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Author Topic: Banning belly putters is the same as banning 2 handed bowling  (Read 7153 times)

rockerbowler18

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Banning belly putters is the same as banning 2 handed bowling
« on: November 28, 2012, 04:55:04 PM »
The new rule proposed by golf's governorning bodies would eliminate the anchoring of belly and broomstick putters and is exactly the same as if bowling decided to ban 2 handed deliveries.

People claim that anchoring the putter is a competitive advantage, but this is 100% false. It cannot be a competitive advantage so long as EVERYONE IS ALLOWED TO DO IT. If anchoring the putter is so great, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and anyone else is welcome to use it, just like 2 handed bowling.

I have heard the argument "the people who go to belly putters are the people who have no success with traditional putting." ironically this statement came from a 2 handed bowler who had little success 1 handed and then started winning once he went to 2 hands.

I have also heard the argument that traditional putting brings nerves into play more - so does 1 handed bowling: if your thumb isn't in the ball, but your other hand is, it becomes pretty hard to squeeze or drop it under pressure.

You're taking away an element that makes the game far more enjoyable - and if you want to grow the game of golf, you need to WELCOME the style just like bowling has.

And before people start telling me I'm biased: I bowl 1 handed and putt traditionally.

 

jls

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Re: Banning belly putters is the same as banning 2 handed bowling
« Reply #16 on: November 29, 2012, 10:45:23 AM »
The head guy at the USGA,  I believe his name is Davis...Said in April of 2011
that the belly and long putter were no threat to the game...

Then after two wins in majors, and bitching from Tiger,  he did a 180...

I don't think this rule change will fly...That's why they moved it up to
2016...If they thought it would fly, why not now...Jan' 2013...

I think they will be hearing from the club companies and the players....

This move will cost many players endorsement deals>>>according to the Golf
Channel...

It will also hurt players who have back issues...It will limit their practice...

After about 3 decades of allowing long putters, Now the idiots at the USGA
and R/A decide to ban it...

IMO,   they are doing this to lick a certain golfers butt...The big cry baby
that is no longer #1...

One golf pro said he has already received many e-mails from members of
his club CALLING HIM A CHEATER, cause he uses the belly putter...


scotts33

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Re: Banning belly putters is the same as banning 2 handed bowling
« Reply #17 on: November 29, 2012, 10:54:02 AM »
Nothing new here.  Bobby Jones whined about Sam Snead using a croquet style of putting where he straddled the ball and the USGA instituted the rule where you can not be inside the line of the ball to the hole and an imaginary line behind the ball.  Same deal as Woods and other more purists Faldo, Nicklaus and others would be one who have complained about belly/long putters for years.  Nothing new here same as Jones did when Sammy started winning and other than his poor putting didn't allow him to win more.

I am a dealer for these.........for bowlers it's a natural.  Face the hole.  :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTtueXgid5E

The head guy at the USGA,  I believe his name is Davis...Said in April of 2011
that the belly and long putter were no threat to the game...

Then after two wins in majors, and bitching from Tiger,  he did a 180...

I don't think this rule change will fly...That's why they moved it up to
2016...If they thought it would fly, why not now...Jan' 2013...

I think they will be hearing from the club companies and the players....

This move will cost many players endorsement deals>>>according to the Golf
Channel...

It will also hurt players who have back issues...It will limit their practice...

After about 3 decades of allowing long putters, Now the idiots at the USGA
and R/A decide to ban it...

IMO,   they are doing this to lick a certain golfers butt...The big cry baby
that is no longer #1...

One golf pro said he has already received many e-mails from members of
his club CALLING HIM A CHEATER, cause he uses the belly putter...


Scott

rockerbowler18

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Re: Banning belly putters is the same as banning 2 handed bowling
« Reply #18 on: November 29, 2012, 11:29:56 AM »
Quote
So my question is:  if it is such an advantage, then why arent more people going to it?  It is gaining popularity.  But, it isnt like you walk into any league night and see half the people using it. 

That's my main point. If a belly putter or a broomstick putter is such a colossal advantage that it creates an unfair edge, why doesn't Tiger (and others) shut the heck up and use it? There's no rule that says "you can use the belly putter unless you're Tiger Woods."

scotts33

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Re: Banning belly putters is the same as banning 2 handed bowling
« Reply #19 on: November 29, 2012, 11:31:50 AM »
Because a purist would never be caught dead with one.   :)

Quote
That's my main point. If a belly putter or a broomstick putter is such a colossal advantage that it creates an unfair edge, why doesn't Tiger (and others) shut the heck up and use it? There's no rule that says "you can use the belly putter unless you're Tiger Woods."
Scott

rockerbowler18

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Re: Banning belly putters is the same as banning 2 handed bowling
« Reply #20 on: November 29, 2012, 11:36:41 AM »
Quote
I am a dealer for these.........for bowlers it's a natural.  Face the hole.  :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTtueXgid5E

When I did briefly experiment with a long putter, that's how I used it. I even gripped it with my right hand fully, more like a bowling ball grip and not so gingerly as he does in the video.

