Ernie Els has called for banning the belly putter. I agree. These things are an abomination. I also think that they are a violation of the rules of golf, which state:
The club must not be substantially different from the traditional and customary form and make.
There is nothing either traditional or customary about the belly putter.
Correction belly putter first used in 1936 – Paul Runyan
Patent for belly putter filed in 1961
Not so new as you think!