February 2007: Mallet Putters
Winner: Rife Barbados
$179; rifeputters.com

THE COMPANY LINE: "Barbados has a pleasing shape wrapped around a three-line center cavity with mass at the outer edges. These features combine with RollGroove technology to deliver stability, softer feel and a strong alignment system."

OUR TEST PANEL SAYS
Pros:
• "You can almost feel the face grooves grab and control the ball." —
Michael Kaye (handicap 14)
• "So easy to line up, which gives you confidence on cash-in putts." — Tom Ierubino (8)
• "It wants to swing straight back and through. Pure feel is like hitting a forged iron on the button." — Michael Jo (11)
• "Feels like spreading butter on a warm dinner roll."—Mike Cochrane (1)
• "Sight lines help to see stroke back and through as it is in motion." — Andy Simon (25)

Cons:
• I would've preferred more feedback on offcenter hits. Impact is almost too soft compared to the others. — Rich Bernstein, 13 handicap