Ban Belly Putters?

[fluxcapacitor]

Just out of curiosity, who makes these 7 foot putters? And are they making them to make up for length elsewh.....I won't go there

But the first question was kinda serious, I am a little curious as to who makes the "chin" putters.

[Striper]

If some of you think it gives a player a significant advantage...and it's legal...why don't you use it?

[Cleveland Gunmetal]

  Striper said:

If some of you think it gives a player a significant advantage...and it's legal...why don't you use it?

Exactly. I've never tried one for an extended period of time but I have screwed around with one and personally I don't know how people can control the damn things.

[allin]

Yes I would ban belly putters, or any club or technique which anchors the club to a part of the body other than the arms and hands. I would also limit putter length to the same length as maximum driver length. This would exclude long putters that are anchored to the chin, chest, arm etc., but still allow reasonably long putters. There probably ought to be a maximum grip length and size also. Do current users gain an unfair advantage? Probably not on balance since they can be tough to use on long putts. In principle when a technique varies so much that a basic golf skill is bypassed then it becomes a problem. I feel long putters and belly putters threaten this principle.

[Shindig]

Keep 'em, but no drops based on any club longer than your driver.

I don't know how much the belly putters help. I'm sure they do help some players a good deal -- Sergio putted well during the British Championship, what more do you need?

If they help, fine. It's like using cavity back irons; sure, they help if you hit it poorly. But you still have to do a halfway decent job; they aren't hitting the putts themselves.

[bwinger79]

  Fletch09 said:

I voted for a ban.

Lets not forget that the longest hitter on tour uses a hot pink shaft. I dont think anyone will care what color it is when you start sinking everything inside 10 feet.

[Matt19807]

I'm personally not a big fan. How many people win with one on tour? Not too many. What did David Feherty say you can only use a belly putter if you have a belly. If a pro won a major with one would people question his ability. Probably. Yeah ban em

[nrussell]

ummmmmm, no ban on any usga conforming equipment. if you think they give you an advantage, go out on your local putting green and try to 2-putt from 30-40 feet consistantly with a belly/long putter. not easy...

[getinthehole]

Belly putters should be allowed, but the chin putters are just stupid, anything above a belly putter should be banned. Some people don't play well with belly putters anyway, it's personal preference.

[Lahey]

It's pretty much cheating , ban them

[dkm978]

I've always wondered how people with a chin putter carry them in their bag. Wouldn't that thing look a bit ridiculous sticking out of a bag??

Same question from earlier about travel applies as well.

[williethekid]

I dont care about people using these putters for putts, its using them for 1 clublength drops that I think is ridiculous.

[bwinger79]

  williethekid said:

I dont care about people using these putters for putts, its using them for 1 clublength drops that I think is ridiculous.

Why??? There are what????.... 2 putters on the market that are longer than stock drivers.... and by an inch. I dont think that 2 inches really gives an advantage in any situation.

[iacas]

  bwinger79 said:

Why??? There are what????.... 2 putters on the market that are longer than stock drivers.... and by an inch. I dont think that 2 inches really gives an advantage in any situation.

The first place I looked, at Scotty Cameron's site (he doesn't make many long putters), had a 48" putter listed (the Red X Long). That's three inches longer than the average driver and six inches longer on a two-club drop.

I agree it doesn't make much of a point. I still don't like using them for drops, and I don't like the idea that something is anchored to your body.

[beung]

I wouldn't say ban them but make a ruling on how they are used.

Just like you how you must have both feet on the same side of the ball when putting, just make the rule so that a max of 2 part of your body can touch the club at one time.

You want to use the belly putter then fine but the belly counts as one part and so then you can only put one hand on the putter when making your stroke.

[cybear]

Ban all long putters. You should not be able to tripod the putter unless you tripod your other clubs.

Anyone want to buy a belly driver?.......

cybear

[J_Bone]

I feel they are swing aides for putting. Yes, good putters will not benefit from them since they are good putters. But its a putting aide, for those who don't putt so well or have a bad putting stroke. To me, it's like having a backpack/harness that will only allow me to have a proper swing so I won't swing outside/in or top the ball and so on. OK for practice, not for playing.

So I say ban them.

[iacas]

The U.S. Amateur was won by someone using a belly putter, and "Gouge" ain't too happy about it:

http://www.golfdigest.com/equipment/...is-the-ou.html