Ok, I have to admit. I have trash talked belly putters. For years I have claimed that using a belly putter isn’t making a true stroke.

In my mind it was cheating. Guess what…it’s not…they are legal, and if it can help you save strokes, why not try it.

On a recent trip to Nike Golf’s Research and Development Facility, The Oven, I went through an incredible putter fitting.

After Her Visit To The Oven, Nike’s R&D Facility In Texas, Canada’s Own Lisa Longball Vlooswyk Actually Became A Believer In The Belly Putter

I was out on the exact same cameras as Tiger Woods.

I discovered through this eye opening process that I in fact skid the ball instead of rolling it and when I used a belly putter it helped me roll the ball end over end.

At the end of 2011 three players on the PGA Tour won with long putters anchored to the body.

Adam Scott (Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone), Keegan Bradley (belly) became the first player to win a major with a long putter (PGA Championship) and Webb Simpson (belly) won both in Greensboro, N.C. and at the TPC Boston.

If you struggle with your putting give it a try. Here are some helpful tips to make the transition smoother:

1. Be fit for the putter. When you take your stance you should be able to bend over to a 45 degrees angle and have your grip hit your abdomen. It should be snug but not buried into your stomach. You can lose your anchor in your stroke if the putter it too short or stub against the green if it is too long.
2. Grip the putter the same way you would a standard putter. Some players like to do a reverse grip and have their target side hand low. Do what is comfortable.
3. 

   It Is Important To Maintain Your Posture And Follow Through When Rolling Your Putts Properly Using A Belly Putter

   The set up is the same. Your feet, knees, hips, shoulders and clubface are square to your target line. Let your arms hang naturally.

   Some players like to play the ball in the center of their stance due to the improved pendulum swing (wrist action has been eliminated from the stroke) and some like to play the ball just forward of center.

   Your eyes should be over the ball. A properly fitted putter will help with this.

4. Anchor the putter to the exact same point on your body every time. If you alter the position of the butt end of the handle to a different spot each time you are creating too many variables.You need to centre it in the middle of your body to make a true pendulum stroke.
5. Focus on rocking your shoulders. Keep your rhythm the same from putt to putt but vary the length of your back swing based on how long your putt is.
6. Follow through your putt as you normally would. With a longer putter many players will mistakenly allow the momentum of the club to take over instead of finishing their stroke. Your posture should be maintained.

For those nay sayers out there, although putting guru Stan Utley does not believe the longer putters should be allowed, he has said, “When you anchor the grip end to the body, you simply cannot manipulate the grip in a way that pulls the top of the handle back in the take away or toward the target in the through swing – which are the biggest mistakes I see in my teaching. I teach people to, “swing the end of the club that hits the ball.””

Good luck and good rolls!