Most golfers think the belly putter got banned. It didn't. Here's exactly what the rule says, what you can and can't do with one, and the one type of golfer who should still give it a look.
What Is a Belly Putter?
A belly putter is a long putter, usually around 41 to 46 inches, built so the end of the grip reaches your stomach. A standard putter is about 33 to 35 inches, so a belly putter is close to 10 inches longer.
The whole idea was to give the putter a fixed point. You'd jam the butt of the grip into your belly button, and the putter would swing back and through like a pendulum hanging from your stomach. Your wrists couldn't flip it, because the top of the club wasn't moving.
And if you're asking what the heck a broomstick putter is, it's the belly putter's bigger brother. The belly putter rests on your stomach. The broomstick, or long putter, is even longer and is anchored up at the chest or under the chin.
Here's how they all stack up today. A standard putter is usually 33 to 35 inches long, and you hold it with both hands on the grip, away from your body. Go longer and you get into arm-lock putters, where the grip rests against your lead forearm. That’s legal, as long as you aren’t pressing that forearm against your body. Belly putters are usually 41 to 46 inches long, while broomstick putters are the longest of the bunch. You used to see golfers anchor those against their stomach, chest, or chin. You can still use either one today. You just can’t anchor it to your body.
Are Belly Putters Legal?
Belly putters are still legal. The club was never banned. The anchored stroke was.
The USGA and the R&A announced the change on May 21, 2013, and it took effect on January 1, 2016. Back then it was Rule 14-1b. When the rules got rewritten in 2019, it became Rule 10.1b, and that's still the rule today.
Now, why did they do it? Because anchored putters were winning majors. Keegan Bradley won the 2011 PGA Championship with a belly putter. Webb Simpson won the 2012 U.S. Open with one, and Ernie Els won the 2012 Open Championship with one. Then Adam Scott won the 2013 Masters with a long putter anchored to his chest. Four of the six majors right before the announcement were won with an anchored stroke.
Their thinking was pretty simple. A putting stroke is you swinging the whole club. Pin one end of it to your body and swing around that, and it's a different thing, so they ruled it out.
What Counts as Anchoring a Putter?
Anchoring a putter means holding the club or a gripping hand against your body, either directly or by using a forearm as an anchor point. If you're doing either one during the stroke, it's a penalty.
There are two ways to break the rule. Starting with number one, the direct anchor. You press the grip, or the hand holding it, against your stomach, chest or chin. That's the old belly putter stroke.
Which brings us to number two, the anchor point. That's when you hold a forearm against your body so that the gripping hand becomes a fixed point the other hand swings around. And for this rule, forearm means everything below the elbow, wrist included.
Here's the part a lot of people miss. If the club, your hand or your forearm just brushes your body or your shirt during the stroke without being held there, that's not a breach. Touching is fine. Holding is the problem.
So what about the arm-lock putter? That's where you brace the grip against the inside of your lead forearm. The club is anchored to your arm, not your body. As long as that forearm isn't held against your chest or stomach, it's legal, and that's exactly why so many players switched to it after the ban.
Why Did Golfers Use Belly Putters in the First Place?
Golfers used belly putters to take their wrists out of the stroke. If your hands get jumpy over a short putt, pin the top of the club and your hands can't twitch the face nearly as much.
That's the yips, and a ton of golfers have dealt with them. You stand over a 3-footer, your hands twitch, and the ball comes off the face crooked. A belly putter gave those golfers a fixed point, so the stroke became more about the shoulders rocking and less about the hands.
Now, the good news is you don't need to anchor anything to keep your hands quiet. Grip changes like the claw or left hand low do a lot of the same job, and they've been legal the whole time. If that's your issue, here's a breakdown of putter grip styles and what actually causes the putting yips.
Should You Use a Belly Putter Today?
You should only try a belly putter if your conventional stroke keeps breaking down and you're willing to learn a non-anchored stroke with a long club. For most golfers, a standard-length putter that actually fits is the better place to start.
Here's why. The big advantage of a belly putter was the anchor. Take the anchor away and you've got a heavier, longer club that you're holding off your body. Some golfers still like that, because the extra length and weight help them swing it slower and steadier. A lot of golfers just find it awkward.
So if you're going to try one, here's a tip. Get the length right first. You want the end of the grip to sit just off your stomach without touching it when you're in your normal putting posture. If you're not sure how putter length is measured, this guide on measuring putter length walks through it.
Then get the reps in before you take it to the course. A long putter feels completely different, and you're not going to know if it's for you after ten putts at the practice green before your tee time. A realistic putting green at home is the easiest way to get a few hundred strokes in with a new putter before you decide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the belly putter banned in golf?
No. The belly putter itself is legal. What's banned is anchoring it, meaning holding the grip or your gripping hand against your body, or pinning your forearm against your body to create an anchor point. That rule took effect on January 1, 2016, and it's now Rule 10.1b.
Can you use a belly putter in a tournament?
Yes. You can use a belly putter in any tournament played under the Rules of Golf, as long as you don't anchor it. The club, your hands and your forearms can touch your body or clothes by accident, but you can't hold them there during the stroke.
How long is a belly putter?
A belly putter is usually about 41 to 46 inches long. A standard putter is about 33 to 35 inches. The right length is the one where the end of the grip sits just off your stomach in your normal putting posture.
What's the difference between a belly putter and a broomstick putter?
It's mostly length. A belly putter is long enough to reach your stomach. A broomstick putter is longer still and was anchored up at the chest or chin. Both are legal today, and neither can be anchored.
Conclusion
A belly putter is worth a look if your conventional stroke keeps breaking down on short putts, you've already tried a grip change like the claw, and you're willing to put in the reps to learn a non-anchored long-putter stroke.
You can skip it if you're putting fine with a standard putter, if your real problem is speed control, or if you're only interested because you remember the old anchored stroke. In those cases, a standard putter that fits you and some time on the practice green will do more for you.
