COMMUNITY

This is so true. Unless something is illegal, do it!

Doesn't help my game anyway since I'm used to the standard length. It should be illegal though since you're wielding it against your body.

If it weren't yielded on your chest, I wouldn't have a problem with it. I do think it is unfair, however it is still currently legal.

I don't have a problem with people using longer putters if they do not anchor them on their chest, and if they only use the hands that putting was intended for.

I consider my self a pretty good putter with my 35 inch putter and I have messed with a belly putter a bit on the practice green with some promising success but it would take me a while to become a good putter with it. The long putter on the other hand is way out of my league. I have tried and tried to use one but can not seem to putt the ball consistently straight with one. All I have to say is that if you use one and it helps you put the ball in the hole with fewer strokes then you need to use it.

I've only been alive for 20 years so I wouldn't know.

Every time this topic comes up the same misunderstandings come up, so let's define our terms.

There are two basic types of putters that have a longer than 'standard' length. One uses a technique where you place the butt end into your abdomen and use the standard rock your shoulders putting stroke. The other is even longer and uses a technique where you create a pendulum by holding the club at the top with your left hand and use your right hand and arm to create the pendulum action. Most commonly the former is referred to as a belly putter and the latter as a long putter. For clarity, it would be good to use these labels, so we all know what type we have in mind.

It's worth noting that these two types of putters use different techniques. So when expressing an opinion about the legality or illegality of something, be clear what you mean. Are you referring to some physical trait of the putter, or some aspect of the technique used by the player?

Now having defined some terms. I would be interested in hearing exactly what Arnold Palmer said, since I didn't hear the interview. What aspect did he think should be illegal: Was it some physical characteristic like limiting the length of a putter or some technique, like anchoring the putter to the abdomen, or was he not specific?

If The King wants to refer to them as "long putters", it's good enough for me!

Here's Arnold's exact quote:

Palmer gave an interesting reply to a question about long putters on Tuesday during a Q&A with the media prior to the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Here's the transcript of the exchange (via asapsports.com):

Q. I think it's pretty well known that you have hundreds, if not thousands of putters in your garage and everything. I'm wondering, have you ever-- how often have you tinkered with a belly or a long putter and how close have you ever come to putting one in play? And what are your general thoughts about those types of putters?

ARNOLD PALMER: Well, you're opening up a big subject there. Of course, I don't think there's ever been a club made that I know of that has not been in my bag. (Laughter) May not stay long, and the long putter is one of them. I'm not a fan of long putters.

I suppose that if I were playing, and a long putter, being totally legal, and would help my game, I might use it. But I'm opposed to it personally. I just think that there shouldn't be a place in the game for anchoring a club against the body, which is what the long putter does.

So, technically, and principally, I am against it. But would I use it if it were going to enhance my game in the competition? I might.

And if The King wants to refer to it as a "long putter", it's good enough for me!

I took out my 3 wood as well, and added a 18* hybrid. Not an exact switch, but I hit it really well. I want to buy a 1 hybrid next (15*). I think hybrids are easier to hit than fairway woods, both off of the tee and off of the fairway and ruff. So its an easy choice to me.

So based on the transcript Mike found, what Arnold Palmer finds objectionable is putting techniques that involve anchoring a putter to some part of the player's body.

...and yet as long as the technique remains legal he would use the belly putter and the anchoring technique if he found it helped his game.

Correct, Mark, and I think that makes perfect sense. After all, advances in equipment technology and the modern ball have irked a lot of the 60's generation of golfers. But had they not evolved with the times, their later careers, including on the Champions Tour would have suffered a bit.

I thought the whole problem with it was "anchoring it to the body"

I always find it interesting how the rules are interpreted. You can't place a towel down on the ground to place your knees, if you have to hit off your knees, because that is improving your stance?

Some just don't make good sense to me.............

But I am against the belly putter and have been since its inception.

I'm an old dude so I can remember.