If you've already decided the Performance Golf RS1 is the right putter for your game, the next decision is smaller but still matters: Standard or Plus? The $30 price gap between them looks negligible on paper — but the actual difference in feel, sound, and on-course experience is more significant than that number suggests.
This guide breaks down exactly what changes between the two configurations, who benefits most from each, and how to make the right call for your specific game. For the full technology breakdown and configuration comparison including the Founder's Edition, see our complete RS1 putter buying guide.
The Two Configurations at a Glance
Both the RS1 and RS1 Plus share the identical 360-gram head, the same Forward Axis Weighting geometry, the same 74-degree lie angle, and the same 3-degree loft. The face-squaring technology that defines the RS1 line performs identically in both versions. The performance mechanism is not what changes here — the feel and acoustic experience is.
| Spec | RS1 Standard ($399) | RS1 Plus ($429) |
|---|---|---|
| Shaft | Stepless steel, 0.370 tip | 15mm low-torque graphite |
| Grip | Dual Pistol Rubber | Dual Pistol Polyurethane |
| Head | 360g, Forward Axis Weighted | 360g, Forward Axis Weighted (identical) |
| Lie Angle | 74° | 74° (identical) |
| Sound at Impact | Bright, high-pitched “ting” | Deeper, controlled “tock” |
| Comparable Feel To | Standard milled steel putter | Premium dampened shaft (e.g. Fujikura MC Smooth) |
| Price | $399 | $429 |
What Actually Changes: The Shaft
The single functional difference between these two putters is the shaft material, and that one change has a bigger downstream effect than its simplicity suggests.
The base RS1 uses a stepless steel shaft. Steel is rigid and transmits vibration efficiently — which is exactly what produces that bright, high-pitched sound at impact that several reviewers have described as a “ting” or “ping.” It's not a flaw exactly; it's simply what steel does acoustically when paired with a steel face.
The RS1 Plus replaces this with a 15mm low-torque graphite shaft. Graphite is inherently better at absorbing high-frequency vibration before it travels up to your hands. The practical result is twofold: the sound at impact shifts to something deeper and more controlled, and the feel transmitted to your hands is softer and less harsh on mishits.
If you want a useful comparison point, the RS1 Plus's graphite shaft performs similarly to premium dampening shafts used in high-end putters, such as the Fujikura MC Smooth — a shaft known specifically for its vibration-dampening properties in the putter category.
What Actually Changes: The Grip
The base RS1 ships with a Dual Pistol Rubber grip. The RS1 Plus ships with a Dual Pistol Polyurethane grip. Both share the identical ergonomic profile — the flat-sided shape that accommodates conventional, cross-handed, and claw grip styles equally well, as we cover in detail in our grip compatibility guide.
The material difference here is more subtle than the shaft difference. Polyurethane generally offers a slightly tackier, more refined feel under the hands compared to standard rubber, along with marginally better feedback transmission. It's a real upgrade, but it's a smaller factor in your decision than the shaft.
The Sound Difference, In Plain Terms
If you've spent any time with a soft-insert putter — an Odyssey White Hot, a putter with a urethane face insert, anything marketed around a “buttery” or “pillowy” feel — understand this clearly before you buy: neither RS1 configuration replicates that experience. Both versions use a steel face, and a meaningful portion of impact sound and feel originates at the face itself, not just the shaft.
What the graphite shaft on the RS1 Plus does is reduce the harshness of that steel-face sound, not eliminate it. Think of the difference this way:
RS1 Standard: Closer to the bright, crisp feedback of a traditional milled steel blade putter with no insert.
RS1 Plus: Closer to a premium milled putter paired with a quality dampening shaft — still a firm, solid feel, but with the edges softened considerably.
Neither is comparable to: A soft polymer or urethane insert putter. If that specific soft feel is non-negotiable for you, the RS1 line in either configuration will require an adjustment period, and the Plus closes that gap more than the Standard, but it doesn't close it entirely.
Who Should Buy the RS1 Standard
The base RS1 makes sense for a specific buyer profile:
You're primarily performance-focused and indifferent to acoustic feedback. Some golfers genuinely don't notice or care about putter sound — they're focused entirely on results. If that's you, the $30 saved is real money for zero meaningful performance tradeoff.
You actually prefer a firmer, crisper feel. Not everyone wants a soft, muted putter. Some players use firm feedback as a deliberate cue — a crisp “ting” at impact can actually help certain golfers feel more connected to their stroke and more aware of off-center contact.
