the visual alignment design and the Rife's two bars do it perfectly for me. I really wanted to like the Od two balls but could not use the balls well. I wanted a balanced face so I could use my shoulder-rocking pendulum stroke and almost wrote off the Rife because if has a slight (advertised as 15%) toe hang, but got it anyway. I've spent several sessions since on practice greens at two munis near me and conducted my usual drills with pitches, chips and putts, and concluded that this Rife (coupled with a newly simplified chipping technique) should lop a few strokes per round off my scores. I wanted to try some of the Yes putters, but there were no new or used ones at any of my local stores. But at $39.95 for the Rife at Golfsmith, I may not be looking back.

Mostly German wrote:Recently got used Rife 2 Bar Mallet putter at 33" with thick Winn grip. I tested beaucoup putters and the contenders were several Odysseys-- 2 ball and Marxman mallets, a Ping Mallet name of which I forget and several other mallets. I had tried the Rife I ended up buying a week before and then went and spent hours on the stores' indoor greens and ended up with the center-shafted Rife. For me, the most important thing is the visual alignment design and the Rife's two bars do it perfectly for me. I really wanted to like the Od two balls but could not use the balls well. I wanted a balanced face so I could use my shoulder-rocking pendulum stroke and almost wrote off the Rife because if has a slight (advertised as 15%) toe hang, but got it anyway. I've spent several sessions since on practice greens at two munis near me and conducted my usual drills with pitches, chips and putts, and concluded that this Rife (coupled with a newly simplified chipping technique) should lop a few strokes per round off my scores. I wanted to try some of the Yes putters, but there were no new or used ones at any of my local stores. But at $39.95 for the Rife at Golfsmith, I may not be looking back.

I have used centre shafted putters and I like them for their balance and their clean look at set-up. That said my rife 2 bar mallet @34 with a thick winn grip is simply better than all the rest by a mile and has stopped any putter hoing completely. Can't see it lasting in the bag forever of course but it has been over a year at least and is only getting better.
I forgot to add. I paid all of $25 for it. So much for having to pay $200-$350 for a decent putter.

Yeah, hard to beat a Rife putter for alignment. When the greens are slow (spring and late fall) I use the 2bar hybrid heel shafted. Summer when fast, SC Futura kinda of halfassed heel shafted.

I'm two under going into the 8th hole

FamousDavis wrote:I'm two under going into the 8th hole

Make it a 33/34. A sporty 67 on Christmas Eve Eve would be killer.

Mostly German wrote:

FamousDavis wrote:I'm two under going into the 8th hole

Make it a 33/34. A sporty 67 on Christmas Eve Eve would be killer.

Don't choke FD, U can do it....

Pky6471 wrote:

Mostly German wrote:

FamousDavis wrote:I'm two under going into the 8th hole

Make it a 33/34. A sporty 67 on Christmas Eve Eve would be killer.

Don't choke FD, U can do it....

Apparently I can't. I bogeyed the next hole and the doubled the one after that. I shot 75.

Olderplayer wrote:

I have used centre shafted putters and I like them for their balance and their clean look at set-up. That said my rife 2 bar mallet @34 with a thick winn grip is simply better than all the rest by a mile and has stopped any putter hoing completely. Can't see it lasting in the bag forever of course but it has been over a year at least and is only getting better.
I forgot to add. I paid all of $25 for it. So much for having to pay $200-$350 for a decent putter.

I'm also playing a 2 Bar Mallet at 34' with a Tiger Shark grip. I got mine when they first came out, so I paid the $300 for it. Great putter. I lost the lie changing tool and the weight kit though. Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.

Golfaholic wrote:

Olderplayer wrote:

I have used centre shafted putters and I like them for their balance and their clean look at set-up. That said my rife 2 bar mallet @34 with a thick winn grip is simply better than all the rest by a mile and has stopped any putter hoing completely. Can't see it lasting in the bag forever of course but it has been over a year at least and is only getting better.
I forgot to add. I paid all of $25 for it. So much for having to pay $200-$350 for a decent putter.

I'm also playing a 2 Bar Mallet at 34' with a Tiger Shark grip. I got mine when they first came out, so I paid the $300 for it. Great putter. I lost the lie changing tool and the weight kit though. Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.

Bad luck about losing the bits and pieces. I don't know what it is about that model but it has tremendous feel and balance. I can honestly say that sometimes equipment can make the difference. I was a good putter 10 years ago but was getting quite a lot worse as the years went by. i thought it was me, but with this stick that suits me I am back putting well again.

