Phil debating move to long putter?

[Steve Hennessey]

Phil Mickelson has had some struggles with the short stick, but would he consider a move to the long putter?

 

Lefty said he "wouldn't rule it out."

 

It's been a topic of discussion in the golf world lately, with debate about whether or not it should be made illegal.

 

What do you think? Should Mickelson make the switch?

 

Read Alex Myers' story on Lefty, and let us know what you think.

 

Phil on using long putter: "I wouldn't rule it out"

 

 

----

[ethanlculver]

When did Phil say that? Do you have a source or link?

If he does, then there will be a good chance he won't be doing that with Bones.

I wouldn't really care if he went to a long putter, but I'd be pretty disappointed if he went to a belly putter...you know I hate those, because they're anchored into your body.

[fireguyfrank58]

Hard to believe after Bones just had his quote with David F. that they should not be allowed.

[fireguyfrank58]

You know I don't really know why the belly putter is such a big deal these days. I don't really recall such a call for a ban years ago when Vijay and Sergio were using them. I guess since they are both considered not great putters?

[Par72]

[quote name='fireguyfrank58' timestamp='1314284361' post='3518295']
Hard to believe after Bones just had his quote with David F. that they should not be allowed.
[/quote]



You realize Bones works for Phil, not the other way around?

[fireguyfrank58]

[quote name='Par72' timestamp='1314284785' post='3518313']
[quote name='fireguyfrank58' timestamp='1314284361' post='3518295']
Hard to believe after Bones just had his quote with David F. that they should not be allowed.
[/quote]



You realize Bones works for Phil, not the other way around?


[/quote]

True but as close as they are it just seems unlikey to me.

[rtlltj]

Bones said they shouldn't be allowed. It doesn't mean his player can't use one to even the playing field till they are banned though.

[Par72]

[quote name='fireguyfrank58' timestamp='1314284904' post='3518324']
[quote name='Par72' timestamp='1314284785' post='3518313']
[quote name='fireguyfrank58' timestamp='1314284361' post='3518295']
Hard to believe after Bones just had his quote with David F. that they should not be allowed.
[/quote]



You realize Bones works for Phil, not the other way around?


[/quote]

True but as close as they are it just seems unlikey to me.
[/quote]

Its easy to spout off hypothetical opinions when someone (for once) asks you what you think. Why anyone in the media asks caddies for opinions or anything other than hysterical stories is beyond me. I'm pretty sure if a long putter was the way to Phil earning 8 million next season Bones would ok with that.

[bscinstnct]

I think it would be great, he seems so inconsistent from short ranges and I think it could really be something to consider.

I don't have a problem with it, if someone is getting toward their 40s.

It just looks really silly with these youngsters who should be a the peak of their reflexes and "nerves", especially Adam Scott with the putter up to his chest.

Looks like he is sweeping the hallways with that thing.

[gators78]

Saying he 'wouldn't rule it out' and moving to he's 'debating on using a long putter' is a bit of a stretch. Phil is open to absolutely anything, as evident by his various equipment schemes, but a longer putter would be 180 degrees in the opposite direction of his current stroke. I'd like to see him try and eliminate that forward press after 30+ years of doing it.

[Vindog]

Let's be clear...

"not ruling it out" DOES NOT equal "considering making the move"

Is this what is considered journalism?

my word. :wagofthefinger

[Par72]

I think it would be great, he seems so inconsistent from short ranges and I think it could really be something to consider.

 

I don't have a problem with it, if someone is getting toward their 40s.

 

It just looks really silly with these youngsters who should be a the peak of their reflexes and "nerves", especially Adam Scott with the putter up to his chest.

 

Looks like he is sweeping the hallways with that thing.

 

Yea....Adam Scott looks like an idiot playing the best golf of his career and laughing all the way to banking multiple millions of $$$ since he started using the long putter.

 

You'd kill to look that silly.....

 

 

 

[sefus12]

Someone is simply looking for hits I think.

Phil was asked during his presser if he would ever consider using a long putter and he started with "i would never rule it out BUT" and went out to talk about how the stoke is totally different and how big a change it would be and such. I think it was more of a protective statement if for some reason he did get so far down on his putting in the future that he decided to give the crutch a try people couldn't come back and point out he said he'd never use one.

As I said, I think someone is trying to stir the pot a bit and/or get hits.

[tembolo1284]

[quote name='MrElculver2424' timestamp='1314284311' post='3518290']
When did Phil say that? Do you have a source or link?

If he does, then there will be a good chance he won't be doing that with Bones.

I wouldn't really care if he went to a long putter, but I'd be pretty disappointed if he went to a belly putter...you know I hate those, because they're anchored into your body.
[/quote]


the long putter you anchor to your chest. Both kinds of putters a real man like Phil doesn't need!

Unless he wants to make a couple more 5 footers.

[bscinstnct]

I think it would be great, he seems so inconsistent from short ranges and I think it could really be something to consider.

 

I don't have a problem with it, if someone is getting toward their 40s.

 

It just looks really silly with these youngsters who should be a the peak of their reflexes and "nerves", especially Adam Scott with the putter up to his chest.

 

Looks like he is sweeping the hallways with that thing.

 

Yea....Adam Scott looks like an idiot playing the best golf of his career and laughing all the way to banking multiple millions of $$$ since he started using the long putter.

 

You'd kill to look that silly.....

 

 

 

 

Kill is a bit strong, but yes it would be cool to play a sport for a living. Although given the choice it would be center field for the Yankees.

