LONDON -- Just hours after the close of the Olympics, a female shot putter from Belarus was stripped of her gold Monday in the first case of an athlete losing a medal for doping at the London Games.

With the disqualification of Nadzeya Ostapchuk, the gold medal was awarded to Valerie Adams of New Zealand -- who winds up as Olympic champion for the second time in a row.

The International Olympic Committee said Ostapchuk, a former world champion, tested positive for steroids both before and after winning the shot putter last week for her first Olympic gold.

After an IOC hearing, she was formally expelled from the Games and had her victory and medal removed from the records. She was the eighth athlete, and first medalist, caught during the IOC's London drug-testing program.

"Catching cheats like this sends a message to all those who dope that we will catch them," IOC spokesman Mark Adams said.

Track and field's governing body, the IAAF, will consider further action against Ostapchuk, who could face a two-year ban from the sport.

Adams was bumped up from Olympic silver to gold, with Evgeniia Kolodko of Russia upgraded to silver and fourth-place finisher Gong Lijiao of China moved up to bronze.

Adams now has a second gold to go with her victory in Beijing four years ago.

"What's happened has happened and what's my feeling towards her? None at all. I don't want to waste any energy on her," Adams said. "What I want to do is enjoy the moment and savor the moment. It's a pity it came out a week later (than the event), but as I said she's caught now. It was her moment but that's the only moment she'll be able to live because now it's all taken away from her.

"I don't want to waste any more energy thinking about how I feel about her because I feel nothing towards her except that I'm overwhelmed that I've won the gold medal and very humbled by the people who have stood by me after the 6th of August."

Adams' New Zealand teammates were ecstatic when they learned she would get the gold after all.

"Everyone cried -- it was pretty emotional," said Annalie Longo, a member of the women's football team, as she left the athletes village Monday. "We're just so happy, she worked so hard and she totally deserved the gold medal."

She expressed regret that Adams had not been able to receive the gold medal at the victory ceremony.

"We feel cheated in a way, not being able to play the anthem and having taken the moment off her," Longo said.

The IOC took more than 5,000 urine and blood samples in London, including no-notice controls conducted outside competition. Until the shot put case, the Games were set to end with medal standings in all 302 events unaltered by doping scandals.

The 31-year-old Ostapchuk, world champion in 2005, recorded the biggest shot put mark in a decade in the lead up to the Olympics. She won the gold with a mark of 21.36 meters.

The IOC said she tested positive for the steroid metenolone on Aug. 5, a day before her competition, and immediately after she won the event. The "A" and the backup "B" samples from both tests came back positive.

Ostapchuk told media in Belarus that she had done nothing wrong.

"I do not understand where it could come from," she told internet news agency Noviny.by. "I'm looking like an idiot to take this in heading for the Games and knowing that it is so easy to be tested. Nonsense. I'm being tested every month, every week.

"I hope for the better. The most important for me is to clear my reputation. I've been in the sports for so many years and have never faced any claims. And now at the major event and after the gold medal ... I do not understand it."

A hearing was held Sunday, a few hours before the closing ceremony, attended by three Belarus team officials. They told the IOC that Ostapchuk had been tested in Belarus on July 25, July 26 and Aug. 1, and the results were negative. The athlete arrived in London on Aug. 4 and went straight to the athletes village.

"They had no explanation as to why such a substance would have been found in the sample of the athlete," the IOC said.

After seeing the test results, the Belarus team did not contest that the steroids were found in her system.

The Belarus Olympic Committee and national anti-doping agency will investigate and "take the appropriate measures," the IOC said.

IAAF scientific expert Jordi Segura said metenolone could be taken either orally or by injection, and the substance can be eliminated from the system within four to five days, the IOC said.

It's the second Olympic doping scandal here for Belarus. The team had earlier sent home hammer thrower Ivan Tsikhan after retests of his samples from the 2004 Athens Olympics, where he won silver, came back positive.

Besides Ostapchuk, only one athlete tested positive for a banned substance after competing in London. U.S. judo fighter Nick Delpopolo was cited for traces of marijuana in his urine sample.

"This is the eighth athlete to have been caught by our extensive in-Games testing but many more were kept away from the Games by the pre-Games program," Adams said. "And keeping samples for eight years means that we can continue to test long after the competition is over."

Three Beijing events were tainted by drug scandals during the 2008 Games, and two more medals were changed months later when a new test for the blood-booster CERA was introduced. The signature men's 1,500-meter gold medal was stripped retroactively from Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain.

read also Odyssey brings adjustability to putter

Adjustability has been all the rage in drivers, fairway metals and hybrids in recent years. Now, it is becoming a factor in putter, as evidenced by the introduction of the Odyssey Flip Face.

