Rife Barbados

Oldie but a goodie? Slighter has one on his for sale page - Im eyeing.

Anyone got any comments?

I've had one forever it seems. Always bring it out if I struggle with my putter and I would never get rid of it. For me, short putts are automatic with it. If you like the way it looks and want a face balanced mallet it is a great putter.

The only negatives for me is there is very little feedback from it and it is very firm feeling.

When I think of all the things companies come up with to aid alignment, I think of the Barbados and wonder what they are all thinking.

It's a great simple design.

yep, a Barbados sits in the staff bag in the den. I recall that putter really came together when the first of the SS Slim 1.0 got put on it. definitely a different sound of ball coming off the face. kind of a slight "tink" to it. very pleasant putter.

Its still a great putter and I think if a big OEM had released the same putter made of a slightly softer metal it would have been a huge hit. Very nice looking and easy to align properly.

I agree with the above comment that its a little on the firm side and feedback is somewhat limited, but it does put a great roll on the ball.

The newly announced Evnroll ER7 looks much like a refreshed Barbados (no surprise given who made each of them..). I'm sure you could pick up an old Barbados for much less than the ER7 though. ;)

Well, Im a sucker so I have it on order from Slighter.

Well, Im a sucker so I have it on order from Slighter.

 

I have every color variation of Barbados that Rife ever made. It was a game changer for me on the greens 10 years ago and I still use it to this day.

I have every color variation of Barbados that Rife ever made. It was a game changer for me on the greens 10 years ago and I still use it to this day.

Im a center shaft junkie. Like to feel when I start my putting backstroke that everything moves at once and in line. The offset is just very difficult for me. Ive been fit and it showed that plumbing neck was a good option, but I just cannot get myself to be confident when the putter is a whole shaft offset behind my hands....

I hate this game.

Need to find a headcover now....

Need to find a headcover now....

http://www.ebay.com/...N4AAOSwqM1YmjEH

if not, whatever you do make sure you check the mallet headcover type can accommodate a center shafted putter.

FWIW the one list on eBay above can, that's just a magnet mouth strip that closes down snug on any putter shaft design.

That fit? Center shaft and all?

I have a Rife Aussie Mallet. Have yet to find a putter that is easier to align.

In homage to this thread I shall remove my Barbados from the closet and take it to the course today.

In homage to this thread I shall remove my Barbados from the closet and take it to the course today.

I'm going to dedicate this day of work to your homage

You guys got me all excited to try this thing out. Its shipping to me today! Thanks Tom Slighter!

I was just looking mine over as I pulled it from storage and was wondering how good this thing would be with a slant neck and straight shaft on it instead of the double bend shaft. :nyam:

In homage to this thread I shall remove my Barbados from the closet and take it to the course today.

Well?

In homage to this thread I shall remove my Barbados from the closet and take it to the course today.

 

Well?

I forgot how nice of a roll this putter putts on the ball and how easy it is to line up. I made a ton of putts with it.

Before I took it out I put a GP SNSR 140cc straight grip on it which gave it a new feel. That grip is relatively heavy and can give a putter a somewhat counter balanced feel, which I think gave the Barbados new life for me.

I'm going to keep it in the bag for my round tomorrow.

Excellent report Rod.

In homage to this thread I shall remove my Barbados from the closet and take it to the course today.

 

Well?

So the putter arrived. Its a beaut! Felt heavy so I put it on my SW scale. F6! Put my SeeMore si3 on the scale, D9. lol

Still have a soft spot for the Barbados. Was my first of many rifes 11 years ago. Nice snag and enjoy it.

So went to a local course and putted around on the practice green. It is heavy compared to my Si3. I might put a heavier grip on it I think. As mentioned in the thread by another member - I had my best success inside of 8ft or so. Very easy to line up and stroke on those short ones. Wonder if thats the putter or the weight, or both. First world problem I know.

There is a Golf store where I live that bought all the remaining inventory from Rife. They literally have hundreds of Rife putters. I putted my best with a Barbados many years ago.

So I spent a couple hours carpet rolling last night. Was thinking about those putters that stand up on their own. So I held the barbados in my left hand as it was addressing the ball. Got behind it, squared it, got back in address and stroked the shot. Worked awesome. I'll get laughed at but I don't care...

I rue getting rid of my Barbados. I still love my Mr Beasley (for now) and every once in a while the Bimini comes out when things are completely jacked. Rife made some really good putters.

There is a Golf store where I live that bought all the remaining inventory from Rife. They literally have hundreds of Rife putters. I putted my best with a Barbados many years ago.

Where exactly is this? Want a weekend guest? Maybe a month? I'll bring golf balls.

I've long been a Rife fan. Started with a Trinidad, bought my first one after hitting 5 putts with it in a Golfsmith many years ago. This is by far the best putter I have ever rolled. It's not even funny how much better my game is on the greens. I went from something like 34.2 putts per round to 31.6 the first season. Last year I averaged 30.3. It's so solid from 6 feet, can't miss if I try.

I've owned a total of three of them and in search of a tropical center shaft now. My gamer is a black center shaft, and I had a backup sterling center shaft until my nephew visited last summer so that needs replaced. I also own a heel shafted sterling but that doesn't fit my eye as well.