Comments on: Reacting to the Pro-Anchoring Crowd

By: clubcaptain

clubcaptain — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 22:20:26 +0000

How many golfers would play golf if there was no handicap system. Amateur golf is not an even playing field. The primary objective of golf is self improvement and enjoyment. Anything that increases the enjoyment of golf is good for the game. As far as professional golf goes, I would rather see caddies , than long putters banned. Golf is about an individual competing against a course and being able to match your wits and skill against it. Having someone calm you down when the course is winning, tell you what club to hit and even line you up is more of a blight on competitive golf than the broomstick.
I would rather they control the length the ball flies and remove or limit caddies involvement than outlaw the broomstick.

By: Erik J. Barzeski

Erik J. Barzeski — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 21:25:31 +0000

John, just as you said: stand taller with a putter you don't anchor. Ray Floyd did it. Your back will be fine (or, I should say, as fine as it is with an anchored putter standing more upright). The argument is not about whether there's an "advantage."

By: JohnLund

JohnLund — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 21:04:21 +0000

I use a broomstick putter. It has taken nervous hands out of play and made putting more fun. I don't think my putting stats have improved one bit but I am more comfortable and confident over the ball. It also allows me to stand more erect and takes stress off my sports injured lower back which means I can practice for longer periods of time. If asked, I would vote to keep the anchored putter stroke. It has been in play for too many years and won too many PGA tourneys to change it now. However, I do not believe in two sets of rules for the game of golf. For that reason I will make the switch back to a short putter and make it work.

By: WUTiger

WUTiger — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 18:31:45 +0000

Erik,

Maybe I was a little hard on Jamo. I guess I haven't fully snapped out of election-year combativeness.

By: Erik J. Barzeski

Erik J. Barzeski — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 17:15:31 +0000

John, I disagree. Pelz is a former scientist. He might apply the scientific method to a few things here and there, but he's more of an accountant or a statistician or a consultant than a scientist (and it's not even close) in my opinion. Also, I thought Jamieson's comment - a reaction to a quote by Pelz - was spot on and amusing. Pelz is the one who was making little sense, and Jamieson called him on it. Again, my opinion, nothing more.

By: WUTiger

WUTiger — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 23:16:17 +0000

------------------------------------------------------- COMMENT FROM JAMO... We turn now to Dave Pelz, former scientist, current proponent of the straight-back-straight-through putting stroke... ------------------------------------------------------- Pelz is not a "former" scientist. His whole short-game and putting technique regimen was developed from systematic analysis and observation of short-game behaviors, and ways to improve consistency. Pelz' full method is a bit much for me, but he is still a very active scientist of the technique of putting. ---------------------- MORE JAMO COMMENTS... Yes, proponents of the rule believe that anchoring a putter isn't a stroke. They must not be capable of rational thought! ---------------------- Lame comment, Jamo. It tarnished your otherwise interesting piece. Pelz never said they weren't capable of "rational thought." You implied his statement meant that, but it didn't. Anyway, being 62 years old, I support the anchored putting because it will extend the game for older players, including those who have a slight hand tremor, the physical component of the "yips." Note that I use a 33" putter which I stroke with the lead hand low - I tried longer putters and didn't get much from them. But, I know several senior golfers who like the longer anchored strokes - both for relief from the yips and back pain. If need be, I go with Gary Player and would accept some "bifurcation" in the rules of golf. The anchoring issue could better be handled as a "Conditions of Competition" issue rather than making it golf dogma.

By: MJK3122

MJK3122 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 23:05:58 +0000

I just recently went to a belly style putter and it does help me with putting. I don't mind the ruling BUT you can't tell me that a belly or long putter is that much of an advantage to a player. The hybrid, in my opinion was the single biggest advancement to the game. Yet it's okay for people to use them? I do think that bifurication is in order in golf. Like the hybrid, the long/belly putters help the common golfer. All PGA professionals should be able to play with any putter. I also think that PGA players should be able to hit a 2 iron and not a 2 hybrid.

By: chicagogolf

chicagogolf — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 23:51:00 +0000

dave pelz is a moron. anchored putters have nothing to do with who plays this game, who continues to play and who quits. i've been a poor putter my entire life and keep playing. i keep hoping one day i'll find the right stroke while still keeping my integrity. long putters also have nothing to with helping a bad back. if anything, i think belly putters hurt your back even more. i think the USGA took notice when a 14 year old qualified for the masters using a belly putter. what was once looked at as a last resort has now become the first choice. this is one thing the USGA got right. now let's eliminate light weight driver heads and shafts and bring back metal spikes.

By: boogielicious

boogielicious — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 20:13:19 +0000

Well written Jamo. I'm sure there will be a lot of griping, as there was for the groove rule change. No one talks about that now. But in the end, guys like Keegan are way too talented to be held back. He will be fine without it.

By: smoothswing

smoothswing — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 21:54:15 +0000

I agree completely.. Pelz IS a moron.