Tiger Wants to Ban the Long Putter

[bilinguru]

Now there is nothing in there about anchoring or what constitutes a proper swing other than it must be a forward motion.

I believe sports are best when they are less regulated, not more.

The most popular sport in the world is football (soccer) and a big part of its popularity is its simplicity.

If somebody wants to anchor the the butt of the shaft to their belly, chest or chin to provide them with stability when putting, they should be allowed to do so as long as the club is not more than 48 inches long as in the rules.  A couple of guys have had success with this method and suddenly everyone is up in arms.  I don't believe that these putters give players an unfair advantage.  We are all allowed to use this method, but many don't like it or think it looks goofy or some other arbitrary reason for disliking it, but that does not make the advantage that players like Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson and others feel an unfair one.

[newtogolf]

The official FIFA rules have 17 sections and the rule book is about 70 pages long. There are also an additional 44 pages titled "Questions and Answers".  I wouldn't think it takes 17 sections and 70 pages if it's as simple as you claim.

Originally Posted by bilinguru

Now there is nothing in there about anchoring or what constitutes a proper swing other than it must be a forward motion.

I believe sports are best when they are less regulated, not more.

The most popular sport in the world is football (soccer) and a big part of its popularity is its simplicity.

If somebody wants to anchor the the butt of the shaft to their belly, chest or chin to provide them with stability when putting, they should be allowed to do so as long as the club is not more than 48 inches long as in the rules.  A couple of guys have had success with this method and suddenly everyone is up in arms.  I don't believe that these putters give players an unfair advantage.  We are all allowed to use this method, but many don't like it or think it looks goofy or some other arbitrary reason for disliking it, but that does not make the advantage that players like Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson and others feel an unfair one.

[jhwmusic]

I think Lucius was referring to the fact that Keegan is probably the poster child for long putters right now, since he won a major with one.

Man, I am just off today. I can't pick up on any sarcasm. What is happening to me!? :~(

[bilinguru]

Your right Newtogolf about how many stipulations and decisions are now present in modern football (and golf).  But the game's popularity grew because of the following rules...

1. A GOAL is scored whenever the ball is forced through the goal and under the bar, except it be thrown by hand.
2. HANDS may be used only to stop a ball and place it on the ground before the feet.
3. KICKS must be aimed only at the ball .
4. A player may not kick the ball whilst in the air.
5. NO TRIPPING UP or HEEL KICKING is allowed.
6. Whenever the ball is kicked beyond the side flags, it must be returned by the player who kicked it, from the spot it passed the flag line, in a straight line towards the middle of the ground.
7. When a ball is kicked BEHIND the line of goal, it shall be kicked off from that line by one of the side whose goal it is.
8. No opposite player may stand within six paces of the kicker when he is kicking off.
9. A player is 'out of play' immediately he is in front of the ball and he must return behind the ball as soon as possible. If the ball be kicked by his own side past a player, he may not touch or kick it nor advance until one of the other side has first kicked it or one of his own side, having followed it up, has been able, when in front of him, to kick it.
10. NO CHARGING is allowed when a player is out of play - i.e. immediately the ball is behind him.

As with all organizations in the modern age, governing bodies feel the need to respond to a variety of concerns from interested parties by regulating the crap out of them.  Sometimes these changes or additions are warranted, i.e. for safety, but by and large they tend to over-complicate the essence of what made the thing worthwhile in the first place.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by bilinguru

Your right Newtogolf about how many stipulations and decisions are now present in modern football (and golf).  But the game's popularity grew because of the following rules...

Golf similarly began with a simple set of 12 rules or so. Games evolve. Equipment evolves.

[bplewis24]

Originally Posted by bilinguru

We are all allowed to use this method, but many don't like it or think it looks goofy or some other arbitrary reason for disliking it

Perhaps you haven't read the entire thread?

Brandon

[sean_miller]

I don't know that much about soccer (football). Can you clarify?

Originally Posted by bilinguru

Your right Newtogolf about how many stipulations and decisions are now present in modern football (and golf).  But the game's popularity grew because of the following rules...

A GOAL is scored whenever the ball is forced through the goal and under the bar, except it be thrown by hand.

HANDS may be used only to stop a ball and place it on the ground before the feet. (Does this mean goaltenders couldn't throw the ball?)

KICKS must be aimed only at the ball.

A player may not kick the ball whilst in the air. ("Whilst" what is in the air: the ball or the player? Either way, I see this infraction all the time.)

NO TRIPPING UP or HEEL KICKING is allowed. (No heeling kicking the ball or other players?)

Whenever the ball is kicked beyond the side flags, it must be returned by the player who kicked it, from the spot it passed the flag line, in a straight line towards the middle of the ground.

When a ball is kicked BEHIND the line of goal, it shall be kicked off from that line by one of the side whose goal it is. (What sequence of events leads to a corner kick?)

No opposite player may stand within six paces of the kicker when he is kicking off.