You're budget-conscious and want the core technology without paying for refinements. The face-squaring performance is identical between both configurations. If you're buying the RS1 specifically to solve a face rotation problem and feel quality is a secondary concern, the Standard delivers the full performance benefit at the lower price.
Who Should Buy the RS1 Plus
The Plus configuration is the better choice for a larger segment of buyers, and here's specifically who:
You're coming from a soft-insert putter. If your current or previous putter has a urethane or polymer face insert, your hands and ears are calibrated to soft feedback. The Standard RS1's steel-on-steel acoustic profile will feel jarring by comparison. The Plus significantly narrows that gap.
You have any sensitivity to sharp, high-pitched sounds. This matters more than golfers often expect, particularly for players who putt frequently on quiet courses or who are simply sound-sensitive in general. The Standard's acoustic profile is genuinely loud and bright relative to most modern putters on the market.
You're a senior golfer or have any hand sensitivity. The reduced vibration transmission of the graphite shaft means less harsh feedback reaching your hands, which can matter meaningfully over an 18-hole round, particularly on mishits.
You want the closest experience to a premium milled putter. If you've shopped premium putters in the $300+ range from established manufacturers, many of those use dampened shaft technology as a standard feature. The Plus brings the RS1 line in line with that expectation.
You're unsure which to choose. When in doubt, the data suggests most buyers who are happy with their purchase chose the Plus. The $30 differential is small relative to the overall purchase price, and feel dissatisfaction is one of the more common reasons golfers underutilize or abandon a new putter. The Plus reduces that risk.
What About the Founder's Edition?
If feel quality matters enough to you that you're seriously considering the Plus, it's worth knowing that the limited-run Founder's Edition takes the feel upgrade even further with a 303 stainless steel face — a softer-feeling alloy than the standard steel face used in both the Standard and Plus configurations — combined with a custom graphite shaft. We cover this in detail, including current availability, in our complete RS1 buying guide.
For most buyers, the Plus represents the better value relative to the Founder's Edition's higher price and limited availability. But if you're already leaning toward the Plus specifically because of feel sensitivity, it's worth reading that section before finalizing your decision.
Our Recommendation
For the majority of golfers researching this purchase, the RS1 Plus is the better default choice. The $30 price difference is small relative to the meaningful improvement in feel and acoustic comfort, and feel satisfaction has a real impact on whether a golfer actually trusts and uses a new putter consistently.
The Standard remains a completely legitimate choice if budget is a genuine constraint or if you specifically prefer firmer feedback — it delivers the identical face-squaring performance with no compromise on the technology that actually drives results.
Either way, both configurations are backed by Performance Golf's full 365-day return policy, which means the decision carries minimal financial risk regardless of which you choose. If you select the Standard and find the acoustic profile bothers you more than expected, you have a full year to return it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the RS1 Plus putt any differently than the Standard? No. The face-squaring mechanism, head weight, lie angle, and loft are identical between both configurations. The difference is entirely in feel and sound, not in putting performance or face control.
Is the graphite shaft more durable than the steel shaft? Both are built to standard golf equipment durability expectations for normal use. Graphite shafts in putters are generally not subject to the same stress as graphite in driver or iron shafts, so durability is not a meaningful differentiator between the two configurations.
Can I upgrade from Standard to Plus later? Performance Golf does not currently offer a shaft upgrade path for existing RS1 Standard owners. If you're unsure which to choose, it's worth selecting the Plus upfront, particularly given the return policy provides a full year to evaluate your choice either way.
Does the grip material affect performance? The grip material affects feel and tackiness more than it affects swing performance. Both grips share the identical ergonomic profile that supports conventional, cross-handed, and claw grip styles.
Which configuration do most reviewers recommend? Independent equipment reviewers, including Plugged In Golf and Breaking Eighty, have generally noted the acoustic improvement of the Plus configuration as a worthwhile upgrade for golfers sensitive to feel, while acknowledging the Standard delivers full performance value at a lower price point.
Last updated June 2026. Specifications sourced from Performance Golf's official product listings.
Related Reading:
- Performance Golf RS1 Putter: Complete Review and Buying Guide
- Buying the RS1 Putter Without Subscription Headaches
- RS1 vs LAB Golf DF3: Active vs Passive Face Squaring Compared — coming soon
- Cross-Handed and Claw Grip Compatibility Guide — coming soon