“As long as it’s legal, I’ll keep cheating like the rest of them.”

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Archive 10/04 to 07/05

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Tuesday

Oct112011

That's Ernie Els talking about the belly putter, as quoted by Doug Ferguson in this week's AP notes column.

It's fascinating that the belly putter is perceived as cheating that should be outlawed by some who use them (like Els) or potential future converts (Joe Ogilvie).

Doesn't that almost require the governing bodies to take another look if that is the perception of some who use the putters?

Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 07:41 PM

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Reader Comments (10)

Judging by the way he wielded that belly putter on the weekend, he's only cheating himself by continuing to use it.

10.11.2011 |

PA PLAYA

If someone of Ernie Els's stature in the game thinks he is cheating by using a belly putter, how much more of a wake up call do the governing bodies need?

10.12.2011 |

titleist38

Ernie's quote is the best description of the situation I have seen. Translated it really says: If the ruling bodies are stupid enough to keep it legal, I'd be stupid not to use it.

10.12.2011 |

No Longer Used to be Former S&T Convert

he must be really bad with a regular putter -- as saw him miss a ton of short ones this weekend

10.12.2011 |

Titleist 38 you hit the nail on the head! I think there interested too much in determining if DJ was in an actual bunker at Whistling Straights last year. Still a BRUTAL decision was made there. I had friends that were right there during the ENTIRE situation and they all said there was NO WAY to actually know he was in a bunker at that point in time with the lack of crowd control.

And the beat goes on with the Cheater Putter!!!

10.12.2011 |

VKM

pretty tough to take some sort of moral stand when your livelihood is at stake . . .

10.12.2011 |

jmr

Everyone using a Titleist ball is cheating, because it's better than the Callaway ball I am using, even if I can use the Titleist.......

10.12.2011 |

Steve Wozeniak PGA

And Steve, everyone using the Penta is cheating even more.

It will be nice to look back on this era and the decision made on the anchored (defined illegal move) putter in 10 years using the retro-specto-scope.

10.12.2011 |

GolfFan

Perhaps we need to look at the bigger picture i.e. why is it legal?

Problem if we look into this matter with any real sense of honour, we will find things that breach the moral not to mention the spiritual codes of the game. All now apparently made legal.

What is it, have some of us started to realise that many a golfers aid is clearly an outside aid to assist the golfer. We should question the score on each and every round he/she takes because he /she has benefited from these aids. The carts saves energy keeping the player fresher /less tired than the walker, the distance aids, save mental foreplay and real involvement in the mental game and the understanding of the golf course architecture. Then the equipment now built no anymore as tools to play with but aid to reduce the skill level and also to reduce the sore of players whatever their real skill level. All legal, makes one wonder if the powers that be actually understand the game they are meant to Govern.

We can't blame the players, the fault and it’s a great big Grand Canyon of a fault lies with The R&A for what can only be describes as their lack of foresight and sheer bloody-minded stupidity. Nevertheless we golfers also have a responsibility and we should lead by example refusing to use these aids knowing full well how they benefit us, but alas we will not because it’s now about money, greed and the modern attitude that the bottom line is all that counts - Guys if that is how some of you think then you have missed the whole point of the great game of golf.

Melvyn

10.14.2011 |

Melvyn Hunter Morrow

10.19.2011 |

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