Belly Putter?

Let me start by saying, this thread is not intended to be a discussion on if a belly putter should be legal or not. I've looked through some of the older threads and it seems split about 50/50 on that from the members.

It is intended to more about the putters themselves. I've been knocking around the idea of trying one and knocked around a few balls at Dick's the other day and it felt pretty good. I average 32 putts per round, so I guess I'm not a horrible putter. I want to give a belly putter a try but I don't want to spend $150+ to do so. I've been looking around on ebay at some used putters and any of the name brands are going for ~$100 used. Looks like the standard length for the belly putter is 43", I'm 6'3" and I think I need a 44" or maybe even a 45".

I'm going to continue to keep an eye out for a used name brand but I've noticed a lot of copy putters on ebay for $60 and they will build them the length you want, and some you even have a choice of grips. There are several different models to choose from.

Do you think the copy would be worth the $60, or would you hold out and wait and bid on a name brand and try to score a deal?

Here's a example of the Odyssey DART copy.

Real

Copy

If you have an old putter laying around that you like you could always convert it for yourself.  All you need is an old iron shaft (to use as an extension) and a grip.  I've done quite a few conversions for friends and family.  You will want to pick up some lead tape as well, some putter heads need more weight added or they feel a little 'dead'.  Some lead tape on the bottom brings the feel back.

Regarding your question; $60 for a copy can be good or bad.  I've used some knock-offs that are decent and some that are garbage.  It's really a gamble.  Plus I personally don't like the idea of buying a putter I've never tried out.  It's like buying shoes without trying them on, I couldn't do that either.

Great idea. I've got a Odyssey Marxman in the spares bag. Already got the grip off, old shaft cut down, put in and epoxy drying now. I'll go by Dick's to see if they have a grip, if they do, I'll have it ready this afternoon.

About how much weight, 20-30 grams?

It's hard to say, what I normally do is have them roll putts and we add weight slowly until it feels good to them.  You may not need any at all, quite a few didn't, it seems to depend on the putter head.  My brother's 2-ball ended up needing 18g added to it before it felt right to him.  My Yes! Carolyne didn't need any.

Turned out pretty nice. Almost didn't find a grip. Neither one of the Dick's in town had one, called Golf Supply America, about a 25 mile drive, and they didn't have any and both told me they had very hard to get and almost every brand was on back order due the demand for belly putters. I called Edwin Watts just taking a shot and they had a TaylorMade grip, so I went and picked it up. Ended up make it 44" in length.

Just got back from the local muni practice green giving it a test. Took some lead tape with me and ended up adding 30 grams to get a feel that I liked. Playing in a 4-man scramble this Saturday and should be a great chance to try it on the course.

Looks great!  That putter is so long you almost lose the scale and it looks like a normal putter with a standard grip on it!  Most of the belly putters I've made have been in the 40"-42" length.

I hear you on the availability of grips.  I was doing so many conversions for a while there that I bought a dozen because I got tired of driving all over the place.  I think I only have 1 left.

Got in 13 holes this morning before the storms rolled in. I think with just a little practice the belly putter will be great. In the 3'- 5' range it's almost automatic. Distance control on longer putts I thought was pretty good, came up short most of the time, but had it in the 3 circle and made all those. I just need more time with it.

I found the longer putts definitely took some getting used to.  Fortunately it didn't seem to require much practice time to get it dialed in.

IMO, if you want to give a belly a shot then a $60 clone might not be a bad idea.  At least that way you could try it for a while without dropping $300 on a name brand belly.  I personally cant stand long/belly putters and wouldnt even waste $60 on one but to each their own.

A month ago the golf shop that I buy most of my stuff from had a bunch of Cameron, Ping and TM belly putters, so I messed around with them a bit.  I dont think I got a single putt anywhere close to the hole and it just felt so unnatural to me.

If it works for you or anyone else out there, thats cool but they definetly arent for me...

I love them, but not because they're legal or illegal.  I think they look funny and are entertaining.  Never used one and probably won't until I'm like 70!  :)

Since you brought up the old thread, the home made belly didn't last long and went back to a regular putter. I did use the belly some to practice, seemed like it help get the straight back had straight through motion. I did however about a month ago get in a BAD putting slump and was at Edwin Watts looking at putters and tried a Ping Nome, adjustable from 37"-47". Best purchase of any equipment I've made in a long time. I've made more putts in the last month than I can remember, a bunch of long one's too. Using it as a belly, but if they become against the rules, I;ll just drop it down to 37" and keep on rolling.