A player is 'out of play' immediately he is in front of the ball and he must return behind the ball as soon as possible. If the ball be kicked by his own side past a player, he may not touch or kick it nor advance until one of the other side has first kicked it or one of his own side, having followed it up, has been able, when in front of him, to kick it. (Well that seems pretty straightforward - no diagrams necessary there!)

NO CHARGING is allowed when a player is out of play - i.e. immediately the ball is behind him. (Define "Charging".)

As with all organizations in the modern age, governing bodies feel the need to respond to a variety of concerns from interested parties by regulating the crap out of them.  Sometimes these changes or additions are warranted, i.e. for safety, but by and large they tend to over-complicate the essence of what made the thing worthwhile in the first place.

[bplewis24]

#4 would seem to make bicycle kicks illegal.

Brandon

[ncaney]

Personally I do not like the idea of someone anchoring the club against their body, but it is too late for the USGA to ban this.

Maybe the USGA needs to rethink their rules on putter grips? If they limited the putter grip to one piece and limited the grip length it would eliminate the amount of ways someone could grip a putter. You could have a 48 in putter, but it would be difficult to hold. This would not ban belly or long putters, but it would make them impractical to use.

I have not read this whole long thread, so forgive me if someone had already discussed the long putter grips.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by ncaney

I have not read this whole long thread, so forgive me if someone had already discussed the long putter grips.

We've got a whole thread on it , actually. And generally speaking, we do encourage people to read the thread before they post.

[k-troop]

Originally Posted by iacas

And generally speaking, we do encourage people to read the thread before they post.

Well if you could do something about the abysmal page-load speed, then maybe people could read the entire 18-page thread.  (I kid, I kid.)

[bilinguru]

No I read the thread Brandon.  My point is that we are ALL allowed to putt in our own style.  The fact is that we can ALL use a belly putter or use an anchor method of putting means that there is no advantage.  Either start putting that way or not.  It's your choice.  It's almost like trying to ban stack and tilt.  The fact that you think it's a crap methodology doesn't mean people aren't entitled to use it.

[ncaney]

Originally Posted by iacas

We've got a whole thread on it, actually.  And generally speaking, we do encourage people to read the thread before they post.

Thanks for pointing that out. I am new this.

My point, related to this post, is that I agree with Tiger that belly and long putters are not good for the game. I do not agree with Tiger on how the rules of golf should be changed to ban them. I think changing the grip rules would both simplify the rules of golf, and simplify equipment.

[newtogolf]

I was going to respond to this but thought it was was too far off topic.  It's actually only an infraction if there's another player close by that could be or is injured as a result of the kick.  Watch any soccer highlight film and you will see it loaded with these sorts of kicks

Originally Posted by sean_miller

I don't know that much about soccer (football). Can you clarify?

Originally Posted by bilinguru

A player may not kick the ball whilst in the air. ("Whilst" what is in the air: the ball or the player? Either way, I see this infraction all the time.)

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by newtogolf

I was going to respond to this but thought it was was too far off topic.  It's actually only an infraction if there's another player close by that could be or is injured as a result of the kick.  Watch any soccer highlight film and you will see it loaded with these sorts of kicks

Quote:

Originally Posted by sean_miller

I don't know that much about soccer (football). Can you clarify?

Originally Posted by bilinguru

A player may not kick the ball whilst in the air. ("Whilst" what is in the air: the ball or the player? Either way, I see this infraction all the time.)

I know dangerous plays are illegal. This strangely worded list of rules (there's one that actually makes no sense to me) doesn't touch on exceptions.

[newtogolf]

I agree, I think he quoted them from memory, not from a rule book.

Originally Posted by sean_miller

I know dangerous plays are illegal. This strangely worded list of rules (there's one that actually makes no sense to me) doesn't touch on exceptions.

[TheGeekGolfer]

Originally Posted by bilinguru

Well, I just spent an hour reading this thread and have a few observations.

Firstly, and this is true generally of internet forums, there is no shortage of opinions that are based in ignorance.

I don't want to call out specific contributors, as I think that is mean spirited, but I do wish people would take the time to inform themselves before shooting of their ideas.  It would save everyone else a lot of time and save themselves some embarassment.

That being said, I wonder how many people posting on this thread have actually read the rules of golf.  My guess is almost none of you.  So, for your edification please read the following excerpts from the USGA website (edited - deleted USGA website)...

...and your point is?  I'm sure many people that have posted here (like myself) have read this section and many others in the USGA Rules of Golf and have come to the informed conclusion that it clearly defines everything that is needed and is fine the way it is.  Long putters / Belly putters are fine and have been an integral part of the game for a long established time.  It constitutes a legal stroke and matches every definition (imho) of how the game was 'meant to be played'.

[cowpokealong]

Why should anyone be complaining about another player using a long putter?

Tiger is not exempted from using one himself.

Should we have a ban on clubs with grooves and balls that bite just because someone else can't backspin a shot?

Please, be serious . . . the long putter gives an"unfair advantage" during a drop!  Should a 5'7" player claim an unfair advantage against the 6'6" player during a drop?

Tiger needs to worry about his own game and quit worrying about the design of someone else's putter length.