Markings on putter shaft for lag putting

[teddyironboy]

So some players practice with a yardstick for distance control. I want to take it a step further and put a long sticker on my shaft that has a ruler showing backswing length and distance of putt. Would have markings for different stimp speeds as well which would be neat. So that when I have a lag putt, I can put the putter on the ground next to my ball, find a spot on the ground for backswing length, and focus on that spot. Is this allowed?

[antip]

2 hours ago, teddyironboy said:

So some players practice with a yardstick for distance control. I want to take it a step further and put a long sticker on my shaft that has a ruler showing backswing length and distance of putt. Would have markings for different stimp speeds as well which would be neat. So that when I have a lag putt, I can put the putter on the ground next to my ball, find a spot on the ground for backswing length, and focus on that spot. Is this allowed?

IMO, no. Breach of 4.3a, using equipment in an abnormal way. And depending on the nature of the attachment to the shaft, it may also make the club non-conforming.

[sui generis]

  1 hour ago, antip said:

You could try the USGA and see if they give a different answer (rules@usga.org)

 

Or, call them at 908-326-1850. The person who answers will happily give you the correct ruling. Honest, they take all sorts of questions all day . . . it's their job. 

[Mr. Bean]

6 hours ago, teddyironboy said:

So some players practice with a yardstick for distance control. I want to take it a step further and put a long sticker on my shaft that has a ruler showing backswing length and distance of putt. Would have markings for different stimp speeds as well which would be neat. So that when I have a lag putt, I can put the putter on the ground next to my ball, find a spot on the ground for backswing length, and focus on that spot. Is this allowed?

 

I am with antip here (i.e. a breach of 4.3), but why don't you use common tape and write the things on your shaft like in Pelz's method? You will lack the ruler but could achieve most of what you are looking for.

[rogolf]

Here is an excerpt from the Equipment Rules (my highlighting):

(iv) External Attachments
While this clause prohibits the attachment of anything to the club which
could potentially have an effect on its performance (e.g. aiming bars or
weights), other items may be permitted to be attached to certain parts of
the club provided (a) no performance benefit can be derived, and (b) no
other Equipment Rules are breached, as well as Rule 4.3 of the Rules of
Golf (Use of Equipment).
Examples of attachments that could be permitted include:
• Temporary, non-permanent attachments to the shaft such as decals for
identification - such attachments, for identification only, may also be
permitted on the clubhead (other than the face). Additionally, tape to
protect the shaft is permitted. However, these attachments must not be
usable for any other purpose (e.g. alignment).
• Temporary, non-permanent attachments to the shaft (e.g. “clip-on”
devices), provided such items do not excessively protrude from the
shaft, their cross-section conforms to the shape of the shaft and they
are sufficiently fixed. Other “clip-on” devices that do not conform to
the shape of the shaft (e.g. a club “prop” for use in wet weather) may
be attached to the shaft between shots but must be removed prior to
making a stroke.

• Other material added to the shaft, such as for alignment purposes,
provided it is considered semi-permanent. However, such applications
must not breach Rule 4.3. “Semi-permanent” is interpreted to mean
durable and not easily removable. Additionally, it must not be re-usable
and/or must be essentially destroyed upon removal.

[teddyironboy]

Sounds pretty clear the original idea won't work.

 

Another possibility, since putter grips have a lot of logos and gaudy designs, could I use this as a ruler? Just figure out the length of the end of the grip to certain parts of the design, and that's a janky but viable ruler for this idea. Then have some notes to convert backswing length into distances along with different green speeds. If this is legal, what would stop one from making a grip with a ruler design?

[oikos1]

19 hours ago, teddyironboy said:

So some players practice with a yardstick for distance control. I want to take it a step further and put a long sticker on my shaft that has a ruler showing backswing length and distance of putt. Would have markings for different stimp speeds as well which would be neat. So that when I have a lag putt, I can put the putter on the ground next to my ball, find a spot on the ground for backswing length, and focus on that spot. Is this allowed?

You might be fun to play for money with.

[rogolf]

1 hour ago, teddyironboy said:

Sounds pretty clear the original idea won't work.

 

Another possibility, since putter grips have a lot of logos and gaudy designs, could I use this as a ruler? Just figure out the length of the end of the grip to certain parts of the design, and that's a janky but viable ruler for this idea. Then have some notes to convert backswing length into distances along with different green speeds. If this is legal, what would stop one from making a grip with a ruler design?

Have you heard of Rule 5.6, Unreasonable Delay of Play?  And that you have 40 seconds to make your stroke, starting when it's your turn to play, and including all of your pre-shot preparation?

[teddyironboy]

Good point. But I don't think it would be a big deal. It'll be increments of 5 feet, and might be easy to remember or peak at the stimp notes before getting on the green.

[Abh159]

Why stop with a sticker!?! Just get yourself one of these bad boys instead!

 

[Mr. Bean]

That guy needs serious spectacles...

[Hawkeye77]

On 1/11/2022 at 9:46 PM, teddyironboy said:

Sounds pretty clear the original idea won't work.

 

Another possibility, since putter grips have a lot of logos and gaudy designs, could I use this as a ruler? Just figure out the length of the end of the grip to certain parts of the design, and that's a janky but viable ruler for this idea. Then have some notes to convert backswing length into distances along with different green speeds. If this is legal, what would stop one from making a grip with a ruler design?

Uphill, downhill, wind, temperature, moisture on the greens, where would it end? Just go practice putting. 

[bladehunter]

On 1/12/2022 at 9:25 AM, Abh159 said:

Why stop with a sticker!?! Just get yourself one of these bad boys instead!

 

Notice the extreme weight shift as indicated by the lifting of the left heel.  Only a guy with a putter with a measuring device would be able to accomplish that. 
 

and Rodney’s index finger. Goodness. Looks to be 8-9 inches long.  

[Hawkeye77]

2 hours ago, bladehunter said:

Notice the extreme weight shift as indicated by the lifting of the left heel.  Only a guy with a putter with a measuring device would be able to accomplish that. 
 

and Rodney’s index finger. Goodness. Looks to be 8-9 inches long.  

I wondered why his first wife wanted him back!

 

(Gets those coffee cups down from the top shelf).

[Krt22]

5 hours ago, Hawkeye77 said:

Uphill, downhill, wind, temperature, moisture on the greens, where would it end? Just go practice putting. 

You could have a lookup table on the end of the grip for various conditions.

[rogolf]

33 minutes ago, Krt22 said:

You could have a lookup table on the end of the grip for various conditions.

A player could have a lot of tables/guidance in his pocket or golf bag, but why on earth attach it to a putter?  What happens if he or she changes putters?

 

[Krt22]

4 minutes ago, rogolf said:

A player could have a lot of tables/guidance in his pocket or golf bag, but why on earth attach it to a putter?  What happens if he or she changes putters?

 

Simplicity, pace of play etc. The OP is thinking of attaching a stroke length ruler to the shaft of the putter, so if they play multiple putters all would need the stickers, might as well add the table as well! 

[Hawkeye77]

53 minutes ago, Krt22 said:

You could have a lookup table on the end of the grip for various conditions.

It would look like a pro quarterback’s forearm!

[Krt22]

Just now, Hawkeye77 said:

It would look like a pro quarterback’s forearm!

If it's good for Tom Brady, it's good for me.