The Flip Face allows golfers to choose between two face inserts in one putter – the newer Metal-X or the venerable White Ice – and do so simply by unscrewing a single component in the self-contained putter head (with a screwdriver that doubles as a divot tool) to rotate the face 180 degrees.

The idea, Odyssey officials say, is to offer players different feel and performance attributes in one club as well as the ability to make adjustments based on the conditions of the courses they are playing, or the golf balls they may be using.

Metal-X is a dual-layered insert, with a striking layer made of lightweight aluminum and an inner layer made of urethane. The oval depressions on its clubface are designed to maximize the mechanical lock with the dimples of a golf ball to increase friction and impart optimum ball launch for a more controlled and consistent forward roll. Austie Rollinson, principal designer for Odyssey Golf, describes Metal X as being “a little firmer” and says it will induce the ball to roll “a little faster.”

As for the White Ice insert, it employs a multi-layer piece of technology that Rollinson says has been fine-tuned for use in the Flip Face line to enhance sound, responsiveness, resiliency and consistency. In addition, its face surface has been roughened to increase friction with softer golf balls, in order to promote a better forward roll and a better sound at impact.

The Flip Face comes with a satin chrome finish and Lamkin 3GEN Pistol grips and is available in three Odyssey models: the #1, which is a rounded heel-toe weighted blade with a crank-neck hosel and full-shaft offset; the #5, a rounded mallet with a single-bend shaft and full-shaft offset; and the #9, a toe-weighted, heel-shafted flanged blade with a long hosel and half-shaft offset.

rad also Pros weigh in on long putters

I’ve sampled lots of putter.

I’ve tried different blades and mallets, some with inserts, some without. I’ve tried thick grips and standard grips. I’ve tried left-hand low, and still employ that method for putts within 12 feet of the cup. I’ve tried a couple of stances, settling at the moment on slightly open.

But I’ve never tried the belly/long putter that are becoming increasingly popular in golf bags, including those of recent majors winners Ernie Els, Keegan Bradley and Webb Simpson. The thought has certainly crossed my mind, especially after ruining a solid ball-striking round with a handful of three-putts.

There has been discussion of golf’s governing bodies possibly not allowing belly/long putter to be anchored to the body. It’s one of several topics we broached with MeadowWood’s Bob Scott, Avondale’s Dan Porter and Spokane Country Club’s Les Blakley in the latest edition of the Pros Roundtable.

Putter helpful

Should belly/long putter that are anchored to the body be allowed or banned from professional and/or amateur golf?

Scott: I personally believe they should be banned. They take one of the most important aspects of the game and put a Band-Aid on it. At the same time, it allows those who have a lot of problems with putting to enjoy the game.

Porter: I think they should be allowed. We are about improving the enjoyment of the game and for those who struggle with putting, even some to the point where they quit, the belly/long putter helps bring the joy back to the game.

Blakley: The most important skill in putting is controlling speed and determining proper line. I don’t think an anchored putter is a huge advantage.

Feherty a favorite

Who is your favorite golf broadcaster/analyst on TV? Why?

Porter: David Feherty. His comments, though absurd sometimes, are funny and keep what could be a sometimes melancholy sport to watch entertaining.

Blakley: Peter Jacobsen. He brings a personality to the broadcast that not many can accomplish. Plus, he’s from the Northwest.

Scott: David Feherty, without a doubt. His descriptions and use of words to describe shots are very entertaining.

Bunkers take technique

Many amateurs struggle in bunkers. What’s a tip for improving sand shots?

Blakley: Sand shots require a technique that deviates from basic golf fundamentals. Open stance, open club face, hit behind the ball 1-2 inches, trying to have the sole of the club strike the sand first.

Scott: The biggest problem I see with most amateurs hitting bunker shots is that they are too afraid to take a 3/4 to full swing to move the ball 25 feet. They need to open their stance and the face of their sand wedge, move the ball forward in their stance and take a 3/4 swing while slapping the sand 2 inches behind the ball and making sure to finish their swing.

Porter: The No. 1 thing I see amateurs do incorrectly is attempt to hit a bunker shot with a straight face, meaning the club face pointed directly to the target. You have to hit bunker shots with an open stance and open club face, allowing the club to slide into the sand behind the ball and the sand pushes the ball out.

No surprise, really: Augusta

What’s No. 1 on your bucket list of golf courses to play?

Scott: Augusta National or Cypress Point would be unbelievable. Two of the most difficult golf courses to get on in America.

read also Fisher to catch the KLM crown

Hilversumsche once again plays host to the KLM Open this week and Simon Dyson will defend the title he won with a birdie on the final hole 12 months ago.

The venue was established in 1910 but really given its identity eight years later when Harry Colt was called in, and it's no surprise that it bears close resemblance to some of his beautiful works in the south of England.

Most famous of them, of course, is Wentworth, and the tight, undulating, tree-lined fairways of Hilversumsche could be mistaken for that Surrey masterpiece.

