I've been around golf for nearly thirty years now. Seventeen of those as a PGA Professional and coach, watching every putting fad imaginable sweep through the game. Most disappear as quickly as they arrive.
Belly putters? Different story entirely.
These things have sparked more heated debates in pro shops than any piece of equipment I can remember. And honestly, they probably deserve the attention. Because while half the golf world was arguing about whether they were "real golf," the other half was sinking putts they'd never made before.
Why Belly Putters Work So Well
Take a standard putter and stretch the shaft to somewhere between 41 and 44 inches. Now you've got a belly putter. The extra length allows you to anchor the shaft against your midsection - though I should mention right up front that anchoring against your body violates the Rules of Golf in competitive play.
But when used legally without body contact, belly putters still offer tremendous benefits. I've watched it happen hundreds of times. Guy comes to me, struggling with three-putts, hands all over the place. We get him set up with a belly putter using proper non-anchored technique, and suddenly he's got this smooth pendulum stroke that barely involves his wrists.
That's the magic, really. Most weekend golfers ruin their putting with too much hand action. Belly putters, even when used without anchoring, naturally promote a shoulders-and-arms stroke. Can't help but be more consistent.
The Rules Situation (And Why It Matters Less Than You Think)
Anchoring the putter against your mid-section, like in the image above, has been banned in organized USGA tournaments.
Now, before you run out and buy one, let's address the elephant in the room. The USGA banned anchoring the putter against your body in 2016 with Rule 14-1b. Important distinction here: belly putters themselves are perfectly legal equipment. It's anchoring the end of the shaft against your body that's prohibited.
If you're playing any organized tournament that follows USGA rules - and that includes most club tournaments, member-guests, and competitive events - you cannot anchor that putter against your body. But you can absolutely use a belly putter without body contact and remain within the rules.
For casual rounds? That's different territory entirely. Your Saturday morning foursome, friendly matches, or just playing a round for fun? Most recreational golfers bend plenty of rules anyway - mulligans, winter rules, foot wedges. Using a belly putter with anchoring in casual play is just another personal choice.
I've had students worry about this constantly. "But what if people think I'm cheating?" Look, if you're not playing in a tournament and anchoring a putter helps you enjoy golf more, nobody's keeping score but you. Use what works.
Who Should Consider a Belly Putter?
Not everyone needs one. After years of observing these patterns, I've noticed that certain individuals benefit most, whether using them in casual play or in competitive situations without physical contact.
Intermediate players see the most significant improvements. They've developed enough feel to appreciate what the stability offers, but they haven't spent decades ingraining bad habits. Their muscle memory isn't fighting the change.
Then there are the "handsy" golfers. You know who you are. If your putts come off the face differently every time because your wrists can't stay quiet, a belly putter might save your sanity. Even without anchoring against your body, the longer shaft promotes better mechanics.
And competitive players dealing with nerves? I've seen remarkable transformations. Last year, I worked with a guy who'd developed such bad yips he was considering giving up tournament play. Three months with a belly putter using legal technique and he's back to competing. The stability under pressure is incredible.
Getting the Setup Right
This isn't rocket science, but the details matter. And remember - for tournament play, the end of the putter cannot touch your body.
Your grip changes completely. The left hand (for right-handers) is placed at the very top of the shaft, in a relatively neutral position. The right hand sits much lower than usual, and I teach a modified claw grip that keeps everything light and balanced. Think about holding something delicate - no death grips allowed.
Posture shifts, too. You'll need to bend forward slightly more than with a regular putter. Eyes over the ball, shoulders aimed at your target. For casual play where anchoring is allowed, the shaft rests comfortably against your midsection. For tournament play, you maintain the same setup but without body contact.
The stroke itself becomes beautifully simple. Pure pendulum motion, shoulders doing most of the work. That's it. The putter's design handles the rest. Trust it.
For golfers who compete where anchoring isn't allowed, I teach an arm-lock method that delivers similar benefits while staying within the rules. Different technique, same stability principle. The key point: as long as the putter grip isn't touching your body, you're legal.
What to Expect During the Switch
Let me be straight with you - the first few weeks can be frustrating. Your brain expects the putter to feel like every other putter you've used. This doesn't.
It's heavier. The balance point sits differently. Your stroke arc tightens up. All of this feels weird initially because, well, it is weird if you've been putting conventionally your whole life.
Most of my students need about a month of regular practice before everything clicks. Some longer, a few shorter. But once it does, the consistency gains are usually dramatic - whether you're using it anchored in casual play or legally without body contact in tournaments.
The mental game takes adjustment, too. You'll find yourself second-guessing the different feel, wondering if you can trust this new motion. Stick with it. I've seen too many golfers give up right before the breakthrough happens.
My Honest Assessment
After fitting hundreds of golfers with belly putters, I'm convinced they deserve consideration if you're struggling on the greens. Especially if you deal with involuntary hand movement, alignment issues, or pressure situations that turn your putting stroke into a disaster.
However, they're not automatic fixes. You still need to learn proper technique. You still need to practice. The putter gives you a better platform for consistency, not guaranteed results.
The golfers who succeed with them commit to learning the new technique properly. They work with an instructor (hopefully someone who actually understands these putters and the rules). They practice regularly. They give the adjustment period time to work.
Why I Still Recommend Them
I evaluate every piece of golf equipment the same way: does it help golfers play better? With belly putters, the answer is a resounding yes for the right candidates.
Consider the math for a second. Putting typically accounts for about 40% of your total strokes. If a belly putter shaves even two putts per round, that's a significant improvement. For many golfers, the gains are much larger.
My advice? If conventional putters haven't worked for you, if you're tired of inconsistent results on the greens, if pressure situations make your hands shake - try one. Work with someone who knows how to fit them properly and understands the rules. Give yourself enough time to adapt.
