[Ronald Montesano]

Mark Pearce...Reread-it once was proper English, for the English, not the Americans. Thanks for overcoming your fear of breaking it to me, though.

Garland..."The old Scotsmen were not familiar with your soaring-through-the-sky and putting on glass games that you are referencing." I never reference "putting on glass." I'm not a fan of stimp speeds over 9, let it be known (and let it be known that we could outlaw the stimp meter, too, in order to veil that aspect of the game from the public; most folks enhance the natural speed of their club's greens, anyhow.)

There can be no doubt that the old Scotsmen could tell that the ball they were hitting with that primarily straight-faced club (putter) would roll along the ground and balls struck with the angled clubs would NOT. That part is undeniable; if anyone lofts putts in the air or rolls (not punches, bumps or caroms) shots of any yardage along the ground, anyone has not learned the basic elements of the stroke.

The BP, the HP, any P will not cure putting ailments. Once typical amateurs get going on a good run, they start to think about their score and play defensively. There are no statistics that support an unfair advantage gained by the belly putter. Did anyone see that left to right swinger from the back portion of the 13th green at Sawgrass yesterday, the one that everyone (caddies and pros) continuously under read? Nothing helped that one.

From personal experience, the longer putts with the BP are easily the most challenging; a free-swinging putter helps oodles with that one. I could go on (applause, applause?)

[jeffwarne]

Tim and Wade--The USGA is reportedly getting draft language as to how anchoring would be defined, but most likely what Kuchar does with the putter running up his forearm is anchoring.  Having the putter touch any part of your body other than your hands would probably be anchoring.  We'll see.

What a terriffic use of 250 million $ stash.
Guess they didn't notice those drivers the size of waffle irons and wind tunnel defying golf balls.
Have belly putters resulted in the disfiguring of any clatssic courses?

[Garland Bayley]

...
Garland..."The old Scotsmen were not familiar with your soaring-through-the-sky and putting on glass games that you are referencing." I never reference "putting on glass." I'm not a fan of stimp speeds over 9, let it be known (and let it be known that we could outlaw the stimp meter, too, in order to veil that aspect of the game from the public; most folks enhance the natural speed of their club's greens, anyhow.)

There can be no doubt that the old Scotsmen could tell that the ball they were hitting with that primarily straight-faced club (putter) would roll along the ground and balls struck with the angled clubs would NOT. That part is undeniable; if anyone lofts putts in the air or rolls (not punches, bumps or caroms) shots of any yardage along the ground, anyone has not learned the basic elements of the stroke.
...

Hate to break it to you, but stimp of 9 would be putting on glass for the old Scots. The "stroke" of the modern game seems to me to be totally inadequate to what the Scots must have been using in the beginning. And I have no doubt there was some lofting of the ball with the putter when the game began.

[Brent Hutto]

Tim and Wade--The USGA is reportedly getting draft language as to how anchoring would be defined, but most likely what Kuchar does with the putter running up his forearm is anchoring.  Having the putter touch any part of your body other than your hands would probably be anchoring.  We'll see.

What a terriffic use of 250 million $ stash.
Guess they didn't notice those drivers the size of waffle irons and wind tunnel defying golf balls.
Have belly putters resulted in the disfiguring of any clatssic courses?

I suspect that at this juncture, having completely abdicated their responsibility to manage the distance the ball flies and then striking out on reigning in the driver they're looking for one battle they feel is a sure win. Perhaps they'll decide that "putter anchoring" has such a whiff of desperation and failure about it that it's a sitting duck they can obliterate with the $250 million worth of artillery.

[Jim Hoak]

The problem with the anchored putters is not that some older players need them, it's that it is taking over the junior game.  I can't verify this but I was told that approaching 40% of the players at the AJGA Championship last year used anchored putters.  If true, what does this say about the future of the game.  Also, I understand that anchored chippers and pitchers have hit the market.  I hope the USGA gets going on this, but with a long-enough lead time to spare us older guys, but to deter the young guys from going that way.

[JMEvensky]

The problem with the anchored putters is not that some older players need them, it's that it is taking over the junior game.  I can't verify this but I was told that approaching 40% of the players at the AJGA Championship last year used anchored putters.  If true, what does this say about the future of the game.  Also, I understand that anchored chippers and pitchers have hit the market.  I hope the USGA gets going on this, but with a long-enough lead time to spare us older guys, but to deter the young guys from going that way.

This is the problem they're worrying about.

[Anthony Butler]

I admire the ingenuity of the long putter and the belly putter. Someone woke up one day and thought: "There has to be a better way to putt," and he figured out something that WORKED. One of the best amateur players in the country putts side-saddle with a mid-length putter (at least I think it's mid-length). His name is Randy Haag, and he's from Northern California. And he doesn't care how it looks, he just goes out and KICKS YOUR ASS.

I found it surprising that Randy Haag resorted to this... I played with him in a couple of NCGA tournaments in the Mid 90s, and he was phenomenal around and on the greens. Hard to believe his nerves degraded to this point.... I wonder if he tried the belly putter before moving onto side saddle.

