Fat putter grips

[HawkeyeMS]

OK, so I'm hoping this isn't going to be too controversial and turn into a bunfight as it really isn't meant to be but I am struggling with the concept of Fat putter grips and whether or not they should be allowed.

As far as I can tell, they prevent wrist breakdown during the stroke and it seems to me that they work. But should this not be something that a player practices and learns? There has been a lot of furore and subsequent banning of anchored putters because they make the stroke more stable and part of me is looking at Fat putter grips and thinking that they do the same thing.

I would say that Fat putter grips have done more to improve peoples putting than anchored putters ever did, I certainly see more Fat gripped putters than anchored ones.

Now as I say, all I want here is a discussion, I'm not saying they should be banned I'm just wondering why anchored putters got such bashing when Fat putter grips appear to be eliminating something that should maybe be something the player controls on their own?

Opinions?


Please please please keep this civil

 

[HomerJSimpson]

That's a relief. After your putting woes last weekend I thought for a moment you'd gone for a change. Mind you....would it be worth a look?

 

[One Planer]

OK, so I'm hoping this isn't going to be too controversial and turn into a bunfight as it really isn't meant to be but I am struggling with the concept of Fat putter grips and whether or not they should be allowed.

As far as I can tell, they prevent wrist breakdown during the stroke and it seems to me that they work. But should this not be something that a player practices and learns? There has been a lot of furore and subsequent banning of anchored putters because they make the stroke more stable and part of me is looking at Fat putter grips and thinking that they do the same thing.

I would say that Fat putter grips have done more to improve peoples putting than anchored putters ever did, I certainly see more Fat gripped putters than anchored ones.

Now as I say, all I want here is a discussion, I'm not saying they should be banned I'm just wondering why anchored putters got such bashing when Fat putter grips appear to be eliminating something that should maybe be something the player controls on their own?

Opinions?


Please please please keep this civil

I think it's a fair point you make.

Yes, Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson and Adam Scott have won majors with anchored clubs which is probably what got the governing bodies to look into a ban as, I believe has been proven, gives an advantage. personally I don't believe they do but that's just my 2p.

Jason Duffner also won a major with a fat grip. A lot of people who are contending in tournaments now use a larger grip. Speith, Oosthuizen, Mickleson, Choi are just a few others who use larger grips.

The point about things to practice and learn is valid, but, where do you draw the line?

Surely all players on tour have solid swings and enough practice time to learn. Should they then ban GI clubs from tours and have blades only?

Surely tour players have a solid enough swing and enough practice time to learn to hit long irons, should hybrids be banned from the tours?

I'm not trying to take this off topic at all, I think it's an excellent point for debate :thup:

I just think, when looking into something of this nature (Practice vs Equipment), it's difficult to draw the line.

 

[Alex1975]

Interesting. The anchored putters were about it not being a swing in the true seance of the golf swing, with the fat grip you still make a swing but I take your point about it changing the way you swing. Perhaps more like a training aid than a club.

 

[USER1999]

Would bubba have to change the grip on his driver?

 

[duncan mackie]

As far as I can tell, they prevent wrist breakdown during the stroke .....

nope - but the fatter the grip the more difficult it is to break the wrist

so the only question really becomes whether there should be a maximum diameter to a golf club grip based on the supposition that a fatter grip brings an unfair advantage...

the answer to this lies in the number of players who don't play a really fat grip because it doesn't confer an advantage!

note - anchored putting wasn't banned because of an unfair advantage but because it was considered to be no longer a golf swing, so it has no analogy to your grip argument.

 

[Scooby999]

I changed to a WINN fat putter grip last week and I have to say that it has proved its worth already, I played yesterday and my accuracy was significantly improved. I am not sure wether you could ban them as there are so many variables already out there with club/grip/shaft already.

I could not not tell wether it has stopped a wrist action, it just felt more comfortable in my hand!

 

[tsped83]

What if you have massive hands? Then maybe a fat grip is normal?

 

[garyinderry]

I honestly don't think that wrist break down is all that important. watch a lot of the oldies putting and they were flicking away at their little blade putters rolling in putts as well as the modern players.

in fact, using a bit of a flick can help it to holds its line as it seems to put some forward roll on it.

 

[Foxholer]

No difference to slightly larger or thinner grips having an effect on the full swing.

Natural limit as to when it stops being effective.

Every player has the choice to use/not use.

No probs for me. I use a midi to help stop 'flapping' btw.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Can understand the reasoning behind the thinking and it is certainly thought provoking

But where do you stop ?

Alignment on putters ? Limit the weight which helps people keep the club face square ? No counter balance putters ? Two ball putters

There are lots of different styles and weights etc that help someone put

Should all those styles also banned and there be only one style of putter ?

 

[One Planer]

What if you have massive hands? Then maybe a fat grip is normal?

:rofl:

It would take a mountain of a man to justify K.J Choi's grip

 

[Agent Pies]

I've just ordered a Super Stroke slim 3.

Hopefully it'll help my putting.

 

[Oddsocks]

OK, so I'm hoping this isn't going to be too controversial and turn into a bunfight as it really isn't meant to be but I am struggling with the concept of Fat putter grips and whether or not they should be allowed.

As far as I can tell, they prevent wrist breakdown during the stroke and it seems to me that they work. But should this not be something that a player practices and learns? There has been a lot of furore and subsequent banning of anchored putters because they make the stroke more stable and part of me is looking at Fat putter grips and thinking that they do the same thing.

I would say that Fat putter grips have done more to improve peoples putting than anchored putters ever did, I certainly see more Fat gripped putters than anchored ones.

Now as I say, all I want here is a discussion, I'm not saying they should be banned I'm just wondering why anchored putters got such bashing when Fat putter grips appear to be eliminating something that should maybe be something the player controls on their own?

Opinions?


Please please please keep this civil

With different size iron/wood grips on the market, then the option of adding extra layers of tape if needed..... How can you ban a grip based on its width,

I wouldn't be without mine,p as I have no doubts it's made my stroke less wristy, but but the same principle I have 3 layers of grip on my clubs for the same reason.

 

[clubchamp98]

With different size iron/wood grips on the market, then the option of adding extra layers of tape if needed..... How can you ban a grip based on its width,

I wouldn't be without mine,p as I have no doubts it's made my stroke less wristy, but but the same principle I have 3 layers of grip on my clubs for the same reason.

I found fat grip good on fast greens , But hopeless on slow winter greens . If everyone can have one why ban them.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I have contemplated a thicker grip for a while but happy with my stroke (well until last weekend). Might get a mid sized version on the old Ping Anser