Long Putters May Leave Golf

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Created on Tuesday, 07 May 2013 14:48

Written by Kevin Lessard

ST. JOHNSBURY - A potential rule change in the game of golf is being discussed by the United States Golf Association and the Professional Golf Association Tour. 

This potential change would have had an affect on the outcome on the Masters Golf Tournament.

It was the 15th century when the Scots invented the game if golf, which is why Scotland is home to some of the worlds most beautiful courses.

While the courses and rules of golf have been around for quite some time, the game is always developing new equipment.  The most recent controversy in the golf community is the use of a new type of club, called the long putter.

The long putter, also know as a belly putter, could be banned by the USGA and PGA tour.

St. Johnsbury Country Club Golf Professional Josh Young said that the putter itself may not be illegal, as much as the technique used with the club is.

 "The idea is that you're going to anchor it above your belly button... and that's what they're going to disallow," said Young.

For starters, long putters already look and feel different than most putters.

"Weight.  It's definitely got a lot more mass to it," said golfer Patrick Hilton.  He's been playing at the St. Johnsbury Country Club since he was 10, and can tell the long putter is unlike any change to a club the sport has seen before.  "It's obviously a lot bigger.  It's heavier."

This new rule change could have a lasting affect on both amateurs and professionals.  Hilton isn't worried about the rule change on the putter, because he believes that no matter what rules change, the short game is the key to victory.

"Everyone wants to work on driving and hitting the ball far and when it comes down to it,  if you can't chip and you can't putt you're gonna score bad every single time."

The rule change, if decided upon this year, wouldn't go into affect until at least the 2016 golf season.