Belly Putters

Johnny_Fontane

I came up with a plan last night regarding belly putters.

Golf fans around the world need to unite, so basically big groups of people disperse all over the course following players with belly putters.

Every time, the caddy pulls it out of the bag and its handed to the player, everybody screams cheat. CHEAAATTTTT

if it eventually catches on, players will be forced to drop them, as PGA won't be able to stop fans from going to the golf.....

LETS HIGHLIGHT THE ISSUE!

:D

bustercherry

Johnny_Fontane wrote: »

I came up with a plan last night regarding belly putters.

Golf fans around the world need to unite, so basically big groups of people disperse all over the course following players with belly putters.

Every time, the caddy pulls it out of the bag and its handed to the player, everybody screams cheat. CHEAAATTTTT

if it eventually catches on, players will be forced to drop them, as PGA won't be able to stop fans from going to the golf.....

LETS HIGHLIGHT THE ISSUE!

:D

Wise up gimp :rolleyes:

Johnny_Fontane

No I wont wise up.

They should be illegal. You shouldnt be allowed to anchor you putting swing to any part of your body.

the lawman

Sits back and watches the show:

http://imgur.com/tCp90.gif

bustercherry

Johnny_Fontane wrote: »

No I wont wise up.

They should be illegal. You shouldnt be allowed to anchor you putting swing to any part of your body.

But they are not, therefore no one is cheating and calling people cheats or hurling abuse at pros :rolleyes: just means your making a fool of yourself.

Kid Charlemagne

Johnny_Fontane wrote: »

I came up with a plan last night regarding belly putters.

Golf fans around the world need to unite, so basically big groups of people disperse all over the course following players with belly putters.

Every time, the caddy pulls it out of the bag and its handed to the player, everybody screams cheat. CHEAAATTTTT

if it eventually catches on, players will be forced to drop them, as PGA won't be able to stop fans from going to the golf.....

LETS HIGHLIGHT THE ISSUE!

:D

Jaysis its not apartheid, the rainforests or child labour lad. get a grip of yourself.

Osgoodisgood

Johnny_Fontane wrote: »

I came up with a plan last night regarding belly putters.

Golf fans around the world need to unite, so basically big groups of people disperse all over the course following players with belly putters.

Every time, the caddy pulls it out of the bag and its handed to the player, everybody screams cheat. CHEAAATTTTT

if it eventually catches on, players will be forced to drop them, as PGA won't be able to stop fans from going to the golf.....

LETS HIGHLIGHT THE ISSUE!

:D

Yep.......I'm not going to do that.

We use golf balls that go miles further than they did a few years ago, balls that are designed to go straight despite how badly they are struck. We use drivers with 460cc heads with trampolining faces that are also designed to minimise our crappiness
And the big issue is the length of the putter?

foxyboxer

I'd be more inclined to see a belly putter user as a game improver rather than a cheater.

When the top 10 putters statistically are all using belly putters then there might be something to investigate.

Having problems with your putting? Simply hole every approach shot. Problem solved. :pac:

GreeBo

Osgoodisgood wrote: »

Yep.......I'm not going to do that.

We use golf balls that go miles further than they did a few years ago, balls that are designed to go straight despite how badly they are struck. We use drivers with 460cc heads with trampolining faces that are also designed to minimise our crappiness
And the big issue is the length of the putter?

For me the problem is not the length, its the fact that the putter is being fixed against the body.

charlieIRL

GreeBo wrote: »

For me the problem is not the length, its the fact that the putter is being fixed against the body.

same here.

Imagine the uproar if you managed to make a long shafted driver that you could anchor on your body and stabilise your swing? Would be banned immediately.

link_2007

GreeBo wrote: »

For me the problem is not the length, its the fact that the putter is being fixed against the body.

Is this a big advantage?

Why do more pros not opt to one it if it is?

GreeBo

link_2007 wrote: »

Is this a big advantage?

Why do more pros not opt to one it if it is?

It removes another variable from the stroke...with this method all you have to do is effectively pick up the putter and let it fall back to the ball...its the perfect pendulum stroke.
Others dont use it I guess because they are happy with their stroke as it is.

PRAF

GreeBo - the belly putter seems to offer a lot more stability and is therefore easier to get the ball rolling on the target line. Even guys like big Phil who have only just experimented with the longer putters improved their stats from 20 feet and in. It helps to minimise forearm rotation, takes the hands and wrists out of the putt stroke etc.

However.......lots of golfers stuggle to get the same 'touch and feel' with the long putters as they do with their short putters. Lag putts become a problem and they start 3 putting more. That's why big Phil is back to the short stick. I'm not sure they offer that much of an advantage that they should be banned.

