While it’s true that long putters – similar if not identical now to belly putters – have been around for more than two decades, it’s also true that very few professional golfers have used them in competitive play. They are legal to use; that has never been the issue. But during the past few months since pros on the tour have been winning with them, the debate over bell putters has reached a fever pitch!
This isn’t like the case of Sam Snead and his croquet-style putting which was ruled illegal in the 1960s. Sam changed his stance to straddle the ball and that was the rule-breaking problem. This is more about a piece of equipment that causes golfers to putt in a very non-traditional way while using their own body for leverage. As Steve DiMeglio of USA TODAY wrote:
“The argument against the long putter centers on the view that they take nerves and skill out of the stroke. By anchoring the putter against the belly or sternum or chin, a third point of contact has been made and makes it easier for those using the longer putter to make the ideal pendulum stroke. The anchoring prevents golfers from breaking their wrists or rolling their forearms — which are the bane of those using conventional or standard length putters.”
No one complained about them before Webb Simpson, Adam Scott, and Keegan Bradley won tournaments with them. Frankly, long putters seemed to be acceptable for older players on the Champions Tour and for players on a serious losing streak looking for something – anything – to help their game. But now that there are winners, and some are the young stars on the Tour, there seem to be a problem. And, when Phil Mickleson, arguably one of the best putters in the game but who has struggled recently, used one at the Deutsche Bank Championship, the belly putter debate raged on.
Some golfers say that it’s only good for the short putt from 6 feet in. But, Phil himself said that he plans to practice with his belly putter to improve his game in the 10-25 foot range. If he succeeds in practice, we can expect to see him using it more in tournament play. Mike Davis, executive director of the USGA, said he hasn’t seen any data to support the allegation that belly putters harm the game of golf despite being helpful to some players.
Perhaps the debate will focus on resting the club on the golfer’s stomach or other body part. It does help to steady shaky hands. Maybe that’s the problem with belly putters since the game of golf is as much mental as it is physical.
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Interesting story. Two corrections; 1.Sam Snead’s croquet-style putting broke no rules. A rule was instituted to stop his style TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE GAME. 2. To say no one complained about long and belly putters “until Webb Simpson, Adam Scott and Keegan Bradley won with them” simply isn’t true. Purists have been complaining since Orville Moody started using a long putter years ago.
My take…..The use of long and belly putters is not a golf stroke and not in the spirit of the game. Golf was not intended to be played that way and those using L & B Putters aren’t playing the same game as others. Using a golf club like a pool cue was banned long ago, but maybe should be reinstated if L & B puttrers can be used. The excuse would be the same….”Anything to help their game”.
Thanks for the thoughtful comment. It’s a struggle to argue against technology and improvements in equipment. Where would football be today if players were still wearing simple leather helmets? Or, the technological improvements in NASCAR’s “car of tomorrow”? It’s an interesting debate that will certainly continue on.
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