R&A, PGA surveying Euros about possible belly-putter ban

I don't see why this is an issue.. I've never seen those who use a belly-putter to have an advantage over other golfers who use the regular putters

Holy crap! A new golf thread! After only six weeks!! Too bad I don't care one way or another about what type of putter someone uses. Still gotta put it in the hole....

Someone legally creates a new idea and methodology on how to successfully improve their game, but now the aristocrats want to punish their creativity and originality. The players who use this technique invested time and took risks to determine if there is a value to using the new approach. Because some are successful, and others are not, this should not be reason to punish those who are. Everyone has the same opportunity to use this technique, but you are not seeing most of the players go this way. It seems the cross-handed grip and the claw should then be illegal as well, if belly putters are made illegal. And why focus on this technique that can help a player play better, but allow for golf equipment, clubs and balls, that make everyone's game better? I am not sure if a line should be drawn, but if one is, then no cross hands or claw grips, and equipment should go back to 1976 standards.

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 01:04 PM ET  10.28 by OSUBuckey

Someone legally creates a new idea and methodology on how to successfully improve their game, but now the aristocrats want to punish their creativity and originality. The players who use this technique invested time and took risks to determine if there is a value to using the new approach. Because some are successful, and others are not, this should not be reason to punish those who are. Everyone has the same opportunity to use this technique, but you are not seeing most of the players go this way. It seems the cross-handed grip and the claw should then be illegal as well, if belly putters are made illegal. And why focus on this technique that can help a player play better, but allow for golf equipment, clubs and balls, that make everyone's game better? I am not sure if a line should be drawn, but if one is, then no cross hands or claw grips, and equipment should go back to 1976 standards.

Another consideration is the exclusivity of equipment to players. Tiger Woods has a proprietary ball manufactured only for his use. If standards are to be enforced on how to hold and use a club, then everyone it seems ought to use the same ball.

I don't think the average golf fan gives a horse dollop one way or another.

Adam Scott has missed many a crucial putt with that hockey stick he putts with.

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 01:04 PM ET  10.28 by OSUBuckey

Someone legally creates a new idea and methodology on how to successfully improve their game, but now the aristocrats want to punish their creativity and originality. The players who use this technique invested time and took risks to determine if there is a value to using the new approach. Because some are successful, and others are not, this should not be reason to punish those who are. Everyone has the same opportunity to use this technique, but you are not seeing most of the players go this way. It seems the cross-handed grip and the claw should then be illegal as well, if belly putters are made illegal. And why focus on this technique that can help a player play better, but allow for golf equipment, clubs and balls, that make everyone's game better? I am not sure if a line should be drawn, but if one is, then no cross hands or claw grips, and equipment should go back to 1976 standards.

That's like saying it should be okay to use aluminum bats in the MLB.

The long putter gives an advantage because it allows a better flow through the ball; a smoother pace and tempo. It's an aid for poor pro putters. Beside that; it's ugly. If people like Veejay & Co. can't handle a 35 inch putter to compete they should sit on the sidelines. End of story.

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 01:04 PM ET  10.28 by OSUBuckey

Someone legally creates a new idea and methodology on how to successfully improve their game, but now the aristocrats want to punish their creativity and originality. The players who use this technique invested time and took risks to determine if there is a value to using the new approach. Because some are successful, and others are not, this should not be reason to punish those who are. Everyone has the same opportunity to use this technique, but you are not seeing most of the players go this way. It seems the cross-handed grip and the claw should then be illegal as well, if belly putters are made illegal. And why focus on this technique that can help a player play better, but allow for golf equipment, clubs and balls, that make everyone's game better? I am not sure if a line should be drawn, but if one is, then no cross hands or claw grips, and equipment should go back to 1976 standards.

The equipment is not going back to 1976 standards no matter how much the purists would like to see it, but I have to comment on the rest of your post. The biggest issue with the belly putters is not the technology per se, but the skirting of the rule that specifically states that the club can't be anchored to the the body in any way. That's how I understand it.

On a personal level, I think that all these guys who use backward grips and belly putters are quims who should be ashamed of themselves. Maybe we should let them hit from the women's tees too while we're at it cuz they look like women when they put

I was gonna comment, but then I thought.........I've got lots of time. This thread will probably be here for a month so I'll think about it a while.

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 01:56 PM ET  10.29 by Harry Crack

Adam Scott has missed many a crucial putt with that hockey stick he putts with.

Maybe he should've tried a couple of backhanders on that last stretch at Lytham.

Not a fan of those long putters. I hope they get rid of them.

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 10:42 PM ET  10.29 by Slapshot

I was gonna comment, but then I thought.........I've got lots of time. This thread will probably be here for a month so I'll think about it a while.

Hehehe.

Hello, Golf.

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 12:57 PM ET  10.30 by Chunkystools

its not the technology...they rest the putters against their guts to stabilize it...like another poster said, its skirting the anchoring rule...if you are staring a put on 18 to win a tourney its easier to stay stabilized if the putter is pushed in your gut, than it is with a regular putter.

Thanks for the replies, these are very good points. If there is already an existing rule in place, why was it not enforced on the very first round where a player used the belly putter? A violation is a violation, why is this one not enforced with the same clarity of the other rules? My understanding had been that this rule was not clear for putting and players investigated, took risks, and some found success with it, but not all. If it is a clear rule why are many players researching to use it?

QUOTE(#13):

Originally posted 09:15 AM ET  10.30 by Stranger

Maybe he should've tried a couple of backhanders on that last stretch at Lytham.Not a fan of those long putters. I hope they get rid of them.

+1