Some years later - 2006 in fact - Kyle Phillips was called in to make modifications to the course, but his mandate was to restore Hilversumsche to the quality given by Colt and he's done a fine job.

At just under 7,000 yards, this course isn't a monster by modern standards, but several length par-fours do make for a supreme test of mid- to long-iron play and those who aren't on their games will struggle.

A glance through the winners points to exceptional ball-strikers as well as those comfortable should the wind whip around the trees, while as ever a hot hand with the putter will help.

Dyson will of course have his backers and at 25/1 I can't put anyone off, but my headline selection is Ross Fisher at 35s.

Fisher honed his game at Wentworth as a boy and although he's struggled to get to grips with that venue's revamp, his second to Paul Casey there in 2009 highlights that Colt's original layout very much suited him.

As such, it's no surprise to see that in his last two visits to Hilversumsche he's finished 11th and sixth, ranking seventh and 10th respectively for greens hit during the week.

Last year, Fisher both opened and closed with superb, bogey-free 66s, only to be undone by a second-round 74 which was his work of the week by some seven shots. That was a repeat of what happened in 2010, when a second-round 74 prevented him from finishing closer to runaway winner Martin Kaymer.

Clearly, then, it's a venue that plays to his strengths, it's just a question of whether he's playing well enough to contend this week.

Some will see a share of 64th in Switzerland as proof that he isn't, but given that he'd not visited Crans for six years and had never previously made the cut at that idiosyncratic venue, I'd suggest that it was very much a positive performance.

Before that, only an opening 76 prevented him from competing in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles and given that he'd been off for a month since a respectable 45th in the Open Championship, we can give him the benefit of the doubt there.

Earlier on this season he gave notice that a return to his brilliant best wasn't far away with top-10s in Ireland (Colt-designed Royal Portrush), Germany, Sweden, Wales and Korea, and he may not be far away from that sort of form again.

Remember, his first European Tour win came in this event at Kennemer back in 2007, and Dyson has since shown that form at that venue can carry over to Hilversumche.

With those positive memories on a course that resembles those he grew up playing, Fisher could be poised to get back among Europe's elite.

Along similar lines of logic, Miguel Angel Jimenez is next on the list at a potentially generous 40/1.

The evergreen Spaniard hasn't had a spectacular year by his own lofty standards and, much like Fisher, will have been disappointed not to play his way into Jose Maria Olazabal's Ryder Cup side.

Jimenez does have the consolation of being one of his compatriot's vice captains, but for now his focus will be on getting back to winning ways at a venue he's won at before, albeit some 18 years ago.

And, on the evidence of some of his recent play, there has to be every chance that he can do just that.

Jimenez was ninth in the Open, again demonstrating his ability in the wind, and confirmed that once more with a share of 27th in the PGA Championship on a course that favoured those who hit it further than he can.

It was disappointing that he returned to Europe with a missed cut in the Johnnie Walker Championship and an opening 77 last week had alarm bells ringing, until he went 65-66-66 to finish just outside the top 10.

He'll consider that a chance missed given that anything sub-70 in round one would've in theory seen him win the European Masters for a second time, but he'll be really encouraged by a return to the form with the putter having averaged just 25 putts for rounds two, three and four combined.

As well as having won at this venue before, Jimenez is also a past champion at Wentworth, and although he's not played in the event since the modifications were made I'm more interested in how well he's playing.

I can't understand why he's twice the price of David Lynn, a bigger price than Anders Hansen and the same price as the admittedly red-hot Romain Wattel, and at 40s Jimenez rates must-bet material.

There are two I like at prices this week, and we'll start with a somewhat obvious selection, Jose Manuel Lara.

The dual European Tour winner put together three top-10 finishes in four starts in the spring, but went through a torrid summer which is why he's currently 90th in the Race To Dubai standings.

He'll need a good autumn to make it to the season-ending Dubai World Tour Championship, and this venue rates a perfect place to begin that run.

Lara shot 68-69-68-68 to finish sixth here last year, having closed with a round of 65 for fourth in 2010, so since the changes were made to the course he's among those you could call specialists.

Recent form is thin on the ground but it's only been one round in each of his last two tournaments that have cost him a spot inside the top 40, and he's never excelled at Gleneagles or in the Alps.

Indeed, he'd just missed the cut in Switzerland prior to finishing sixth here a year ago, while in 2010 he arrived with a run of five consecutive missed cuts, so it's perfectly possible to argue that he's in better form this time.

Lara has placed twice already season, one of which came on a Phillips-designed course, and having shown that the changes that man has made to this venue fit his eye I reckon he's overpriced at 125/1.

Another player who has caught the eye lately is Rhys Davies and he gets the nod at 150s.

The Welshman currently lies just outside the top 115 on the Race To Dubai, and needs to move inside that number to keep his full playing rights for 2013.

