The Rules of Golf
Sitting here watching the British Open and heard the latest rule change being discussed - should belly putters be banned. What I heard was it was not a proper golf club, so they want to ban them. Makes sense, lets make it harder for those players who found new life using a belly putter, lets make the manufacturers lose a little more money. Okay, so while their at it, why not outlaw mallets? And all those adjustable clubs, outlaw them too. What else should they do away with, hummm. How about the fat grips for putters, surely they aren't proper grips.

Really folks, make it just a little easier for the average golfer to play, spend some time look at some of the really archaic rules. Times change and not all things need to be held up to old standards. Stop wasting time debating whether to ban clubs that have actively been in use since the early 90's. If the rulemakers have that much time on their hands, look for ways to get new golfers involved with our game.
07/22/2012
Comments...
Shark
12/20/2012
 It,s about time. It's not a proper golf stroke.

yankee
12/08/2012
 Look for a newsletter this weekend announcing the next winner. We will also have a "Name that Face" contest where you can win a club as well.

Del
12/08/2012
 P.S. When will we have another club winner?

Del
12/08/2012
 Adjustable clubs seem okay as long as you don't change them on the fly during a competitive round. That would be like having more than the allotted number of clubs in the bag. As for long putters, all swings should be made by hands, arms or shoulders without any assist from any part of the rest of the body.

Longball
09/11/2012
 The USGA may modify the rules regarding attached putters however they will ultimately lose the battle in court. The USGA has a horrible history of lawsuits dating back to the Polara golf ball. The ball was a blatant violation of the rules yet when the company threatened to take the USGA to court they buckled and settled. Ping easily won their case against the USGA. Casey Martin proved the supreme court can change the rules of golf. If the USGA attempts to ban the long putter, the list of plaintiffs will be as thick as a phone book. Reasons such as "you allowed this style of putting in the past to accommodate other aging players", "I have practiced too many years with this style of putting and can't change", "standing over a conventional putter hurts my back" will fill courtrooms. When brought to our legal system the USGA will undoubtedly lose again. I do not use either the belly putter or the long putter. Whether or not this method of putting is acceptable should have been addressed when the first putter was developed. At this point in time the USGA has already established precedence. Considering the main reason (as least as it appears to the general public) for the ban is several individuals have found success will not justify a rule change. Be the rule right or wrong ultimately the decision will end up in the courts not the USGA.

calDuffer
08/08/2012
 Everybody plays by the same set of rules, and this is not a rule that would give a specific player, or group of players a distinct advantage over others, since theoretically anyone could have one. (imagine a rule that everyone must swing left handed if you're looking for an example of one that would give a specific group an advantage). If you putt better that way go buy one, or don't. The beauty for amateurs is that even if you prefer a short putter aesthetically you don't have to get a long one, handicaps will ultimately level out the field of the haves and have nots anyway.

TigerStan
07/24/2012
 I am very opposed to a Professional Golfer attaching a club to his body. Their rules should be and equate for the elite, the best...not the average golfer. If they cannot putt they do not belong on the tour. There are varieties of clubs and most specify they are for the average golfer. Anyone who thinks they can play like the pro's is delusional, I watch them because they are exceptional. This is just like all pro sports we pay to watch them---the best--- play.

Dropking
07/24/2012
 Too late - these long putters have been around too long now there in no way they can be banned for amateurs!

liam
07/24/2012
 I think they should be banned and also adjustable clubs. If you can't putt then hard lines. Learn. They are external aids just like wedge grooves.

henryj
07/23/2012
 Well that would have been a bummer for Ernie, guess he would not have won the Open. He has struggled with the yips, and the longer putter helped him. Also what's the difference between buying an adjustable club vs getting your club fit at a club fitter?