Sidesaddle Putting Could Be the Next PGA Tour Putting Craze

**billchao** · March 17, 2015

http://www.golf.com/instruction/face-sidesaddle-putting-could-be-next-golf-putting-craze-pga-tour

Quote:

The ban on anchored putting is less than nine months away. Some players who switched from long putters or belly putters have been successful so far by going back to conventional length putters. The idea that the ban isn’t going to be a big deal, as I read in one recent golf story, is wrong.

There were stories from Doral about how well Adam Scott rolled it using a conventional putter and a claw grip. At the Valspar Championship, Scott putted poorly, ranked 139th in the field in strokes gained putting and ended his streak of 45 consecutive cuts made.

I’m sure some pros will make the adjustment to conventional putting smoothly, but I also think it will be a small number. More players will struggle than excel, in my opinion, and some will eventually discover face-on.

I could say it looks weird or unconventional and it will never catch on, but I thought the same of anchored putting. If this technique is really that good, I can see players adopting it.

Heck, I'd probably do it if I didn't have to buy a putter just for it.

Here's Gary Van Sickle's original article on sidesaddle putting: http://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/sidesaddle-putting-why-sam-sneads-method-might-be-post-anchoing-future-putting

**tmac20** · March 17, 2015

Wasn't this banned years ago?

**billchao** · March 17, 2015

Wasn't this banned years ago?

No, that was croquet-style putting. You are not allowed to stand astride (straddle) your line on the putting green, but you are allowed to stand to it's side and putt while facing the target.

**boogielicious** · March 18, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by billchao

http://www.golf.com/instruction/face-sidesaddle-putting-could-be-next-golf-putting-craze-pga-tour

Quote:

The ban on anchored putting is less than nine months away. Some players who switched from long putters or belly putters have been successful so far by going back to conventional length putters. The idea that the ban isn’t going to be a big deal, as I read in one recent golf story, is wrong.

There were stories from Doral about how well Adam Scott rolled it using a conventional putter and a claw grip. At the Valspar Championship, Scott putted poorly, ranked 139th in the field in strokes gained putting and ended his streak of 45 consecutive cuts made.

I’m sure some pros will make the adjustment to conventional putting smoothly, but I also think it will be a small number. More players will struggle than excel, in my opinion, and some will eventually discover face-on.

I could say it looks weird or unconventional and it will never catch on, but I thought the same of anchored putting. If this technique is really that good, I can see players adopting it.

Heck, I'd probably do it if I didn't have to buy a putter just for it.

Here's Gary Van Sickle's original article on sidesaddle putting: http://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/sidesaddle-putting-why-sam-sneads-method-might-be-post-anchoing-future-putting

About three days after golf was invented in Scotland in the 1400s, some guy came up with the first, "new way of putting"! (this is tongue and cheek obviously). But we see it over an over.

The stated advantage is your view of ball and hole for which they have a point. But to me, it looks like a less stable body position and instead of controlling the motion of the club with two hands, you only use one hand. I have always felt that was the disadvantage of the broom style anchored putting too.

**Crim** · March 18, 2015

Lol, please god, no.

**billchao** · March 18, 2015

The stated advantage is your view of ball and hole for which they have a point. But to me, it looks like a less stable body position and instead of controlling the motion of the club with two hands, you only use one hand. I have always felt that was the disadvantage of the broom style anchored putting too.

I thought the whole point of anchored putting was the anchor point which gives you more control than having a free-floating top hand. Having only one hand controlling the stroke in the putter would mean less chances of messing up the motion, no?

**Wally Fairway** · March 18, 2015

The only thing I've ever messed around with is crosshanded, but I might be willing to try it - but only as a tribute to this man

**boogielicious** · March 18, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogielicious

The stated advantage is your view of ball and hole for which they have a point. But to me, it looks like a less stable body position and instead of controlling the motion of the club with two hands, you only use one hand. I have always felt that was the disadvantage of the broom style anchored putting too.

I thought the whole point of anchored putting was the anchor point which gives you more control than having a free-floating top hand. Having only one hand controlling the stroke in the putter would mean less chances of messing up the motion, no?

That is the theory, but have you tried it with a full length broom putter? I find it more difficult because of the length and only one hand.

**colin007** · March 18, 2015

Lol, please god, no.

this is the only correct answer.

**billchao** · March 18, 2015

That is the theory, but have you tried it with a full length broom putter? I find it more difficult because of the length and only one hand.

I've tried both anchored styles briefly (I mean I tried it at a store, once). I only found it difficult because of the "newness" to me. I couldn't get a good grasp of distance and it felt awkward to anchor something to my body, so I gave up on it. There's something different about this technique because of the pulling motion with the right hand, from what the articles state. Did you read the Pelz anecdote in the second article?

**liquor box** · March 18, 2015

About three days after golf was invented in Scotland in the 1400s, some guy came up with the first, "new way of putting"! (this is tongue and cheek obviously). But we see it over an over.

The stated advantage is your view of ball and hole for which they have a point. But to me, it looks like a less stable body position and instead of controlling the motion of the club with two hands, you only use one hand. I have always felt that was the disadvantage of the broom style anchored putting too.

so it must have taken 3 day for the first three putt!

**jsgolfer** · March 20, 2015

I did this messing around on the practice range the other day, with my standard Scotty Cameron Newport 2.5, and I was surprised with well i putted the short putts. I've already took the plunge to hybrids, maybe sidesaddle putting will be my next thing to go to.

**GolfMaineiac26** · March 20, 2015

When I watched the 96th PGA Championship the only person I saw that used the side saddle technique was Adam Scott, then again I don't watch as many PGA events as I'd like to (but that will change next month :)), and honestly I don't think it will become that popular, I certainly won't be using it, it is a very awkward posture and the wide spacing of the hands on the putter would just add to the awkwardness.

I can see it's appeal and potential benefit, gripping the club lower on the shaft with your other hand on the bottom of the grip could make the stroke more steady and reduce the chance of the ball "jumping" when making contact.

**DrvFrShow** · March 20, 2015

A guy was putting like this at the range on the practice green. He let me try it. I nearly sunk two 20 footers and the short putts were very easy. One of my major putting problems is that my glasses distort at the edges. I putt better if I take off my glasses. Unfortunately I can't see the hole very well if it is over 20 feet away.

**cubdog** · March 21, 2015

It will take just one player to try and successfully use this method of putting. Then it could catch on. I could see a player like Tim Clark or Carl Peterson giving it a shot. It will be interesting to see how this develops.

**colin007** · March 24, 2015

When I watched the 96th PGA Championship the only person I saw that used the side saddle technique was Adam Scott,

you sure that was side-saddle and not just a long putter that he anchored in his chest?

**RussUK** · March 24, 2015

I can see this becoming popular with recreational golfers who currently anchor but not on Tour. I anchor at the moment but as i dont play tournaments or currently have an official handicap i planned on carrying on with it. I have been looking at other methods that allow me to use my belly putter so may be worth a punt.

**Archie Bunker** · March 24, 2015

Manufacturers would love it. After selling conventional putters, long putters, and belly putters, they now would have the opportunity to sell you "sidesaddle" putters!

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Sidesaddle Putting Could Be the Next PGA Tour Putting Craze

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