Is a belly putter the answer for Ernie Els?

HILTON HEAD, S.C. -- Ernie Els is bellying up to a higher bar in his search for better putting.

Els, 41, put a belly putter, an Odyssey White Hot, in his bag during Wednesday's pro-am at The Heritage. Although he wasn't sure that he was going to use it in the tournament, which begins Thursday at Harbour Town GL, it's obvious that his frustration on the greens this year has reached a new level.

"I might have it in this week, but I'm not set on that yet. I'm giving it a tryout," said Els, who ranks 159th in putting on the PGA Tour, a huge decline from the previous season when he ranked 59th and won twice. "I think I might just need a different look and a different way of seeing the putts. It feels OK, but you don't really know until you put it under the gun."

-- Dave Shedloski

(Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)