Woods offers solution against long putters

PEBBLE BEACH, California - Tiger Woods has a solution to long putters: make them no longer than the shortest club in the bag.

Woods said Tuesday at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am he has “never been a fan’’ of long putters that players either anchor into their belly or the broom-style putters that are pressed against the chest.

“I believe it’s the art of controlling the body and club and swinging the pendulum motion,’’ Woods said. “I believe that’s how it should be played. I’m a traditionalist when it comes to that.’’

Woods said he has spoken to Royal & Ancient chief executive Peter Dawson over the last several years about how the language could be written in the Rules of Golf that effectively would ban such putters.

“My idea was to have it so that the putter would be equal to or less than the shortest club in your bag,’’ Woods said. “And I think with that, we’d be able to get away from any type of belly anchoring.’’ AP