I was a terrible putter back then... my troubles on the greens basically ended my tournament career. Switched to the claw about 8 years ago and regained some level of competence on the greens..of course the rest of my game went in the toilet around that time...

The USGA's non-action on this is obviously a form of action. In their minds it does not provide an unfair advantage... although it does allow some golfers the chance to keep competing as some people have pointed out. My experience is that whatever alternative method of putting you find works for you, it improves your chances inside 15 ft. At that point there is trade-off in distance/feel.

[Sam Morrow]

The problem with the anchored putters is not that some older players need them, it's that it is taking over the junior game.  I can't verify this but I was told that approaching 40% of the players at the AJGA Championship last year used anchored putters.  If true, what does this say about the future of the game.  Also, I understand that anchored chippers and pitchers have hit the market.  I hope the USGA gets going on this, but with a long-enough lead time to spare us older guys, but to deter the young guys from going that way.

Jim I can't speak for that event but when the AJGA was here in Houston a few months ago (if that long) I saw a bunch of players and I think I saw a few belly putters but nothing like a 40% clip.

[Jim Franklin]

I just took the belly putter out of my bag after missing a 5 foot putt to win my member-member tournament (at least to continue playing). I putt in a 33" putter like I used to play and drained many more short putts the following day including a 10' putt to win my match on 18. I feel I have more control of the shorter putter. Bye bye belly.

[JSlonis]

As a long putter user for the past 17 years, I find many of your views regarding this issue quite humorous. I just don't see it as a plague on the game like you do.  I think the USGA & R&A should be much more concerned about 15 year olds driving it 325 yds as opposed to what they putt with.  I still have yet to see any concise info or study that proves the long putter to be such a huge advantage.  Until I do, I'll continue to think that way and use what I want to get the ball in the hole. If it's banned, I'll be very surprised.

It's not that difficult to use a long putter without actually anchoring it to your body.  I can hold mine in only my hands without any part of the putter/grip touching by body and still make what you'd think is an achored stroke.  What do you do then?

[Michael Dugger]

Switched to the claw about 8 years ago and regained some level of competence on the greens..

Well, I think the claw looks stupid, provides an unfair advantage and is a mockery of the game.  I think that should be banned.

I think left hand low looks stupid, provides an unfair advantage and is a mockery of the game.  I think that should be banned.

I think lightweight, double strapped golf bags - especially the ones with bagstands -  look stupid and are a mockery of the game and provide an unfair advantage.  I think they should be banned.

I think golf gloves look stupid, provides an unfair advantage and are a mockery of the game (plus, they leave you with a hideous tan line on one hand).  I think they should be banned.

I think guys who swing from one side but putt from the other looks stupid, provides an unfair advantage and is a mockery of the game.  I think that should be banned.

I think all those white headed drivers and fairway woods look stupid, provides an unfair advantage and are a mockery of the game.  I think that should be banned.

For that matter, I think all those goofy colored shafts look stupid, provides an unfair advantage and are a mockery of the game.  I think they should be banned.

And I think left the Gary Player walk-through shot looks stupid, provides an unfair advantage and is a mockery of the game.  I think that should be banned, too.

Plus, I think cavity backed irons and, now, all these hybrids look stupid, provides an unfair advantage and are a mockery of the game.  They provide a huge advantage to all the chops out there.  There are tons of guys who wouldn't even be playing on tour without them... they're all just a bunch of big pussies who can't hit a blade 1 iron like a man... so I think all those clubs should be melted down and used to build homeless shelters or something...

The point is that once you open the floodgates...

Where ... does ... this ... banning ... nonsense ... ever ... END?

The line is drawn in the sand at cheater lines, I can hardly believe you left that one out.

[Brent Hutto]

I still have yet to see any concise info or study that proves the long putter to be such a huge advantage.  Until I do, I'll continue to think that way and use what I want to get the ball in the hole. If it's banned, I'll be very surprised.

Don't hold your breath on that one. It's hard to provide hard proof of the existence of an effect that's entirely in the minds of a bunch of Old Farts.

[John Kavanaugh]

In all honesty I have noticed that double strap bags lead to a more pronounced iron click.  I can't tell you how sick I am of walking golfers who announce their arrival by the click of their irons.

[John Kavanaugh]

In all honesty I have noticed that double strap bags lead to a more pronounced iron click.  I can't tell you how sick I am of walking golfers who announce their arrival by the click of their irons.

I tried, and quickly gave up on, the double-strap for precisely that reason.  Iron clicks are unbearable and it was driving me batty. 

Thank you.  The modern double strapped golfer is the rudest in the history of the game. I recently played in an outing plagued by slow play and we had no peace on the greens as they marched up on us click, talk, click, click, laugh, talk, click, bag slam, talk laugh.  It was a longer course where one of the guys couldn't reach some of the par fours in two so he would sometimes get within ten yards of the green.  Cart ballers never do that because of the signs.

[Tim Gavrich]

The problem with the anchored putters is not that some older players need them, it's that it is taking over the junior game.  I can't verify this but I was told that approaching 40% of the players at the AJGA Championship last year used anchored putters.  If true, what does this say about the future of the game.  Also, I understand that anchored chippers and pitchers have hit the market.  I hope the USGA gets going on this, but with a long-enough lead time to spare us older guys, but to deter the young guys from going that way.

