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

[dog377]

Ban them

Totally contra to the traditions of the game. They don't promote the making of a stroke.

My father in law uses one that goes all the way up to his chest. I cannot take it seriously but it saves him from the yips (sorry, are you allowed to say that in this Lounge). He is 75. I seriously think they should be banned for under 70 year old golfers. (Electric trolleys as well, while we're on the subject).

 

[USER1999]

Ban them.

I have had the yips. It's nasty. Long putters are not the answer. They are ugly, and anchoring is not the same as any other golf stroke. If you anchor the putter, then that should be defined as your golf stroke, and you should be made to anchor every other club in the bag, driver included.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Will we get to the stage where they are banned in the pro game and then allowed to survive another 4 years for us amateurs. Can't help thinking this will drag on and on

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Ban anchoring them yes - it goes against the principles of the golf swing.

 

[duncan mackie]

Ban them yes - it goes against the principles of the golf swing.

not sure where you draw this line - I know many golfers (admittedly not great golfers) that anchor all thier shots this way! How do you propose to assess this?

 

[19thagain]

I find it difficult to understand how an 8 handicap player can find a legal way to improve his handicap and decides that others can do it but not him!

"holed every putt when I tried one in the golf shop"

 

[MegaSteve]

Like many others have stated...

Its the 'anchoring' of the club I disapprove of and would like to see banned...

I understand that amongst the next crop of potential tour players going through the American college system the use of 'anchored' putters has become quite prevalent... Think if I am still around when this practice becomes the norm for professionals coupled with slow play thats when I'll start turning over to another channel...

 

[chrisd]

Electric trolleys as well, while we're on the subject

Thats me looking for a new hobby then!

 

[dog377]

Like many others have stated...

Its the 'anchoring' of the club I disapprove of and would like to see banned...

I understand that amongst the next crop of potential tour players going through the American college system the use of 'anchored' putters has become quite prevalent... Think if I am still around when this practice becomes the norm for professionals coupled with slow play thats when I'll start turning over to another channel...

If this is true they will need to think of a new name for the sport or to break into different governing bodies.
There will be the World Anchoring Nations Congress or WANC for short, and the Pure Golf Players Association.
In the WANC game blatant *******isation of the fundamentals will be allowed. The players will wear strips like basket ball players and have cheerleaders. They will end up hitting shots from a permanent tee to an ever changing green in a stadium in front of 70,000 people.........They will be allowed to take run ups and preferred lies will be the norm.

In Pure Golf there will be no anchoring and the hands must be together when making the swing.

 

[FairwayDodger]

I find it difficult to understand how an 8 handicap player can find a legal way to improve his handicap and decides that others can do it but not him!

"holed every putt when I tried one in the golf shop"

Mainly she just bought a nice new putter last year which helped improve her putting and can't justify/afford another one so soon. But also that it just doesn't sit right with me. Currently legal, yes, but definitely not right.

Took me a while to accept the concept of DMDs as well and I love my Garmin now so maybe one day.... but hopefully they'll be banned before I compromise my principles.

 

[bignev]

I voted no , dont really see they give any advantage. You still have to be able to read the green and judge the pace. The only time maybe they help is over those horrible little putts of around 1 to 2 foot that can sometimes slip by but other wise no.

 

[FairwayDodger]

I voted no , dont really see they give any advantage. You still have to be able to read the green and judge the pace. The only time maybe they help is over those horrible little putts of around 1 to 2 foot that can sometimes slip by but other wise no.

Several people have said this, and it is true, but you then have to be able to hit the ball on the line selected which is the third skill required for successful putting and which anchoring makes much easier to do.

 

[JustOne]

I voted no - still see lots of putts missed with belly putters in the hands of the best putters/green readers in the world.

 

[MashieNiblick]

Voted to ban. In my view if the club is anchored to the body it isn't a true golf stroke. It takes out part of the skill which I feel is essential in golf which is about controlling the club whilst holding it in your hands and swinging it freely. That in my view is what constitutes a golf stroke. Marginal maybe but that's how I see it.

The argument that if it was that much of an advantage everyone would do it doesn't really convince me. The same would be true of croquet style putting or being able to use a putter like a snooker cue both of which are banned.