Belly Putter

Belly Putter Will Cut Strokes From Your Game

You can use the exact same putter the pros use to cut strokes off your game.

Belly Putters are longer than regular putters and actually reach to the golfer’s belly. During the putt, the butt end of the belly putter stays in contact with the golfer’s body at the abdomen. This increases the likelihood of a good stance, solid movement of the putter and consequently a good putt. Using this putter can increase your confidence, and train your body so when you go back to a regular putter, which admittedly does require more skill, your putting will be much improved. Trying a new technique will give you a fresh mental approach, which removes a lot of the mental baggage from past misses.

Any golfer knows that a putt is made with the shoulders, not the wrists. Also, the legs should remain stationary while the body swivels at the hips. Positioning your putter to your belly will stabilize it and not allow sudden movement of your body and will decrease the chance of a bad putt. If you move the putter from your belly, the shot will be interrupted and the putt will be bad.

Choosing The Right Belly Golf Putter

Keep the following in mind when buying a belly golf putter:

Does buying an expensive putter mean getting a quality putter? In most cases this is true. A $400 putter will be a great putter. But you can also spend $15 and get a great putter IF it feels good, builds your confidence and helps you make good putts. You don’t have to spend a lot on a putter.

Make sure it is long enough but not too long so that it fits into your belly. The best way to see if the putter is the right length is to try it. But if you are buying your putter online, you can determine the right length by assuming the correct stance while measuring the distance between your belly (navel) and the floor. Another great way is to try out different putters on the green and see which length works best for you.

How To Use a Belly Golf Putter?

Golfers use these putters because they can derive greater control then by using a traditional putter. However, sometimes the lack of control using a traditional putter can be caused by “yips” a sudden jerking at the point fo impact with the ball or a weak back. So, in addition to using a belly golf putter, you may want to also address these two issues as well because they will create problems with your putting technique and your stance.

Use the belly golf putter to minimize unnecessary movement. The putter is designed to slip off your belly and prevent you from making the shot if your stance is wrong.

Also, remember, as with any shot, grip is very important. How you hold the club and the grip thickness will impact your game.

Remember, the main goal of successful putting is to create a pendulum swing. A smooth motion will allow the face of the putter to hit the ball squarely every time. To do this, you must align the putter face perpendicular to the intended direction of the putt.

Buying A Putter

Buying the right putter isn’t easy. You need to know what putter will fit your budget and your game. Taking the time to learn about putters is worthwhile since having a good putter you feel confident using will shave strokes off your game.

The main things to consider when buying a putter are price, quality, putter type, clubhead and the alignment system. The face insert the loft and the hosel are additional things to consider.

Price and Quality

The price for a putter ranges from $30 to over $250. As we talked about, usually you will get better quality for a higher price. But don’t feel you need to you’re your budget to find the perfect putter for you. You need to consider the putter that feels right and is within your budget. There is nothing worse than playing badly with a very expensive putter. It’s like salt in an open wound. Take the time to find the right putter within your budget.

Putter Type

The types of putters include traditional, belly, and long. Most golfers play with traditional putters because they provide the best feel and mechanical precision. However, traditional putters require quiet wrists, which may be difficult for some. They also are difficult to use for golfers with bad backs. These golfers increasingly use the belly and the long putters. However, traditional putters are considered easier to master then either the belly or the long putters.

The belly golf putter allows a third point of contact for the player and the putter. Placing the butt of the club into the abdomen, adds stability and balance. This putter helps the golfer control wrist movement and to make a near perfect putting stance. The thinker grip does hinder feel and feedback and distance control is more difficult.

The long putters allow a stroke with a pendulum arc. They are great for seniors and those with bad backs and they eliminate the wrist action that prevents a good putt. But they substantially inhibit feel and feedback. And, distance control is worse even than with belly golf putters. Some consider these putters a last resort for player with too much wrist action.

Putter Clubheads

Putter clubheads come in blade, cavity back and mallet. A blade has the weight distributed to the heal or bottom of the putter with a thin top allowing a view of the ball. This clubhead is harder to control then the other two. The cavity back clubhead has a hollow area in the middle of the clubhead which creates a larger “sweet spot”. A mallet clubhead is larger than the traditional putter and the shape varies.

Putter’s Alignment Systems

Top view of STX Envision TR Putter showing alignment indicator

Proper alignment of the putter to the hole is important. If the putter isn’t lined up correctly, you will not make the putt no matter how well its hit. So, find a putter with a good visual aid to help line up the club with the hole. There’s no single opinion about the best alignment system, so just find one that works for you. Make sure you putter has one.

Using the Belly Putter will help you get out of your old putting rut and help to retrain your putting stance and swing. After you make improvements, you may want to say with the putter or go back to the traditional putter.