Sweeping out the broomstick putter

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Earlier this month, the Professional Golfers Association of Australia announced that it would ban the use of broomstick putters from 2016. Debates have been raging about the use of long putters, which allow a golfer to anchor the club against a part of the body mainly the belly or the chest. Since Adam Scott won the Masters title at Augusta in April 2013, a lot has been said about the use of broom-handle putters. The USPGA tour as well as the venerated St Andrews-based Royal & Ancient Golf Club had proposed banning of these putters in November 2012.

What is a broomstick putter?

Also known as the long putter, the broomstick putter has a shaft that is around 50 inches in length, compared to around 35 inches for a standard club. It can, therefore, be anchored against a body part to help eliminate wrist action while putting. It has been called a form of cheating, but South African golfer Ernie Els, who earlier criticised the use of putters before switching to them, says, As long as its legal, I will keep cheating like the rest of them.

How much of a difference does it make?

A lot, if you ask golfer Vijay Singh. Singh won four of his nine majors using the long putter. In fact in 2003, eight major tournaments were won using the belly putter. But back then very few golfers used these putters. However, USPGA revealed that over 15 per cent of the golfers are now using the broomstick putters. It does give golfers an undue advantage but the argument is that even with a belly putter you need a lot of practice. As golfer Keegan Bradley said in an interview, Some players have put in 15 to 20 years of practice and all of a sudden they're going to make up a rule. That's harsh. It would be a very sad thing for people to look back and see our achievements with a belly putter and think, Oh, that shouldnt even count.

Why was it banned?
The golf associations feel that the essence of playing the game has been to grip the club with the hands and swing it freely at the ball and the broomstick putter doesnt allow that. Hence, the ban in order to preserve the traditional character of the golf swing by eliminating the growing practice of anchoring the club.

What next for the putter?
The putter hasnt been banned but players will be barred from using their body while making a stroke from 2016. So while the putter remains, the technique stands banned.