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DIVORCING THE LONG PUTTER
T LAVAN SHOEMAKER
Professional Champion
 
191 Views    5 Replies    2 Likes   I like it!
So comes the end of my second season using the long putter and, seemingly, the last. I made a 100% commitment at the start of the 2011 season and have used it since. I settled on a TaylorMade Rosa Monza Spider full length center shafted model.
I believe that one of the greatest draws in the game of golf is competing on the same playing field and under the same rules as the professional. I have no support for managing several different versions of the Rules of Golf depending upon your game level status. So, if the long putter, or anchoring it, is no longer legal under the rules, then I'm done with it.
Today I bought a TaylorMade Ghost center shafted 34" putter. It has the same head shape and dynamics as my long putter with a few upgrades.

The question(s) are: 1. When should I make the switch back to the short putter. 2. Should I work it back into my game slowly, or flip the switch 100% like I did when I started using the long putter.
Goynes42
Professional Champion
 
# 1    12/23/2012 6:22:13 PM   
Just go for it. Why not?

Start with 1-foot putts. No kidding. Get those rolling in nicely, then move back. You'll get the feel for it in no time.


Mark Simmons
Legend
 
# 2    12/23/2012 6:53:49 PM   
LaVan, were using a belly putter or a long putter (broomstick)? If the former, I understand the need to switch. I can't conceive of a reasonable way to use those putters in a way similar to what people have been doing. If it's the latter, the broomstick style of putting is perfectly legal under the new proposal, you just need to keep the butt end of the club and your left elbow away from your body. I've been putting that way for over 6 months now.

If you are going to make the change, and if you are like me, I'd make a clean break and plan to commitment to practice A LOT during the off-season. The different mass of the heads, to say nothing of differences in technique, would make it difficult to go back and forth.


dewsweeper
Legend
 
# 3    12/23/2012 11:12:30 PM   
Proposed, change of rules starting in 2016. To be confirmed next Spring sometime; given the OEM time to react to the decision.
So you could use the long putter until 2016 in any tournament. Maybe even longer but I doubt it.

You could trim the length down to 39" like the Cleveland "almost belly" and putt without anchoring to the body.


PinHunter
Professional Champion
 
# 4    12/24/2012 12:21:44 PM   
I'll never go back to a regular putter. I use the broom stick and LOVE it!! I'm tall to start with and a regular putter hurts my back. Not in a game but if I'm going to practice with it for any length of time. Gone from hating putting loving it. Don't be haters of the long putter. I play golf for fun and the love of the game, I'm not trying to crack the tour so I'll never go back.


T LAVAN SHOEMAKER
Professional Champion
 
# 5    12/24/2012 2:00:26 PM   

I'll never go back to a regular putter. I use the broom stick and LOVE it!! I'm tall to start with and a regular putter hurts my back. Not in a game but if I'm going to practice with it for any length of time. Gone from hating putting loving it. Don't be haters of the long putter. I play golf for fun and the love of the game, I'm not trying to crack the tour so I'll never go back.


I Love You Man!!!
I think using the long putter for two full years has embedded an alternate feel of what a good putting stroke feels and looks like. I have a feeling that I'm going to experience significant separation anxiety! hehe