The Great Putter Debate

Simple one: Where do you stand?

I go with the R&A stance.

I haven't used one, but I can see how it would eliminate the slight pushes and pulls that you might get on those shaky 5-6 footers etc. Not an advantage I think should be there.

Discuss

The long putter should have been killed at birth. It was clearly a breach of the golf stroke. Sadly it wasn't because of worries about manufacturers comebacks. They are now in a right pickle. You have to go with the R&A and USGA however. The US Tour does not and should never make the rules of golf.

The long putter should never have been allowed in the first place, along with metal woods and cavity backed irons. Talk about downgrading a game of skill, you couldn't make it up.

For young touring pros, it's a get out clause of the yips. For the less abled and possibly older player , it's a way to continue playing this great game without hurting backs etc (from what I've heard). Surely there must be a compromise? At pro level, I'd ban them though. JP - I understand your frustrations with the modern game, but to be honest, it's all my generation know.

I accept that, Chris, but please do not call it progress. The game you currently know and love is far removed from the game of yesteryear and in my opinion it is this new equipment that prevents you from becoming the player you could have possibly been.

That's sorta what I'm trying to get at. I'll never be able to know if I could play to the same standard now, as 30 years ago for example. It's technological progress, but to the detriment of the game you fell in love with in terms of skill etc. even tho I use the cavity backs, RZN core balls, metal square head driver, it does annoy me when you see courses being lengthened, just to make them appear harder.

If the ruling bodies decide to ban it, then the US Tour need to suck it up. They play to the rules, not decide them

As regards the decision, I don't care. Under the current rules, anyone can use them if they wish so any perceived advantage is the opinion of the user. If it made that much of a difference, everyone would be using them

Ban them - pure and simple IMO

Golf should be played with a free swing.

I am an average putter/use a normal blade putter - I just keep practicing to try and improve

Absolutely no question - ban them. They make poor putters less poor.

If I'm sitting down on a Sunday night watching the PGA golf with none of my favourite players in contention I always go for a player using a "proper" putter.

Agree with you Mr Bonney - should have been killed at birth.

Whilst I understand where you are coming from John and agree with your opinions on the changes the new clubs have made, I can only report that the large headed metal driver, range of hybrids and cavity back irons have allowed me at 65 yrs, to be playing probably the best golf of my life. That said, I never reached the high standard of golf you have played and are obviously coming at the changes from a different place. However, my support for new innovation has never extended to long putters and feel it was a sad day when the games law makers let it pass into acceptance.

Well you know I've tried and failed with the belly putter. Probably becsuse I have a big belly !... It was ok on those short shaky putts but felt I lost a lot of distance control. Now gone back to a conventional length puttr

Well you know I've tried and failed with the belly putter. Probably becsuse I have a big belly !... It was ok on those short shaky putts but felt I lost a lot of distance control. Now gone back to a conventional length puttr