Carl Pettersson opposes the idea of banning long putters
The five-time PGA Tour winner Carl Pettersson opposed the idea of banning the long putters, also known as belly putters, on the US circuit.
For the last few months, the PGA Tour rule-makers are considering prohibiting the use of belly putters, as suggested by many tour professionals.
The players, who are in favour of the ban, argue that the new putters have changed the conventional style of playing golf. The other school of thought believes that it will create a bar in making improvements in the sport.
“I’ve used one for 15 years now,” Pettersson said. “I don’t see why they should change it. I don’t like the way they say it’s easier to putt with a long putter, an anchored putter. It isn’t easier. If it was easier, everybody on tour would use a long putter
or a belly putter”.
He stated that there is not much difference in mastering the long putters compared to the short putters, as both the equipments require hard work, continuous practice and focus by the players.
“You have to practice and develop a stroke with the long putter just like you do with the short putter. There’s no guarantees of making it easier,” he said.
He also made a point that if the rule-makers plan to restrict the use of long putters, they must also consider banning the hybrids, the big drivers and the balls that can travel more than 300 yards.
“I think it falls under the same umbrella as some of the other equipment. This is the way the game has gone,” he said.
According to him, the sport has seen plenty of changes in the past few decades. Therefore, changing the length of the putters is not something new that it cannot be accepted.
The Deutsche Bank Championship is set to begin this week. Last year, the same tournament was won by Webb Simpson, using the same belly putter.
This year, he once again proved the worth of his putter by winning the 2012 US Open at the Olympic Club.
Keegan Bradley won the PGA Championship last year, using the long putter and Ernie Els did it in the Open Championship this year.
Therefore, the long putters have no doubt changed the lives of many players on the bigger stage and it will be disastrous for many if the decision comes in favour of the ban.
Tags: