Sunday, February 1, 2009

Does Your Belly Have a Need for a Putter of its Own?

By Golf Guru Guy

If you think you're the only one wondering about belly putters since seeing Sergio Garcia sporting one rather successfully at last year's British Open and TPC, think again. Everyone wants know what the deal is!

In a nutshell - Belly Putters are designed to reduce the "degrees of freedom" allowed a player when they putt. Belly putters are a great option for those players having a hard time making an arc with their putting stroke and are the latest craze amongst players looking to improve their scores on the green. Belly putters are supposed to be good from short range but could be dangerous on distance control for longer putts.

An obvious disadvantage of the belly putter is the reduced feedback the golfer feels due to its added length. This has led detractors of the belly putter to say it us a club for aging golfers as well as "for those with no other hope of improving their scores." Ouch. Sorry, Sergio.

For those who complained: If Long/Belly putters are so advantageous, why not get one and prove it by winning some big majors. Statistically, the experts say that belly putters are better than the traditional putters. However, this needs to be proven and what better way then the ultimate putting test at August for the Masters. If Sergio or another Belly-maven can slip on the green jacket while using the Belly-stick, it could change everyones mind

Belly putters have the problem of being associated with older players. As a result, their use by a player practically screams "I have the yips!" to the golf snobs. I happen to think that if it improves your game and you enjoy using it, why not?

Belly putters are the new trend for golfers looking to improve their putting. Belly putters are just one more club that's available for us to use to improve our game. They are available in various fixed lengths from 100 to 115 cm and almost all of the manufacturers in our Putting Section sell them.

Golf Guru Guy will be there to review all the best belly putters out there for the long yip-stick inclined. Stay tuned as the season draws closer.

I have to admit it's hard for me to see a belly putter as anything other than an old man club, but if it works for you... - 15683

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