With that incentive clear, he opened with a round of 66 in Switzerland last week when that famous putting stroke looked back to its best.

After that round Davies told reporters that his game was improving thanks to hours spent on the range.

"It hasn't been the best this season but I feel I've turned a corner and hopefully I can maintain what I'm doing," he said.

"It's been a while (being at the top of a leaderboard) but it's not through a lack of effort or trying. I know my game is getting better and hopefully that will show on the scoreboard.

"I had five weeks off before Scotland, which was the longest break I've had for about five years, and I used that time I had off wisely.

"I've come back refreshed of mind and attitude and I feel pretty good."

Poor rounds on Friday and Saturday saw him slip out of contention, but a closing 69 was a step back in the right direction and could provide the platform from which he can enjoy a fruitful week.

Hilversumsche is clearly a venue he enjoys as he was out of form when arriving last year, only to open with a round of 67 on his way to 16th.

That was his course debut, and on his next start he showed further liking for the works of Kyle Phillips when shooting 64 in the Alfred Dunhill Links at Kingsbarns.

Davies is a player who has shown that he repeats form at certain venues - he came close to defending his Trophee Hassan II title last year - and has all the shots to play well again here.

Finally, I'm going back to the head of the market for a win-only wager on 2010 champion Martin Kaymer.

The German's form has really dipped during the summer, to the point where he's now 28th in the world and some began to question whether he would voluntarily pull out of the European Ryder Cup team.

However, he's made of sterner stuff than that and has been working tirelessly on the range in a bid to ensure that he doesn't let his colleagues down at Medinah in three weeks.

He's received positive words from Olazabal, and had this to say himself: "I have been struggling with my game for the last few months but since the USPGA I have made a lot of progress with my coach (Gunther Kessler) and had some really good sessions.

"I have started to feel confident with what I am doing again, my fade is coming back and the ball striking is getting better and better."

Fans of Kaymer will be hugely encouraged that he's working to get that trusty fade back into his game, one that saw him top the greens in regulation stats on his way to a comfortable win here two years ago.

Last year, he was 9/1 to defend his title before disappointing, but at 22s I'm prepared to give him another chance.

I just feel that it's too easy to forget that he was 15th in the US Open not so long ago, and he's definitely the type of character to rise to the occasion and answer his critics with a big performance.

There's no denying that he could bomb out altogether, but few men are better in contention and I'm happy to trust that his work at home will have paid off.

For you are a true lover of golf, putter grips is one of the most influential aspect. By choosing a quality putter grips you can feel more comfortable and confident in playing golf. Having a sharp game on the greens is what enables us to shoot low scores and save rounds. A high quality putter grips is important for golfers and play the most important in your game of golf swing. Putter grips connect your hands with the club in an effectual manner. Now, there are various golf accessories manufacturers available in the marketplace that make and sell elegant and stylish putter grips for golf players.

How to choose the right putter grips? Don’t just go out and buy the first putter grips you discover on sale in a person's local golf shop. Not every putter grips are alike in fact it is not a one-size-fits-all method of equipment. Your overall game, the way you grips the putter and the method that you putt can actually help determine types of putter grips you need. For example, if you tend to hook your putts far more, then you might want to consider a thicker putter grips. Should you slice your putts (typically missing around the right for a right handed player) in which case you might see improvement from a thinner putter grips. Some other factors to consider would be the size, content and moisture control of the grips.

Golfers who prefer a thinner putter grips say who's maintains a better perception of feel and touching. Those that choose a fatter putter grips say it quiets the small muscles and helps prevent wrist breakdown in the particular stroke. Naturally, hands size also plays a role in what a golfer considers thin or fat in a putter grips. Some of the most preferred putter grips are odyssey putter grips, ping putter grips, belly putter grips, iomic putter grips, which are a great and affordable means to create an immediate impact on power, accuracy and distance while playing golf.

How to Care For Your Putter Grips?

• Once you find the right putter grips, do remember to maintain it like you do the remaining of your golf golf clubs. The actual putter grips actually goes through lots of wear and tear, not just from constant exposure to ultraviolet rays of the sun, but from contact with greasy and dirty surfaces. Because they may not be made of steel as well as aluminum, grabs wear faster than almost every other golf equipment.
• To increase the lifespan of one's putter grips then all you really need to do is take more care of it. A consistent cleaning of all the putter grips can actually aid – just wash them having a mild dishwashing detergent and scrub the dirt and oil away. Rinse out using lukewarm water plus towel dry or dry within the open air. Request your golf pro one of the best care for your putter grips so you can't go wrong. Store them well and so they will last you for years. Nonetheless, when preparing for noticing that your putter grips is losing its tackiness and becomes slick you might want to replace it again. Really don't wait until it's also late. A loss of just 5% of your solid putter grips may result in missed putts.

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