Posts Tagged ‘ keegan bradley ’

Going Belly Up

The “sweeping success” of the game’s long putters and belly putters has caused a stir on Tour. Three of the last five major champions punctuated their victories with a controversial tool. Traditionalists argue that by anchoring the putter into the chest or stomach, it creates a distinct advantage. The extra stability removes late-round tension in the arms and hands, configuring a stroke that is devoid of pressure.

Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson, Ernie Els, your thoughts?

Are the best players in the world (Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy) still winning with the standard-bearer because they are supremely gifted, but players like Simpson and Bradley have distilled the field with an unfair instrument? It makes for interesting fodder.

While I think the long putter adds a more balanced approach to lengthier putts, I believe it can hinder shorter putts. The weight and shape of a “life size” putter can be awkward and difficult to control inside of 10 feet. I find that a putter in the 30-35″ range (relative to your height–I’m 5’9) is easier to manage. Much like choking down on a wedge or iron, you are reducing the window for mistakes. During this year’s British Open, Adam Scott felt the bind down the stretch, and missed several practice green gimmes. Was the long putter to blame?

I disagree with the idea of placing a ban on the long/belly putter. At the same time, I am an old-fashioned player at heart and would never use a putter that Jack Nicklaus or Johnny Miller didn’t put in the bag. Let’s compromise and carry two sticks.

–Anthony Stipa

2012
08/31
CATEGORY
Long putters
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9 Strokes

It probably wasn’t the script golf fans had in mind, but if they tuned in late Sunday evening, the PGA Championship didn’t disappoint. Two polar-opposites–an icy cool Jason Dufner and highly-animated Keegan Bradley–dueled down the stretch. The second consecutive playoff in the tournament was made possible by Dufner’s three straight bogeys (15-16-17) and Bradley’s swashbuckling birdie bomb at No. 17. Drama? Plenty. Star-power? Hardly. Here are nine thoughts about the 3 P’s. The PGA, the playoffs and President’s Cup (Brought to you by Stroke 9’s smash hit “Little Black Backpack”).

1. I’m happy an American finally won. We’ve held our collective breath since Phil Mickelson’s 2010 triumph at Augusta. There was a chance Northern Ireland would win major championships until the end of time.

2. I’m happy an American came in second. Gotta love those Yankees.

3. Where are the “Top 5” players in the world? Absent for all intents and purposes. Despite finishing in a joint T-8, Lukewarm Donald and Less Westwood were five shots back when the smoke cleared. They were never really a factor. Steve Stricker made early headway, but plummeted at the end. Defending champ Martin Kaymer missed the cut. Rory McIlroy gutted-out all four rounds despite a torn arm tendon. These guys need to play better, or move over.

4. Adam Scott is starting to make me angry. I take that back. Not necessarily Scott, but caddie Steve Williams. I just don’t want to see the guy succeed this much. It has more to do with Scott’s talent then Williams ability to carry a golf bag. Just look how he played at this year’s Masters. Scott is going to be a powerhouse in this year’s President’s Cup.

5. “The Playoffs” are next. Really? I’m not excited at all. Especially without Tiger Woods being involved. This thing really isn’t catching on. Blah.

6. Tiger Woods is still a shell of his former self. At this point, he has serious confidence issues. Has he quit on himself and his swing revival? He needs to get back to the practice range and forget about competition for a while.

7. Does Woods’ deserve to be on the President’s Cup roster? He’s currently 28th on the list of eligible Americans. I don’t think he makes any contributions if he plays. Every “World” player wants to kick around the former No. 1. However, wouldn’t a Woods-Scott showdown have to be engineered somehow? Captain Fred Couples will probably pick the embattled Woods, but I think it’s the wrong move. Both Keegan Bradley and Jason Dufner are still out of the top-10 and they are the hottest players around right now.

8. Gary McCord has become insufferable. The ego strokes, poor attempts at humor, and mustache have become too much. He’s reached the pantheon of bad broadcasting (SEE: Berman, Chris).

9. 2012 can’t come soon enough. It’s still early for a year in review, but this golf season left a lot to be desired for. What’s on deck? Hopefully a Woods-McIlroy major showdown.

2011
08/16
CATEGORY
PGA11
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