Should you use a long putter?

If the putter isn’t working, do you change your putter or should you use a long putter? 

Let’s not lie here. Putting is hard and can be extremely frustrating. The toys can be thrown out of the pram, and we question everything we are doing and even blame the putter.

We will go to the extremes of even looking at new putters and trialling other models which can be the quick fix but, for some, they may be in need of a more extreme solution to fix the dreaded yips. Now, this putter comes in the form of a broom handle or long putter. 

The long putter or broom handle is one which is definitely something a lot of golfers and pros have played around with when the putter has gone cold. If we look at the likes of Adam Scott, he used a broom handle Scotty Cameron Futura X to win the Masters and Marcel Siem, who recently won on the DP World Tour, used an Odyssey 2Ball Ten Broomstick.

One of the benefits of using something like this is that it can reduce wrist and up and down movement, essentially giving a more pendulum like stroke. This can lead to more consistency which is why some golfers take to using a putter of this style.

Marcel Siem is one of the best putters on the DP World Tour averaging 27.72 putts per round which his one of the reasons why when his game is on, he can be right up there in contention. 

There are also health benefits to using a long putter. If you have a bad back or find you are hunched over your putts, the long broom handle will have you standing taller to the ball which will reduce the stress in your back. 

I’m not going to be someone who goes for a broomstick or long putter as it does become hard from distance but on the shorter putts, I have to say you get great control.

It will take some time to get used to but if you’ve got the yips and need a drastic change, then using a broomstick putter could be a great option.

It’s worked for a Masters Champion and continues to work for one of the best putters on the DP World Tour who won the 2024 Italian Open. You never know it could be the answer to your putting woes. 

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James Tait is bunkered’s Gear Editor. Want to know how the latest Callaway driver, Vokey wedge or Scotty Cameron putter performs? He’s the guy to ask. Better yet, just watch his videos on the bunkered YouTube channel. One of the biggest hitters in the UK, James also competes on the World Long Drive circuit and is a descendent of former Amateur champion Freddie Tait.

Gear Editor