Belly/long putters - to ban or not to ban?

[JezzE]

With the powers that be currently taking another long hard look at long putters, I thought I'd garner the forum's opinion on their ongoing legitimacy or otherwise.

For my part, I don't really have an issue with them for a number of reasons, primarily...

1) I've never seen or played with anyone at club level who's used one with any great proficiency, and indeed, have often been left wondering, 'if that is genuinely better than your conventional putting, I hate to think how bad that must have been!'
2) If it really is the panacea for all putting ills, why aren't we all using them? Can't we just live and let live as we all have the option to use one if we so desire. I've tried them briefly on the putting green and simply can't get my head around them.
3) Do we really need another possible reason for people to potentially walk away from the game right now?

Your thoughts please, and one simple vote...

 

[Rooter]

voted no, have not seen one on the course ever! Presume the people that moan about them, cant putt and therefore should maybe try one if they make it that much easier?!

 

[FairwayDodger]

I vote "Ban 'em" but I guess I really mean ban anchoring them.

 

[Alex1975]

I voted no... I have never used one but am always tempted. For my own self I like tradition so that if I have problems I can find help easily.

I think its live and let live as Jezze said, its not going to change my life.

I wonder, was there the same issue when space station sized putter heads came out or the old chipper/hybrid debate?

 

[need_my_wedge]

I vote "Ban 'em" but I guess I really mean ban anchoring them.

Ditto. If no single point anchor to the torso, then use away, otherwise vote for ban.

 

[Val]

No, if they are available them people should be free to use them. Not keen on belly putters but broom handles shouldnt even need questioned IMO.

 

[Mattyboy]

Ban em!

If anyone has to walk away from the game because they cant putt with a normal length putter they must think they are much better than they actually are (and it would be no great loss)......

 

[CMAC]

voted NOT to ban, for all the exact reasons you stated in your original Post Jezze especially point 1 and 2

 

[One Planer]

I voted no.

People still have to line a putt up, determine the pace and actually play the stroke.

If you can't line up, or judge pace then having a putter anchord is going to make no difference.

 

[FairwayDodger]

I had a thread a while back where I related my experience playing with a belly putter in a golf shop. I holed every single putt with it.... and only about 2/3 of similar putts with a regular putter. In my opinion, it (anchoring) makes putting easier due to removing part of the skill.

 

[fundy]

Voted to ban them, though prefer to ban the anchoring not the actual clubs

As for not having played with anyone using one, one of the best players at our club uses one and has improved greatly since he got his cheat stick last summer. As for point 2, why are all the US college coaches advising up and coming players to switch to them and learn with them whilst they are younger if there is no benefit?

 

[Deleted member 1418]

Tough one this. I voted for 'Ban' but like others I am against anchoring, particularly in the professional game. The powers that be really need to settle this issue quickly as it's quite worrying to hear that youngsters are now being encouraged to use them - that's just lazy teaching in my opinion.

On the other side of the coin, I am happy for them to be used by us mere mortals - anything that helps people keep on enjoying playing the game should be allowed and encouraged. I have a friend who uses a broomhandle putter and I don't think it has improved his putting at all! Have told him on a number of times to revert back but for some reason he still thinks it helps

 

[JezzE]

Voted to ban them, though prefer to ban the anchoring not the actual clubs

As for not having played with anyone using one, one of the best players at our club uses one and has improved greatly since he got his cheat stick last summer. As for point 2, why are all the US college coaches advising up and coming players to switch to them and learn with them whilst they are younger if there is no benefit?

Could be just a fad - things go like that in coaching, don't they? But really the point I was trying to make was that if it was such a clear-cut superior way for everyone to putt, then we'd surely have all made the switch by now?

 

[JezzE]

Tough one this. I voted for 'Ban' but like others I am against anchoring, particularly in the professional game. The powers that be really need to settle this issue quickly as it's quite worrying to hear that youngsters are now being encouraged to use them - that's just lazy teaching in my opinion.

If it's perfectly legitimate and seen by some coaches as a better way to putt, then surely it's good coaching on their part rather than lazy teaching to encourage their pupils to putt that way?

 

[Deleted member 1147]

Voted no.
I only know of 1 person using them at my club and he's still useless at putting.
As for the pro's, if it means that some top ball strikers can compete and make the weekly fields more competative then let them use them. We didn't bother too much when Torrance and Langer came along with their different putting methods, so why now?

 

[chrisd]

I use a belly putter and definitely make more putts than I used to, especially shortish putts. My playing partner has a broom handle and went to it after a bout of the yips, which still affects his chipping. If the putter was banned I would think there is a good chance that he would give up golf and maybe a lot of other players with him. I personally would see it as a challenge and return to a "normal" putter.

 

[garyinderry]

 

[bladeplayer]

I voted no , can people please tell me about being against anchoring ? your allowed to do it , im allowed to do it so whats the beef ? its like someone who can only use a 3wood wanting drivers banned .. the way i see it , They are currently ok within the rules , they are available to all , & you still have to hit the bloody thing into the hole ..


If they were that good every pro would be using them , along with elite amatuers & your regular club hacker ,

 

[Iaing]

Voted No.
As a lot of the others have said, it's the anchoring I don't agree with rather than the length of the putter.
A rule change should be brought into effect banning the anchoring.

 

[FairwayDodger]

can people please tell me about being against anchoring ?

It makes it easier to make a consistently straight stroke through the ball than with a non-anchored putter. To me, it removes an element of skill from the game.