Drive for show, putt for dough!
It's an old saying that's been done to death a million times but no-one yet has come up with a better take on golf than: drive for show, putt for dough!
And that simple phrase is one of the primary reasons Darren Clarke is experimenting with a belly putter as he attempts to climb back up the world rankings and rediscover the form that won him ten European titles including two World Golf Championships.
At the very highest strata of the game among the lightning quick greens patrolled by Tiger, Phil, Monty and Vijay, putting literally becomes a 'game within a game'.
Just a solitary putt a round - multiplied by four over a tournament - can make the difference between major championships, valuable ranking points and even over the long run staying on tour.
Clarke's putting is a mix of the brilliant and the ordinary and his decision at the Indonesian Open to shove a belly putter in his bag is clearly an effort to gain an extra edge on the greens.
Keith Williams, a PGA Master Professional, European Tour coach and former England coach, understands completely why the likes of Clarke and Monty and Singh before him have dabbled with the longer version of the putter and here outlines some of the key thinking behind using long putters.
"The whole concept of having something attached to your body means it takes out the independent use of hands and arms," says Williams.
"Hinging the putter on a particular point of the body, whether around the chest, chin or belly, alters the mechanics of swinging the putter which is an advantage if you are unable to control it through the hands and arms.
"By hinging the putter into the body you are minimising hand independence or dominance and consequently swinging it from the hinge point which is anchored to your body.
"You are no longer rotating your shoulders to get momentum but generating momentum from the pivot point."
In technical terms, reverting to a long putter can help players who have slight inconsistencies in controlling the putter head or face.
"In short, it gives you the mechanics to overcome the lack of control," added Williams.
"It also allows the player to make up for any psychological deficiencies such as lack of confidence or self belief in their existing stroke.
"It might take a certain amount of feel from the shot but by the hinge point attached to the body you are not so reliant on the hands, arms and shoulders and therefore it makes it psychologically different.
"I think players on tour who end up using that technique simply use it as an alternative because they have not had the technique with the normal length putter in their hands.
"No-one changes unless they have had problems or are not satisfied with their putting."
Long putters also stoke up debate about their legitimate place in golf.
"The subject is controversial because some people believe the putter should not be connected to the body - the jury is out on whether we should hinge the club, it's perceived by some that that's not the way the game should be played," said Williams.
"Belly or chest putters are not regarded as an accepted way to putt.
"The whole ethic in golf is driven by the game being played with two hands and that's where you have the attachment to the club."
Whether they should or shouldn't be allowed is a moot point but for now, while they are still legal, they are clearly a respite for golfers such as Clarke struggling with a conventional putting stroke.
For information on Keith Williams see keithwilliamsgolf.com