Belly Putter

A longer putter designed to be anchored against the golfer's abdomen or chest during the putting stroke, now prohibited under current Rules of Golf but previously used to improve stability and reduce putting yips. Belly putters were popular among golfers seeking to minimize hand and wrist action in their putting stroke, providing a more stable platform for consistent putting. Understanding belly putter history helps golfers appreciate equipment evolution and rules changes that have shaped modern putting techniques. While no longer legal for competitive play, belly putters represented an important chapter in putting innovation and the ongoing search for putting consistency. The prohibition of anchored putting reflects golf's governing bodies' efforts to preserve traditional putting skills and techniques.