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OT: Belly Putters

  • So i hear the USGA is going to outlaw belly putters starting 2016.. I like to play, and am always looking for a way to improve my putting. I've always used a standard length putter. Anyone out there use a belly putter? I've never been a believer, but the fact that the USGA is prohibiting their use makes me think there must be a competitive advantage with the belly putter. I get that in theory it should create a more consistent pendulum swing with an anchor point, but it looks uncomfortable to me. I've never tried it, but if it works, maybe for the next few years i could get some strokes around the green...

    frostyvol

  • Well, it creates an anchor point that reduces the effects of pressure (stress), which is why they are banning it. If you have a lot of nerves or have trouble swinging the putter reliably on its path, it could probably only help. I never cared for them.

    VolBaller33

  • Thanks VB..i struggle with putts 10 feet and in. either pulling or pushing. Sometimes it's a misread, but i think mostly i just struggle to consistently hit the ball on a straight line. Again, it sounds in theory like a belly putter would help me, but the thought of having the butt end of the shaft stuck in my belly seems uncomfortable, but i guess you get used to it given the number of pros that use it and seem to have success with it. Guess im just old school. But maybe i will give one a try.

    frostyvol

  • Im a scratch guy now. Last year this time, i was a 5 handicap.

    The difference is my putting, but i didnt go to a belly putter. I bought a Heavy Putter and havent looked back. I dont miss anything inside 8 feet now unless i blatantly misread it.

    It has been night and day.

    CrockettTM

  • agree with CrockettTM a heavy putter will help you just as much. I play a lot of golf and that greatly improved my putting. I will say this look at over the years the people who have been the best on the PGA tour none use belly putters and they have been out longer than these past few years. Ask Rory if he needs to switch I think he is doing fine with a "regular" one.

    I agree it takes some pressure off but so does putting 1000 putts a day from 10' and in it is all about how they feel and I think the USGA is giving into the pressure on this one if they hadn't done anything about it they would have gone away on their own. IT is not a permanent fix.

    erburn

  • CrockettTM said...

    Im a scratch guy now. Last year this time, i was a 5 handicap.

    The difference is my putting, but i didnt go to a belly putter. I bought a by Giant Savings" href="#" in_rurl="http://i.trkjmp.com/click?v=VVM6Mjc5ODQ6MTE6aGVhdnkgcHV0dGVyOmFiNWE5MjIzMTViZjk5YTg3YzJiNzUxMjdlOGQxZGRlOnotMTI0Mi04NDcwNjp0ZW5uZXNzZWUuMjQ3c3BvcnRzLmNvbTowOjA">Heavy Putter and havent looked back. I dont miss anything inside 8 feet now unless i blatantly misread it.

    It has been night and day.

    Thanks for the tip Crockett. I have been using a ping B60 putter for years. It is fairly light weight, but i like the responsiveness/feel. and, as an added bonus, i can pick the ball up with the back of the putter without bending over.. It does feel like it is harder to keep a consistent swing path because of its light weight though.. You mind sharing what putter you use? Maybe i could go find one and take it for a test drive.

    This post was edited by frostyvol on 11/28/2012 at 9:12 AM

    frostyvol

  • Also putting has a ton to do with your stroke as well. The one thing we amateurs often over look is how important it is to have a putter that fits your stroke. If you have a straight stroke but have a putter with an offset you will miss hit it every time. Find somewhere that will do a fitting and go from there.

    I use a Bettinardi mallet that weighs 375g FWIW.

    erburn

  • frostyvol said...

    Thanks for the tip Crockett. I have been using a ping B60 putter for years. It is fairly light weight, but i like the responsiveness/feel. and, as an added bonus, i can pick the ball up with the back of the putter without bending over.. It does feel like it is harder to keep a consistent swing path because of its light weight though.. You mind sharing what putter you use? Maybe i could go find one and take it for a test drive.

    Oh man, I dont know the model name, but it is the "original" style mallet type. Not the "midweight" series.

    I was also impressed by how soft the metal feels...very responsive.

    And can definitely pick the ball up with the back :)

    CrockettTM

  • I just switched to a Scotty Cameron GoLo. Great look of a mallet, but the deep-milled face provides soft and consistent feel.

    Making a lot more putts from 10' and in.

    Patrick W

  • +1 on the Scotty Cameron putters. I've got 4 that I rotate between, but mostly stay with the first one I bought because of the weight and the latest one because of the deep milled face. Start watching the caddy carrying the bag, and you'll notice a lot of Cameron putters in the bag.

    I've been toying around with the idea of sending one of my earlier Cameron's with the circle dot "checkerboard" backplate in to be customized to an orange and white checkerboard. It's almost a guarantee that I'd drop 5 strokes.

    teeitup418holes

  • Patrick W said...

