The club is legal according to the rules, I don't know of any rules era when the club would have been considered illegal.

However springface drivers were illegal until recently(relative to the life of golf). Something to the effect: Club cannot be made of a material that exhibits springlike qualities. The first titanium drivers were illegal(ti is a material that exhibits springlike qualities), but they got the nod from the USGA and they began the process of changing the rules.

The rules are constantly being changed, and in the case of the driver, it was done to make the game easier for those that just couldn't hit a driver.

So should people waste there time complaining about something that has never been illegal or waste their time over something that used to be illegal?

 Thanks for the response John, and no, I don't think it's a waste of time and opinions do matter. You are correct that according to the USGA it is legal.  I am not questioning what is written, just the morality.

Morality???????????

Daryl,

I totally agree with you. Belly and broomstick putters should be banned, especially for professionals.

Hey Zain

Why?

Hi John,

I know it is quite a sensitive issue, but thats just how I feel about it. Ok, lets put it this way....Belly and Broomstick putters only came about in the 90's? And Im sure they were made for golfers who have problems keeping their hands/arms steady as they stroke the ball.

Professionals like Bernhard Langer is a good example. He had the "yips" with the normal putter. Then when Belly and Broomstick came out, he started using them and became a much steadier putter.

Please dont get me wrong. I am definitely not against the development of the game. I just feel that all players clubs should be of a standard length.

Just my personal opinion, thats all :)

Zain

On the flip side, what do you think of Robert Garrigus using a 28 inch putter.  It is clearly too small to be considered a "standard" length, right?  If you take a 35" putter, the difference to Garrigus's putter is the same as a 42" belly putter...

 That's a very good question Todd.  Seeing him use that short of a club doesn't bother me as much, but maybe that's because he's about the only notable one using it that I know of.  To be fair to the belly and broomstick players it would me nice to see a smaller window of length which would bring things back closer to the"standard" that we're used to..

Zain

I'm guessing you will feel that way right up until the standard lengths clubs don't fit you.

I also think they should be banned.  Anything that touches the body other than your hands should be non conforming.  The USGA dropped Mr. Palmer as a spokesperson a few years ago because he used a non conformimg driver that added about 10 yards to his game.   C'mon, these are nip pickers toward the guy who brought the game to the masses.  Next thing you know, some company will invent a "Y" shaped shafted putter that rests against the inside of both forearms above the grip.

Just my 2 cents

Deno

So you think it should be dictated how you use a club, what about when they require a particular grip, a double interlocking reverse overlap grip.

Talk about nip pickers, people don't want others to be able to use a club that helps them putt better.

As of right now a "Y" shaped shaft would be illegal.

Relax John, we are just having a little discussion, thats all :)

When you talk about the grip, yeah, there are all sorts of grips people use out there. There is even the "Claw" grip. To control the kind of grip a player use would be extremely difficult. But to control the length of shaft, is very do-able.

Hi John,

Hehehe! Well, i dont know about that...cant tell the future. But I am already 45 years old, and have been using standard length clubs ever since I started to play golf at the age of 16.

So I truly believe that golfers, especially the pros should use clubs with no gimmicks...ie belly and broomstick. Just my opinion, man.

Zain

John

Just saying there are standard lengths for sports equipment.  Tennis racquets, baseball bats, and hockey and la crosse sticks are deemed legal as per length.

Golf clubs should be the same.  

You are certainly within the current rules to use whatever putter produces the best results. 

Deno

I'm not sure how "morality" comes into this equation, but coming from someone who has used both, I personally don't see anything wrong with it.  I'm almost 33 years old, and have been playing since grade school.  I vary between a 10-15 handicap, and have never considered putting my strong suit.  You name it, I've tried it (belly putter, long putter, jumbo grips, etc).

