choosing a putter is "the decision within a decision."

Today, Jones would be facing these decisions: "Do I go with a standard-length putter and if so, what type? Should I try a heavy putter? What about a belly putter? How about a long (broomstick) putter?"

Jones would probably stick with "Calamity Jane" but undoubtedly he would be surprised at his options.

Webb Simpson, 26, won twice last year with a belly putter and even Phil Mickelson, one of the best short-game players in history, used a belly putter for a few rounds in competition late in the year.

Golf Digest quoted Mickelson as Callaway Razr X Tour irons saying, "You can't miss. I mean, you really can't miss from six feet." Mickelson, however, went back to his traditional putter.

In a three-week span, PGA Tour winners were Adam Scott, whose career was resurrected with a long putter, Bradley (belly) and Simpson (belly).

The main advantages of belly putters and the longer broomstick putter is that the club is anchored against the body so wrist action is minimized. The main disadvantages are reduced feel and more difficulty controlling distance.

A conventional putter is generally 30 to 36 inches long. A belly putter is 41 to 44 inches. And a long putter is 48 to 52 inches

A heavy putter is about twice the weight of a regular putter. It's easier to have a good pendulum stroke and good Ping K15 Driver tempo with a heavy putter because the club does a lot of the work on its own. The heavy putter has advantages on short putts, but distance-control problems are common.

Jeff Coston, the Blaine teaching pro who has won the most Northwest majors, said, "I believe in 10 years at least half the golfers in the world will be using a belly putter. It's just an easier way to putt. It almost strokes for you."

The long putter was on full display in discount golf clubs Seattle in 2010 when Bernhard Langer used one to win both the U.S. Senior Open and the Boeing Classic.

So what should the recreational golfer do when he thinks he might putt better by switching to a different style of putter?

Coston recommends either the belly putter or going sidesaddle with a long putter. He also said it is critical to make sure any putter is "the proper length for you."