Anyone still using a belly putter?

[502 to Right]

My gamer is a 34.5 inch Bettinardi stainless BB8 and I'm very happy with it. However, yesterday I stopped by one of my local golf shops and they had a Cameron Pro Platinum Mid-Sur (for the unaquainted--it's a 42 inch belly putter with a 375 gram Newport-style head). I tried it out and I was draining putts like it was cool.

 

When I got home I rolled some putts with my gamer and it felt even better than before. The belly putter helped in smoothing out the arc in my stroke (the same feeling I get with my PuttingArc training aid).

 

In talking with the salesman at the store, he said he tried a belly putter a couple of years ago but gave it up after a couple of months because it was too difficult to judge distance--but he noted putts 10 feet and in were much easier.

 

I think I'm going to convert one of my spare putters to belly length to practice with a little, although I don't forsee making a full-time switch. I read that Davis Love III sometimes practices with a belly putter to hone the arc in his stroke.

 

 

Here's some questions:

 

1) Is anyone here still using a belly putter?

 

2) Was the belly putter a golf fad?

 

3) Does anyone use a belly putter as a practice tool but not use it as a gamer?

[Grimace45]

I have a Ping Pal 6 belly putter that I use as a practice aid to help with my tempo. I almost exclusiviely use a long putter, but for some reason the belly putter allows me to keep my tempo smooth. I never make anything with it on the practice green so there is no hope of it going in the bag anytime soon.

[icec0ld]

man i was messing around at a sporting goods store and i saw a brand new pro platinum midsur putter that looked so tempting to pick up...

[tbowles411]

Actually I'm looking for a belly right now....

[longbutter]

I have a very nice Kurt Currie brazos belly putter that I looking to sell. Good price as well, $50 shipped if you are interested I can send pics.

[502 to Right]

I have a very nice Kurt Currie brazos belly putter that I looking to sell. Good price as well, $50 shipped if you are interested I can send pics.

 

 

I retrofitted a Tommy Armour EFT 365 gram head with a belly shaft and grip and didn't like it when I got on the practice green. It just seems too awkward. Thankfully too, because I don't care for the look of a belly putter at all.

[boxpressed]

Thought I'd revive this thread after Sergio's use of the belly at the British Open. Anyone use one regularly? Any drawbacks besides your partners making fun of you?

 

For kicks, I pulled out an old 43" 5-wood and used it to putt on a practice green. I was amazed by the accuracy from six feet. Feels like you are going to pull it, but that's just the swing arc. Worth investigating further.

[markpetrie]

I got a Mid Sur and cut it down to standard length, which has been added to the collection.

 

I practice with a Corza, which has been weighted up and lengthened.

 

It is pretty similar to Garcia's putter - might give it a whirl one day in competition.

[Philfest]

Yeah, Sergio. Or, he may be eating it by now?

[502 to Right]

Thought I'd revive this thread after Sergio's use of the belly at the British Open. Anyone use one regularly? Any drawbacks besides your partners making fun of you?

 

For kicks, I pulled out an old 43" 5-wood and used it to putt on a practice green. I was amazed by the accuracy from six feet. Feels like you are going to pull it, but that's just the swing arc. Worth investigating further.

 

I like to tinker around on the practice green with an "emergency putter" in case something would happen to my putter during a round, making it unplayable. I have found my 4 wood (42.75 inches) used like a belly putter works the best of any of the 13 remaining clubs. I actually am pretty accurate with it close in, but judging longer distances is a challenge.

[LeftyNC]

I used a belly putter a couple years ago, and just switched back a few weeks ago. I've got several, including a Bobby Grace V-Foil M7.5K, a converted Never Compromise Voodoo Daddy, and a Carbite ZTwo.

 

I tend to hit more putts on line with the belly, so I will probably use it for a while. Last time when I switched from belly back to the short putter, I putted great for quite some time. For me, the belly takes the twitchyness out of my wrists. Some use it as a practice tool, and I can see why.

[Xiphos]

I used a belly putter and I kind of regret not sticking with it. The longs putts with it were just too hard. However, I did find that when I used the belly putter to practice and then play with a standard putter that I putted better. It was kind of a training aid for me I guess.

[golfdude]

What will be the major difference in technique putting with a belly vs a chest-long?

[electroleum]

It was funny.....during rounds 1, 2 & 3 of the British Open, while Sergio was leading, we received quite a few calls asking if we had the Taylor Made belly putters in stock. After round 4, the calls ceased :P

 

And, on a random side note, we had a very, very, VERY large woman come into our store and berate us for not having any belly putters in stock. Laugh at your own discretion :P