COMMUNITY

Congrats Bill.

Did you have second thought about ordering the belly given all the USGA rumors?

Not at all !
The U.S.G.A. will have to face the fact that the long/belly putters had been in use for a long time now plus all the OEM might be challenging any decision against the use for the long/belly putter in tournament play.
I also know how to modify a belly putter into a std length putter, no big deal.

After a week's raining days finally forecasted a couple of days with 20% chance of rain.
Headed out of the house early in the morning to catch the early bird rate and to avoid the rain coming in the afternoon, was not surprised by the dense fog. Temperature is 38 degree but felt like freezing.

Took the STX ss7 belly putter out without visiting the putting green because there were a twosome headed out in front of me. First putt was an 8 footer and drained it; that seemed to be too easy, right ?
Many, many putts later on were short, not used to the putter yet especially because the length is 3 inches longer than my fitted length.

Feel was excellent, still pushed a little to the right sometimes with the right hand. Needing to practice and have more confidence in the putter.

Drained a 12 foot snake for birdie on the #14' tricky green. Didn't even know how it happened, right......

Missed a 10 footer for birdie on the 17th which I should have made it 80% of the time.

A mixed feeling day for the brand new putter, 35 putts for the day and two weeks ago was a 29 putts on the same greens.

I will keep it in the bag to give it a chance for me to get used to the new putter. Still debating on whether to shorten the length or not.

Bill, this post cracked me up. Now I know you have used another belly putter now and then over the last couple years, but what did you expect the first time out with a new belly putter of a different make and length without any warm up to boot?

It took me 5,000 putts before I started feeling comfortable with the long putter. Give it a little time buddy!

That is my intention to keep it in the bag for awhile, but not in the way to provide any excuse for my Monday Group to believe that I would be the main course on their lunch menu ( fat lamb on the skewer sizzle over the flame, they call it ).
I like the feel off the putter face and the overall optic, but because of the length issue, directional control could be iffy sometimes.
Looking at the Golf Channel Hong Kong Open footage, many of the Pros missed their 8'-15' putt with their belly /long putter also.

Here is the thing; golfers expect a miracle cure for their game. Some expect the long putter should drain every putt within 20' I was asked by the others I played with just how long I had this putter after I missed a couple of 10' yesterday....... Not long enough I supposed but certainly not bad putting overall.

I owned enough putters over the years to know this one should be in the bag ( for awhile ). My problem is, even I had a 29 putts round a few weeks ago with another putter, I'm still searching for a miracle; like all the other golfers.

Here is one of the Ah Ha moment !

While my previous belly putter was 39 3/4" and been pretty good with it having the grip anchored to the core and hands low ( AKA Fred Couple ).
This new putter is longer at 43".

Watching the pros whom use the long putters, found Adam Scott put the top hand and grip under the neck pressed against the chest plate just below the chin, his eyes straight over the golf ball; left elbow out and pointing down the target line and right hands/fingers barely holding on / touching the shaft for support with a brush type of sweeping motion to motor the putter.

Tried this at home and felt much better with bringing back the putter without much wiggling. The key is to find a way to bring the putter head back and through the golf ball without much of a chance to wonder off line.

I believe I had found it with this putter ( length ) and will try it out of the golf course if I ever get out there. Storming weather with sheets of rain and wind gusting to over 40 MPH.

FYI, Adam changed his technique between last year and the beginning of this year to the technique you just described. I haven't changed my technique (I modeled mine after the technique he used prior). I haven't seen or heard any interview where he has commented about this change. Anybody else seen or heard of one? I wouldn't be surprised if no one has asked him. When it comes to the belly or long putter it seems like most commentators are absolutely clueless.

Decided against cutting down the original shaft, pulled the head and shafted with a black shaft.
I may put the original shaft back if the USGA chaged it's mind after feedbacks from major manufacturers next Spring.
It is a heavy head.