 

And I think it's great Adam is doing well again, I see great things for him in the future.

 

But c'mon, don't you think his victory "fist pump" would look a little more macho it he wasn't holding a broomstick.

 

:drinks:

[mich_ping]

[quote name='rtlltj' timestamp='1314285063' post='3518331']
Bones said they shouldn't be allowed. It doesn't mean his player can't use one to even the playing field till they are banned though.
[/quote]


+1

I wonder how Bones felt about the ping wedge groove situation....but that was back before the days of interviewing caddies and caring what they think....thanks for that Stevie!

[MtlJeff]

if the USGA comes out and says they are considering banning it, i guarantee Phil pulls it out for at least a few rounds just to stick it to them. That would be classic Phil.

otherwise i doubt he uses one in the next 2-3 years

[Vindog]

[quote name='bscinstnct' timestamp='1314288551' post='3518497']But c'mon, don't you think his victory "fist pump" would look a little more macho it he wasn't holding a broomstick.


[/quote]

I suppose if you were narrow minded, and liked the look of macho golfers then yeah, I guess you'd be right.

[Vindog]

[quote name='mich_ping' timestamp='1314288621' post='3518499']I wonder how Bones felt about the ping wedge groove situation....but that was back before the days of interviewing caddies and caring what they think....thanks for that Stevie!
[/quote]

don't hate the caddy hate the game?

[Par72]

I think it would be great, he seems so inconsistent from short ranges and I think it could really be something to consider.

 

I don't have a problem with it, if someone is getting toward their 40s.

 

It just looks really silly with these youngsters who should be a the peak of their reflexes and "nerves", especially Adam Scott with the putter up to his chest.

 

Looks like he is sweeping the hallways with that thing.

 

Yea....Adam Scott looks like an idiot playing the best golf of his career and laughing all the way to banking multiple millions of $$ since he started using the long putter.

 

You'd kill to look that silly.....

 

 

 

 

Kill is a bit strong, but yes it would be cool to play a sport for a living. Although given the choice it would be center field for the Yankees.

 

And I think it's great Adam is doing well again, I see great things for him in the future.

 

But c'mon, don't you think his victory "fist pump" would look a little more macho it he wasn't holding a broomstick.

 

:drinks:

 

I'd give up a bit in the machoness category to make millions and finally achieve the success that for so long was just out of my grasp. Considering the rest of the sporting world always though golfers dressed like goofs and weren't athletes I think its a joke to hear similar comments from within the golfing community.

 

Sorry dude...just tired of the bashing of the Long putters.

 

 

 

[bscinstnct]

[quote name='Vindog' timestamp='1314288751' post='3518506']
[quote name='bscinstnct' timestamp='1314288551' post='3518497']But c'mon, don't you think his victory "fist pump" would look a little more macho it he wasn't holding a broomstick.


[/quote]

I suppose if you were narrow minded, and liked the look of macho golfers then yeah, I guess you'd be right.
[/quote]

Just for the record, I am a big fan of Woody Allen films!

To you and par72, clearly Adam is doing great, but I do find him to look a little funny with the putter.

That's all.

[Par72]

[quote name='bscinstnct' timestamp='1314289636' post='3518545']
[quote name='Vindog' timestamp='1314288751' post='3518506']
[quote name='bscinstnct' timestamp='1314288551' post='3518497']But c'mon, don't you think his victory "fist pump" would look a little more macho it he wasn't holding a broomstick.


[/quote]

I suppose if you were narrow minded, and liked the look of macho golfers then yeah, I guess you'd be right.
[/quote]

Just for the record, I am a big fan of Woody Allen films!

To you and par72, clearly Adam is doing great, but I do find him to look a little funny with the putter.

That's all.
[/quote]


No worries man...was just discussing.

[Potatohead]

These threads are so annoying. The fact we're being asked to discuss something elsewhere while we are currently ON A DISCUSSION BOARD is ridiculous.

The trolling for page hits is so obvious it's painful.

[Wood511]

I think it will come down to how Phil putts going forward. If it continues to be an issue, then it needs to be fixed...and the long/belly putter remains out there as an option. He also needs to start hitting some fairways.

Phil and bones will be fine, even if Phil picks up a long stick. If Democrats can marry Republicans, then these two will work it out.

[Playaway]

It might work out for Phil. He could be the first to anchor it into cleavage. Yea, might work!

[imazephed]

don't hate the caddy hate the game?


Tru Dat

[Yepyukon]

I would like to see Phil try Kuchar's style of putting. Take a longer putter and just rest it on the forearm. Seems to be working pretty well for Kuchar and it would still allow Phil to forward press as much as he wants (just adjust the loft of the putter head to fit).

[ethanlculver]

Phil either needs to change his putter to a different kind or change his stroke. Maybe a long putter would help him but I'd hate to see him go to one...it would bother me. I like Phil and I really hope he doesn't use a broomstick.

[NWS Alpine]

Hell some players openly admit they should be illegal but they still use them because they are legal.

[Par72]

[quote name='NWS Alpine' timestamp='1314303146' post='3518922']
Hell some players openly admit they should be illegal but they still use them because they are legal.
[/quote]



I call BS! Find me one quote from a player saying they should be illegal while they are using one. Ernie saying so 6 years ago and using one now doesn't count....



For those that think Adam looks funny using the belly putter...what about 21 yr old cutie Michelle Wie using it? how does she look?