The Golf Thread

[falafel]

Why do so many of you keep picking Tiger?

He isn't going to win.

Neither are at least 2 of the 3 golfers anyone picks. You have to pick at least 2 non-winners.

[TripletDaddy]

I see. So Everyone is picking Tiger to lose? In that case, good pick.

[Surfah]

Some news on the belly putter. It looks like a decision will be made, not on the length of the putter, but the ability to anchor the club against your body. This was the argument I made during the Open championship. GMac is now being vocal about it, wanting it banned. Coincidentally, Webb Simpson says he's practicing with a normal putter in case his belly putter is banned.

http://espn.go.com/golf/pgachampions...lly-putter-ban

[falafel]

Some news on the belly putter. It looks like a decision will be made, not on the length of the putter, but the ability to anchor the club against your body. This was the argument I made during the Open championship. GMac is now being vocal about it, wanting it banned. Coincidentally, Webb Simpson says he's practicing with a normal putter in case his belly putter is banned.

http://espn.go.com/golf/pgachampions...lly-putter-ban

Interesting.

I wonder what would happen if someone started putting from their knees w/ a normal sized putter, anchoring it to their chin. I think its odd that they are concerned with the change in the stroke. Has there ever been a discussion about the right way to swing a club?

[clackamascoug]

Some news on the belly putter. It looks like a decision will be made, not on the length of the putter, but the ability to anchor the club against your body. This was the argument I made during the Open championship. GMac is now being vocal about it, wanting it banned. Coincidentally, Webb Simpson says he's practicing with a normal putter in case his belly putter is banned.

http://espn.go.com/golf/pgachampions...lly-putter-ban

Interesting stuff. Having switched to a belly putter, I don't think I could go back to a regular putter now. Putting is by far, the worst part of my game. About a month ago when I had those 6 birdies in a round, it was all belly putter. Well that, and stellar iron play. The one contrary thing I've noticed is that on long putts, 20 foot and longer, a belly putter is harder. So, on long putts I just use it like a regular putter. It's like having two putters in the bag.

[clackamascoug]

Donut always waits till they play the font nine to get his picks in.

[Donuthole]

On my honor, I have not looked at the leaderboard. My terrible performance in the British Open should indicate that I'm not cheating. Just lazy.

Dufner, Scott, Kuchar

[Donuthole]

Some news on the belly putter. It looks like a decision will be made, not on the length of the putter, but the ability to anchor the club against your body. This was the argument I made during the Open championship. GMac is now being vocal about it, wanting it banned. Coincidentally, Webb Simpson says he's practicing with a normal putter in case his belly putter is banned.

http://espn.go.com/golf/pgachampions...lly-putter-ban

Interesting.

I wonder what would happen if someone started putting from their knees w/ a normal sized putter, anchoring it to their chin. I think its odd that they are concerned with the change in the stroke. Has there ever been a discussion about the right way to swing a club?

I think GMac's follow up comment is the most telling thing in the piece:

But having said that, if it was so easy, everyone would be using one.

[falafel]

I think GMac's follow up comment is the most telling thing in the piece:

Graeme.

"But there's no doubt I welcome it (a change). I think the game of golf, putting is such a big part of the game that let's level the playing field again. Let's get everyone with a short putter back in the bag as the game is meant to be played.'

Again, if you think you're at a disadvantage using a short putter, no one is stopping you from picking up a long one. I also think its funny that he thinks using a short putter is how the game is "meant to be played." Let's get back to hitting rocks and feather-filled leather pouches while we're at it.

[falafel]

Ernie's got the right idea.

Despite using one himself, Els had said he thinks belly putters should not be allowed. "As long as it's legal, I'll keep cheating like the rest of them," he joked last year.

[Surfah]

I think GMac's follow up comment is the most telling thing in the piece:

Maybe that has to do with what Clack has noticed with his. I don't know as I have never used one.

[clackamascoug]

Maybe that has to do with what Clack has noticed with his. I don't know as I have never used one.

A long putter is a learned skill. You just can't pick it up and be proficient out of the gate. But 'll tell ya... it's sure nice to burn the edge of the cup all the time, instead of having no idea where the ball is going to go.

If they're going to make changes to golf - change the ball. The biggest crime is the unanticipated distance modern golfers have off the tee, rendering thousands of courses impotent.

[Surfah]

A long putter is a learned skill. You just can't pick it up and be proficient out of the gate. But 'll tell ya... it's sure nice to burn the edge of the cup all the time, instead of having no idea where the ball is going to go.

If they're going to make changes to golf - change the ball. The biggest crime is the unanticipated distance modern golfers have off the tee, rendering thousands of courses impotent.

As I argued before, it's not an advancement in technology but a change in the way a club is swung. That is what I think will be addressed with a clarification. When they rule, I'd be surprised if anything is said about the length of the putter. Though if they ban anchoring the club against your body, long putters will be worthless.

[Donuthole]

As I argued before, it's not an advancement in technology but a change in the way a club is swung. That is what I think will be addressed with a clarification. When they rule, I'd be surprised if anything is said about the length of the putter. Though if they ban anchoring the club against your body, long putters will be worthless.

Your argument before was that the putter shouldn't be longer than the driver. Also, if I were Adam Scott, I'd just shorten my putter by an inch, let my left hand overlap the end, and affix my hand to my chest. Then the putter isn't technically anchored. No different than tucking your elbows to your hips with a short putter.

[Surfah]

Your argument before was that the putter shouldn't be longer than the driver. Also, if I were Adam Scott, I'd just shorten my putter by an inch, let my left hand overlap the end, and affix my hand to my chest. Then the putter isn't technically anchored. No different than tucking your elbows to your hips with a short putter.

I think I argued what Tiger did by saying the putter can't be longer than the next shortest club in the bag. I don't recall though or care to look it up.

I would not be opposed to putting a maximum length on the putter at all. This is the easy fix to the issue which is anchoring the club against the body. The alternate is to address the swing in the rule book. IMO, this is what the USGA will eventually rule on. Either way the long putter dies.