Tiger Wants to Ban the Long Putter

[iacas]

Originally Posted by handlez42

And how does the top five finishers not affect? last years romp of winners using belly putters is the only reason this whole conversation of making it illegal is even brought up.. golf media chimed on about players using belly putters... and like i said the belly putter has been around for 10+ years so why now is it of concern?

Two separate issues:

- That they're growing in popularity is a perfectly valid reason to discuss (again) banning them.

- That they're growing in popularity is NOT a valid reason to ban them.

I don't know how to make that clearer. They're separate issues.

Wedge grooves were looked at when "bomb and gouge" style golf became more popular than the USGA was comfortable with. The larger grooves weren't banned because they were popular, that's just what forced the USGA to look into whether they "weren't the way the game should be played."

[Golfingdad]

Originally Posted by Spyder

I wouldn't care either way. To me, being an avid bowler, this would be like the PBA banning the 2-handed release that Jason Belmonte utilizes. Though the "spirit" of the game is derived from a single handed release, using 3 conventionally drilled holes for the 2 middle fingers and thumb. It's an advantage for Belmonte with his revs, however for us to try is risking a broken wrist or negative results.

Great analogy.  I was going to point to bowling as well but for a different reason.  Some have suggested that different sets of rules for pros vs. amateurs might be a solution, but if they went that route, I think they have to be careful.  Part of what we love about golf is that we are playing the exact same game the pros play.  Or at least it's easy for us to tell ourselves that so long as the differences are not as obvious as different clubs.  (Narrow fairways, faster greens, longer rough, etc)  In bowling, they were smart because instead of regulating ball makeup or weight, or throwing style or what have you, they went the invisible route with sport oil layouts for pros, and ridiculously easy house patterns for us mortals.  But because it looks the same, the appeal is still there.

[turtleback]

Originally Posted by TheGeekGolfer

It's like talking to a wall sometimes, certain people only hear (read) what they want to hear.

My irony meter just exploded.  LOL

[TheGeekGolfer]

Originally Posted by turtleback

My irony meter just exploded.  LOL

The irony of your comment escapes me.

[bluecollar01]

How can it be considered a competitive advantage when each player has the option to choose or not choose to use a long putter.  It's like saying that TaylorMade drivers are better engineered so they should be banned.  There is no competitive advantage, only the choice to use differently engineered piece of equipment to accomplish a task.

Just my thoughts.

[TourSpoon]

Keegan Bradely made the arguement that they are not automatic with his performance on 10 at Doral. He missed a few.

[jamo]

How can it be considered a competitive advantage when each player has the option to choose or not choose to use a long putter.  It's like saying that TaylorMade drivers are better engineered so they should be banned.  There is no competitive advantage, only the choice to use differently engineered piece of equipment to accomplish a task. Just my thoughts.

I don't think anyone is arguing that they do provide a competitive advantage.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by TourSpoon

Keegan Bradely made the arguement that they are not automatic with his performance on 10 at Doral. He missed a few.

That was awesome. Those red trousers and giant putter were zig zagging back and forth across my screen.

[bplewis24]

Is that the one where he threw a fit after he missed the putt?

[teamroper60]

Originally Posted by jamo

I don't think anyone is arguing that they do provide a competitive advantage.

Several have done just that.....

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by bplewis24

Is that the one where he threw a fit after he missed the putt?

He could have been throwing a fit but I missed it. The coverage seems to go somewhere else pretty fast when he's between shots.

[TourSpoon]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

He could have been throwing a fit but I missed it. The coverage seems to go somewhere else pretty fast when he's between shots.

He missed it three times but made the fourth attempt. His face matched his pants by then.

[k-troop]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

He could have been throwing a fit but I missed it. The coverage seems to go somewhere else pretty fast when he's between shots.

Originally Posted by TourSpoon

He missed it three times but made the fourth attempt. His face matched his pants by then.

You couldn't hear him, but he was at best mouthing some pretty colorful language.  I think he actually shook his fist at the ball at one point like he was going to punch it.

[Dewdman42]

ban it.

Golf clubs are designed to be held in the hands and swung.  The problem isn't the length, its the act of using the body to anchor it.  That goes against the spirit of golfing, which is taking a stick and swinging it in your hands.

What if someone came up with some new fangled kind of iron which could somehow be connected to your body in a way to eliminate casting?  Would we tolerate that?  I don't think so, not in a million years.  Being a good golfer is a huge part about mastering control over your hands.  If someone is able to bypass this issue by anchoring the club or some such thing, then they are essentially kind of cheating the spirit of the game.

Anyone using a belly putter knows they are doing it because they thought they could solve some problem in their putting by using this gimmick.  It never should have been tolerated to begin with.

ban it, keep everyone on the same playing field.

[newtogolf]

I just read in one of the UK golfing magazines that a manufacturer plans to introduce a long wedge for chipping.  It's designed to anchor to the body like the long putter and intended to simplify chipping.

[bplewis24]

Originally Posted by newtogolf

I just read in one of the UK golfing magazines that a manufacturer plans to introduce a long wedge for chipping.  It's designed to anchor to the body like the long putter and intended to simplify chipping.

And so it begins...

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by bplewis24

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtogolf

I just read in one of the UK golfing magazines that a manufacturer plans to introduce a long wedge for chipping.  It's designed to anchor to the body like the long putter and intended to simplify chipping.

And so it begins...

The good news is we have time to prepare many merciless insults to use while playing with someone so useless they'd need to anchor a wedge (or more likely a chipper).

[TourSpoon]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

Quote:

Originally Posted by bplewis24

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtogolf

I just read in one of the UK golfing magazines that a manufacturer plans to introduce a long wedge for chipping.  It's designed to anchor to the body like the long putter and intended to simplify chipping.

And so it begins...

The good news is we have time to prepare many merciless insults to use while playing with someone so useless they'd need to anchor a wedge (or more likely a chipper).

I read the same thing in Golf Week. Again, a non-threat IMO unless some guy on Tour decides to give it credence.