Belly putters

[sharkey35]

Mike,

Your thoughts? I think you used one recently, no? I always thought of a long or belly putter as a cure for the yips, but the recent use by PGA and Nationwide players would suggest they are being used simply because they are better, not as a cure for the yips. Any idea on what Magnum thinks of them?

Cheers

Bob

[mgranato]

I'm sure you meant the smart Mike, but I am a Mike and I have been tooling around with a long putter recently. I'm not sure they are better universally, or make putting easier. Maybe it makes the easier to make a consistent stroke, but I don't think that makes someone a good putter by itself. My experience has been that it's just another way to do the same job - make good reads with good speed and touch. However, I am liking it because it is so much more comfortable to practice with.

[Jwat]

I read alot and try to understand some of Mangum's theories. His most important factors are getting the ball on the line you are aiming and rhythm/timing. Having feel in a putt is irrelavent. So as "old school" as he is, I would assume since a belly putter can accomplish these things for most golfers he would be okay with it, although he is hardcore on the rules and it states we can't anchor into our bodies.

I own a couple of them but haven't used one in actual play for a couple years now. "Feel" was always a factor for me but since it really isn't that important, I think golfers who are bad putters or just needing improvement without results should definitley try them.

I just got my fitted Edel putter so a belly putter is the last thing I am thinking about.

Jerad

[sharkey35]

Jwat,

I've heard that "anchoring" is against the rules, but can't find it in the Rules. Its funny you mention Edel. I was considering a fitting with a local shop that just became an authorized dealer, but then had second thoughts that maybe I should try a belly first. I take it you are happy with your Edel?

[Jwat]

Absolutley. They fitted me for a head that is in between a blade and mallet. Kind of like the SC fastback. I told him from the beginning I hated anything that wasn't a blade, but made the committment becuase of the money to listen to the pro and get fitted based on my eye line and stroke. I was lucky enough to get fitted by the top guy for Edel since I live close to Austin. I highly recommend it to anyone. With the fitting cost around $500, but alot better investment than a new white headed driver.

[mgranato]

Having feel in a putt is irrelavent.

Feel is anything but irrelavent. Do a quick search through GM's materials and I think you'll find quite a lot on its use. A quick example...

"What I am after is the mechanics of feel and instinct, if you will. By this I mean the physical and mental technique that frees you up to allow the best application of instincts and feel in putting."

[Jwat]

If you look at his write ups on Aimpoint and other subjects that are based on feel, he states that for most golfers it is something almost unachievable.

I shouldn't have stated "feel" is unimportant or irrelavent, but alot less important than getting the putt on line and tempo/rhythm.

I am definitley not the one to be discussing Mangum's views. They are way out there and un-simplistic to say the least. I should have kept my internet mouth shut. I have however been working on his techniques for a while now with great success.

[Jwat]

As far as the belly putter is concerned, I think if someone were too invent an interchangable shaft for putters where someone could go long to short or vice versa, it could really be beneficial based on speed of the greens.

I personally think I would be more successful with the belly putter on slower planar greens. Could be the opposite for most golfers?

[mgranato]

If you look at his write ups on Aimpoint and other subjects that are based on feel, he states that for most golfers it is something almost unachievable.

I shouldn't have stated "feel" is unimportant or irrelavent, but alot less important than getting the putt on line and tempo/rhythm.

I am definitley not the one to be discussing Mangum's views. They are way out there and un-simplistic to say the least. I should have kept my internet mouth shut. I have however been working on his techniques for a while now with great success.

No self-editing, please, that's what real life is for.

The way I read his "Aimpoint" critique was that the "1 foot past the hole speed" is what was consistently unachievable. I would agree from my own experience that being able to have that feel, for that speed, all the time is pretty pie-in-the-sky stuff. But you still need a feel for a speed that you can achieve on a pretty consistent basis. I think?

[sharkey35]

Funny how these terms like "feel" can take on a life of their own. I've heard some guys say that they have no feel when they struggle with distance control. Others would call that touch. Feel for me, in golf, means literally how does the club feel when using it.

Still curious as to Mike's thoughts on the belly situation. I'm heavily leaning toward a traditional stick. Working my way down through the bag. Probably should have done driver then putter. On a touches per round analysis, these two clubs would appear to be the most important. Surprised there isn't more Edel type stuff out there.