Self-Standing Putters. Change of Mind Forced by Who?

[Rulesman]

A two-year delay of implementation in relation to certain uses of self-standing putters under Rule 10.2b(3) is in effect as follows:

- Until January 1, 2025, a player may use a self-standing putter by setting it down right behind or right next to the spot on which the ball came to rest to help aim or to take a stance or position their feet.

- From January 1, 2025, Rule 10.2b(3) will apply to self-standing putters and the acts described in the previous paragraph will no longer be allowed. But a player will still be allowed to use a self-standing putter that conforms to the Rules to make a stroke or take other actions allowed by the Rules. (Added December 2022)

10.2b(3) No Setting Down Object to Help with Aiming, Taking Stance or Swinging. A player must not set an object down to help with aiming or to help in taking a stance for the stroke to be made (such as a club set down on the ground to show where the player should aim or position their feet).

[iacas]

I'm not sure what you're asking - "change of mind forced by whom?" They want to make this a rule, but like they did with the groove rule, the anchored putting stroke rule, etc. they're phasing it out. So they're giving people two years to change it.

Some additional information:

https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/c42c7bf4-dca7-00ea-4f2e-373223f80f76/fc9320c2-b983-444d-a145-cc95731ba9b8/Additional Clarifications of the 2023 Rules of Golf - December 2022.pdf

Also:

On October 3, 2022, a communication was shared with manufacturers regarding changes to Rule 10.2b(3) of the Rules of Golf. This communication focused on how changes to Rule 10.2b(3) would apply to the use of self-standing putters.

Rule 10.2b(3) will go into effect on January 1, 2023, but, after further consideration by the USGA and The R&A, the implementation of Rule 10.2b(3) as it applies to certain uses of self-standing putters will be delayed for two years.

The delay of implementation does not change the language of Rule 10.2b(3), which will be effective on January 1, 2023.

As was previously advised in the October 3, 2022 communication, the changes to Rule 10.2b(3) apply only to the Rules of Golf, not the Equipment Rules. There is no change to the conformance status of any self-standing putters previously submitted to the USGA or The R&A for conformance evaluation

[Rulesman]

19 hours ago, iacas said:

I'm not sure what you're asking - "change of mind forced by whom?" They want to make this a rule, but like they did with the groove rule, the anchored putting stroke rule, etc. they're phasing it out. So they're giving people two years to change it.

Some additional information:

https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/c42c7bf4-dca7-00ea-4f2e-373223f80f76/fc9320c2-b983-444d-a145-cc95731ba9b8/Additional Clarifications of the 2023 Rules of Golf - December 2022.pdf

Also:

On October 3, 2022, a communication was shared with manufacturers regarding changes to Rule 

Rule 10.2b(3) will go into effect on January 1, 2023, but, after further consideration by the USGA and The R&A, the implementation of Rule 10.2b(3) as it applies to certain uses of self-standing putters will be delayed for two years.

 

Thanks. I hadn't seen or noticed the information in red but guess my question "Who?" suggests the manufacturers is the answer.