Ban Belly Putters?

[iacas]

Should long putters (belly, chin, chest, etc.) be banned, perhaps with a 36-inch limit to putters?

Some more opinions here: http://blogs.golf.com/golfcom/2007/0...-belly-pu.html .

My vote: yes. But I'm about 51/49 on the issue. My interest in banning them would have gone up to 80/20 or higher if Sergio had won the first major using one, because clearly he was able to do something he has been unable to do for awhile. He always had trouble releasing his putter, and Azinger called it the "Automatic Release." Reduction of skill at arguably golf's most important aspect is not right. My problem is that the putter is no longer "swung," but I don't know that you can rule based on that.

[wengerlaw]

I voted no, but only because I wouldn't ban all kinds of long putters. This may be a bit arbitrary, but I think there should be a requirement that your hands must touch when putting. This would allow belly putters, but would ban those grotesque long putters used by Bernhard Langer and others.

On a side note, does anyone know how Langer travels with his putter? It's so long I don't think it would fit in the standard travel containers. Does the putter shaft break into sections or something?

[withdrew]

Ban Them!

[digger21]

How can you ban something that is clearly not even an advantage to the players who use them? Some players find help with them, some dont. Its just like a regular putter, some can use em greatly, and some cant.

Either way you look at it, nobody is outright dominating due to the putter they use so to think there is an advantage is just an elitist golfer thinking there is only one way to play golf. I still see the regular putters winning more tournaments then belly, two handed, etc putters. So it just doesnt make any sense to me to ban any putter.

[Fletch09]

I voted for a ban.

If a ban isn't feasible, then a rule should be implemented that requires anyone putting with a putter longer than 36 inches to paint the club hot pink. I'm talking grip, shaft, putter head.....the whole thing. Flaming hot pink!

[digger21]

However i must also state that I hate the look of all putters that arent your normal kind. haha. Those two handed taller then you putters are just ugly as sin. I keep expecting somebody to pull off from thier putt and throw it at a knight like it was a spear.

[Cleveland Gunmetal]

Should long putters (belly, chin, chest, etc.) be banned, perhaps with a 36-inch limit to putters?.

Nah. I just don't see why. All of the best putters, at least the one's who come to my mind, still use the conventional length. If guys who went to the belly started making all kinds of putts and dominating I'd go the other way but I just don't see it. Guys who have used it, Garcia, Vijay, Couples (before the back shut him down) to name a few are still prone to missing putts.

My interest in banning them would have gone up to 80/20 or higher if Sergio had won the first major using one

But he didn't. And he missed quite a few putts over the weekend. If they start banning belly and long putters then they may as well ban those spaceships on the end of a shaft. Especially that 2 ball putter style Harrington, Furyk and pretty much half the PGA tour (so it seems) uses.

[georgep]

This would allow belly putters, but would ban those grotesque long putters used by Bernhard Langer and others.

I actually feel the other way about this ... the long putter is not as bad as the belly putter because it is held in the hands rather than being anchored against the body like the belly putter, which seems to be against the spirit of the rule at a minimum.

Overall, I don't like either one, and I do question the USGA's letting them pass. But if I had back problems, one might just find a way into my bag.

[P3R3]

Why should they? Alot more pressing issues in golf, just ask Gary Player.


:rofl:

[RyanR]

What's the point in banning them? I actually use one, so one could say I'm biased, but I felt this way before I used it. Like it's been said, there's nobody that's dominating the tour because of it. It's just like anything else people do to and with their equipment to help themselves out. The drivers that promote a draw or a fade help people out in a fairly unconventional way. Graphite shafts that reduce ovalling are different than those of the past and are supposed to help people hit the ball better, not to mention the size of the grooves in some wedges and the huge drivers we all use now! I love technology, and as long as everyone is allowed to use it, it's fair in my eyes.

Take care,
Ryan

[Striper]

I don't think they should be banned, but it make sense to put a maximum length restriction on them.

Regarding the hands touching, I use a conventional putter with a split grip so my hands don't touch. It works great. Regulating someone's grip is a bit much.

[lamebums]

I don't see the point of banning longer putters. It doesn't give people a clear advantage over others (did Sergio win?). Also, with a 36 inch limit, I'd be out of luck. Mine came standard at 35, but I had it extended to 37 so I wasn't hunched over so far - saved me three or four strokes a round, easily.

[fluxcapacitor]

I'm always a little dissapointed when i see someone with a belly or chin putter on top of the leaderboard. To me it takes some of the human mechanics out of putting.

The fact that pros with long putters are still missing putts, has nothing to do with the putter, its that they didn't read the green right. I'm kinda on the fence about this whole subject because everyone makes good points as to ban them or not ban them. Maybe there SHOULD be a limit to how long a putter can be, they do have driver size limits. Just imagine if they let people hit with 700cc drivers.

To me putting consits of 2 elements, reading the green properly and SWINGING the club properly. All these long putters are doing is pivoting, there is not as much room for error and it kinda takes some fun out of it.

I think i'm more confused on this issue now! lol.

[wengerlaw]

Regarding the hands touching, I use a conventional putter with a split grip so my hands don't touch. It works great. Regulating someone's grip is a bit much.

Why not regulate the grip? The USGA already regulates the stance you can take when putting (Rule 16-1(e)).

[teece31]

If you ban these belly and long putters because of an unfair advantage, then there will be a lot of golf purists saying ban alignment putters like the 2-ball. I know that's completely ridiculous, but still...

[Mhinderaker]

I propose that any player putting with either a belly putter or a long putter must wear a skirt for any events they play on tour while using it.

Sounds like a plan.

[Dent]

If players are having problems with them then simple, dont use them! Why should they ban something thats giving a player a disadvantage? its their problem.

[dhyv]

I voted no. I'm open to different ideas and challenges. So long as they can't use it to measure club lengths for a penalty!