[arindiruppya]

It seems that there is more and more talk about "bracing" a putter against your belly or chest and how that should be illegal. Announcers and golf media discuss it so much, and the "legality" of it, that I honestly believe that it may be banned in the next 2-3 years.

If/When that does happen, what belly putters do you think will maintain their same level of play? And, who do you think will be the most negatively effected?

PGATour Belly Putters that I can think of. Who am I missing?
Keegan Bradley
Ernie Els
Robert Garrigus
Carl Pettersson
Adam Scott
Webb Simpson

The below table is a compilation of the current Top 50 in the World Ranking, the 2012 Fedex, the current Top 50 in Strokes Gained Putting and all players who won on teh PGATour in the last 12 months. 101 Players in total.


Belly Player OWGR FEDEX SGP WINS WINS WINS Aaron Baddeley 41 37 7 Belly Adam Scott 11 2011 Alvaro Quiros 37 Anders Hansen 40 Ben Crane 49 17 11 Bill Haas 19 12 2012 2011 Billy Hurley III 35 Bo Van Pelt 27 39 1 Brandt Snedeker 23 10 34 2012 Brendan Steele 2011 Brendon Todd 27 Brian Davis 44 28 Brian Gay 24 Bryce Molder 47 4 Bubba Watson 4 2 2012 2011 Bud Cauley 36 Belly Carl Pettersson 35 4 17 2012 Charl Schwartzel 13 Charles Howell III 26 Charlie Wi 35 50 Chris Kirk 2011 Chris Stroud 22 D.A. Points 41 Darren Clarke 2011 David Toms 34 2011 Derek Lamely T30 Dustin Johnson 16 46 2011 Erik Compton 18 Belly Ernie Els 40 Francesco Molinari 46 Fredrik Jacobson 47 2011 Gavin Coles 43 Geoff Ogilvy 48 37 George McNeill 32 2012 Graeme McDowell 18 25 40 Greg Chalmers 20 Harris English 50 T30 Harrison Frazar 45 13 2011 Hunter Haas 42 Hunter Mahan 5 1 41 2012 2012 Ian Poulter 25 42 J.B. Holmes 23 James Driscoll 10 Jason Day 17 Jason Dufner 30 34 Jim Furyk 42 24 29 Jimmy Walker 38 John Huh 22 2012 John Mallinger 48 John Rollins 31 John Senden 31 38 Johnson Wagner 5 12 2012 Jonathan Byrd 49 48 Justin Rose 10 8 2012 2011 K.J. Choi 26 2011 K.T. Kim 50 Belly Keegan Bradley 20 13 25 2011 2011 Kevin Kisner 26 Kevin Na 19 Belly Kevin Stadler 43 39 Kyle Stanley 7 2012 Lee Westwood 3 27 Louis Oosthuizen 12 18 Lucas Glover 2011 Luke Donald 2 15 2 2012 Marco Dawson 45 Mark Anderson 44 Mark Wilson 28 9 2012 Martin Flores 15 Martin Kaymer 6 Martin Laird 36 21 Matt Kuchar 15 23 Michael Thompson 5 Nick Watney 22 2011 Paul Casey 43 Paul Lawrie 44 Peter Hanson 24 49 Phil Mickelson 9 3 3 2012 Richard H. Lee 21 Rickie Fowler 45 Belly Robert Garrigus 20 Robert Karlsson 39 Rory McIlroy 1 6 2012 2011 Ryan Palmer 6 Sang-Moon Bae 32 28 Scott Piercy 32 2011 Scott Stallings 2011 Sean O'Hair 33 2011 Sergio Garcia 21 16 Shaun Micheel 14 Simon Dyson 38 Spencer Levin 30 19 Steve Stricker 7 14 2012 2011 2011 Ted Potter, Jr. 47 Thomas Bjorn 33 Tiger Woods 8 11 8 2012 2011 Vaughn Taylor 33 Belly Webb Simpson 14 29 2011 2011 William McGirt 46 Y.E. Yang 9 Zach Johnson 29 16 36

[ENCOSEARRALIA]

Who gets affected the most? The amateurs who use belly putters to enjoy the game.

[Clilmence]

Who gets affected the most? The amateurs who use belly putters to enjoy the game.

I've heard talk that it would be like the groove rule. So amateurs would have years to adjust to the rule.

[TessUnsonia]

Who gets affected the most? The amateurs who use belly putters to enjoy the game.

exactly. it's not like the Amateurs are trying to golf for living. if you enjoy golfing and have fun putting with them, go for it I say. I have a TM Spider 48" putter that I bust out once in awhile.

[Mmzmptvk]

This whole discussion gives me the creeps.

[Attarderb]

Does anyone really think they will ban the belly putter? I just dont see it happening.

[ENCOSEARRALIA]

I have beat this drum in the past, but belly putters don't lower scores on their own.

The tour pros who get affected the most would be the ones who don't put in the work with the conventional putter.

[enfoires]

Bill Haas uses a belly putter.

[djmassk]

I Think it would be the young guys just coming up now who've been using a belly putter for the majority of their life.


I'm one who has been beating the drum for making it illegal. So hopefully the ban comes sooner rather than later.

[lagunaEl]

Bill Haas uses a belly putter.

Not any more I don't think.

[duribass]

I don't see belly putters as getting banned either.. If 90% of PGA Tour events were won by the 10% with belly putters, maybe things would get re-evaluated.

[bitymnmictada]

Adam Scott doesn't use a belly putter. The only grounds for banning them is if they call it on the "anchoring the club" rule. The long/broomstick putters arent usually anchored.

[bUqLfXRI]

I used to take the stance that long putters should be banned, but I think I have changed my mind. I just want to see good golf and I really don't care what putter they use. If they are not going to ban it, they need to change the no anchoring rule because I think they would be considered illegal now. I like to hear the talk about how a guy made a long putt with a long putter because it is supposed to be harder to putt longer putts with those things.

[JasminBerkova]

Adam Scott doesn't use a belly putter. The only grounds for banning them is if they call it on the "anchoring the club" rule. The long/broomstick putters arent usually anchored.

Wouldn't those be anchored to the chest?

[ENCOSEARRALIA]

Adam Scott doesn't use a belly putter. The only grounds for banning them is if they call it on the "anchoring the club" rule. The long/broomstick putters arent usually anchored.

There currently is no rule concerning the anchoring of a club.

If there is, then it's new to me.

[CialisBestPrice]

When I was shopping for a putter I was looking at belly putters but let a guy at the golf shop talk me out of one because he said "only cheaters" use them. I didn't know any better so I went with my rife 34'. I love that putter and putt well with it but I still wish I would have gone with one of the belly putters. Lesson learned....

All that to say I hope they never ban them. I enjoy seeing guys use them on tour and I seem to like them better.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

[gusecrync]

IMO, youd have to put Keegan Bradley and Adam Scott at or near the top of that list.

[theonsushv]

I know that this was a big discussing, but I guess I didnt really know how big until I cracked open my Cigar Aficianado magazine and there is a 5 page article on it. I think that if the rule states that you cant anchor a club than you cant anchor a club period. If you are someone that plays for fun and you use one and enjoy it, then keep using it. Its not like a PGA Official is gonna call you out on it on your Saturday round at the local course.

[indentKew]

I really hope they don't. I'm gonna consider getting one. I think they add more to the game and I don't think anyone gains an advantage from them.

[bingookenoo]

And, who do you think will be the most negatively effected?

I think Bradley and Peterson would miss cuts. Guys that switched after having success on the PGA tour with a conventional putter would stand a better chance of recovering if they banish them. I'm thinking of Vijay and El's here.