Belly Putting

Hi everyone,

I have absolutely had it with traditional putting. My putting is so bad at the moment that it makes Sergio Garcia look like a "flat stick" master. I have tried everything... four different putters (Ping Zing, Yes Natalie, Scotty Cameron Studio Design, and Ram Zebra), three different grips, and two different strokes. Unfortunately, my options for improvement are becoming limited.

I spend time practicing my putting (generally 1-2 hours after each round of golf), and although everything may go smoothly on the practice green, once it becomes the real deal I collapse like a cheap fold-up chair at a weight watchers clinic. For example, the first hole played today was hit in regulation (20ft from the hole), four putts later and I walked away with a double bogey. My putting was in such a state that I was becoming nervous over 1ft putts.

Anyway, in my desperation I acquired Dave Pelz short game and putting bibles, when suddenly I realised that I hadn't tried belly putting! Sure, it may look a little awkward, but at this point in time I am willing to try anything!

Hence, I have a few questions for those who currently use (or have tried) belly putting.

1) What stroke type do you currently use (straight or arced)?

2) What areas have you most significantly improved upon (distance putts, short putts, alignment, etc)?

3) What areas have you least improved upon?

4) What model putter do you currently use?

5) How did you determine the length required (i.e. fitting)?

If I had to do a self-assessment, I would say that I have the most trouble with short putts and with alignment.

Any comments/suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Just a follow-up. I read that the length of a belly putter should be determined by measuring a mark 10" outside your putting stance (i.e. your toes) to your belly. Is this accurate?

Ducky,

4 putts from 20ft will test the nerves of most people, don't give up we've all been there at one time or another.

I've got a collection of about 40 putters most of which are standard length but I also have two belly putters, a Redx2 and a 2Ball. I will try anything once or twice just to see if it works. I try to keep an open mind on anythng that might get it in the hole in fewer strokes. So here's my 2cents.

Firstly - try it , what harm can it do? There is such a high percentage of players particularly on the seniors tours using a long or belly putter, there has to be some merit in them.

To answer your questions;

1) What stroke type do you currently use (straight or arced)?

Mostly arced, so using a belly putter will also be an arced stroke, try the broomhandle for a straight back & through stroke.

2) What areas have you most significantly improved upon (distance putts, short putts, alignment, etc)?

I found quite quickly that distance putts were very easy using a belly putter. It didn't take much to get distance control dialled in.

3) What areas have you least improved upon?

Shorter putts 10' and in I found I had a problem with, this was probably due to the mechanical nature of the stroke. Don't get me wrong I never felt like I would 3putt from 10', it's just that I didn't have the cofidence that I would make as many as with a regular lenth putter.

4) What model putter do you currently use?

TP Mills Custom which I've shortened to 33.5".

5) How did you determine the length required (i.e. fitting)?

Tried it at 35" then kept choping it down 'til I felt it worked best for me.

To be honest I never had the problems you are having with a regular putter, but I have tried the belly ones. My main findings were that the stroke was too mechanical for me to have enough feel for the shoter putts, on the plus side - distance control was easy, also I found that it was "almost impossible" to pull one left most misses were on the right. Quite a common miss with the reg length putter was to pull one left if I looked up early.

So in short - try it! Hope this helps!

About 10 years ago I gave up on short putters after trying every grip, stance and putter out there. At the time belly putting didn't exist but long putters did- Reluctantly I got one and have never looked back since. If your issue is anxiety and a yippy stroke a belly putter probably won't help. You may gain some stability in your stroke and cut down on wrist breakdown, but if nerves are your problem a long putter may be a better choice in the long run.

Thanks for the responses.

4) What model putter do you currently use?

TP Mills Custom which I've shortened to 33.5".

5) How did you determine the length required (i.e. fitting)?

Tried it at 35" then kept choping it down 'til I felt it worked best for me.

How were you fitted for the belly putter, and what putter model was used when belly putting?

I agree about the Yips and a Belly putter. I would also experiment

with a True "long" putter. Believe me, I've tried every kind of extended

putter and the Yips show back up. Four putting from 20 feet definitely

sounds like something I can do with a standard putter. Just my Two

cents......

Thanks for the responses.

 

4) What model putter do you currently use?

TP Mills Custom which I've shortened to 33.5".

5) How did you determine the length required (i.e. fitting)?

Tried it at 35" then kept choping it down 'til I felt it worked best for me.

How were you fitted for the belly putter, and what putter model was used when belly putting?

Just try different lengths until you find one that feels comfortable. There's no right or wrong method, it can be anchored in your belly or held against your sternum, and then you have tons of different hand positions to experiment with. Trial and error until it feels right for you, don't be afraid that it feels funny or dosn't look right. It's all based on the principle of anchoring the putter shaft against your body, how you do that is realy up to you.

I tried the SC RedX2Mid putter at 42",43",&44" then settled on 43" as feeling most comfortable for me (the size of your belly will have a bearing on this too ). Then I toyed around with different grip techniques until I felt right.I found a regular putting grip worked well, but I had my hands quite high up on the grip very close to my body- while this didn't look correct I felt that I could feel the putters headweight better this way & the results were good. I also tried 'lead hand low' but this didn't make much difference (because the putter is anchored it's hard to get too active with the power hand.

One more thing - If you're prepared to try it then also be prepared for what your golf buddies will say. You may be the butt of some jokes for a while, but if it works...

I wouldn't mind giving playing partners a good laugh, as I'll be laughing all the way to the bank if it can eliminate the three and four putts. I am trying to determine what length and putter model I want. I am assuming center shafted putter models would be more suitable for belly putting?