Olderplayer wrote:

Golfaholic wrote:

Olderplayer wrote:

I have used centre shafted putters and I like them for their balance and their clean look at set-up. That said my rife 2 bar mallet @34 with a thick winn grip is simply better than all the rest by a mile and has stopped any putter hoing completely. Can't see it lasting in the bag forever of course but it has been over a year at least and is only getting better.
I forgot to add. I paid all of $25 for it. So much for having to pay $200-$350 for a decent putter.

I'm also playing a 2 Bar Mallet at 34' with a Tiger Shark grip. I got mine when they first came out, so I paid the $300 for it. Great putter. I lost the lie changing tool and the weight kit though. Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.

Bad luck about losing the bits and pieces. I don't know what it is about that model but it has tremendous feel and balance. I can honestly say that sometimes equipment can make the difference. I was a good putter 10 years ago but was getting quite a lot worse as the years went by. i thought it was me, but with this stick that suits me I am back putting well again.

I'm sure a lot of it has to do with confidence too. If you think you're going to make the putt, you have a better chance than if you're hoping to sneak away with a 2 putt. The putter makes alignment easy, while the grooves help get a good solid roll on the ball. Hard to go wrong. I think I will have a look around my parents house while I'm here on vacation. The weights and lie tool have to be here somewhere..

Golfaholic wrote:

Olderplayer wrote:

I have used centre shafted putters and I like them for their balance and their clean look at set-up. That said my rife 2 bar mallet @34 with a thick winn grip is simply better than all the rest by a mile and has stopped any putter hoing completely. Can't see it lasting in the bag forever of course but it has been over a year at least and is only getting better.
I forgot to add. I paid all of $25 for it. So much for having to pay $200-$350 for a decent putter.

I'm also playing a 2 Bar Mallet at 34' with a Tiger Shark grip. I got mine when they first came out, so I paid the $300 for it. Great putter. I lost the lie changing tool and the weight kit though. Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.

I've studied mine and found some literature on the "lie changing tool" which appears to be just a molded piece of plastic that fits over the head to hold it still while you bend the shaft to the lie you want. I also read somewhere in the Rife literature that if you don't have that tool, you can still bend the shaft by holding the head with your feet. So the tool is a joke since you are instructed to hold the tool with head inside with your feet anyway. Just make sure you are wearing sneakers when you bend it without the tool. With the 33" shaft, it fits me perfectly so no bending for this one. And mine came with just the heaviest weights installed -- 22 grams each -- so I am good to go. Compared to many of the other putters I tried, this Rife feels like it is made to military specs instead of like a Chinese plastic toy. I was almost expecting to see a U.S. military serial number on the sole. Ten HUT! Sink de PUTT!

Compared to many of the other putters I tried, this Rife feels like it is made to military specs instead of like a Chinese plastic toy. I was almost expecting to see a U.S. military serial number on the sole. Ten HUT! Sink de PUTT!

Just your German heritage coming thru.

Uh oh. I just discovered what might be a problem with my new Rife 2 Bar Mallet putter. After I got my new irons at Christmas, I put them in my bag along with several wedges I might use and then went to fit that Rife in there. Problem: Mr. Rife has a real big head as well he should because he is so good. But he don't like sharing space with lesser sticks. Call it the Short Club Syndrome. Because at 33", he is the bag midget. So I tried slotting this damn thing in all the holes but everywhere it goes, it bangs its head up against the other shafts, hosels and heads. So I guess I'm going to have to try to find or make some sort of putter head cover. Man, do I hate head covers.

Mostly German wrote:Uh oh. I just discovered what might be a problem with my new Rife 2 Bar Mallet putter. After I got my new irons at Christmas, I put them in my bag along with several wedges I might use and then went to fit that Rife in there. Problem: Mr. Rife has a real big head as well he should because he is so good. But he don't like sharing space with lesser sticks. Call it the Short Club Syndrome. Because at 33", he is the bag midget. So I tried slotting this damn thing in all the holes but everywhere it goes, it bangs its head up against the other shafts, hosels and heads. So I guess I'm going to have to try to find or make some sort of putter head cover. Man, do I hate head covers.

You don't have the stock head cover? Noob. E-mail the company and have them ship you a head cover...

Golfaholic wrote:

Mostly German wrote:Uh oh. I just discovered what might be a problem with my new Rife 2 Bar Mallet putter. After I got my new irons at Christmas, I put them in my bag along with several wedges I might use and then went to fit that Rife in there. Problem: Mr. Rife has a real big head as well he should because he is so good. But he don't like sharing space with lesser sticks. Call it the Short Club Syndrome. Because at 33", he is the bag midget. So I tried slotting this damn thing in all the holes but everywhere it goes, it bangs its head up against the other shafts, hosels and heads. So I guess I'm going to have to try to find or make some sort of putter head cover. Man, do I hate head covers.