In any event there are bigger issues that we should be protesting about - slow play, hello money, etc.

stockdam

Can't see one reason to call anyone who uses one a cheat......close the thread.

SnowDrifts

Don't close the thread yet- leave it open for general information. Just quit with the "cheat" comments whilst they are currently legal for any amateur or professional to use.

So on the topic- looking at the likes of McGuirks, they don't seem to be stocking them yet. Anyone know of a place where they are stocked and preferably you can try it out?

Benny Cake

What really p1sses me off is seeing pros using the belly putter when taking a drop... Its technical legal but its an unfair advantage over those in the field without these ridiculous contraptions!

SnowDrifts

Benny Cake wrote: »

What really p1sses me off is seeing pros using the belly putter when taking a drop... Its technical legal but its an unfair advantage over those in the field without these ridiculous contraptions!

Your thinking of the long putters. The average belly putter is 43inches which is shorter than your driver.

I agree with your point though, don't think its exactly good etiquette to use a long putter instead of the driver to measure your drop.

Benny Cake

SnowDrifts wrote: »

Your thinking of the long putters. The average belly putter is 43inches which is shorter than your driver.

I agree with your point though, don't think its exactly good etiquette to use a long putter instead of the driver to measure your drop.

Ya, you're right.. It was the long putter I was thinking of...

Osgoodisgood

GreeBo wrote: »

For me the problem is not the length, its the fact that the putter is being fixed against the body.

Fair enough. Although if the putter wasn't that long it would be near impossible to fix it to the body.

In any case I should have added that I'm not a fan of the belly putter either. I just think there are other issues, like the distance the ball travels, that should be dealt with first.

Redzah

Haha I can imagine it now, somebody at your local club wins the captains prize using a belly putter and a range finders and u all go ballistic saying he's a cheat etc. It's time to move on ad realise that these are legal and if they offered so
Much of an advantage more would be using them. The win percentage with these is extremely low and I'm not sure if a major has been won with a belly putter yet. If somebody wins using a belly putter it's because they were a better player than everybody else and not because they used this, grow up lads and get to the putting green with one yourself. I can only assume u think it's cheating as u believe it makes the putting easier, if it does u will find out soon enough on the putting green. Why begrudge those who use it when u have the option to yourself?

k.p.h

Redzah wrote: »

Haha I can imagine it now, somebody at your local club wins the captains prize using a belly putter and a range finders and u all go ballistic saying he's a cheat etc. It's time to move on ad realise that these are legal and if they offered so
Much of an advantage more would be using them. The win percentage with these is extremely low and I'm not sure if a major has been won with a belly putter yet. If somebody wins using a belly putter it's because they were a better player than everybody else and not because they used this, grow up lads and get to the putting green with one yourself. I can only assume u think it's cheating as u believe it makes the putting easier, if it does u will find out soon enough on the putting green. Why begrudge those who use it when u have the option to yourself?

I won't be long until hey are everywhere, using a short butter will soon become akin to using a wooden driver. I reckon 5 years will have them common place a and a decade will have them in anyone who wants to be competitive hands.

Mr.Twitchy in the PGA last year ..!

FixdePitchmark

k.p.h wrote: »

I won't be long until hey are everywhere, using a short butter will soon become akin to using a wooden driver. I reckon 5 years will have them common place a and a decade will have them in anyone who wants to be competitive hands.

Mr.Twitchy in the PGA last year ..!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TCAFgH1csk

Russman

Redzah wrote: »

Haha I can imagine it now, somebody at your local club wins the captains prize using a belly putter and a range finders and u all go ballistic saying he's a cheat etc. It's time to move on ad realise that these are legal and if they offered so
Much of an advantage more would be using them. The win percentage with these is extremely low and I'm not sure if a major has been won with a belly putter yet. If somebody wins using a belly putter it's because they were a better player than everybody else and not because they used this, grow up lads and get to the putting green with one yourself. I can only assume u think it's cheating as u believe it makes the putting easier, if it does u will find out soon enough on the putting green. Why begrudge those who use it when u have the option to yourself?

Major winner - Keegan Bradley

"Cheating" is probably a bit harsh alright, but I think that's to do with the fact that the club is anchored to the body and therefore the putting action is arguably not a stroke but, as Rob Lee often mentions, a "hinge".

