OF HORSES & BARNS — THE LONG AND SHORT OF PUTTERS

by Doug McAllister

Much has been said in recent days about long putters. Moreover, a whole lotta rationalizing has been done, on the part of some of the world's best golfers, about how the proverbial "horse has bolted from the barn" and, therefore cannot be brought back to the stable. Makes me wonder whether we're talking more about professional rodeo or horse racing than about golf.

Here's my take on the whole mess. First off, I agree with Tom Watson, one of the greatest putters in the game. Watson observes that anchoring the putter to your body — whether the belly or the chest — creates a stroke that provides an unfair advantage and, therefore, should be prohibited. Watson also states that the stroke used with long putters is not a golf stroke at all.

Interesting!

But, apparently, that is neither here nor there in the minds of the USGA and the R&A, golf's ruling organizations. They are currently spinning their wheels and wasting time trying to look like they are taking action when, actually, they apparently don't want to spoil the current "horse ride!"

But, wait a minute! It's really more simple than anyone wants to admit and I am monumentally surprised that memories in golf circles seem to be so short!

It's been just a few months since the golf world was rocked by the determination to outlaw offending grooves — especially grooves on shorter irons and wedges. I ask you, HOW LONG HAD THAT HORSE BEEN AWAY FROM THE BARN? Way back in 1987, Mark Calcavecchia hit his "shot heard round the world" of golf from deep rough with a Ping Eye 2 iron that feature U-grooves. A shot that screamed to a halt so fast that a collective gasp was heard echoing, not only from the gallery at hand, but also from TV watchers everywhere. Remember? According to the rationale of long putter proponents, the barn door was wide open for golf club technology that would be radically game changing in nature.

So let's add things up. Hmmm. Let's see... 1987 to 2011. 24 some odd years, if my calculation is correct, that the horse was loping all over the place. But after 24 years the USGA and R&A still managed to lasso the elusive equine and bring it back to the so-called barn! The appropriate ban was struck and all of golf is now — albeit grudgingly, in many cases — working to adhere to the new rule.

Which brings us back to the question of long putters. It has certainly NOT been nearly a quarter century — as it was with wedges and short irons — that long putters have been in use. So why is it that so many are vehemently arguing that it is too late to appropriately ban the offending putters?

Resolved! Let's just rein in the out-of-the-barn horse. Time to say no to the long putter and get back to golf as usual. And let's all take a deep breath and recognize that THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BANNING GROOVES AND BANNING LONG PUTTER SHAFTS! PERIOD!

So, go out today to your local putting green and, with a putter of correct length...

Hit 'em (or putt 'em) Long & Straight!