Els calls for belly putter ban

GOLF'S infinite capacity to produce controversy manifested itself once again in yesterday's glorious sunshine at Heidleberg. Older devotees of the sport will remember the bitter dispute that raged through the '60s over the size of the ball.

More recently, the ball (or rather the distance it flies) has aroused further animated debate, as have the amazing advances made in other areas which threaten to make many of our famous traditional courses virtually obsolete.

And yesterday, during the opening round of the €3 million Deutsche Bank TPC of Europe, a couple of richly talented South Africans waged a war of words about the efficacy of the so-called belly putter. This unattractive-looking creation was wielded in quite outstanding fashion by the 25-year-old Trevor Immelman, who availed of the perfect weather to tour the St Leon-Rot course in a superb seven under par 65 to share the first day lead with Frenchman Gregory Havret and England's David Howell.