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Are belly putters legal?

Author

Sarah Smith

Published Jan 14, 2026

So long and belly putters are still legal – as long as you don't anchor them.” The argument against anchored putters is based on the assumption that affixing the club to one's body is an illegitimate way of gaining control of the putting stroke. The swinging motion consistent in all facets of golf is diminished.

Why are belly putters banned?

Belly putters and long putters remain completely legal to use, so long as they are conforming to equipment rules. What Rule 10.1b addresses is the stroke, not the club being used to make the stroke. So if you putt with a belly putter or long putter, the anchoring ban does not require you to stop doing that.

Are belly putters legal in the PGA?

“I say to [golfers], 'We're not going to take away your long putter. ' All you need to do is this [hold the club away from your body], where you control the whole club with your hands. So long and belly putters are still legal—as long as you don't anchor them.”

Can your putter touch your belly?

Is this a ban on belly putters and long putters? No. A player may still use any conforming belly (mid-length) or long putter. Rule 14-1b addresses only the method of stroke, prohibiting a player from anchoring the club directly or by use of an anchor point while making a stroke.

What putter is illegal?

A putter must have a loft between -15 degrees and 10 degrees. If a putter's loft exceeds these parameters, it is deemed illegal. Additionally, if an adjustable putter is able to exceed this range, it is also not allowed to be used.

44 related questions found

Is DeChambeau anchoring his putter?

Fast forward to 2021, and there's a new form of anchoring beginning to take hold: so-called “arm-anchoring,” or “arm-lock” putting. Two belly putter refugees — Simpson and Bradley — both use the technique, as does Matt Kuchar, Bryson DeChambeau and Will Zalatoris, among others.

Are self standing putter legal?

The USGA confirmed the putter's legality in a statement, saying that self-standing putters, only when placed right next to the ball (as they are intended to be used), are allowed to be used to assist the player in taking a stance or to point out the line of play.

Is anchored putting legal?

The anchored putter ban “prohibits anchoring a club when making a stroke”. Implemented on January 1, 2016, the rule sent shockwaves through the game, particularly among the professional ranks.

Are broomstick putters legal?

On the contrary to what some may think, broomstick putters (or long putters) are perfectly legal on the greens. However, what is now illegal on the greens is anchoring; and broomsticks putters are the best alternative.

Are two way putters legal?

Technically speaking, a putter that has two striking faces is not allowed in golf. In other words, if a putter has two faces that can be used to make a putt, it is considered illegal. However, if both faces of the putter are identical in dimension, shape, and surface material, then the putter is totally allowed.

How long is a belly putter?

Belly putters are typically about 45 inches, or around 10 inches longer than a standard putter. A long putter is usually around 50 inches. Such putters offer up plenty to debate, as Els acknowledged all those years ago.

How long is a broomstick putter?

Conventional putters typically range from 32-36 inches in length, belly putters from 41-44 inches, and broomstick putters from 48-52 inches.

How long is Langer's putter?

The loss of the 45-inch putter is no small inconvenience as Langer has used the long putter to great effect, even after the tour outlawed anchoring in 2016.

What putter does Bryson Dechambeau using?

Bryson currently uses a SIK Pro C-Series Armlock putter. It's a rare model to be seen on the PGA Tour and it allows Bryson to putt in his very particular way.

Can you Anchor putter to arm?

Arm-locking is, of course, legal under the Rules of Golf. According to Rule 10.1b, a player's putting stroke must not include an “anchor point” on which they plant their forearm — i.e., the technique used with broomstick putters, with the end of the putter (or the player's forearm) anchored against a player's chest.

What does anchoring your putter mean?

The club is anchored “directly” when the player intentionally holds the club or a gripping hand in contact with any part of his body, except that the player may hold the club or a gripping hand against a hand or forearm.

How do you bet like Bryson DeChambeau?

Instead of using a standard putting form, DeChambeau opts for an arm-lock putting technique on the green. Pro Tips spoke with the professional golfer about what led to this different style of putting and the benefits he's experienced. “I struggled really badly for a while,” DeChambeau says.

What is Armlock putter?

Popularized by Matt Kuchar, the arm-lock putting style allows for the grip to rest against the forearm and create a fixed point for the stroke.

What is the easiest putter to use?

The most forgiving putter for beginners is the Odyssey White Hot Two Ball. The putter is designed to have a great feel, impressive roll, and easy alignment. The putter face is plenty big enough for golfers to get the roll and speed they want from their shots.

Are wood putters legal?

Are Wood Putters Legal? According to the USGA, wooden putters are totally legal. Putters can be made from any material, as long as they conform to the dimensions allowed by the USGA.

Are hybrid putters legal?

Are chippers legal in golf? According to the USGA, chippers are legal in golf because they are classified as irons. In order to have a legal chipper in your bag, you cannot have a putter grip on the club nor have a two-way chipper. A two-way chipper has a club face on both sides of the head.

Is it legal to modify a putter?

The clubhead must be “plain in shape” under the Equipment Rules Part 2/4a, and by adding the halved balls you've rendered the putter nonconforming. Make a stroke with it, and you're disqualified.

Is Side Saddle putting legal PGA?

(Yes, side-saddle putting is legal and within the Rules of Golf.)

Are anchored putters allowed again?

Golf's governing bodies approved a new rule Tuesday that outlaws the putting stroke used by four of the last six major champions, going against two major golf organizations that argued long putters are not hurting the game.

Is Langer anchoring his putter?

Here is Langer's post-Rule 14-1b putting routine with his long putter: He anchors the putter during his practice strokes before stepping over the ball. Once he steps over the ball, he moves his top hand — the one holding the butt end of his long putter — slightly away from his chest. That's it.