Belly putter grip on a standard length

ZBigStick · May 2, 2010

What's it do?

As I am usually willing to try anything to reduce my putts, what is the theory behind using a long putter grip usually found on belly putters on standard length putters?

It appeared to me that Paul Goydos had this configuration and Cabrera famously used a slightly longer putter with long grip for his Masters victory, but did not fix it into his gut.

Has anyone tried this? I assume it may change the balance of the putter for some sort of benefit? I like the idea of no taper in the grip. :ok:

http://cache3.asset-cache.net/xc/96698497.jpg?v=1&c=NewsMaker&k=2&d=77BFBA49EF878921A343B2C87A49D8F5303A05C11D062BE589408CAECD2C7D6FC796A5C57EBABC02

http://cache1.asset-cache.net/xc/96699000.jpg?v=1&c=NewsMaker&k=2&d=77BFBA49EF878921A343B2C87A49D8F52CF65E655D21A9C96739ABF928F9B816713AB181BD17F30E

TheRookie11 · May 2, 2010

Actually Cabrera does fixate it to his belly. The length of his putter is 39" as is mine, w/ a 21" grip. Couples also has the same thing going on, but we all know it's because of his back issues. Goydos uses an 18" in that picture you have put up. What it does is bring the center of gravity further down the club from what I have researched, and creates a different balance in the stroke. Natalie Gulbis actually did use a 21" grip on a standard length putter when she won the Evian too, but she also used an unorthodox grip. Almost like she was holding a hockey stick.

ZBigStick · May 2, 2010

Thanks for the reply, so do you use yours as a belly putter?

Here is what I found on Cabrera's putter. (That he does not currently use)

http://blogs.golf.com/equipment/2009/02/angel-cabreras.html

TheRookie11 · May 2, 2010

Somewhere in that article the translation got lost cuz if you watch any footage of him putting its in his bulldog belly lol! And I know for a fact Couples uses a 39" putter fixated as well!

Yes I actually do fixate it to my stomach. I made the putter myself actually. read my sig and yo can see what I use. I'm 6' tall and I can not get it right w/ the standard 41" putter for the life of me. That exact article, and the thought of "bellying a wedge" got me thinking. And i just went to the backyard and took my 3 iron, which is at 39" give or take and chipped away. and low and behold! I went from 32-36 PPR down to 26-29 PPR in a matter of me building it. And this was with the same putter that I built into the belly putter! If you are gonna do it though, I recommend a CS putter, as it really doesn't work well w/ a heel shafted unless that suits your stroke.

ZBigStick · May 4, 2010

I guess we remember it differently.

Thanks for the feed back.

Anyone try a longer grip on a standard (33"-36") putter?

j-rob · May 4, 2010

When Cabrera won at the Masters and every time I have seen him since, he dos not fixate it to his midsection.

sTmGolfer · May 4, 2010

[quote name='TheRookie11' date='02 May 2010 - 01:04 AM' timestamp='1272780271' post='2413053']
Somewhere in that article the translation got lost cuz if you watch any footage of him putting its in his bulldog belly lol! And I know for a fact Couples uses a 39" putter fixated as well!

Yes I actually do fixate it to my stomach. I made the putter myself actually. read my sig and yo can see what I use. I'm 6' tall and I can not get it right w/ the standard 41" putter for the life of me. That exact article, and the thought of "bellying a wedge" got me thinking. And i just went to the backyard and took my 3 iron, which is at 39" give or take and chipped away. and low and behold! I went from 32-36 PPR down to 26-29 PPR in a matter of me building it. And this was with the same putter that I built into the belly putter! If you are gonna do it though, I recommend a CS putter, as it really doesn't work well w/ a heel shafted unless that suits your stroke.
[/quote]

http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-equipment/2009-08/bombandgouge

Cabrera does NOT fixate it into his stomach, at least not when he used the 39'' putter to win the Masters.

Couples, however, does fixate it into his stomach.