TMaG's Corza Ghost long putter
Whether or not belly putters and long putters catch on with the masses remains to be seen, but TaylorMade-adidas Golf believes the putters will be around for a while. The company says it has tripled its Q4 forecast for belly and long putters to meet the growing demand amongst consumers and retail partners.
TMaG projects it will sell five times as many belly and long putters in 2011 as compared to 2010. As a result, the company has ramped up production and expedited in-store dates significantly in an effort to get its two models – the Corza Ghost and the Ghost Spider to retail. Each carry a suggested retail price of $199 – a good deal considering many of today’ standard-sized putters sell for more than $250 each.
“We can’t make these putters fast enough” said Michael Fox, global product category manager for putters and wedges. “The feedback has been the same from our global tour reps as more and more professionals clamor for these hot new products”
Frequent belly and long putter users on the PGA Tour include TaylorMade-adidas Golf Tour staff professionals Retief Goosen, Martin Laird, Spencer Levin, Scott McCarron, Blake Adams and Jim Furyk.
Famed putting instructor (and longtime TMaG staffer) Dave Stockton believes long-style putters promote a more consistent stroke.
“The secret to good putting is to find a natural and repeatable stroke that can be executed unconsciously regardless of the situation or length of the putt,” said Stockton. “Today’s golfers are finding that by anchoring the putter, they are able to freely release the putterhead in a solid and consistent manner every time.”
