Martin Hopley
By

The Rife Tropical Series Barbados is one of the classic Rife putters with a unique finish on it. The Barbados is one of their best mallet designs and has been used successfully on Tour by many players who are not paid to do so.

The Barbados is a face balanced putter with an adjustable hosel that is put in a special wrench by your pro so you can get the right lie angle. There is a little notch on the top of the putter that should line up with the middle white line so that you know if you then have your putter at the correct lie, which we think is a clever touch.

Rife were one of the first manufacturers to put grooves on the face of their putter and this not only improves the roll at impact, but also makes the putter feel much softer than normal steel putters as there is less of the face in contact with the ball.

The traditional Rife putters had a satin steel finish, but the Tropical line has a rainbow finish which gives it a very distinctive look as well as reducing glare a little. Amongst our reviewers, the Tropical finish got the Marmite decision - you either loved it or didn't. Some felt the site lines were not as clear as on the steel version but others liked the distinctive style and bronze top line. So it's really up to you on the finish, but the Rife Barbados putter is certainly one of the best around and good value for money.

Golfalot Rating: 5 stars
Overall Rating - 4 stars:
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Rife Tropical Barbados Putter - Product Details

UK Launch01 February 2012
USA Launch01 February 2012
Handicap Range
Low
High
GolferMens
Hand AvailabilityLeft, Right
MaterialSteel
Club Lengths33, 34, 35 inches
Shaft TypesSteel
Putter InsertNo
Manufacturer's WebsiteRife Website

User Reviews

Jamie Kennedy
April 2012

Very nice putter indeed. I have always prefered the classic anser/newport look of putters, but this is one of the most attractive mallets I have rolled.

The straight edge with the low-profile, high MOI shape really suited my eye and sat great behind the ball. The RollGroove technology, that is Rife's trademark feature, does make a difference. Although it did have a slightly softer feel than I expected from the Barbados' mallet shape.

One small detail I liked was the small alignment slot on the top of the putter. When lined up properly, it aligns with the middle line on the back of the putter and adds a nice mental check when addressing a putt.

Now, the Tropical finish. I know Rife have really pushed this finish and believe in it. I am not a believer though. I really just don't get it. It looks like it has been dipped in oil and borders on being distracting at address. I prefer a matt black finish or their original satin finish.

Overall, it says how good and attractive a putter the Barbados is that I enjoyed it and used it several times despite not being a fan of it's Tropical finish. The finish will be a love-or-hate feature for most people. But if you haven't tried a Rife putter yet, you should, they are quality tools for holing putts and the RollGroove technology is better than the Yes! Grooves, which were all the rage at one point.

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Media Reviews

Today's Golfer
July 2012
Offered sensational performance.. finish was too distracting at address

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