If you’re scratching your head wondering why you’ve never heard of a Barber Pole Putter in your life, there’s good reason. This is the first year that Barber Pole Golf is releasing their Irish Links Series putters in the U.S. market. Based in Dublin, Ireland, Barber Pole Golf is now offering four models in a variety of designs based on golfer’s preference and putting style.

Aside from the bright red, white and blue grip, at first glance these flat sticks have the appearance of your typical, run of the mill putter. But looks can be deceiving, and Barber Pole has thrown in a nice combination of a classic smooth finish with top notch technology that any golfer can appreciate once they’ve had the opportunity to experience it.

Barber Pole prides itself on its patented Radius Face Technology, which is incorporated in each Irish Links Series putter. This technology was developed to stroke the golf ball above the equator, which produces immediate topspin on the ball for improved control and accuracy.

By combining the natural properties of c360 Solid Brass with RFT, Barber Pole Golf has a truly unique and reliable putting instrument, which will reduce your number of putts, lower your score and increase your enjoyment of the greatest game ever played. -Matt Doyle, Barber Pole Golf VP of Sales

Each Barberpole putter face is also milled (in the USA!) from a block of 100 percent solid brass, eliminating any possible “dead spots” or “air pockets” which can be common with casted putters.

As I’ve already mentioned, four models are available in the Irish Links Series. There’s the Ballybunion putter, which incorporates a mallet design and a double bend shaft to help make the putter face more balanced. The Portrush putter has a classic plumbers neck design, which is offset. The Waterville putter is a mallet style putter designed to provide a more solid feel. the Lahinch putter is also available, which has a flow neck design, giving a more connected feeling to the putter. For today’s review, I’ll be hitting the greens with the Ballybunion.

But before we get started – make sure to take a moment to check out the embedded video below to get a look at the Ballybunion in-action!

– Ballybunion Putter Review –

Feel:

(10 out of 10) From top to bottom, this club just feels right. Although they don’t advertise it as much as a lot of the other technical features, the grip is amazingly soft and form fitting to whatever grip is consistent with your putting style. When I assume my putting stance with the Ballybunion, it rests right in my palms with no resistance in any direction. The balance is as close to perfect as I’ve ever experienced, making the follow through from backswing to impact with the ball remarkably forgiving.

Design:

(8 out of 10) Less is more. I’ve seen all sorts of expensive looking, space-aged putters around the golf course over the years. I’ve rarely seen results that have made much difference to the golfer’s score. The Ballybunion putter may look pretty standard at first glance, but after a few holes, it’s easy to see that aesthetics don’t always equal performance. But then again, its grip is pretty bright and flashy, but that’s just a matter of preference of course.

Use the embedded flash player below to take a 360° tour of the Ballybunion’s design yourself. Click and drag your cursor over the putter or click the “play” button in the bottom right corner to see every inch of its mallet head.

Distance Control:

(9 out of 10) This is where the Radius Face Technology comes in… and it certainly takes care of business. When I first researched these putters, it wasn’t difficult to chalk it up as some new gimmick to sell some putters. Then I actually had the opportunity to try this putter on for size and realized it does exactly what Barber Pole suggests. There’s a degree of self control and concentration required for every golfer’s putting game, but I’ve found that sweet spot more often while putting with the Ballybunion.

Consistency:

(9 out of 10) How consistent are you when you’re on the green and par depends on it? That’s a tough question for the majority of golfers out there. The real challenge with putting is dealing with the pressure of making it or breaking it. However, if you have any kind of self control, mastering this putter’s touch is about as easy as it gets in my experience.

The Bottom Line:

The ultimate goal is to have a putter you can rely on when it counts on the green, which requires a steady balance and consistent touch. The Ballybunion delivers remarkably well in all aspects, making the probability of error dramatically lower than the conventional putter. The solid brass face and patented Radius Face Technology prove to be more than selling points, delivering top notch consistency that can be a rarity in this market. Between four available options depending on your preference and the soft grip, adaptability to putting style is surprisingly impressive with Barber Pole’s line-up. If you’re looking to shave off those strokes that result from close calls on the green, the Barber Pole Links Series is the tool for the job.

Buy Now: $369 or go to: BarberPoleGolf.com

John Dunphy August 5, 2013

Are you absolutely sure about the price?? Busted wallet indeed!!

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