The Belly Putter/ Long Putter Debate

There have been numerous rumors about the PGA Tour implementing a ban on the long putter or "belly putter" because of the possibility of there being an unfair advantage for golfers who use it. The PGA Tour commissioner, Tim Finchem, said that he is against the proposed ban because there is simply not enough evidence to conclude that it offers an advantage.

I may not be able to prove that there is an advantage to using these putters but the sucess rate of the recent users cannot be simply ignored. PGA pros Adam Scott, Keegan Bradley, Ernie Els, Webb Simpson all switched to long putters and each have won a major in the past 2 years ( the first career major for three of them). Without a doubt, putting is 90% mental, but having a long putter that is anchored to your body allows the golfers to get the ball on a steady line every time, which conventional putters cannot offer. That alone is enough to ban these putters especially because it effects the most important aspect of the sport.