Putting has always been my weak point and was the reason my handicap never got below 15.

Now i am back again, am really keen and focused to get down into single figures but to do this my putting needs to improve considerably. I have tried various things and currently put left hand below right and which is the best of a bad lot!

Have been looking at some belly putters so i can keep the wrists out of my putting stroke. Can anyone suggest one or let me know how they have got on with them and if they have helped?

Cheers!

Ahh, now there is a familiar thought.

I was in the same position as you, Nick, about 18 months ago and tried a belly putter, a Carbite Z Two 41 inches long, and found it to be instantly better than the short wand. The odd looks that I got when playing were soon put aside when I started sinkin putts that normally would have been easy 3 putt country previously i.e anything outside 15 feet. The stroke instantly felt longer, smoother and under control. I had found Nirvana......

But, (isn't there always?) it lasted about 15 months before going bad again. I still have the putter as back-up but use a tradition length putter again.

Despite this, I would recommend you try one, they really can help.

And, IMHO, I would highly recommend buying, reading and using Bob Rotella's "Putting Out Of Your Mind" theories. Since reading it, and you could use them with the belly putter aswell as short sticks, I just happened to be using a shorty at the time of reading, my putting has gone from and average 36 putts to 30........ Now if I wasn't driving the ball like a complete MailBoxHead my handicap would be coming down.

Despite my ramblings I hope this helps.

Iwan

Nick,

I have struggled putting in competition for years and went to the belly putter last year. A Ping Lil B. It was an improvement on the short putter and eliminates the yips. There are two problems:-

1) They are good on short putts but a real problem on long putts.

2) If your waistline changes, either up or down you will need a different length of putter. I lost 4" off my waist last year and had to change as the 41" I was using was too short.

I recommend you try Andrew Rodgers website "droprightin". Andrew and his method are really helpful. I am now using a long putter and find it much better than the belly. It takes a bit of courage to go to one but I like it. If you accept that putting is a natural right hand action (for a right handed golfer) I believe the long putter is the best option. Even if you only experiment with one, at least you will get the feel of what a smooth stroke should feel like.

Nick,If you fancy trying a long putter, I have one that you could try when we get together and play.