You don't have the stock head cover? Noob. E-mail the company and have them ship you a head cover...

Hey. I bought it used for $39.95. If I would have been smart, I would have bought it new for $199 and gotten the weight and tool kit and the headcover. Oh well, live and learn.

Mostly German wrote:

Hey. I bought it used for $39.95. If I would have been smart, I would have bought it new for $199 and gotten the weight and tool kit and the headcover. Oh well, live and learn.

Alright, I guess I'll give you a break this time. Next time, be sure to pay 30%-60% to much for putters.

Just E-mail the company and tell them the dog ate it.

Mostly German wrote:Uh oh. I just discovered what might be a problem with my new Rife 2 Bar Mallet putter. After I got my new irons at Christmas, I put them in my bag along with several wedges I might use and then went to fit that Rife in there. Problem: Mr. Rife has a real big head as well he should because he is so good. But he don't like sharing space with lesser sticks. Call it the Short Club Syndrome. Because at 33", he is the bag midget. So I tried slotting this damn thing in all the holes but everywhere it goes, it bangs its head up against the other shafts, hosels and heads. So I guess I'm going to have to try to find or make some sort of putter head cover. Man, do I hate head covers.

Yeah mine's exactly the same. I put it in the bottom left slot right before my wedges. It seems to do the least amount of damage there.

Mostly German wrote:

Golfaholic wrote:

Mostly German wrote:Uh oh. I just discovered what might be a problem with my new Rife 2 Bar Mallet putter. After I got my new irons at Christmas, I put them in my bag along with several wedges I might use and then went to fit that Rife in there. Problem: Mr. Rife has a real big head as well he should because he is so good. But he don't like sharing space with lesser sticks. Call it the Short Club Syndrome. Because at 33", he is the bag midget. So I tried slotting this damn thing in all the holes but everywhere it goes, it bangs its head up against the other shafts, hosels and heads. So I guess I'm going to have to try to find or make some sort of putter head cover. Man, do I hate head covers.

You don't have the stock head cover? Noob. E-mail the company and have them ship you a head cover...

Hey. I bought it used for $39.95. If I would have been smart, I would have bought it new for $199 and gotten the weight and tool kit and the headcover. Oh well, live and learn.

Today I saw a Rife Two-Bar blade putter at Golf Mart for $29. Pretty nice shape, actually. It has a lightish blue/grey color to the head. Very odd looking putter but I can see that it would be easy to line up.

FamousDavis wrote:

Mostly German wrote:

Golfaholic wrote:

Mostly German wrote:Uh oh. I just discovered what might be a problem with my new Rife 2 Bar Mallet putter. After I got my new irons at Christmas, I put them in my bag along with several wedges I might use and then went to fit that Rife in there. Problem: Mr. Rife has a real big head as well he should because he is so good. But he don't like sharing space with lesser sticks. Call it the Short Club Syndrome. Because at 33", he is the bag midget. So I tried slotting this damn thing in all the holes but everywhere it goes, it bangs its head up against the other shafts, hosels and heads. So I guess I'm going to have to try to find or make some sort of putter head cover. Man, do I hate head covers.

You don't have the stock head cover? Noob. E-mail the company and have them ship you a head cover...

Hey. I bought it used for $39.95. If I would have been smart, I would have bought it new for $199 and gotten the weight and tool kit and the headcover. Oh well, live and learn.

Today I saw a Rife Two-Bar blade putter at Golf Mart for $29. Pretty nice shape, actually. It has a lightish blue/grey color to the head. Very odd looking putter but I can see that it would be easy to line up.

It aligns better than any putter I've ever held and that's why I ended up buying it. In second place was the Odyssey #7 XG. The one nicknamed "Fang" that Luke Donald, Furyk, Poulter and others use or have used. The problems I had with the ones I tried were the various inserts that were either too hot, too soft, or too cheesy like the metal one in the new models that looks like the engine-turned dashboard material from my 1966 Pontiac GTO. The Odysseys, Taylors and other large mallets almost all looked and felt like plastic Chinese toys while the Rife looks and feels like a precision tool. The horizontal face grooves give it a different feel and so far its been address the ball, look at the hole and just hit the damn thing and the ball rolls real close to the hole no more than a foot off line at 50 feet on a straight putt and no more than two feet short or long.