Thread Tools

Display Modes

**Fourputt** · 11-28-2012, 09:30 AM

The announcement was made today by the USGA and the R & A that effectively bans the belly and broomstick putters. Although the rule change does not actually ban any sort of equipment, as of 2016 you will no longer be allowed to intentionally anchor any part of a club to any part of your body except your hands and arms.

That means that Kuchar's method of clamping to his forearm will still be allowed, but strokes with the belly putter pivoted on the gut and the broomstick on the chest no longer will no longer be legal.

**broken tee** · 11-28-2012, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fourputt

The announcement was made today by the USGA and the R & A that effectively bans the belly and broomstick putters. Although the rule change does not actually ban any sort of equipment, as of 2016 you will no longer be allowed to intentionally anchor any part of a club to any part of your body except your hands and arms.

That means that Kuchar's method of clamping to his forearm will still be allowed, but strokes with the belly putter pivoted on the gut and the broomstick on the chest no longer will no longer be legal.

I have no problem with this change on the competitive side of golf, amateur or professional. Knowing how you respect the rules what would you say to someone in general play using the belly putter. Just for discussion

**Cajun** · 11-28-2012, 06:49 PM

I think it's a good change.

**broken tee** · 11-28-2012, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cajun

I think it's a good change.

I agree, so I ask the same question to you as I did to fourputt.

**Fourputt** · 11-28-2012, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by broken tee

I have no problem with this change on the competitive side of golf, amateur or professional. Knowing how you respect the rules what would you say to someone in general play using the belly putter. Just for discussion

When it become disallowed in 2016, then I'll feel the same as I would for any rules breach. Until then it's legal to use, so if that's your thing, then go for it. I wouldn't touch one, but then I've thought that this change should be be made for 20 years.

**broken tee** · 11-28-2012, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fourputt

When it become disallowed in 2016, then I'll feel the same as I would for any rules breach. Until then it's legal to use, so if that's your thing, then go for it. I wouldn't touch one, but then I've thought that this change should be be made for 20 years.

I've never liked the belly putter/broom stick and like you I always thought it gave a player an unfair advantage.

**Fourputt** · 11-28-2012, 09:31 PM

For me, it's never been a case of advantage, and it can't really be unfair since it was a technique which was available to anyone. However, it simply goes against all tradition in the way that the club is intended to be used, and for that reason I have never liked it.

I do agree that for those who aren't bothered by looking weird using one that it does make the putting stroke simpler with fewer moving parts. It doesn't help with reading greens or judging the speed, but it does remove one variable in the putting stroke, making it easier to draw the putter back and stroke it through the ball with less potential to wobble.

For now it's still a "proposed" change, but I hope that it becomes fact when the next Rules revision comes out in 2016.

**broken tee** · 11-29-2012, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fourputt

For me, it's never been a case of advantage, and it can't really be unfair since it was a technique which was available to anyone. However, it simply goes against all tradition in the way that the club is intended to be used, and for that reason I have never liked it.

I do agree that for those who aren't bothered by looking weird using one that it does make the putting stroke simpler with fewer moving parts. It doesn't help with reading greens or judging the speed, but it does remove one variable in the putting stroke, making it easier to draw the putter back and stroke it through the ball with less potential to wobble.

For now it's still a "proposed" change, but I hope that it becomes fact when the next Rules revision comes out in 2016.

This point in green is what I mean by an unfair advantage, and I've caught myself wobble during the stroke, then I speak in a language unsuitable for children