At the Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin yesterday, the unconventional putters and grips, while not noticeably thick on the ground, were increasingly apparent. Judging by recent statistics, the changes have had quite an impact on the taming of the short game.

Seven of the USPGA's top 30 putters now use alternative putting styles. Jim Furyk and Vijay Singh use medium-long putters; Rocco Mediate, Scott McCarron and Bernhard Langer use the long putter while Mark Calcavecchia and Chris di Marco use "the claw" grip.

In 1991 McCarron was having putter problems so he broke the head off an old three wood and jammed it onto the head of a putter. Now he's one of the best blade men on the US Tour.