2009 GOLF Buyer's Guide: Mallet Putters
$149
rifeputters.com
Guerin Rife, Founder and Chief Designer: "I began to move weight to the middle of the head in the stainless steel Two Bar Hybrid, to create 'ramrod' stability behind the ball. Now I want to take it to the next level. Using lightweight aluminum, I can make a big head with more weight in the middle because the hollow sides get lighter. The Two Bar Hybrid has 70-percent of its weight in the middle while IMO has 85-percent. Now, we're pushing the concept to its limit."
How it works: The aptly named "IMO" (for inline momentum) practically swings itself because so much mass is packed into the center section. Rife's approach puts weight where most golfers strike putts (within 5/8" of the center). IMO has a face-balanced head with 2-degrees loft, milled face, excellent visual alignment aid and adjustable lie angle. The IMO should benefit those of you who decelerate on putts. Unlike previous Rife putters, the IMO has no removable back weights.