    I just switched to a Scotty Cameron GoLo. Great look of a mallet, but the deep-milled face provides soft and consistent feel.

    Making a lot more putts from 10' and in.

    I do like the look of the SC GoLo. I've never tried an SC putter. As i recall they were pretty pricey and i wasnt sure if the extra money was because of the name or if there was a difference in the quality of the putter. But, heck, if i can gain a few strokes a round with it, it's probably worth the extra bucks. Are SC putters typically heavier across all the models?

    frostyvol

  • erburn said...

    Also putting has a ton to do with your stroke as well. The one thing we amateurs often over look is how important it is to have a putter that fits your stroke. If you have a straight stroke but have a putter with an offset you will miss hit it every time. Find somewhere that will do a fitting and go from there.

    I use a Bettinardi mallet that weighs 375g FWIW.

    hmm..i feel like i dont have much arc in my stroke, but the putter i use is offset.. interesting. maybe a fitting is what i need. Thanks again for the tip!

    frostyvol

  • The decision is still pending until the spring of 2013. They are just outlawing the anchoring, not the putter itself, but a player would have to not anchor it with their body and hold it away from their body and swing it freely.

    chasescott66

  • frostyvol said...

    I do like the look of the SC GoLo. I've never tried an SC putter. As i recall they were pretty pricey and i wasnt sure if the extra money was because of the name or if there was a difference in the quality of the putter. But, heck, if i can gain a few strokes a round with it, it's probably worth the extra bucks. Are SC putters typically heavier across all the models?

    Not necessarily...but there are models that you can switch out weights in.

    I've putted with Taylor Made, Ping, Odyssey, and a lot of the other Big Brands...always come back to my SC.

    They are priced like that in part because of the name...but the name brings money because it's such a quality product. If you check eBay or Craigslist, you might be able to find some of last years models cheaper than retail

    teeitup418holes

  • teeitup418holes said...

    Not necessarily...but there are models that you can switch out weights in.

    I've putted with Taylor Made, Ping, Odyssey, and a lot of the other Big Brands...always come back to my SC.

    They are priced like that in part because of the name...but the name brings money because it's such a quality product. If you check eBay or Craigslist, you might be able to find some of last years models cheaper than retail

    Thanks teeitup. Looks like you have had experience with a lot of different brands. Ill check out ebay. You think a fitting would be useful as well?

    frostyvol

  • frostyvol said...

    I do like the look of the SC GoLo. I've never tried an SC putter. As i recall they were pretty pricey and i wasnt sure if the extra money was because of the name or if there was a difference in the quality of the putter. But, heck, if i can gain a few strokes a round with it, it's probably worth the extra bucks. Are SC putters typically heavier across all the models?

    SC's are pretty pricey. A buddy of mine got me into them, and the GoLo is my 2nd. Each SC is weighted to the length of the putter (whether you use a 34", 35", etc).One plus of them is you can actually adjust the weight to your liking.

    I will warn you that it is an investment, and if you are a golf nut like me, you will get hooked on Scorty's.

    Patrick W

  • If tiger hadnt been whining about this there wouldnt be a problem with it.

    signature image signature image signature image

    Formally known as govols011 - follow me on twitter @C_Dillard6

    bUTchSlapped

  • I've moved to heavier irons and have been impressed with the results. I think my swing and strike point is more consistent. I was thinking that I would look seriously at the large grip heavy putters that seem to be getting rave reviews.

    signature image signature image signature image

    RunThruThe T

  • Thought y'all would enjoy this tweet about belly putters:

    @McIlroyRory: Because I don't NEED to....

    "@Jamessharp18: @McIlroyRory If they are such an advantage why havent you started to use one?"

    signature image signature image signature image

    RunThruThe T

  • RunThruThe T said...

    I've moved to heavier irons and have been impressed with the results. I think my swing and strike point is more consistent. I was thinking that I would look seriously at the large grip heavy putters that seem to be getting rave reviews.

    i am curious about the "fatter" grips as well. I have a standard ping grip, which is pretty thin. It seems like the thicker grips might provide more stability..?

    frostyvol

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    Gay4Bray

  • frostyvol said...

    i am curious about the "fatter" grips as well. I have a standard ping grip, which is pretty thin. It seems like the thicker grips might provide more stability..?

    From a putting perspective, it takes your wrists and hands out of it which will make you less 'wristy'

    Patrick W

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    erburn

  • This post is for members of GoVols247 or All Access VIP members only. Start Free Trial

    Gay4Bray

  • Patrick W said...

    From a putting perspective, it takes your wrists and hands out of it which will make you less 'wristy'

    makes sense, thanks!

    frostyvol

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