For arguments sake........

[One Planer]

Didn't want to hijack another thread relating to belly and broom handle putters so I thought I'd start my own.

As everyone on here knows opinion is divided on the use of belly/broom handle putters, with both parties making good arguments for and against their use, with the neutral getting splinters in their asses from the fence.

As I understand it, and I'm happy to be corrected, the belly and broom handle putters are designed/aimed at people who struggle with putting? Giving them a boost of confidence in their putting and adding more enjoyment to their game, yet people call for them to be banned.


Here's a question.

Could hybrids not be classed in a similar vein?

They are designed for people who struggle to hit long irons

They are designed to give a confidence boost as they are easier to hit than their long iron cousins (Allegedly) and bring added enjoyment to the users game.

Both break no rules of golf set out by the R&A so why such hatred towards one, and so much love toward the other?

If they ban one (Belly/Broom handle), should they ban the other (Hybrid)?




Just for arguments sake

 

[fundy]

From my perspective the whole issue with them is the anchoring of the club to the body, i dont care how long someones putter is as long as the only parts of the body it touches are the hands, meaning they have to swing it, rather than pivot it off a fixed point as is the main benefit of the long putter

 

[BTatHome]

I asked a similar question during a debate about chippers and generally everyone thinks hybrids are great

Btw the biggest issue is the ancoring of the club (which also isn't illegal) but seems to be the big bugbear.

Also I was chatting to a friend that works as a TM club fitter and in the uS the college guys are coming thru the ranks with the belly putter being the only method they have been using since they started. These guys are not using one because of the yips or any issues they have , it's just the only method they have been using since day one.

 

[Shanks a lot!]

If they ban belly putters I don't believe they should ban hybrids too.
It's the anchoring of the handle to the belly that everyone is getting so precious about, yet with a hybrid it is swung like a conventional club, so there is nothing there to debate.
It astounds me how people get on their high horse about the belly putters. If they think it's so easy to putt with one, and they are legal, why aren't they at least trying them out? You still have to get the line and pace of the putt correct, it's not just a case of standing over the ball and all the work is done for you!

 

[One Planer]

I asked a similar question during a debate about chippers and generally everyone thinks hybrids are great

Btw the biggest issue is the ancoring of the club (which also isn't illegal) but seems to be the big bugbear.

Also I was chatting to a friend that works as a TM club fitter and in the uS the college guys are coming thru the ranks with the belly putter being the only method they have been using since they started. These guys are not using one because of the yips or any issues they have , it's just the only method they have been using since day one.

From my perspective the whole issue with them is the anchoring of the club to the body, i dont care how long someones putter is as long as the only parts of the body it touches are the hands, meaning they have to swing it, rather than pivot it off a fixed point as is the main benefit of the long putter

So the club itself is conforming, but it's use (Anchoring against the body) isn't.

Surely equipment that conforms to the rules of the game become illegal through it's method of use?

 

[BTatHome]

So the club itself is conforming, but it's use (Anchoring against the body) isn't.

Surely equipment that conforms to the rules of the game become illegal through it's method of use?

Anchoring on not illegal.

 

[Shanks a lot!]

So the club itself is conforming, but it's use (Anchoring against the body) isn't.

Surely equipment that conforms to the rules of the game become illegal through it's method of use?

I could anchor a 5 iron to my body to play a long chip shot if I wanted to.

 

[One Planer]

Quote from the R&A

R&A confirms putter “anchoring” is under review
The legality of players “anchoring” their putting stroke is under active review by golf’s governing bodies, The R&A’s Chief Executive Peter Dawson confirmed today.

The move had been prompted by the recent upsurge in use of anchored putting strokes on Tour – not just among older players – but a final decision is yet to be made.

Any action that is taken would most probably be by amending the Rules on method of stroke rather than limiting putter length, with any change effective from 1 January 2016, when the next edition of the Rules of Golf is published.

Speaking during a press conference at Royal Lytham & St Annes, venue for this year’s Open Championship, Dawson said: “The use of long and belly putters, and in particular any anchoring of the club against any part of the player’s body, has been under review by The R&A and USGA for some time. The recent upsurge in use of anchored putting strokes on Tour has brought the subject into renewed focus.

“We appreciate that this is a complex and emotive issue that divides opinion. Any decision will be made with the best interests of the game in mind and introduced only after a lengthy period of notice.”

No specific length of time has been given for a decision to be made, with the final decision resting with the Rules committees of The R&A and USGA.

http://www.randa.org/en/RandA/News/News/2012/April/Anchoring.aspx

Now reading this it seems that there is not rule against anchoring the stroke or it/they would have already been banned?

If it's within the rules, like a hybrid, what's the problem?

 

[BTatHome]

The infamous 'spirit of the game'

 

[Imurg]

Nothing about them breaks any rules. They are 100% legal, as is the way you use them.
They debate is whether anchoring the putter against part of your body SHOULD be legal.
Many, myself included, feel that anchoring a putter shouldn't be allowed.
Hybrids, 460cc drivers, clubs with alignment aids etc are all held in the hands only. The hands are the only part of the body that touches the club. Clearly, with belly and broom putters this is not so.
Why is the putter anchored?
If not to provide stability during the stroke, then....?

Clubs should be held in one or two hands, the hands must be the only contact with the club.
That is my belief and the reason I will never use one.
And I will respect anyone's right to use one unless the R&A ban them

 

[HomerJSimpson]

It comes down to whether the anchoring is legal. At the moment this is deemed allowable but whether it will be in the future is up in the air. I don't actually think hybrids are a million miles different from say a 5 wood and so I don't buy into the argument they are for players who can't hit long irons. To be honest TM don't do a 3 iron in the R11's unless you specifically want to order one and they aren't alone. The majority of sets are now 4-PW or SW and players are offered hybrids to fill the gap. I could hit a 3 iron and wouldn't be afraid to carry one. Not different to my 4 iron in my mind. As the set doesn't have one a bit academic

 

[Leftie]

Aren't most modern 4 irons near enough the same loft of 3 irons of a few years ago?

 

[G1BB0]

does it really matter? Adam Scott still 3 putted earlier with his monstrosity

 

[ScienceBoy]

I prefer hitting irons to woods so hybrids are a nice compromise. I also love its flight off the tee

 

[Hobbit]

We all have the option to buy a belly/broom putter. Personally I couldn't give a monkey's. I'm more than happy with my putting, and I'm yet to meet a club player who has gone from being a dodgy putter to something stunningly good just thro' changing to a belly/broom.

Storm and teacup springs to mind.

 

[Mattyboy]

About 50 or 60 years ago, there would have been similar discussion regards stradling the line of your putt. I.e. the line of your putt extending between your legs. In the end it was banned and so will anchoring IMO.:mmm: