Brooms and Bellys..

[Imurg]

They're both legal, you can use either.
But is it right?

Should Broomhandles and Bellyputters be outlawed?

They've extended the "shelf-life" of a lot of players, Langer and Vijay spring to mind. Plenty have dabbled with them, Monty, Sergio, to name a couple.

But should the length be limited to, say, 36 inches (to cater for the giants!) or should anything go?

Personally, I'm sitting squarely on the fence. How can you claim they should be banned when we're all using 460cc titanium drivers instead of a 160cc persimmon? Or using a ProV1 instead of a Dunlop 65?
But somehow they don't sit right in my mind. It's admitting you can't putt with a shortstick, it's emphasising a shortcoming in your game. But then so is using a draw-bias driver....

How does everyone else feel? I know 2 or 3 of us use brooms. What made them change?

 

[JustOne]

FIGHT!!!!

 

[Yerman]

I reckon if they were so great everyone would use one.

 

[USER1999]

Ban them.

Every other golf shot the club is held and swung in the same basic way. The long putter stands out as looking like a different sport.

For any other part of the game, you can't really buy a cure (draw biased drivers don't really work). Bit nervy on short putts? Buy a long putter. Got the shanks? You're stuffed.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Not got a problem with them. I tried a broomhandle on the putting green once and hated it. If they aren't banned then it's like chippers, if you feel the need to have one then so be it. I can't see how the R&A will go back and suddently do away with them after all this time so I guess these putters are here to stay

 

[Robobum]

They can make them as long as they want, you just shouldn't be allowed to anchor it against any part of your body (belly(s), chest, chin(s)).

And the relief rule should be changed to say you have to measure your club or two with the driver, at least there will only be an inch or 3 difference rather than a foot or so.

 

[richart]

Not got a problem with them. I tried a broomhandle on the putting green once and hated it. If they aren't banned then it's like chippers, if you feel the need to have one then so be it. I can't see how the R&A will go back and suddently do away with them after all this time so I guess these putters are here to stay

I had money on you having tried one Homer.

 

[RGDave]

They can make them as long as they want, you just shouldn't be allowed to anchor it against any part of your body

+1.

 

[percy_layer]

They can make them as long as they want, you just shouldn't be allowed to anchor it against any part of your body

+1.

That's what i think too

 

[Marko77]

I reckon if they were so great everyone would use one.

I have a belly putter which gets an occassional outing but after a couple of dodgy putting rounds do myself think the same as the above and persist with the regular length putter.

Whilst there is def a benefit in the longer putter for the shorter putts they are only a benefit if your going to stick it reasonably close. I personally find the longer putter a nightmare for long putts.

 

[vig]

I was discussing this with the lad today whilst watching Timmy Clark.
I don't mind them using longer putters but as has been said, shouldn't be anchored

 

[Tommo21]

The putter should be the shortest club in the bag.

 

[MashieNiblick]

Every other golf shot the club is held and swung in the same basic way. The long putter stands out as looking like a different sport.

+1

They can make them as long as they want, you just shouldn't be allowed to anchor it against any part of your body (belly(s), chest, chin(s)).

+1

If they can make it illegal to stand astride the line to play a shot on the grounds that that isn't golf they should have made it illegal to brace or hold the club against any part of the body. Golf should be about holding the club in your hands and swinging it. I really respect Langer, Woosie (and others who have been driven to use them) as players but sorry guys, I don't think it should have been allowed. Probably too late now to ban them though.

 

[pokerjoke]

Im ok with them,if they prolong someones enjoyment then why not.

 

[goldenbare]

I recall one pro recently using a broom handle as his club for gaining relief rather than a driver at the most.

Not really the spirit of the game

I agree that once you have used an alternative and admitted there is a problem with your putting it could creep into the rest of your game.

Definitely needs a restriction

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I had money on you having tried one Homer.

So you've never tried a mates new putter on the putting green before a round. You have had a sheltered golfing life. Or is it more a case of another that feels the need to have another sly dig at my posts

 

[Dodger]

Moving on,if anyone has tried these things they will know that they are bloody hard things to use.I aint got an issue with them really but can not see my self ever wishing to use one as I found them tough to use.

 

[jammydodger]

Putter shouldnt be longer than your driver , nice and simple.

 

[USER1999]

I have tried a broom handle. It was alot like cheating. Just reinforced my feeling they should be banned.

 

[Iaing]

But should the length be limited to, say, 36 inches

This is a belly putter to me.