A discussion that'll end in an argument

[One Planer]

I'm just reading on the R&A website regarding equipment and came accross this:

It is the role of The R&A’s Equipment Standards Committee to interpret and apply the Rules relevant to clubs and balls, and to determine and advise which conform to the Rules and which do not. The Committee is also responsible for recommending modifications to these Rules, if and when changes are believed to be necessary.

With the above statement in mind should the R&A come to a decision on the use of Belly/Broom handle putters and either make the decision that:

a) Yes they are a conforming club

or

b) Unconforming and banned

Interestingley. There is another quote:

In 1924, The R&A issued a statement which "deplored that players, instead of trying to master the use of golf clubs, should endeavour to overcome difficulties of the game by using implements which have never been associated with it

Would you associate this comment with the belly/broom handle putter (anchoring the putter)?

If so would you also apply it to 460cc drivers, balls, etc

I know people on here have varying views, some for, some against.

My opinion is that it has it gone too far now that a wide variety of tour pro's are switching to the "longer" putter. I just hope the R&A will come to some decision and put the issue to bed!

What's our opinion?

 

[brendy]

The drivers themselves are legal, its the screw n weights and adjustable shafts which are suspect in that context.
Long putters...well those that use them themselves know they have a problem..

 

[Tiger]

Ok I'm the R&A committee. Adam Scott is celebrating his first Major win at Augusta 2012, following on from Keegan Bradley's triumph in the USPGA.

"Right guys enough is enough, you are making a mockery of our great sport you can't use long putters anymore"

Cue Steve Williams to take the 460CC driver out of Scott's bag and proceed to pummel the entire R&A committee to death with it in order to fulfil his duties of protecting his player so they can win more Major Championships.

Please bear in mind that at this stage Williams has just drawn level with Tiger on number of Majors won and has Niklaus' record in his sights!

On a more serious note the problem they have created is by letting it go for so long they have made it harder to bring in a ruling. And what about Garrigus and the miniscule kiddy putter????

 

[ADB]

No problem with Garrigus and the didi putter - it is not anchored.

I really cannot see the problem with the 'anchored' putting stroke being banned. The long putter could still be used a la Torrance as he held it below the chin rather than against the chest like Adam Scott.

We need to do this quickly before, god forbid, someone with The Open with one of these putters.

Then agin, I am a bit of a traditionalist

 

[chrisd]

I can miss with a belly putter as well as a "normal" one!


They are legal - get over it



Chris

 

[pokerjoke]

I have no problem with the longer putter.
Its not like it gives the player an unfair advantage,the putts still have to be made.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Imurg is so fat that he turns a normal putter into a belly putter.

Im So Dead

Fragger

 

[ADB]

I can miss with a belly putter as well as a "normal" one!


They are legal - get over it



Chris

I agree this will always be the argument for their legality and if they were so infallible, why isn't it that all players have them in their bag?

Like everyone I have my opinion and I think it just takes some of the skill in controlling the stroke if you are pivoting from a fixed point.

I won't lose any sleep over this though.....

 

[Hobbit]

Just to put a perverse slant on it. Why not play golf with 1 club and 1 ball(for the round)? You get to choose from the current 14 clubs available, and if you lose the ball you're out the game.

In other words stop belly(sorry, I couldn't stop myself) aching about it and get on with the game. The game's evolving, just like it always has.

 

[big_al]

when you watch the seniors tour on tv it seems like they're all using one, never tried one myself and never seen anyone using one when i've been playing. i suppose if you're a pro and missing a lot of birdie chances you'll try anything but for me they just don't look right. i agree with the other posts on here it's just the game evolving. are there any players on tour considered great putters who use a long putter?

 

[BTatHome]

With the above statement in mind should the R&A come to a decision on the use of Belly/Broom handle putters and either make the decision that:

a) Yes they are a conforming club

or

b) Unconforming and banned

Surely the decision has already been made. As they are currently deemed to be legal then they will have to specifically write a rule that makes them illegal.

 

[sev112]

We need to do this quickly before, god forbid, someone with The Open with one of these putters.

God forbid someone will win the Open with a chipper ...

 

[DaveM]

The game moves on, just get over it. After all there are no tradionalists are there? If there were, they would still be using Hickory shafts and stuffed leather balls.

 

[One Planer]

The game moves on, just get over it. After all there are no tradionalists are there? If there were, they would still be using Hickory shafts and stuffed leather balls.

I have no issue with the belly putter, so what exactly am I getting over?

Where in the OP did I say I disagree'd with them, or said they should be banned?

All I pointed out was 2 quoted from the R&A and asked for peoples opinion on the "longer" putters based on these quotes?

All I was trying to do was start a debate between the traditionalists and modernists on here who have an opinion on the subject.

 

[Pull]

The thing is that anyone on tour can use them if they so choose, so it can't be seen as an advantage and more personal preference.

Do any of the tour players moan about other pro's using the belly/long putters?

 

[ADB]

Do any of the tour players moan about other pro's using the belly/long putters?

Ernie Els did........right up until started using one