Els calls for putter ban

Monty is a fan of the longer-handled club

Ernie Els calls for a ban on long-handled putters claiming they reduce the skill level in the game.

Els' spoke out as compatriot Trevor Immelman used his version on his way to a 65 to lead the Deutsche Bank Open.

"I think nerves and skill in putting is part of the game and you should take a tablet if you can't handle it," said Els, who was two behind Immelman.

"Nerves and putting are part of the game. It makes it so easy to putt. You can make a perfect stroke," he said.

Made popular by older golfers such as Bernhard Langer, who used it to overcome putting problems, the club is either pushed into the belly or tucked under the chin.

It is increasingly being used on the European Tour, with world number two Vijay Singh, Colin Montgomerie and Lee Westwood among its advocates.

Immelman said he was not put off using the long putter, despite disparaging remarks from some professionals.

RULES OF GOLF - PUTTER The overall length of the club shall be at least 18 inches A putter (broom-handled or normal) may have two grips provided each is circular in cross-section, the axis of each coincides with the axis of the shaft and they are separated by at least 38.1mm The distance from the heel to the toe of the putter head must be greater than the distance from the face to the back Official Rules of Golf

"Honestly, as long as I keep rolling the ball the way I've been rolling with it, I really don't care what they say," Immelman said.

Els said he had already talked to some top golf figures about his ban proposal including Peter Dawson, chief executive of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club, which runs the British Open.

"I think there's some guys looking into this," Els said.

The long putter also gives players an advantage on penalty shots. Because of its length, the ball can be dropped further away from the rough in which it landed.