What is the difference between the rife mallet and the Rife Hybrid mallet

[callawayguy10]

I am just wondering what is the differnce in these two putter because I am thinking about getting one and I would just like to know the difference in the two. Any thoughts would be great.

[HackerD]

The hybrid is a combination of the Barbados mallet and the two-bar. The two bars provide toe-heel weighting (with adjustable weights) for forgiveness.

[callawayguy10]

which one has the best feel for distance control

[nobreak1970]

I still don't really understand the whole "hybrid" label on them.....it's a putter...2 bars or not...it doesn't combine 2 different club types does it? If not it's not a hybrid anything, 2 bars + mallet equals an excellent PUTTER(tried it and love it) BUT if I am missing something....explain for those of use who don't get it. Marketing gimick to me in this case(reason I don't own one now.) I could be wrong here...nah...marketing.

 

Excellent putters...2 bars or none.

 

Peace.

[callawayguy10]

Any other opinions? why there is a difference or not?

[BankerGolfer]

I'd like to know the answer to the question as well. Thanks.

[PingG10]

If you go to the Rife website and look at the 2 bar mallet you'll see that the "sole" of the mallet is solid whereas the hybrid mallet has ribs that extend from both sides of the backside face of the putter with open space between the ribs and the 2 bar system. I would guess that the "hybrid" part of this is that it isn't a full mallet (because of the ribs) and isn't a blade-it's somewhere in between.l

[golf_fanatik]

I interpreted the "hybrid" part as being a mix of the Barbados design with the 2-bar and thus a hybrid one..

[BankerGolfer]

which one has the best feel for distance control

 

No, i meant this question. Who can answer this?

[Ronzo]

which one has the best feel for distance control

 

No, i meant this question. Who can answer this?

 

IMO, it's a personal preference. I went to check out the 2-Bar Hybrid, and ended up falling in love with the Barbados. YMMV.

 

EDIT: The difference for me was the harder feel of the Barbados' milled-groove face versus the softer insert of the 2-Bar Hybrid. I liked the sound/feel as I stroked the ball better with the Barbados.

[KJ25]

FYI

 

I saw about 10 new rife two bar putters marked down to $99 at Golfsmith

[harold baines]

which one has the best feel for distance control

 

No, i meant this question. Who can answer this?

 

if it was a fact that one or the other was better, they wouldn't have to make both

[BuyGame]

Mallet = Non Insert. (Solid grooved face)

Hybrid = Grooved insert with the elastometer sleeve around it.

[Ken_I]

I have both the Hybrid and the Barbados. Started with Hybrid and picked up the other one after reading many a great review on the net. I tried both putters with all kinds of balls.

 

Direction and aiming : The better player would find little difference between the two but average golfer would find the 2-bar easier to aim and swing

 

Distance control : About the same

 

Forgiveness : I belive the Hybrid has larger sweetspot and the weight location at the back would significantly reduce twisting on mis-hit.

 

Customizability : Hybrid wins hands down because the two bar weight kids let you play with the lighter head on slow green and make it heavier for use on fast green. For Barbados you can still stick a led in the cavity but will mute the feel a bit and doesn't look as neat. Also they Hybrid would let you adjust lie angle easily when the Barbados wouldn't; I went through a fair bit of trouble finding the right guy who can bend the shaft to my preference.

 

Feel : Barbados shines if you play with ball with average and softer cover. Solid strike feel solid and acustically refreshing. I wouldn't recomend for use with harder balls. With Hybrid the feel is muted with it's relatively soft insert. Some time I felt a bit lost with both soft stock Winn grips and hoped I could get a white or blue Iomic grip on them--out of stock at my local golf shop at the moment.

 

Address : If you are a minimalist you'll like the Barbados better because the Hybrid is a bit busy when looked down during address.

 

Bottom line: The Barbados found a decent spot in my bag but I still couldn't let go how well the Hybrids help promotes close-to-perfect SBST stroke--so I still keep it as back-up.

 

So if you are into feel, minimalism, and doesn't mind playing with softer ball then the Barbados would be mine recomendation. But if you are into features, customization, and still want to perfect your SBST stroke then you should appreciate the Hybrid better.

 

Good luck, Ken

[BankerGolfer]

Excellent post. Just the precise details I was looking for. My thanks to everyone else who posted (Ronzo, Konklifer, etc.) as well.

 

I have both the Hybrid and the Barbados. Started with Hybrid and picked up the other one after reading many a great review on the net. I tried both putters with all kinds of balls.

 

Direction and aiming : The better player would find little difference between the two but average golfer would find the 2-bar easier to aim and swing

 

Distance control : About the same

 

Forgiveness : I belive the Hybrid has larger sweetspot and the weight location at the back would significantly reduce twisting on mis-hit.

 

Customizability : Hybrid wins hands down because the two bar weight kids let you play with the lighter head on slow green and make it heavier for use on fast green. For Barbados you can still stick a led in the cavity but will mute the feel a bit and doesn't look as neat. Also they Hybrid would let you adjust lie angle easily when the Barbados wouldn't; I went through a fair bit of trouble finding the right guy who can bend the shaft to my preference.

 

Feel : Barbados shines if you play with ball with average and softer cover. Solid strike feel solid and acustically refreshing. I wouldn't recomend for use with harder balls. With Hybrid the feel is muted with it's relatively soft insert. Some time I felt a bit lost with both soft stock Winn grips and hoped I could get a white or blue Iomic grip on them--out of stock at my local golf shop at the moment.

 

Address : If you are a minimalist you'll like the Barbados better because the Hybrid is a bit busy when looked down during address.

 

Bottom line: The Barbados found a decent spot in my bag but I still couldn't let go how well the Hybrids help promotes close-to-perfect SBST stroke--so I still keep it as back-up.

 

So if you are into feel, minimalism, and doesn't mind playing with softer ball then the Barbados would be mine recomendation. But if you are into features, customization, and still want to perfect your SBST stroke then you should appreciate the Hybrid better.

 

Good luck, Ken

[Ronzo]

You're welcome. Good luck! :)