Proposed Language for "Anti-Belly Putters Rule"

[iacas]

If the belly putter ban is ever to actually take place (it probably won't, but stranger things have happened), then we need a rule that does so.

Following up on the thread linked to above, I thought I'd post my thoughts on exactly how I might effectively "ban" belly putters. It's not by using the words "anchor" or "body" or "swung" either...

Appendix II governs equipment regulations, and this part is the part I'd change:

Quote:

3. Grip (see Fig. VII)

The grip consists of material added to the shaft to enable the player to obtain a firm hold. The grip must be fixed to the shaft, must be straight and plain in form, must extend to the end of the shaft and must not be molded for any part of the hands. If no material is added, that portion of the shaft designed to be held by the player must be considered the grip.

(i) For clubs other than putters the grip must be circular in cross-section, except that a continuous, straight, slightly raised rib may be incorporated along the full length of the grip, and a slightly indented spiral is permitted on a wrapped grip or a replica of one.

(ii) A putter grip may have a non-circular cross-section, provided the cross-section has no concavity, is symmetrical and remains generally similar throughout the length of the grip. (See Clause (v), below.)

(iii) The grip may be tapered but must not have any bulge or waist. Its cross-sectional dimensions measured in any direction must not exceed 1.75 inches (44.45 mm).

(iv) For clubs other than putters the axis of the grip must coincide with the axis of the shaft.

(v) A putter may have two grips, provided each is circular in cross-section, the axis of each coincides with the axis of the shaft, and they are separated by at least 1.5 inches (38 mm).

The rule itself stays.

(i) stays.

(ii) stays.

(iii) stays.

(iv) stays.

(v) is removed.

(v) is replaced with a rule that says the grip may extend a maximum of 11 inches in length from the butt end of the club.

There you go. Long putters will go the way of the dodo because they can't have split grips or really long grips anymore. It solves the problem without mentioning anything about "anchoring" or anything like that.

[Fourputt]

I would remove the stipulation in the "Length" section of the "Clubs" appendix that exempts putters from the 48" maximum length restriction.  That would also go toward keeping them closer to the realm of the typical golf club.

[ControlJunkie]

I like what you said there, and agree 100%.

I can't see this happening, and it's pretty outlandish, but what would stop someone from then teaching themselves to putt with a de-lofted fairway wood or hybrid in order to have something long enough that they could anchor? I know that sounds silly, but you'll see players use them for a bump and run type of putt from time to time. Just thinking out loud on a stupid tangent... :-)

Also, why not include the words you mentioned, such as anchoring or body? I didnt really follow the reasoning behind intentionally not having those words in there. Not disagreeing, just didnt fully understand that.

[inthehole]

I fully support this - I've always thought we all should be required to play with the same equipment, simple as that.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by inthehole

I fully support this - I've always thought we all should be required to play with the same equipment, simple as that.

All players should use the same type of ball, wooden headed woods (1, 3, and 5), blade irons 3 iron to PW, a sand wedge, and a blade putter - not the perimeter weighted blades either - something like a bullseye (no paddle grips though -  only round). I'd play most people straight up like that any day. You cheaters playing your burners and such!

[TheGeekGolfer]

Originally Posted by iacas

If the belly putter ban is ever to actually take place (it probably won't, but stranger things have happened), then we need a rule that does so.

Following up on the thread linked to above, I thought I'd post my thoughts on exactly how I might effectively "ban" belly putters. It's not by using the words "anchor" or "body" or "swung" either...

Appendix II governs equipment regulations, and this part is the part I'd change:

The rule itself stays.

(i) stays.

(ii) stays.

(iii) stays.

(iv) stays.

(v) is removed.

(v) is replaced with a rule that says the grip may extend a maximum of 11 inches in length from the butt end of the club.

There you go. Long putters will go the way of the dodo because they can't have split grips or really long grips anymore. It solves the problem without mentioning anything about "anchoring" or anything like that.

I don't get it... number (v) - what is the 'butt end of the club', isn't the end of the grip considered the 'butt end of the club'?

[iacas]

Originally Posted by Fourputt

I would remove the stipulation in the "Length" section of the "Clubs" appendix that exempts putters from the 48" maximum length restriction.  That would also go toward keeping them closer to the realm of the typical golf club.

Belly putters are 44" or so. The 48" rule wouldn't really matter much except for the chin type putters.

Originally Posted by ControlJunkie

I can't see this happening, and it's pretty outlandish, but what would stop someone from then teaching themselves to putt with a de-lofted fairway wood or hybrid in order to have something long enough that they could anchor? I know that sounds silly, but you'll see players use them for a bump and run type of putt from time to time. Just thinking out loud on a stupid tangent... :-)

Also, why not include the words you mentioned, such as anchoring or body? I didnt really follow the reasoning behind intentionally not having those words in there. Not disagreeing, just didnt fully understand that.