At the moment, I'm using a Scotty Select Newport 2 belly putter (43").  While I do find that it takes the hands out of the equation on the shorter putts, trust me when I tell you it's no advantage when it comes to the longer putts, especially when it comes down to feel.  I think there are advantages and disadvantages to everything, including the various wacky grips that people use now, to the variety of screwy grips that one can bolt/screw/glue/tape to the end of their putters.

All in all, I feel that I'm the most consistent all around with the belly putter.  However, the only reason I even considered using it, is because it's legal.  As someone who has respect for the game, I wouldn't have any problems if they banned the belly/broomstick putter tomorrow.  I'd figure out a way to get buy, just like I did before I started using one.  But if you get rid of them, then I think you also have to put regulations on all these other grips that are out there (i.e. the SuperStroke, 2thumbs, etc).  Should there be a minimum length requirement as mentioned above (Garrigus)?

Let's be honest, what we're really talking about here is different equipment!  Eliminating something like the belly/broomstick is a slippery slope, and quite honestly, I'm not sure it's something the USGA wants to tackle right now, or ever for that matter.

If this is about purity, let's level the playing field.  But consider this................I bet if you were to compare the stats on tour, since the introduction of the belly/broomstick putter, that there are far few less winners who have used broomstick/belly putters when compared to those using more traditional putters.  If that is true, explain to me the advantage, and who this is hurting?

 You're correct and I take back morality, that would imply that people are cheating and they're not. It was just a poor choice of wording at the time.  They may not improve someone's game or score, but I just can't get myself to accept them.  Thanks alot for your input!  Opinions on both sides of this make for a great discussion.

 Thanks Zain!  A lot of people I've spoken to agree with us.  It's nice to see that other players think the way we do.

Either John must use a long putter or he just needs to get out more.  When people speak of  the long putter or belly putters, you often hear "it saved my career".  Players don't quote new drivers, irons, wedges, just putters that have a fulcrum point that rests at some point against their body, allowing for a smooth, fluid stroke that they can no longer achieve by conventional means.  I agree with Daryl that the USGA should take a look at this rule and consider banning these clubs.  I also didn't like the fact that many players were using Ping Eye 2 wedges when the groove change occured, but that's just me.  Great post!

Well Chris

Guess what, I don't use a long putter, I use a conventional putter, with a conventional grip.

You see, people don't want a long putter because it may help someone else but not help themselves. I bring up the rule changes to make what we now call a driver legal, no one complains about that because it helps them. When square grooves were allowed, no one complained because it help them, when that rule changed we heard all the complaints.

If someone beats me in competition without a long putter, that means I got to work to get better. If someone beats me in competition using a long putter, that means I got to work to get better. Notice no difference, it doesn't change anything to me, it doesn't mean the rules should be changed.

If a long putter helps someone putt better, then that's great, they should be using equipment that fits them.

Now talk about making standard equipment, and standards on how it can be used. Think about it, what if they decided to make a standard that doesn't fit you, you aren't gonna like it. If they made the long putter standard, I'm up the creek because I can't use one. People want standard, but they want the standard based on what fits them.

John,

I totally agree with you, I could care less what length putter someone uses.  If using a belly/long putter and it helps them, and makes golf more fun for them...GREAT.  If they would become the standard, I would probably be a little 50/50.  I guess I would have to get over it.  I don't think they are a bad thing, but that's just me.

Thanks,

Ben

Great topic guys,

I figure I have enough to worry about with my own game to care what someone else is using.  All of us have the same opportunity to use a belly putter if we want to.  I have tried one, I roll the ball better with a conventional putter.  Most of us are amateurs, so use whatever you make the most putts with and enjoy your round!!!

I considered switching to a belly putter but, I couldn't get use to it and it didn't feel right. If i can get use to it I would switch because I suffer from lower back problems and I think a long putter would help me get through the round better. Not sure it would help my score but, I do think it would help with some of my back problems.

It sure didn't work for Adam Scott this week...

I've used a "Sternum Putter" messing around at the shop, but never one that goes in the gut like Freddy C.