For better or for worse, a mate has convinced me to give a belly putter a try. To me, I find it somewhat awkward. Can some of you budding VJS’s give me some practical advice to the best technique to using one of these things (other than having a flat belly!).

Thanks in advance.

The Pilot

Think of it as a pendulum and use it like that.

Either anchor it in your belly and use a normal putting grip or anchor it with your left hand (for a righty) and use the right hand to ‘push’ the putt through.

I’d suggest having quite a few practice rounds with it before sticking it in competition.

Don’t forget to give a try to reverse grip . Not necessarily to mimic VJS , but for me it seemed to be the best grip for the pendulum action (agree++ with Styles)
Take care to the shaft lengh. Putting a too long shaft in your belly will move you away from the ball. It is not possible to adjust your position by moving the hands as on short putter.

Thanks Guys, I will take your advice. Has it been successful for you?

Styles, where do you play in Ireland? I had a trip there a few years ago. Lucky enough to play Ballyliffen (Glashedy), Portstewart and RCD. Loved them all, especially front nine at Portstewart (and the bar there! Stayed drinking with locals until 11pm.)

Regards,

Pete the Pilot

I play in Belfast, Pete in a place called Balmoral. I love all 3 of those tracks you mentioned. RCD is one of my all time favourites. The Glashedy is a monster of a course, especially when the wind blows! I lived in Portstewart for three years while at Uni. Great course. Which bar were you in? 11pm is an early night for most of the guys in that neck of the woods!!!!

Hope you weren’t flying the following morning! Haha!

Styles,
it was the members bar, but it was a tuesday night I think. I played with the dad of a very popular comedian over here (a former NI by the name of Jimoen). His dads name is Jim Mckeon. Jim was a classic guy and great great company (he’s about 75). We met up with some other guys (locals) ,played golf (pretty well – I think I had a 71 off the stick) then hit the bar. Jim was in fine form and the night and the beer went quickly. Before you know it’s 11 pm and there was a phone call for Jim. He comes back and goes “oh feck, I told the wife I would be home at 5 pm!!’

Got to love you Northern Irish! (all the Irish I met there were GREAT)

regards,

Pete

belly putting’s for cheaters. Nah only kidding.. I tried it felt really good..
Held it like happy gilmore style, right hand down real low, really good for close up 1 footers but harder on the longer putts

Styles,
it was the members bar, but it was a tuesday night I think. I played with the dad of a very popular comedian over here (a former NI by the name of Jimoen). His dads name is Jim Mckeon. Jim was a classic guy and great great company (he’s about 75). We met up with some other guys (locals) ,played golf (pretty well – I think I had a 71 off the stick) then hit the bar. Jim was in fine form and the night and the beer went quickly. Before you know it’s 11 pm and there was a phone call for Jim. He comes back and goes “oh feck, I told the wife I would be home at 5 pm!!’

Got to love you Northern Irish! (all the Irish I met there were GREAT)

regards,

Pete

Its things like this that always make me think that really there are only about 30 people in the world!

I used to work with Jimoen’s brother Joe!

A 71 at Portstewart is damn fine shooting! Was it the strand course you played or the Town Course?

Porstewart are actually getting a new multi-million pound clubhouse which will be ready in 2009.

The Big one with the dunes on the front nine. Best front nine layout anywhere IMHO. Played with Jimoen’s dad, Jim, and two local guys (good players, great guys and great piss heads!). Both rugby players, Steve Harper and ….?

I caught up to them in jim’s cart on the 5th of the Strand. Asked to join them, they said yes (grudgingly) although they thought I was some American at first. They didn’t mind after I blew it 20 yards past their balls (wedge in to green). Played well, laughed alot, drank alot. Great memories. I still ring steve up every time Australia plays Ireland in the rugby!

Good luck with your journey in Golf.

Regards,

Pete the Pilot

Cheers Pete.

Next time you’re headed for N Ireland let me know.