L2 Putter – time for a change?
I played in a team tournament last weekend that consisted of five 9-hole matches. One of our competitors, who is now in his 70′s, was putting in way I had never seen. He stood tall, faced the hole and held a belly putter to the side. In this manor he used the putter like a pendulum, stabilized by his left hand which he held across his chest and gripping the top of the putter around his right armpit. He was able to putt this way while looking directly at his target. And he putted very well.
I asked him about his style and how he came by it. He said he picked it up from the best amateur golfer he had ever seen. Keep in mind that this gentleman was the state amateur champ a few times himself. We played at a course that is particularly noted for its very fast and difficult greens. Needless to say he putted much better than I did, but that’s not saying much.
Today, while I was looking for interesting products to showcase on GolfDash, I came across the ‘L2 Lateral Line putter’. This is a putter that was built specially to putt in the same way as the gentleman I played against. There’s interesting video on the website (www.toolite.com/golf)showing how it works, and why it may be a better way to put. It’s very compelling. Now I’m one who never liked the long putters. I thought the R&A and USGA should have outlawed them. But as long as they are legal, I sure would like to give the L2 a try. It certainly seems a more natural way to putt. As the video on the L2 site says, if you told any Tour pro that you’d pay them $20,000 if they could roll a putt into a hole 20 feet away (no putter mind you), how would they attempt it? Exactly, everyone would face the hole. No one would stand sideways.
If anyone has tried this thing, I’d love to hear their impressions.
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- Big Fat Putter Grips – Do They Work?
- Save Big Time on Nike Unitized Putters
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Comments
I remember seeing some old golf clips with a golfer doing something like that, but he was crouched a little bit and held his right hand farther down the shaft. I kind of reminded me of the way Happy Gilmore putted.
i just finished the redesign of the L2 putter so that it meets USGA standards. it’s pretty cool looking, and super easy to use.
[...] tried a few belly putters, like the L2 Putter and this regular length putter with the giant grip gave me the same feeling. Grip it and then [...]
I have tried them at my local golf shop but didn’t really like it. I just didn’t feel comfortable with the length of the putter. When you have played with something else for so long it’s difficult to make that adjustment. The physics of the stroke it is easy to understand though why a lot of golfers do like these putters.
Cheers
Troy, I have only tried the long putter in golf shots. I have heard numerous people talk about them and there is some technique to using them correctly. With the different lengths that are available there are a lot of options. Like you, I’m too comfortable with a more traditional putter. It’s seems like an awfully big jump to go to a long one. I suppose when you’re putting gets bad enough you’re ready to try anything.
I recently told a work colleague that I have used the same putter for 25 years, she found it hard to believe.
My L2 Lateral putter arrived on my doorstep late Friday night. I took it to the course on Saturday morning with no practice and promptly birded two holes on the front nine and had a couple of nice (8-10 ft) par saves. I’m a 24 hcp, so birdies tend to be rare for me. Can’t wait for the next round!
I acutally think that’s a brilliant idea for a putter. If you think logically about it, facing the hole head on is the best way to putt. I’m seriously thinking of getting one. I mean anything is better than consistantly three putting like I usually do…