Quote
Because a purist would never be caught dead with one

Yeah, and purism hurts the game. Tiger brought practice into the game. Hardcore practice like never before. Fitness in the gym every day. But that went against the "you either have it or you don't" golfing moniker. Rather than banning gyms, they allowed it...and eventually if you wanted to be any good at golf and compete with Tiger - you did what Tiger did.

The issue here, as JLS so aptly stated: Tiger is a whiny baby. He's getting his teeth kicked in and wants someone to blame besides his own dumbass mistakes (losing focus on the game and dumping Harmon/Haney to name a couple).

NHLfan88

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Re: Banning belly putters is the same as banning 2 handed bowling
« Reply #21 on: November 29, 2012, 01:10:25 PM »
that would be a beautiful thing if that stupid two handed gimmick was outlawed.
Those who can't bowl, bowl with two hands.

txbowler

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Re: Banning belly putters is the same as banning 2 handed bowling
« Reply #22 on: November 29, 2012, 01:23:57 PM »
Because a purist would never be caught dead with one.   :)

Quote
That's my main point. If a belly putter or a broomstick putter is such a colossal advantage that it creates an unfair edge, why doesn't Tiger (and others) shut the heck up and use it? There's no rule that says "you can use the belly putter unless you're Tiger Woods."

I read an story from Adam Scott about belly putters.  But one of the comments Adam made was about Tiger redoing his swing.  Adam said Tiger got bored with the game.  When you win the Masters by double digits and you are top 5 everytime you enter a tournament, he got bored. 

Adam said that belly putter users winning most of the majors lately is what is the real cause for the the rule change now.   He said he'll simply go to a regular putter and be fine.

kidlost2000

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Re: Banning belly putters is the same as banning 2 handed bowling
« Reply #23 on: November 29, 2012, 01:26:06 PM »
The ability to consistently repeat something is the most important thing in bowling and in golf.

The lateral line putter is no different. When you watch the guy putting to you face on in the video, look at his form. The club goes straight back and straight forward and keeps the club face square. You can do that a lot of different ways. To do it consistently requires practice in any method.
…… you can't  add a physics term to a bowling term and expect it to mean something.

rockerbowler18

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Re: Banning belly putters is the same as banning 2 handed bowling
« Reply #24 on: November 29, 2012, 02:01:46 PM »
Quote
I read an story from Adam Scott about belly putters.  But one of the comments Adam made was about Tiger redoing his swing.  Adam said Tiger got bored with the game.  When you win the Masters by double digits and you are top 5 everytime you enter a tournament, he got bored. 

Adam said that belly putter users winning most of the majors lately is what is the real cause for the the rule change now.   He said he'll simply go to a regular putter and be fine.

If you read Haney's book The Big Miss about his time with Tiger, he alludes to this fact - that Tiger, in order to stay on top of his game, changed things all the time, and when he got set in a repetitive rut, that's when he made bad shots.

It's talked about in the book "Talent is Overrated," where Colvin discusses the plateau effect and how many people believe elite athletes run on automatic because they do something sooooo many times that it's automatic to them. He says this couldn't be further from the truth, which is that amateurs get to a plateau specifically because they run on automatic and the key is to constantly have every motion at the forefront of your mind and never drift into letting your subconscious play for you.

TWOHAND834

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Re: Banning belly putters is the same as banning 2 handed bowling
« Reply #25 on: November 29, 2012, 02:53:16 PM »
that would be a beautiful thing if that stupid two handed gimmick was outlawed.

It isnt really a gimmick anymore because it has been around now for at least close to 20 years that I know of.
Steven Vance
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Former Classic Products Assistant Manager

crazyyankee

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Re: Banning belly putters is the same as banning 2 handed bowling
« Reply #26 on: November 29, 2012, 03:24:22 PM »
i don't give a crap if they ban the belly putter.i will still use mine since i don't play any tournaments.buy the way it has shaved at least 7-10 shots off my score.

rockerbowler18

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Re: Banning belly putters is the same as banning 2 handed bowling
« Reply #27 on: November 29, 2012, 04:03:23 PM »
that would be a beautiful thing if that stupid two handed gimmick was outlawed.

If it's a "stupid...gimmick," why would you want it outlawed? Those people are using a stupid gimmick and obviously donating their money to "real bowlers" like you, right?

And if it's a "stupid...gimmick" that works, then why the hell aren't you adopting it instead of whining?

mdevore19

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Re: Banning belly putters is the same as banning 2 handed bowling
« Reply #28 on: November 29, 2012, 04:25:49 PM »
First, I think some people are getting the belly putter and the long putter mixed up and there is a difference between the two not just the length. First the long putter is usually held with the least dominant hand near your chin, but you cannot grab onto your shirt or rest your chin against the putter as an anchor. This is where there is an advantage using a belly putter. You can press it against your stomach which is essentially anchoring it. However, I would like to see a couple of things, first maybe you ban it on tour and in USGA events, but for most amateurs not competing in tournaments, I say let them have the belly putter. If they make more putts with it that brings them back the next time. They would just need to know the rules before going to a tournament.