Belly Putter, would you?

[BTatHome]

I must pick up one of those spirit of the game books, as I've never seen one yet.

Anyway for me I would certainly se if I thought it made me a better putter, after all I doubt the people that are currently using be "can't" putt, it's just that they putt better with a belly putter (same with the pros). We all try to improve, changing drivers/wedges etc all te time to find ones we perform better with. Changing to a belly is no different, just people trying to get better.

Since there is no rules that prevent it and the spirit of the rules is not written down anywhere, then I can't see the issue (anyway the spirits of the rules clearly change when new technology comes along, and I can't see why we try to bring it up, we have a huge rule book if it's not in there then why try to pick up some other mythical idea)

 

[bobmac]

IMPOSSIBLE unless you have a belly putter right? I mean to teach us mortals, by the means of some kind of aid...

Thats dark magic that is!

[video=youtube;JJciOTgPcOo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJciOTgPcOo&feature=youtu.be[/video]

 

[Foxholer]

The only reason people use them is to promote a one piece take away with no breaking of the wrists.
Therefor, I am set against them as there are ways of learning to do this without forking out for a gut stick.

The one reason Pros use them is to require fewer putts - end of!

They are in an immensely better position than any of us to learn whatever is required to do so, yet choose to go the belly/broomhandle route.

And any of them who've been associated with Yes would have access to a multitude of aids!

 

[Imurg]

Leaving aside the Professionals for a mo...

To me, the amount of time needed to become a decent putter with a broom or a belly must be considerable. It is, after-all, a completely different way of playing the shot.
If that amount of time was spent practicing with a normal putter, wouldn't you get better with that too..?

At the end of the day, these clubs are legal. If someone wants to use one then it's within the rules and they are allowed. I still, and always will, feel it's wrong. It fundamentally changes the "stroke". Does it make it easier? For some, yes it does, for others it doesn't.
The "Powers that Be" are able to change any rule they like whenever they like - they are the custodians of the rules.
If they feel that bellys and brooms are suspect, they can ban them - regardless of whether a Major has been won with one. Equipment rule changes are made all the time. Majors have been won with the old style "box" grooves - they were banned, Majors have been won with high COR drivers - they were banned. Does it mean the winners of these Majors are be-littled? Of course not. They were using legal equipment at the time.

I can see a point when the Pro Tours ban the broom or the belly. I don't think they'll ban it at amateur level - not enough people are using them for it to make a difference. I've never seen one on a course.....

 

[patricks148]

Leaving aside the Professionals for a mo...

To me, the amount of time needed to become a decent putter with a broom or a belly must be considerable. It is, after-all, a completely different way of playing the shot.
If that amount of time was spent practicing with a normal putter, wouldn't you get better with that too..?

At the end of the day, these clubs are legal. If someone wants to use one then it's within the rules and they are allowed. I still, and always will, feel it's wrong. It fundamentally changes the "stroke". Does it make it easier? For some, yes it does, for others it doesn't.
The "Powers that Be" are able to change any rule they like whenever they like - they are the custodians of the rules.
If they feel that bellys and brooms are suspect, they can ban them - regardless of whether a Major has been won with one. Equipment rule changes are made all the time. Majors have been won with the old style "box" grooves - they were banned, Majors have been won with high COR drivers - they were banned. Does it mean the winners of these Majors are be-littled? Of course not. They were using legal equipment at the time.

I can see a point when the Pro Tours ban the broom or the belly. I don't think they'll ban it at amateur level - not enough people are using them for it to make a difference. I've never seen one on a course.....

Im not that sure that much practice would be needed, I've never touch a belly putter till then and it was very very easy to get on with. Like i said in the orig post sank everything and i'm an ok putter and never do any sort of practice really. It was just so easy to use!!!

Not sure i could do it, but would def be thinking of changing if i was struggling with putting.

 

[the_scrambler]

Leaving aside the Professionals for a mo...

To me, the amount of time needed to become a decent putter with a broom or a belly must be considerable. It is, after-all, a completely different way of playing the shot.
If that amount of time was spent practicing with a normal putter, wouldn't you get better with that too..?

At the end of the day, these clubs are legal. If someone wants to use one then it's within the rules and they are allowed. I still, and always will, feel it's wrong. It fundamentally changes the "stroke". Does it make it easier? For some, yes it does, for others it doesn't.
The "Powers that Be" are able to change any rule they like whenever they like - they are the custodians of the rules.
If they feel that bellys and brooms are suspect, they can ban them - regardless of whether a Major has been won with one. Equipment rule changes are made all the time. Majors have been won with the old style "box" grooves - they were banned, Majors have been won with high COR drivers - they were banned. Does it mean the winners of these Majors are be-littled? Of course not. They were using legal equipment at the time.

I can see a point when the Pro Tours ban the broom or the belly. I don't think they'll ban it at amateur level - not enough people are using them for it to make a difference. I've never seen one on a course.....

I think some re-winding of the tape is required. The only reason the governing bodies haven't done anything about banning them thusfar is because the only golfers who used this type of equipment had the yips and using these putters allowed those golfers to continue to play the game with some degree of comfort. Mike Davis (USGA) pretty much said this not so long ago.

However, the situation has now changed because non-yippers are now using them out of choice rather than necessity and indeed, at this very moment are being mass-produced stateside to include the new generation of young golfers who won't even bother starting the game using a free-swinging putter. This is why the governing bodies are now taking another look at this situation.

 

[Hendo007]

Not for me either. I too think they should be banned.

 

[ScienceBoy]

SEE DARK MAGIC!