Well golf fans it looks like the PGA Tour is finally going to break its silence concerning the proposed ban on anchored putters. With the clock running down on giving input to the USGA on the subject, the Tour is talking, and it doesn’t sound like the USGA and R&A are going to like what they have to say. This should be real interesting as it plays out over the next few years.
In this edition of HtL we start off investigating what the PGA Tour’s stance is on anchoring, then turn our attention to Obama and Tiger, and find out who doesn’t belong in the WGHOF. Also, we look at Spencer Levin’s year off, find out what Keegan sent out on Twitter, and do a wrap-up of the week’s events. Read on!
Hole 1: Opposing Force
The PGA Tour may oppose the USGA’s and R&A’s decision to ban anchoring the putter. [Link]
Hole 2: Powerful Foursome
Tiger joined President Obama for a little golf over the weekend. [Link]
Hole 3: You Don’t Belong!
Raymond Floyd is upset that the World Golf Hall of Fame is inducting those “Who don’t belong.” [Link]
Hole 4: Levin Out
Spencer Levin is out for the 2013 PGA Tour season after thumb surgery. [Link]
Hole 5: Fighting the Good Fight
Keegan Bradley tweeted a century old picture of a player using an anchored putter to show his disdain for the upcoming rule change. [Link]
Hole 6: Match Play
The WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship field is finalized. [Link]
Hole 7: Record Round
Stanford’s Mariah Stackhouse sets a new NCAA record low round with a blazing 61. [Link]
Hole 8: Wire to Wire
Bernhard Langer gets his 17th win and the Champions Tour. [Link]
Hole 9: Northern Trust Open
John Merrick becomes the first LA native to win the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club. [Link]
The R&A and the USGA need to do what is best for the integrity AND the growth of the game of golf.
First, the integrity part the argument against is.. In making a stroke, the player must not anchor the club, either “directly” or by use of an “anchor point.” Mike Davis, the executive director of the United States Golf Association has stated, “The player’s challenge is to control the movement of the entire club in striking the ball, and anchoring the club alters the nature of that challenge. Our conclusion is that the Rules of Golf should be amended to preserve the traditional character of the golf swing by eliminating the growing practice of anchoring the club.”
If you really want to talk integrity of the game, the R&A and USGA need to do more about how far the balls are going now. I have been golfing more than 50 years and today we have 460-cc drivers made of high tech alloys, graphite shafts, balls that go forever, and more technology in every clubhead than golfers could have dreamed of. The result is 350 yard drives and 150 yard pitching wedges. When I started playing, 250 yards was and excellent drive and 110 yards was a long pitching wedge.
For me, this is a very hard decision, but I would favor allowing the “belly putter.” More people will golf when they find it enjoyable, and having more options is definitely more enjoyable than having less. I have tried belly putting and currently have 3 different lengths in my basement, but none of them work as well as my 33″ putters. Personally, I don’t feel like my friends and golfing partners are “cheating” when they do anchor their putters.I have actually known people who have gotten the yips and gave up on golf until they tried the belly putter.
In conclusion, I will use an argument from about.com, “There is no emperical or other evidence justifying banning the long putter. The aforementioned governing bodies have once again failed to use any common sense. Year after year the governing bodies have failed to take action where it is needed, such as ‘free relief from divots in a fairway’ or ‘controlling ball distance’. Many other issues deserve rule modification to elements which inject pure luck into the game. The USGA allowed players and manufacturers to rely on the use of long putters for an unreasonable time, only to ban use without any evidence such is a danger to the game. “