A belly full of putters

Editorial Department • Published 10 Nov 2011 16:30 0 Comments

Recently Phil Mickelson turned up to the Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston brandishing a belly-putter, much to everyone's surprise.

But 'Lefty' is just one - though the most high profile - of a number of players who have put the much derided belly putter into the bag - why is that?

Mickelson claimed he was the next in a growing list of players to see if the longer putter will help make more putts.

"It's awkward to me," Mickelson said. "But so many guys have had success with it that I thought I'd give it a try."

The longer putters have been getting more attention this year, especially after Keegan Bradley became the first player to win a major with one at the PGA Championship.

Belly putters were somewhat controversial when they first began to appear on professional tours, because of the connection between the shaft and the stomach. With every other club in the bag the only part of the body that touches the club are the golfer's hands.

There has been widespread debate as to whether such putters should be banned because, as some argue, anchoring the club to the belly or the chest eliminates the skill - however the putters remain fully legal under the rules of golf.

Those players turning to the belly putter are - like Mickelson - likely to be golfers struggling with their putting due to a 'handsy' or 'wristy' stroke with a conventional putter. The extra stability from anchoring the putter shaft against the stomach will also help golfers with the dreaded yips.

Recent statistics show that more players are turning to the longer putter. There were just six players using longer putters in 2009 and 2010 at The Barclays, the opening FedEx Cup event, however, this year that number jumped to 20!

Why use a Belly Putter?

Belly putting may not be for everyone. And it may be cursed by purists. But belly putting has become an accepted method of improvement for most golfers who try it.

Game improving equipment has taken golf from persimmon to metal woods and blades to cavity backs. Now it's time to accept the belly putter as a game improvement device. And that's the reason for the belly putt.

With a growing band of top golfers now trying this unique style this will no doubt be reflected in more and more amateurs seeking a little bit of the action.

It may not always look the most elegant stroke but as mentioned many times before it's the result that matters most not the style.

No doubt this method will help many players but overall it seems that this technique would be best served if putting consistently on fast surfaces, where the stroke can generate a better roll. I don't like the idea of beating the ball on slow greens using this method which could get quite dangerous. To back this opinion of fast surfaces only, I don't think I have ever seen a player use this club from off the green.

No doubt we may get use to this sight as the belly seems to be back, somehow I doubt whether Keegan Bradley will be the last major winner using this method.

To have a demo with the belly putter or to book golf lessons/vouchers or any other enquires about Golf Equipment/Club Repairs: Call Enniskillen Pro Shop on 028 66325250/07977899656 or email liam@thegolfcabin.co.uk

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This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 10 Nov 11

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