Personally I think its certainly debatable as to whether striking the ball with the belly putter is strictly within the definition of "The ball must be fairly struck at with the head of the club and must not be pushed, scraped or spooned".

blackwaterfish

IMO:
the R&A & PGA should ban "anchoring"... simple as that. and not get bogged down in over-detailed rule wordings & technichal assessments of belly/long putters & whats allowable and whats not.

sadly, it'd eliminate guys with bad backs like Couples from competing - but then, if youre not physically up to it playing golf with "normal" clubs then hard cheese guys.

the R&A & PGA need to grow a pair of balls and sort this out with a definitive statement and stop farting about.

Redzah

k.p.h wrote: »

I won't be long until hey are everywhere, using a short butter will soon become akin to using a wooden driver. I reckon 5 years will have them common place a and a decade will have them in anyone who wants to be competitive hands.

Mr.Twitchy in the PGA last year ..!

Ok so Keegan bradley was the first in 2011 (cabrera used it completely unconventionally in 2009). A quick google and you'll find that these putters were invented in the 1960's!!! So 40 years on and they should be banned, not only has their only ever been one major winner with one of these in the last 40 years but there is a still a huge majority in favour of the more conventional putter at both professional and amateur level even though this putter has been around for as i said 40 years.

I can't see the problem with this, their are positives and negatives to this putter just like a conventional putter, if u think its cheating and makes the stroke easier then my advice would be to use one as its completely legal.

Finally I don't think their will ever be a majority in any professional or amateur field using a belly putter based on a the level of usage over the last 40 years and think your above comments are on the extreme end of the scale

blackwaterfish

Osgoodisgood wrote: »

Fair enough. Although if the putter wasn't that long it would be near impossible to fix it to the body.

In any case I should have added that I'm not a fan of the belly putter either. I just think there are other issues, like the distance the ball travels, that should be dealt with first.

and slow play - golfs biggest problem- in all codes.

macdonagh2007

Is it possible to purchase a Belly Putter with any of the leading golf stores in Ireland or do you have to get fitted out with say Fore Golf or purchase one on line from Golfsmiths in the States?

sssssiiiiimon

macdonagh2007 wrote: »

Is it possible to purchase a Belly Putter with any of the leading golf stores in Ireland or do you have to get fitted out with say Fore Golf or purchase one on line from Golfsmiths in the States?

They can be bought in any store. To fit yourself take stance with normal putter the measure from the ground to the belly along the line of your putter that should give you rough idea of lenght. Most only come in 3 sizes.

BTW ordered mine the other day. I dont view it as cheating and as everyone else has said if it was cheating they would have been banned.

SnowDrifts

sssssiiiiimon wrote: »

BTW ordered mine the other day. I dont view it as cheating and as everyone else has said if it was cheating they would have been banned.

Where did you order it from and which one?

Myksyk

Redzah wrote: »

Finally I don't think their will ever be a majority in any professional or amateur field using a belly putter based on a the level of usage over the last 40 years and think your above comments are on the extreme end of the scale

Interesting stat quoted in commentary just now on sky sports wgc coverage. 50% of all college golfers in the US are now using belly putters.

irish bloke

Myksyk wrote: »

Interesting stat quoted in commentary just now on sky sports wgc coverage. 50% of all college golfers in the US are now using belly putters.

Yes, heard that quote too.

Based on that these putters will be as common as hybrids in 10 years, so we may as well all get used to it.

sssssiiiiimon

SnowDrifts wrote: »

Where did you order it from and which one?

I ordered from the pro at my course. I went for the taylormade manta. Not getting it until April though.

takeone92

Johnny i bet you couldnt use one!you sit at home watching the pro's use them and think oh they putt to good with them they should be illegal cause i cant putt like that!why dont you get yourself a belly putter try it out and come back to use!if anything they are harder to use!

takeone92

hybirds popularity fizzed out with the pros not as many use them as previous years!

whatstherush

Harrington has come out against them also. Think 3 of last 4 major winners have used belly putters (Ernie, Web Simpson and Keegan)

"Clearly, in the rules, the fact is, if somebody invented the belly putter tomorrow, it would not pass. There's no way they would let it through," the three-times major winner said. "The only reason it got through is the people that used it 20 years ago were coming to the end of their careers and people were sympathetic and didn't want to finish Bernhard Langer's career by telling him you can't hold it like this, you can't attach it to your arm."

link

irish bloke

Anyone know what the exact pros and cons of belly putters are from a putting point of view only??

Was messing around with one of these in a pro shop the wkend and have to say I liked it.

brick tamland

Faldo was really against them too from his commentary, seemed to be hinting towards them being banned soom enough too

charlieIRL

Was just reading about them earlier - aparently the earliest they cold be banned (if they are to be banned) is 2016

Will look for the link now.

PRAF

irish bloke wrote: »

Anyone know what the exact pros and cons of belly putters are from a putting point of view only??

