(photo courtesy of rifeputters.com)

Description: RIFE TwoBar Hybrid Mallet Putter w/ RollGroove Technology.  That's right I said Hybrid putter.  You may ask, what the heck does that mean?  Well, it means exactly what you think.  The word Hybrid has become the topping on the cake, right?  The first thing you think of is a fairway club or cross between a wood and long iron.  RIFE said, why not do that with a putter so they put a blade putter and mallet putter together!  Genius, right?  I had to try this for myself.  I couldn't stop putting with it.  I was so anxious to see/feel what all the buzz was about with these RIFE putters and this "RollGroove Technology".  Well, it wasn't long until I figured it out.  Within the first few rounds I played I drained an average of 6 putts that I typically could have missed.  These were putts that were outside tap-in range of 1-3ft.  Even if you cut that in 1/2, I am still saving 3 shots per game!  That's huge!  That easily takes a 80-82 right into the 70's.  That takes a high 70's score right into the low-to-mid 70s.  Can't beat that!  The reason I think is something that was informally said to me that this RollGroove technology allows the ball to go straighter for at least 1/8 to almost a 1/4 of an inch due to the grooves providing an anti-skid plate basically.  How many have edges have you burned from that distance?!

RIFE has many different putters for all walks of golf.  If you like a blade, they have it.  If you like a mallet, they have it.  If you like a hybrid, they have it.  Would you like to change weights in it depending on the course?  They have it.  Offset's of all of those options, of course they have it.  Would you like a pink putter, they have it.  Would you like the putter to hit the ball for you while you sip on your favorite beverage....ok, well we have to draw the line somewhere but I believe that's in development. Just kidding. 

Pros: This Hybrid putter was the first hybrid putter out there.  It had a great feel right out of the box.  It felt so true compared to many other putters that I have used before.  Even the grips were extremely comfortable with a soft gel like grip.  You can practically customize every single thing about the RIFE putter to fit your game.  This putter has weights that can be interchangeable for a total head weight of 345 grams to 360 grams. The RIFE putter has also been proven on practically every tour possible.  Their putters have combined for 10 wins just this year and it's only the beginning of September!

Cons:  Some of you may think it's a bit pricey ranging from $149-$500.  However they have a great selection and you can truly match the putter to your game.  I mean, can you put a price on reducing your average strokes by 2-4 shots?  

Quality: Great, long lasting.  Make sure to get a head cover to protect the club as with any putter these days.

Summary:  Unbelievable putter that proves to help you gain more control on the greens and really put the ball where you want it.  It's proven with over 25 victories on major tours over the last 21 months!  This RollGroove Technology is really something to investigate for your game.  Their selection of clubs also gives you the ability to get exactly what you want and how you want it.  Can you believe that RIFE Putters is only around 5 years old?  Visit www.rifeputters.com to get yours today.

(photo courtesy of ebay.com)

Description: Cleveland CG Gold irons 3-PW.  They also have a Red set that came out with the Gold, I believe in 2007.  These irons are extremely easy to pick up and hit.  These clubs aren't greatly forgiving because they aren't the size of a desk phone however they have the Cleveland MCT or "micro-cavity technology".  It builds in forgiveness with these irons coupled with a Gelback Technology that gives you more feel with a comfortable level of forgiveness.  The Gelback also provides a pillow or shock absorber affect so that you don't feel the vibrations of a mishit.  And you thought only fancy running shoes could have this technology.  After hitting this sticks, we were happy with the performance and accuracy.

Pros: These irons are great for the price and still, 2 years later, are a top seller for Cleveland.  You can pick these up and start hitting them immediately with little to know alteration of your swing.  You get consistent performance and distance.  If you have a mishit you won't feel the sting due to the Gelback technology that takes most if not all of the blow.  We were very pleased with the feel and from top to bottom of the swing.  You didn't feel like you really had to get after it on the iron shots into the green or rescue shots to get out of trouble.  Just play it as it lies.  Par 3's felt comfortable and precise meaning you can really go for your target even if it's tucked behind a 5ft bunker, over a pond, with 5 ft of green to work with.  Just kidding, sort of.

Cons:  If you like a lot of feel and feedback then you probably don't want to hit these.  These clubs are probably made for mid to high handicappers only.  If you like the simple look then you may not like the big Gold/Red piece of rubber within the cavity back. 

Quality: Great, long lasting again due to the Cleveland quality.  They hold up nicely after rounds of punishment.  Well at least with my golf game.

Summary:  Great set of irons for the $ and it gives you a nice clean hitting area no matter what the lie is.  Cleveland has come up with a solid set of irons yet again and probably have been underrated or missed the big BUZZ.  These are still big contenders in the market and are going on 3 years old.  If you like the traditional flare with a bit of the new technology, then take a serious look at these irons. 

To learn more, click here: http://www.clevelandgolf.com/US_cg-gold-irons__cg_gold_irons__viewProd_irons.html

(photo courtesy of buy.com)

Description: Cleveland wedges are known as some of the best wedges in the world of golf.  They have some stiff competition however they have poured the foundation to have a long lasting relationship with golfers at all levels.  They have many different models however for this review we will focus on the CG10 60 degree sand wedge with 2 dots.  Many folks are confused by the dots.  So, let us try to clarify something from what we know.  One dot means low bounce.  Two dots means mid low to high bounce.  Three dots means high bounce.  The club we reviwed had 2 dots.  After hitting this club, we weren't concerned about the dots at all and here is why.

Pros: Yet again, the Cleveland wedges are great clubs for the price!  It's extremely soft around the greens and you can really swing at the ball and have a soft landing much like the diadic we reviewed.  It too has great grooves and gives you a lot of feel for those sensitive shots.  I know for my game I had concerns around the green especially with the courses I've been playing lately and getting the ball to stop.  This club really gave me that extra boost in confidence to hit the ball where I want and feel like I had a makable putt to save par.  Whether it's a flat green or many different elevations, this club allows you to pick where you want to hit the ball and most likely get the results you were looking for.  From the sand this club also allowed me to get through the ball not leaving it for a follow-up bunker shot.  With the 60 degrees again you can take a normal cut at it and pop the ball out.  It was an instant hit with me.  Frankly, I can't wait to give their new CG12's or CG14's a shot.  They also have a new camo cover.  Yes, I said camo.  We are in KY.  :)  Check them out, click here. 

Cons:  Many might be confused by so many options with the Cleveland wedges.  There are so many degrees, dots, and finishes such as chrome, camo, black pearl, etc.  It's truly customizable for your game.  Some carry 4-5 wedges and others only carry 2.  I would suggest getting out to a local demo day that Cleveland is hosting and try these out.

Quality: Great, long lasting just as the rest of the wedges in this family.

Summary:  Great club and you will want to put one of these in your bag for those times around the green that you want to get it close and save a stroke.  Heck, just hit it in the hole...you can do it.

Description: The G10 driver is the third and latest driver in a widely popular series of ping drivers. Preceded by the G2 and G5, the ping g10 has a new tfc129 shaft that improves performance, and also engineering tweaks have allowed a slight increase in ball speed off the clubface over its predecessors.

Pros: High launch angle & low spin. Crown and face very thin compared to other drivers, allows for manufacturers to have more room to play with weights.

Cons: Perhaps not a significant improvement over the cheaper G5 and G2. However, still an improvement.

Quality: Great, as you would expect with any reputable driver.

Summary: The G10 is a top of the line driver. If you don't want to do further research, the G10 will serve you very well. However, it may not be the best driver for you.