Jim I can't speak for that event but when the AJGA was here in Houston a few months ago (if that long) I saw a bunch of players and I think I saw a few belly putters but nothing like a 40% clip.

For what it's worth, my recollection from playing in a handful of AJGA tournaments is that well more than 40% of AJGA parents will buy their kids anything their kids ask for to help them putt/play/look better:

KID [clad in Puma all orange, a la Rickie Fowler, pointing to $350 custom Scotty Cameron putter with $80 limited-edition headcover in name-embroidered stand bag]: "Mom/Dad, I had TWO three-putts today!  This putter sucks; I need a new one!"

PARENT [sighing, hanging head: "Okay. Find the nearest golf store on your iPad." [reaches forlornly for wallet]

The older brothers of those same 40% were all wearing the same J. Lindeberg $100 pants six, seven years ago too.

[Jim Sherma]

JK - true with the double strap, I try to keep a towel wrapped within the clubheads to limit that. It just is not a natural position to get my hand on the clubheads where the double strap places the bag. It was much easier to quiet the clubs when I used to carry with my old Vagabond bag.

[Brent Hutto]

On the rare occasions I carry rather than push I spend 80% of the round with my double-strap bag over just the right shoulder. Easier on/off, less clanking and easier access to the pockets. When my shoulder gets tired I can wear the second strap for a while to give it a rest.

[Tom Walsh]

The ball goes too far. Banning the long or the anchored putter is really nibbling around the edges.

[Bill Brightly]

No question the belly putter is a crutch. I say so what. Show me a man with a crutch, and I'll show you a man with a bum leg...

[Jason Walker]

I switched to the long putter about two months ago thanks to a poster on here who also happens to be a world-class amateur.  I struggled for a few weeks with my normal putter, and when I say struggle I mean I started putting with a garden hose almost over-night.  Then I looked around at all the other top players at my club and they all had long and belly putters too.  I'm now the proud owner of one. 

What I've found best about the long putter is that I use it to steady myself as I'm shooting a yardage with my laser.  Don't want to pick up those deadly laser yips ya know.

[jeffwarne]

The problem with the anchored putters is not that some older players need them, it's that it is taking over the junior game.  I can't verify this but I was told that approaching 40% of the players at the AJGA Championship last year used anchored putters.  If true, what does this say about the future of the game.  Also, I understand that anchored chippers and pitchers have hit the market.  I hope the USGA gets going on this, but with a long-enough lead time to spare us older guys, but to deter the young guys from going that way.

so what?
are they hitting their putters further?
what's wrong with innovation of technique?
while we let the ball and drivers (and yes now fairway woods)go farther every year........
amazingly misguided
amazing

let me know when they start putting slopes BACK into greens.... because putting is too easy.
What a freaking, misguided .......
stop me please

[Garland Bayley]

Did they legislate to Sam what kind of grip he had to take? I don't think so. There were concerned with the stroke. I'm looking for consistency here from the USGA.

Well, two things...

First, in fact they were NOT concerned with the stroke.  They were concerned with the address position.  So you're wrong there.

...

Last time this came up, I drug up the SI article that demonstrated they were concerned with the stroke. They just found the stance as the way to get at it.

[Ronald Montesano]

This thread is freaking hysterical. I nominate DSchmidt for funniest pr!ck out there. Wait, I can't, because I want him banned.

Cavity back irons, face-balanced putters, composite shafts, softspikes, breathable fabrics, reservoir-tipped...oh, wait, wrong thread.

Anyway, time marches on. I have a bum leg but I also want to become a better putter. Therefore, I use the belly putter to relearn the short-putter stroke.

Don't get me started on AimPoint...must be something illegal about that.

[Mark Buzminski]

As a long putter user for the past 17 years, I find many of your views regarding this issue quite humorous. I just don't see it as a plague on the game like you do.  I think the USGA & R&A should be much more concerned about 15 year olds driving it 325 yds as opposed to what they putt with.  I still have yet to see any concise info or study that proves the long putter to be such a huge advantage.  Until I do, I'll continue to think that way and use what I want to get the ball in the hole. If it's banned, I'll be very surprised.

It's not that difficult to use a long putter without actually anchoring it to your body.  I can hold mine in only my hands without any part of the putter/grip touching by body and still make what you'd think is an achored stroke.  What do you do then?

fwiw, in the April 30 2012 issue of Golf World, there was a piece in the Bunker section titled "Discussions to ban anchoring continue" that basically said it was a fait accompli that it will be banned, and that the R&A are currently working on a number of different possible 'wordings' for the ruling.   In the article Peter Dawson says that "discussions with the USGA on the matter....proceeding 'at quite an intense pace'".   So, it's coming.

As for the second bit - don't mean to sound like a smart aleck, but if the putter is not anchored to your body, it's not really an anchored stroke, is it?  Do you mean that you are just choking down on a really long putter but not sticking the end against your belly?

[Ronald Montesano]

When it arrives, then it was coming. Until then, it isn't coming.

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