High-res
It seems like everyone in golf is trying the belly putter these days. What was once associated with older players trying to prolong their golfing career has now become as common as Tiger lipping out a putt.
With the emergence of the young wave of players that grew up watching Woods, it’s a little surprising that belly putters have become so prolific. I mean, can you imagine if Tiger won 14 majors with a belly putter? That would’ve been lame. Plus, how are you supposed to land a Perkins waitress when you have a belly putter in the bag? Just sayin’.
Seriously though, Tiger Woods is often criticized for not giving his opinions on various golf and non golf related issues but surprisingly gave his opinion recently on the belly putter.
“I’ve never been a fan if it. I believe it’s the art of controlling the body and club and swinging the pendulum motion. I believe that’s how it should be played. I’m traditionalist when it comes to that.”
Keegan Bradley’s win at the PGA Championship last August only fueled the fire whether or not belly putters should be permitted in professional golf. His win at the Atlanta Athletic Club was the first major championship won with a belly putter and in April Adam Scott finished runner-up at the Masters using a belly putter.
Most golf pundits would agree with Tiger’s assessment and the perception by most, that when struggling with the traditional putter, the belly putter is a last resort. It’s no secret that the belly putter can help a flawed stroke and the yips. It would seem that it takes the skill out of putting and the nerve that it requires.
For now, belly putters remain part of the game, but it’s only a matter of time before the belly putter joins the collection of obsolete golf clubs.
Okay, I’ve typed belly putter one too many times.
