Thinking outside the box again

[JimmyW]

Stupid a**ed question here Dan:

Do putter shafts have to be "straight"? (direct line from the club to the top of the grip)

The reason I'm asking is because I'm a lefty but I shoot right. I'm thinking of doing something to an old putter shaft (read "bending") to keep my left hand from over-compensating when I putt, But I thought I'd ask the rules guru guy first, before I pulled the ol' corkscrew out of my bag.

JimmyW

[Gary Hill]

The shaft shall be straight from the top of the grip to a point not more than 5 inches (127 mm) above the sole, measured from the point where the shaft ceases to be straight along the axis of the bent part of the shaft and the neck and/or socket.

At any point along its length, the shaft shall:

i. bend in such a way that the deflection is the same regardless of how the shaft is rotated about its longitudinal axis; and

ii. twist the same amount in both directions.

[Kilroy]

I do not believe that there is a restriction on straightness of the shaft. If you are talking about making it fit better for your lie angle, then go right ahead. If you want to bend it in some other odd way, I'd question what you are trying to acomplish, not the legality

I am sure Gary will have something to add. He's Da RulesNut.

hehehe We must have been typing at the same time. Shows ya what I know

[JimmyW]

Thanks Gary (and Dan)

Now that I know I can't do it, I'll tell you what I was thnking.

I have two major putting problems- I'm lefty but I shoot right (it doesn't matter for big motor-control stuff like swinging the irons or a baseball bat)-therefore I tend to use my left side for 70% of the putt which lends itself to alot of pulled or pushed putts while my rt hand comes along for the ride.

no. 2, I cracked my left wrist a while ago (years) playing basketball so now I don't have the mobility that I would like.

I WAS going to bend the grip (top 6") where my left hand is a little bit towards me (kind of pistol grip style) to make it more comfortable.

say la vee- I guess I'll just have to start looking at chin or sternum putters.

JW

[Gary Hill]

Actually, this was discussed by the governing bodies as a change to the rules for all clubs.

There is some medical evidence showing that the bend you suggest is easier on the wrist. Initial testing was done to see if there was any appreciable effect on ball flight.

I haven't heard any news for years so I assume the issue was abandoned.