Long Putters and Belly Putters Taking Over

[darkhunter139]

I really hate them and hope they do get banned.

Is there actually a chance they will get banned now that so many players are using them though?

[newtogolf]

Probably a shot but not likely.  If Tiger ever uses one and it helps him there'll be no chance they are banned.

Originally Posted by darkhunter139

I really hate them and hope they do get banned.

Is there actually a chance they will get banned now that so many players are using them though?

[BigTexGolfer]

I keep seeing the distance of relef argument being brought up, and I guess I do not see the advantage.  If you use your driver instead of your putter as you are allowed under the rules for relief, this is not much difference in length compared to even the longest putters. Almost a full club length?  Not hardly.  A typical driver is 45-46" (with a max of 48"), broomstick putters 48"-50".  So the most additional relief assuming two club lengths of relief is 10".  Maybe the answer there is making a 48"  limit for all clubs in the bag for consistency sake.

[Shorty]

Originally Posted by darkhunter139

Is there actually a chance they will get banned now that so many players are using them though?

Do you seriously think that a rule would come in that would effectively end the careers of a dozen or so top players?

If it does happen, it won't be in the next decade and in any case, there's nothing to suggest that it will or even might happen, apart from the mutterings of people on golf forums who "hate them".

[Stretch]

Agreed. That train left the station long ago. Really, there are two practical choices at this point: If you're convinced it's a clear advantage, suck up your aesthetic objections and play one yourself. If you're not convinced it's a clear advantage, then stop worrying about how other people putt/swing/dress on the course and get on with your life.

[Marcel White]

Quote:

I keep seeing the distance of relef argument being brought up, and I guess I do not see the advantage.  If you use your driver instead of your putter as you are allowed under the rules for relief, this is not much difference in length compared to even the longest putters. Almost a full club length?  Not hardly.  A typical driver is 45-46" (with a max of 48"), broomstick putters 48"-50".  So the most additional relief assuming two club lengths of relief is 10".  Maybe the answer there is making a 48"  limit for all clubs in the bag for consistency sake.

There are Reeso putters 54" long.

Marcel White

[Marcel White]

Quote:

Probably a shot but not likely.  If Tiger ever uses one and it helps him there'll be no chance they are banned.

What is Tiger doing here? The discussion is about long putters, not long putts.

MW

[Zeph]

How would a golfer even feel good about making a putt with a belly putter? Don't they realize how ridiculous it looks?

Winning some million dollars probably helps soothe the shame.

[allin]

Agreed. That train left the station long ago. Really, there are two practical choices at this point: If you're convinced it's a clear advantage, suck up your aesthetic objections and play one yourself. If you're not convinced it's a clear advantage, then stop worrying about how other people putt/swing/dress on the course and get on with your life.

I agree with the anchoring objection, but if I knew a belly putter would drop my handicap by two strokes or be the difference between playing or not with my bad back, or a pro staying on tour or winning a major, geez it wold be a no brainer. Isn't the job of thr R&A; and the USGA to make decisions fair and in accordance with the spirit and traditions of the game? I would find it impossible to reconcile anchoring the putter and decisions such as outlawing croquet style putting.

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by BigTexGolfer

I keep seeing the distance of relef argument being brought up, and I guess I do not see the advantage.  If you use your driver instead of your putter as you are allowed under the rules for relief, this is not much difference in length compared to even the longest putters. Almost a full club length?  Not hardly.  A typical driver is 45-46" (with a max of 48"), broomstick putters 48"-50".  So the most additional relief assuming two club lengths of relief is 10".  Maybe the answer there is making a 48"  limit for all clubs in the bag for consistency sake.

The broomstick putter is more than a foot longer than the longest allowed driver.  If you are measuring 2 clublengths (lateral water hazard or ball unplayable), then you gain a good 2.5 to 3 foot advantage.  That just isn't right.  Belly putters are 48-50, broomstick putters can reach all the way to the chin, and for a tall man that is over 5 feet (my chin is about 64").

[jgreen85]

chalk up another win for the anchored putter.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by Fourputt

The broomstick putter is more than a foot longer than the longest allowed driver.  If you are measuring 2 clublengths (lateral water hazard or ball unplayable), then you gain a good 2.5 to 3 foot advantage.  That just isn't right.  Belly putters are 48-50, broomstick putters can reach all the way to the chin, and for a tall man that is over 5 feet (my chin is about 64").

Rich, as you know you don't stand perfectly straight up and down when you're putting.

Long putters are typically about 50" and belly putters are more like 43". If I stick my driver in my belly it's too long to use as a belly putter. It's too short to use as a long putter at the top of my chest (seriously, when's the last time you saw anyone with the thing on their chins?), it only needs another few inches to reach the ground.

Kombi Mid: 43" http://www.scottycameron.com/putters/puttermodel.aspx?id=371

Kombi Long: 50" http://www.scottycameron.com/putters/puttermodel.aspx?id=372

I think your math is wrong. Belly putters aren't 48-50 and broomsticks aren't as long as you seem to think.

[The Tin Man]

I was in Rodger Dunn's yesterday. The Belly Putters were getting a lot of try-outs, usually with poor results. Guys with big bellies were trying to anchor to a quivering mass of flab. It makes more sense to me to anchor to the sternum (chest bone) with a longer putter.  Anyway, business was good for the belly putter.  I think they sold out on the belly's  but not the long ones.

[darkhunter139]

Originally Posted by The Tin Man

I was in Rodger Dunn's yesterday. The Belly Putters were getting a lot of try-outs, usually with poor results. Guys with big bellies were trying to anchor to a quivering mass of flab. It makes more sense to me to anchor to the sternum (chest bone) with a longer putter.  Anyway, business was good for the belly putter.  I think they sold out on the belly's  but not the long ones.

Now that Mickelson was seen using one I think they are going to start getting a lot more popular.  I am even tempted to try one to be honest ;)

[dbuck]

One of the Euro mini tours has banned them, but I doubt if USGA, R and A, or PGA will follow suit. As others have said, the train has left the station. Of course the train was down the track on grooves and they called them back-fiasco that it was(is).

Personally, I don't like them, have no use for them, but would have said the same about hybrids a short while ago and now there are two in my bag. I do think its too late to ban the long putter, but don't plan on trying one (at least for a while, lol)

[Leftygolfer]

I think it is kind of rediculous to see good to great putters using these things.  The reason Phil isn't better has nothing to do with his putting.  He used to miss the short ones but seems to have fixed that.  It is that he can't keep it in play and hits wild shots that cost him.  Jim ugly but effective swing using one, why??  He has always been a great putter.

I think if there is an advantage and apparently there is, they should be banned.  Putting under pressure is about nerves. If you can anchor the club to the body that helps take that out in some way.

[FowlPlay]

We can only wonder what Robert Garrigus thinks of this trend.

[JetFan1983]

I noticed Michelle Wie is rocking a belly putter today (although she uses it more like a conventional putter with a cross-handed grip). How long has she been using one?