Why? Because if you grip down on a club, like to the bottom of the grip or the shaft, I don't think you should be penalized if it brushes your belly or forearm. You're still swinging the club.

So that's why.

And if someone wants to putt with their hybrid, more power to them... They'd be gripping the shaft and putting with a club not suited for the purpose, so have at it.

My distaste for belly putters is not about playing the same equipment or even "because it's easier to putt with a belly putter." If I believed that, I'd have one in my bag.

[iacas]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGeekGolfer

I don't get it... number (v) - what is the 'butt end of the club', isn't the end of the grip considered the 'butt end of the club'?

Not if the shaft sticks out from the end of the grip, it isn't.

To quote the existing rule:

Quote:

The grip must be fixed to the shaft, must be straight and plain in form, must extend to the end of the shaft and must not be molded for any part of the hands.

The bold part is what I'm talking about. Cowtown said in the other thread he'll just mount his grip partway down his shaft, have the raw (steel, whatever) shaft sticking out. The rules already disallow that (bold part), so that additional wording is unnecessary in my part v , I suppose.

[inthehole]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

All players should use the same type of ball, wooden headed woods (1, 3, and 5), blade irons 3 iron to PW, a sand wedge, and a blade putter - not the perimeter weighted blades either - something like a bullseye (no paddle grips though -  only round). I'd play most people straight up like that any day. You cheaters playing your burners and such!

I don't see a blade iron vs a game improvement iron as a valid comparison to a 35" vs 44-48" putter.      To me, from a mechanics standpoint, it's not the same tool for the job - we simply should all have to use the same basic tools ... amiwrong ?

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by inthehole

I don't see a blade iron vs a game improvement iron as a valid comparison to a 33" vs 44-48" putter.      To me, from a mechanics standpoint, it's not the same tool for the job...

You didn't specify putters. You just said equipment, then added "simple as that".

[iacas]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

You didn't specify putters. You just said equipment, then added "simple as that".

Great.

Now, back to the topic. Thanks.

P.S. Ooh, forgot we had this one now:

[iacas]

John Paramor (yes, you've heard that name before) suggests this rules language: the putter must be the shortest club in the bag. (I suppose if you had two putters, they wouldn't need to be equal length, but they would have to be shorter than the shortest non-putter club in the bag.)

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by iacas

John Paramor (yes, you've heard that name before) suggests this rules language: the putter should be the shortest club in the bag. (I suppose if you had two putters, they wouldn't need to be equal length, but they would have to be shorter than the shortest non-putter club in the bag.)

It shouldn't be the longest club. That's about as far as I'd go.

[Kieran123]

Whats next? No more Hybrids?

I don't think belly putters will ever be banned. Not enough evidence to suggest they make putting easier....it may not be ( in some peoples opinions ) the way the game should be played, but it is....so bad luck.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by Kieran123

Whats next? No more Hybrids?

Straw man. Hybrids are still "swung" in the manner of other clubs. Nobody's looking to ban hybrids.

Originally Posted by Kieran123

I don't think belly putters will ever be banned. Not enough evidence to suggest they make putting easier....it may not be ( in some peoples opinions ) the way the game should be played, but it is....so bad luck.

They might never be. But if they would, I've tried to make clear that my case for them being banned has nothing to do with "making putting easier."

[Kieran123]

Originally Posted by iacas

Straw man. Hybrids are still "swung" in the manner of other clubs. Nobody's looking to ban hybrids.

They might never be. But if they would, I've tried to make clear that my case for them being banned has nothing to do with "making putting easier."

Hybrid comparison was sarcasm

I know your argument isn't about the possibility of it being easier ( which it may or may not be ) I thought your argument was that it isn't the how the game should be played?  So it isn't how a putter 'should' be swung in your opinion?

[iacas]

Originally Posted by Kieran123

I know your argument isn't about the possibility of it being easier ( which it may or may not be ) I thought your argument was that it isn't the how the game should be played?  So it isn't how a putter 'should' be swung in your opinion?

If you disagree, post in the other thread. This one's for discussing ideas about how you'd write up the rule to ban them.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by Kieran123

Hybrid comparison was sarcasm

I know your argument isn't about the possibility of it being easier ( which it may or may not be ) I thought your argument was that it isn't the how the game should be played?  So it isn't how a putter 'should' be swung in your opinion?

Maybe you should start a thread to save the belly putters?!? What wording would you use to ensure the safety of these gentle giants?

On topic, if you're going to ban something, don't allow a loophole by using the word "should" instead of the word "must".