My two cents worth would be to try one of the MacGregor/Bobby Grace V foil belly putters. You can pick them up for $50-$75 new as they were discontinued. They aren't the prettiest putter but the alignment line is great and the MOI face will help out the learning process as mishits won't be as drastic on misses. As far as length goes have it fit for you. Good luck!

Well, I took your advice and purchased a MacGregor Bobby Grace M7.5K belly putter. I also purchased a Winn one-piece grip, so I am looking forward to testing it out.

:cheesy:

Congrats on your purchase! Saw it on another thread. I think you'll love it. Do give it a couple of weeks and it is best to make up a self depricating name for your putter as your friends will name it something mean if you don't. I refer to mine as the "geriatric spaceship" but it gets it in the cup and that is all that matter. Hope your's treats you as well as mine treats me. If not, God bless the anonimity of the internet! :cheesy:

Yeah, I was going to post a thread for name suggestions once I received it. I am fitting a one piece Winn grip on it as well, so it will look like a beast. I was thinking something along the lines of 'King Kong' or 'Hulk'.

Well, I just received the putter. The good news is there is no crack and/or dents. The bad news is that the putter is at least 2-3 inches too small (lets just say that the STX website does not have the most accurate fitting instructions). However, the local pro shop said that they can place a 2-3" extension under the new grip.

could it be mental? i don't know, i take golf seriously, too; however, when it comes to a putt or a shot, i concentrate and try to commit each and every time, but i do not place so much importance on it after i execute. it makes putting easier for me, too. that way, i don't feel too nervous whether i miss or make. zen/tao? kinda. :cheesy: just some thoughts...

Oh, I'm sure it is mental as well. However, a change of equipment/routine can increase confidence, and it is definitely needed. I am tired of putting being my weakness, and on the days where my long game may be off (its bound to happen) I need the putting to be on.

I have a question. Why is it that there is a one-piece pistol grip made by Winn, but there are no one-piece wrap grips (similar to the two-piece wrap grips that come as standard)?

That is a real good question. Oddyssey used to offer a one-piece long wrapped grip. I've had some success finding them at Edwin Watts. You might try giving them a call. They used to have them in the replacement grips area at my Edwin Watts. I usually ended up putting the two-piece grips together when I was using Belly length. There is some discussion as to whether or not this is legal, but I've never been called on it at a tournament. Have fun with the new baby!

Okay, I might as well spam my own thread with another question. I just calculated that I would need an additional three inches in length on the shaft (from 42" to 45"). Do they make three inch extensions, and if so, will it adversely affect the putter in any way?

You may have to use part of an old shaft to extend it 3 inches. I believe that most extensions are 2 inches but I could be wrong. The

only thing you may notice is that the "swingweight" will be heavier. But on a Belly putter, It's going to feel really heavy anyhow. Don't worry about "spamming" your own post.

Sorry I hadn't checked back sooner.....How goes it with the Vfoil? It has to be tough with it being to short... Hulk or King Kong isn't bad....The thought I had was what about "Bizmark" an unsinkable hunk of metal.

Winn grips are available in wrap as long as you are okay with it not being one solid grip. The two piece grips are wrap style.

Well, I decided on Kongzilla for the name (I'm not very creative). Unfortunately, the putter is still in the shop being extended/regripped (it has been there for a week). Apparently, the standard steel extender is too thin so they have to cut a piece out of another shaft. I desperately need it, I had another three 3 putts and one 4 putt today, but still managed to score half decent.

I didn't mind the wrap style two-piece grip, but I was curious as to why they were not available as a one-piece grip. I assume it would be due to USGA restrictions perhaps?

Well, I have received the putter back but I am not overly impressed with the result. The length is fine, however, the grip appears to be slightly offline (i.e. closed) and the putter head appearance has been completely ruined! It looks as if the putter head was sat on a concrete floor (without being taped up) whilst the grip was fitted. As a result, the sole has been severely scratched and the paintfill has been chipped in several areas.

:D

Sorry to hear that. What kind of goober needs to put it on the floor

to re-grip it? It shouldn't be that har to "eyeball" the grip before

it dries and get it square. I wouldn't take it back to that place.

I always prefer the round Winn long grips anyways, but is it too bad to

start experimentign with?

I was able to get some practice in this afternoon with it, but I was in such a bad mood about the terrible state it [the putter] was in that I wasn't focused on putting.

I can still putt with it, but I am just wondering how they could damage it so badly and expect me to be happy with the result. I don't know whether I should go back and demand that they buff out the scratches or if I should try to do it myself.

I'd try to do it myself. Not sure I'd let them touch it again. If you've

got a grinding wheel at home, buy some cloth pads and jewler's

rouge. Take your time and you can get most scratches out.

Picked-up a Bettinari BB-50 last week while in Orlando at Edwin Watts. I believe this model was made a few years back. Unlike the conventional putters I've lengthened to belly's in the past, Bettinardi designed this to be a belly or long putter. The head is heavier, the shaft is heavier and grip thicker.

I just set my forearm alignment parallel to the putter shaft (as it sticks into my belly) and keep them consistent with this alignment throughout the stroke. The stroke is a slight arc. Ball is postioned in the middle of my stance.

With belly putters I've always putted better on the putts inside 10 feet. I hit more putts online much more consistently. Distance takes practice, but doesn't really suffer. The 3-4 footers are much, much more consistent.

I've tried the Belly Putters. From 10 feet and in it's golden. Have no feel though on the longer putts though. Also the stroke just feel a little off to me..

-CHRIS-