PutterZone – Best Putter Reviews
The seemingly inevitable sale of Rife Putters has finally arrived, as Innovex Golf announced that it has acquired the fading brand.
A few years ago, founder Guerin Rife stated in a Golfweek story that one of his goals was to sell the business. It now sounds like he was forced to sell the business. According to the announcement, “This acquisition signals the resurrection of Rife Putters, who for the past year has struggled to manufacture and distribute product due to a lack of funding.”
Rife Putters’ struggles have been an open secret for the past year, and the company has been eerily quiet lately.
Rife Putters once boasted the aura of a powerhouse putter brand on the rise. Indeed, even without the resources of the major global golf brands, Rife Putters still managed to become the top brand on the Champions Tour. Along the way, it produced some standout putters in recent years, such as the Two-Bar putter and the underrated Island Series putters.
Founded in 2004, Innovex Golf is best known for its golf balls, such as the V-Motion Tour. Innovex also produces clubs, and states that its clubs offer “the greatest value in the golf equipment industry.”
According to Innovex, the Innovex Golf and Rife Putter brands will continue to be marketed independently but cross-promotional opportunities will be offered at both the wholesale and retail levels.
Let’s hope that Rife Putters doesn’t stray too far from its roots, and that it will continue to produce thoughtfully designed products with a unique point of view.