Was messing around with one of these in a pro shop the wkend and have to say I liked it.

Pros
- more stable base (as it is anchored)
- helps to minimise forearm rotation
- takes the hands and wrists out of the putt stroke
- less can go wrong (if you do it right) in terms of getting the putt rolling on line

Cons
- longer putter and therefore there is some loss of 'touch and feel', especially for longer putts
- you may make more putts inside 20 feet, but you could also increase the number of 3-putts due to loss of distance control

diarmuid05

PRAF wrote: »

- you may make more putts inside 20 feet, but you could also increase the number of 3-putts due to loss of distance control

Any rule against having 2 putters?
best of both worlds

Hacker111

takes the skill out of putting,ban them asap

TheDoc

I wouldn't exactly call them cheating. And I dont have an overly massive problem with them either.

But I definitely would not call a player a good putter if they used one. And I wouldn't accept a player telling me they are a good putter if they use one.

In fairness the PROS are the only ones utilising them correctly, seen plenty of guys using them and to be honest their putting leaves alot to be desired.

Guy in my fourball at the last boards outing was using one. You could see how it was assisting him alright and aiding his stroke, but at the same time he didn't set the greens on fire overly impress.

My second round matchplay singles guy had one, and very quickly I saw he had obviously bought one thinking it was a solution to bad putting, and never worried about it at all.

I'll stick to my normal putter thanks, if anything, simply not to look like an absolute wally using one.

irish bloke

PRAF wrote: »

Pros
- more stable base (as it is anchored)
- helps to minimise forearm rotation
- takes the hands and wrists out of the putt stroke
- less can go wrong (if you do it right) in terms of getting the putt rolling on line

Cons
- longer putter and therefore there is some loss of 'touch and feel', especially for longer putts
- you may make more putts inside 20 feet, but you could also increase the number of 3-putts due to loss of distance control

Same as a Fat grip then???

mikeunt

TheDoc wrote: »

I wouldn't exactly call them cheating. And I dont have an overly massive problem with them either.

But I definitely would not call a player a good putter if they used one. And I wouldn't accept a player telling me they are a good putter if they use one.

In fairness the PROS are the only ones utilising them correctly, seen plenty of guys using them and to be honest their putting leaves alot to be desired.

Guy in my fourball at the last boards outing was using one. You could see how it was assisting him alright and aiding his stroke, but at the same time he didn't set the greens on fire overly impress.

My second round matchplay singles guy had one, and very quickly I saw he had obviously bought one thinking it was a solution to bad putting, and never worried about it at all.

I'll stick to my normal putter thanks, if anything, simply not to look like an absolute wally using one.

i think that if you see someone using one at your local course you are expecting to see a demon putter
but like using the standard putter you are not going to putt well every time you play
you might have caught this fella on an off day

PRAF

diarmuid05 wrote: »

Any rule against having 2 putters?
best of both worlds

No, don't think so. You can have as many putters as you like as far as I know

PRAF

irish bloke wrote: »

Same as a Fat grip then???

Haven't tried one yet but I'd say the fat grip would definitely have some of the same characteristics - e.g. taking the wrists out of the stroke.

Anyone on here tried one?

mike65

Its hard to see why a ban makes sense, as things stand anyone can use them. If you perceive an advantage then use one if not stick with the traditional design.

sydthebeat

mike65 wrote: »

Its hard to see why a ban makes sense, as things stand anyone can use them. If you perceive an advantage then use one if not stick with the traditional design.

theres no question regarding an advantage... its the UNFAIR advantage that the problem is with.

For the integrity of golf the more human mechanics are involved the better for the game, and the better for the individual.

The more you take mechanics out of the game, the more 'robotic' it becomes.

I for one completely agree that they are unfair and should be banned.

Nuri Sahin

charlieIRL wrote: »

Was just reading about them earlier - aparently the earliest they cold be banned (if they are to be banned) is 2016

Will look for the link now.

Head of the R and A (or someone high up anyway!) was commenting on it earlier on Sky Sports News, and he made note of it being banned in 2016 at the earliest.

irish bloke

PRAF wrote: »

Haven't tried one yet but I'd say the fat grip would definitely have some of the same characteristics - e.g. taking the wrists out of the stroke.

Anyone on here tried one?

Not tried a belly putter on the course yet but put a fat grip on my putter recently after chopping 2.5" off it. 6 rounds and 4 weeks later I cut it off and put a standard one back on. Just couldnt putt from distance.

Halfprice

so what if it's anchored. we all do be hit and miss with the putter. its a game that cant be perfected. still have to read the right lines otherwise you wont be sinking any putts. it'll be something else after this