The Bloodline Putter is a relatively well-known club. In fact, the club is endorsed by Ernie Els. The standout feature of this club is that it stands upright on its own. While there are many advantages to this, is it even legal? In other words, is the Bloodline Putter allowed by the USGA for players to use during their rounds of golf?
To help you answer these questions, I’ve taken a deep dive into the official equipment rules of the USGA to find out if players are allowed to use the Bloodline Putter.
Are Bloodline Putters Legal? According to the USGA, the Bloodline Putter is 100% legal to use in professional, semi-professional, and amateur matches & tournaments. Under rule 10.2b, a player is within their right to use their putter to help with alignment. As long as the player is not using any external objects or tools to assist with their alignment. This means that the Bloodline’s self-standing feature is legal.
What is this sorcery? pic.twitter.com/qnFr7TKTvE
— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) January 17, 2019
What Is So Special About The Bloodline Putter?
In case you are not aware, the controversy behind the Bloodline Putter has to do with its ability to stand upright on its own. This feature allows players to break free from holding their putter upright, giving them the freedom to check their alignment from different distances and angles.
For an amateur like me, alignment is one of the toughest parts about putting, so a club like this would give me great assistance, especially on the harder-to-read greens. For reference, below is a video of John Smoltz using a Bloodline Putter during a tournament. As you can see, he is getting a great read of the green, which confirms that his line is set for the hole.
Can’t figure out if this is genius or if I’d be laughed off the course pic.twitter.com/2b9GOQYIem
— LKD (@LukeKerrDineen) January 18, 2020
The USGA’s Response To The Bloodline Putter
So, as I mentioned above, the USGA is very accepting of putters like the Bloodline, and they have rules in place that confirm their legality. Below is a direct quote from the USGA’s site regarding stand-up putters:
“10.2b(3)/1 – Setting Clubhead on Ground Behind Ball to Help the Player Take a Stance is Allowed
Rule 10.2b(3) does not allow a player to set down an object (such as an alignment rod or a golf club) to help the player take a stance.
However, this prohibition does not prevent a player from setting his or her clubhead behind the ball, such as when a player stands behind the ball and places the clubhead perpendicular to the line of play and then walks around from behind the ball to take his or her stance.”
To reiterate, a player is allowed to set their clubhead behind their golf ball when getting a read of the green. It doesn’t matter whether or not the player is holding the club or if the club is standing on its own, as long as there are no external alignment tools being used, then it is legal.
Final Thoughts On The Bloodline Putter Legality
As a casual player, I am a big fan of crazy clubs like the Bloodline Putter. It is especially nice to know that the USGA and the PGA aren’t super strict with their equipment regulations; a club like this can really help out all types of golfers, so the fact that it is legal to use is very encouraging.
From my perspective, this club offers great benefits to those who struggle with putter alignment. Proper alignment is crucial to lowering your putting score, and this club gives you so much opportunity to improve. The fact that Ernie Els endorses this club is a great sign that it is an effective and reliable club. So, for those who are in the market for a new putter, this is one that should most definitely be on your radar.