Long Putter? Belly Putter?? For my Dad, age 61 need HELP!!

[Golfer1659]

So my dad came to me recently and was asking about belly putters.....he has supposedly been missing ALOT of putts from all distances......so would that long putter that is stabilized by your arms or a belly putter be better for him with his putting?

 

He is a good golfer and shoots mid to low 80's..........

 

THANKS FOR THE HELP!!!

[TheDominator273]

Have him try out the Cleveland Almost Belly. I absolutely love how that thing feels

[rexroh]

I would say that a belly putter is easier to convert to than a broomstick punter. No need to change technique. Just anchor in the stomach and putt away. If yips are a problem then a long putter may be a bigger help. Takes longer (more practice) to get used to this putter.

[BewareTheGlowball]

Another helpful thing is maybe one of those super stroke big fat grips could help if he is just using a normal sized grip. It often times helps to reinforce the idea of keeping your wrists stable while putting. Not sure what those grips cost.. ( or get him one of those for the mean time and then you can wait till a birthday or xmas or something to get him a belly.

In my experience it helps with shorter putts, but when you get further away from the hole or steep uphill.. you are either going to be half way there or off the green.. but I haven't spent that much time using one so take that with a grain of salt.. just screwing around with one on the practice green

[rexroh]

A long putter needs more time and practice before using on the course. The belly putter would be quicker to convert to but may not be the cure he needs. He needs to try both before deciding.

[shankapotamus]

it depends on his stroke. a long putter is for those who prefer a straight back straight-thru stroke, pendullum style. a belly putter is for those who's putting stroke is

on an arch.

[rockinar]

To each their own. I tried a belly putter and it was a total disaster. I tried a broomstick and LOVE IT.

[OldGolfer87]

[b] I vote for a long putter vs. a belly putter because i think a belly putter is harder to comfortably anchor it , you are left with using a simular grip and hand position that made you uncomfortable with a standard length putter and it takes way more practice to get accustomed to a belly vs. a long putter , at least that's how a belly putter felt for me where a long putter took some practice but for me it was way more effective than a belly was in less practice time [/b]

[Thrillhouse]

I prefer the long putter to the belly personally, but maybe he just needs a putting lesson?

Looks like you played at a high level, hows his stroke? any problems there?