Belly Putter's First Outing, My Thoughts...

[the_scrambler]

Heidi, it's quite obvious you haven't a clue about how the governing bodies work. The R&A is on record as stating the matter is under review. If anything happens, it won't happen until the next rules revision in 2016 so it's quite wrong for "your man at the R&A" (more like, "your man representing the R&A") to even imply there wouldn't be a ban on anchoring.

However, I will be very surprised if they're not banned because there seem to be increasing statisical evidence that an advantage is being gained from the 'bread and butter' range of putts. This was never an issue before because it tended to be only those (usually older) golfers whose putting was yippy and who used them as a last resort so, rightly or wrongly, although a blind eye was turned, it was for the best of reasons.

If anchored putters are banned, should be interesting to see how they word the rule that doesn't have the effect of manufacturers suing the governing bodies pants off them!

Can't wait!(lol)

 

[DCB]

If anchored putters are banned, should be interesting to see how they word the rule that doesn't have the effect of manufacturers suing the governing bodies pants off them!​

And that will be the crux of the whole matter.

So until the powers that be make a decision, they are perfectly legal to use. They aren't for me, but hey, If I suddenly developed a case of the yips, I might consider it

 

[the_scrambler]

Of course, it should be remembered that the broom handles came in first which also involve anchoring but it seems to me that on the basis they were more cumbersome to use and seen as a disadvantage in windy conditions, this perhaps provided further evidence for not doing anything about banning anchored putters. Questions only started to arise when the belly putter was introduced and 'able-bodied' golfers started to use them when finding them to be advantageous.

 

[the_scrambler]

And that will be the crux of the whole matter.

So until the powers that be make a decision, they are perfectly legal to use. They aren't for me, but hey, If I suddenly developed a case of the yips, I might consider it

That to me is the saddest aspect to this whole saga. If they are banned, the golfers who will suffer most will be those who really need them to extend their enjoyment of the game. I know what it's like to suffer from the yips. It is the most soul-destroying thing to happen to a golfer. Fortunately for me though, I found salvation in switching round and putting left-handed.

 

[BTatHome]

Would love to see this 'statistical evidence'

 

[the_scrambler]

Have to admit BT, don't know where to source that info - just paraphrasing what seems to be consensus of opinion. However, putting guru, Dave Peltz, has been advocating these putters for years and I'm fairly sure he stated they were particularly advantageous for the 'bread and butter' length and indeed went into technical reasons as to why although, there's no point in asking me what they were. The less I think about it, the better!

In any event, it's my view that this issue will not be decided on stats alone but on whether or not an anchored putting is considered to be within the spirit of the game.

 

[Ethan]

So I debuted my belly putter today at Bearwood Lakes. Haven't played golf since December (in the US), so tee to green was decidedly ropey for the first few holes, but the belly putter was a revelation.

I holed everything I looked at and managed a smooth 38 points, including 24 on the back nine with 12 putts for that back nine, some of which were decent mid length putts.

Getting the ball started on the intended line is just a lot easier with the belly, so that removes one variable from the equation. You still have to read the line and the pace, obviously.

BL is looking well with the changes to the 8th, 9th and 10th, by the way.

 

[Andy808]

I've never lost to someone using a long stick, I haven't even had a half come to think about it.
I don't care what they do with the rules I love playing someone who is using one, it's soooo easy to get into their heads!!

 

[Ethan]

I've never lost to someone using a long stick, I haven't even had a half come to think about it.
I don't care what they do with the rules I love playing someone who is using one, it's soooo easy to get into their heads!!

Ah, a 22 handicap Master of Gamemanship. I have seen a few of those over the years. Usually compensating for something. As well as a lack of game, obviously.

Turns out that golf is won by getting the ball in the hole, and that usually shuts up the Master of Gamesmanship who is long on talk but short on game.

But one that admits to a dodgy handicap - "still a bandit" - too. Mmm, starting to smell more like a ...... [rhymes with sheet].

 

[Shanks a lot!]

I've never lost to someone using a long stick, I haven't even had a half come to think about it.
I don't care what they do with the rules I love playing someone who is using one, it's soooo easy to get into their heads!!

I imagine your playing partners are few and far between with that way of thinking. 'Getting into their heads', what is meant by that? If it's purposely winding someone up and putting them off their game then you should hang your head in shame.

 

[BTatHome]

I've never lost to someone using a long stick, I haven't even had a half come to think about it.
I don't care what they do with the rules I love playing someone who is using one, it's soooo easy to get into their heads!!

Hmmm, doesn't seem to work very well with your opponents normally ....

Lost 6 & 4. Nothing worked today only had 3 good drives and 1 par, holes I had shots on I made a complete mess of.

 

[Andy808]

Hmmm, doesn't seem to work very well with your opponents normally ....

First he doesn't play with a long putter, Second I admitted to being woefull and third I haven't played a match where there hasn't been a little banter which has been started by them.
Played in a fourball today and played pretty well with back to back birdies to keep us in the match. Sadly my partner is carrying a wrist and elbow injury so we did well to go down by 2 but our opponents played superbly well just when they needed to.

 

[AuburnWarrior]

Its cheating!!!

I cant wait for the day the R&A come out with a maximum shaft length that outlaws belly putters and broom handle putters, I absolutely detest them

Can you show me the rule that states using a belly/broom handled putter violates the laws of golf please?

If you can't then it's not cheating. End of.

 

[AuburnWarrior]

But using one isn't cheating. It's fundamentally wrong of course...

I remember hearing the old farts at Mitcham GC stating exactly the same comments regarding the then new metal woods with graphite shafts.

Times change and it appears that putters have moved on from the traditional length of shafts.

 

[the_scrambler]

AuburnWarrior... length of shaft is not the issue ... anchoring it to the body is.

 

[Region3]

If they do change the rules regarding anchoring rather than length of putter, will that also affect those who grip at the bottom with their left hand and hold the top of the grip against their left forearm with their right hand?

 

[Mattyboy]

Not against the rules or cheating but you wont see a chipper in my bag either!

 

[AuburnWarrior]

AuburnWarrior... length of shaft is not the issue ... anchoring it to the body is.

So should Langer's grip have been outlawed way back in the early 90s?
He used a 'normal' length putter but ran the grip down the length of his forearm? Is that not a form of anchoring?

I really don't get the issue with belly/broom handled putters. Everyone can use one if they so choose.

I'm guessing the puritans on here that berate the belly/broom handled putters still use persimmon woods, bladed irons and balata golf balls?

 

[the_scrambler]

If they do change the rules regarding anchoring rather than length of putter, will that also affect those who grip at the bottom with their left hand and hold the top of the grip against their left forearm with their right hand?

Good point Region3. I think that would be ok. Strictly speaking, that is still a free-swinging movement whereas attaching the club to the torso would produce a pendulum action which is what they are looking at to ban.