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Anchored putters...no decision yet


TN94z
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in an article on Golf Digest , it seems there were rumors that Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews were going to make a rules announcement concerning anchored putters and belly putters.  I had not heard any of the rumors but apparently they were initiated by comments on the Teed Off show on PGA Tour Sirius XM Radio yesterday.

Quote:
In an e-mail this morning, David Rickman, Executive Director - Rules and Equipment Standards at the R&A;, said, "I don't know what reports are circulating, but the final decision rests with the Rules committees of The R&A; and USGA and, therefore, I wouldn't believe any reports from elsewhere. No decision has yet been made on this matter." Rickman noted that the R&A; released a statement in April in which Chief Executive Peter Dawson said, "We appreciate that this is a complex and emotive issue that divides opinion. Any decision will be made with the best interests of the game in mind and introduced only after a lengthy period of notice."


And it doesn't sound like the rules, if they were changed, would be go into effect within the next couple of years.

Quote:
Davis was clear that were there to be a decision on belly or long putting, it would not be an equipment rule but a rule looking at the stroke itself. As such, he said, it would not go into effect until the next formal revision of the Rules of Golf, which go into effect in 2016. It is believed that such a change would likely be preceded by a lengthy period alerting players of the change. In other words, it seems certainly possible that golf's ruling bodies could make an announcement two or even three years before a rule would go into effect.

Quote:
"It really boils down to whether we believe this is the right thing for the future of the game."

What do you think?  Good for the future of the game or no?

Bryan A
"Your desire to change must be greater than your desire to stay the same"

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Apart from the possible advantage gained in measuring, there is no convincing published evidence that says they make any difference. A good or bad putter is the man who holds it.

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Apart from the possible advantage gained in measuring, there is no convincing published evidence that says they make any difference. A good or bad putter is the man who holds it.

Many people feel there's more to it than that. And though they may not be advantageous as a whole, the player obviously feels that they're advantageous to them or they wouldn't use them. Most belly putters are much shorter than a driver, too, so the "measuring advantage" is not really a legitimate claim.

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Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
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I have not ever seen any data that says a long putter is an advantage or not.  But by allowing a player to anchor the top of the club to their body they do eliminate one variable in the swing.  It would seem logical that this is an advantage over a shorter putter where both end of the club are free to move.

Butch

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Originally Posted by ghalfaire

I have not ever seen any data that says a long putter is an advantage or not.  But by allowing a player to anchor the top of the club to their body they do eliminate one variable in the swing.  It would seem logical that this is an advantage over a shorter putter where both end of the club are free to move.

As that press release said, this is the issue.  It's not the equipment, but how the equipment is used which is being examined.  There was one player in the US Open (Hossler????) who was using a belly style putter, but making a normal stroke with it, i.e. not anchoring it to his body.  The ruling bodies have no issue with that.

Rick

"He who has the fastest cart will never have a bad lie."

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As that press release said, this is the issue.  It's not the equipment, but how the equipment is used which is being examined.  There was one player in the US Open (Hossler????) who was using a belly style putter, but making a normal stroke with it, i.e. not anchoring it to his body.  The ruling bodies have no issue with that.

They also have no issues, currently, with belly putters stuck in your belly or long putters held to your chin, chest, etc.

Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • AuthorLowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

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Originally Posted by socks and shoes

Although it may be advantage, it is an advantage everyone could use. If it clearly was better every pro would use a belly or long putter.

So is the croquet style stroke, and that was outlawed.  Just because it's something everyone could use, that doesn't necessarily make it proper or favorable to the game.  You could basically make that same statement for virtually any rule change you wanted to apply, but that wouldn't make it good for the game.

Rick

"He who has the fastest cart will never have a bad lie."

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I am not really sure why people are so adamant about this subject, its almost as bad as the democrats vs. Republicans. I have used a belly putter for about a year now and I actually had a stranger walk up to me a week or two after I got mine and call me a cheater for using it. One of the belly haters out there will have to explain to me their hatred for this club. There is absolutely no data available that says it improves putting over conventional methods. I guarantee cavity backed irons, graphite shafts, and 460cc driver heads have done much more to lower scores in general than belly putters ever did.

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Originally Posted by NM Golf

I am not really sure why people are so adamant about this subject, its almost as bad as the democrats vs. Republicans. I have used a belly putter for about a year now and I actually had a stranger walk up to me a week or two after I got mine and call me a cheater for using it. One of the belly haters out there will have to explain to me their hatred for this club. There is absolutely no data available that says it improves putting over conventional methods. I guarantee cavity backed irons, graphite shafts, and 460cc driver heads have done much more to lower scores in general than belly putters ever did.


A lot of people feel that by anchoring the club to your body, it eliminates some of the technique and skill from putting.  I personally think that belly putters should be outlawed because they do make putting easier.  If they didnt, you wouldnt see tour pros using them and you wouldnt see so much dominance by long/belly putters on the PGA Tour lately.

That doesnt mean that your average weekend golfer cant still use one, you just cant use one in tournaments.

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What a novel idea!

AT LAST!!!!!!
An opportunity for people to  say what they think about long putters.

I have to say I've been waiting along time....never thought it would happen.

And.....as if they were going to make an announcement at the U.S. Open and take attention away from the tournament and place it on the users of long putters.

If ever there was a "rumour"that was so obviously crap, that was it.

In the race of life, always back self-interest. At least you know it's trying.

 

 

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Originally Posted by iacas

And though they may not be advantageous as a whole, the player obviously feels that they're advantageous to them or they wouldn't use them.

Does the same apply to people who choose Adams rather than Cobra?

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Originally Posted by Rulesman

Does the same apply to people who choose Adams rather than Cobra?

Long putters aren't a brand. But you knew that.

Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • AuthorLowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

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Originally Posted by NM Golf

I am not really sure why people are so adamant about this subject, its almost as bad as the democrats vs. Republicans. I have used a belly putter for about a year now and I actually had a stranger walk up to me a week or two after I got mine and call me a cheater for using it. One of the belly haters out there will have to explain to me their hatred for this club. There is absolutely no data available that says it improves putting over conventional methods. I guarantee cavity backed irons, graphite shafts, and 460cc driver heads have done much more to lower scores in general than belly putters ever did.

Simple... it eliminates at least one variable in the putting stroke - it helps guide the hands back and through on the same arc.  In doing so it reduces the skill needed to make a good putt.

Rick

"He who has the fastest cart will never have a bad lie."

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Does the same apply to people who choose Adams rather than Cobra?   ;-)

Sure, some clubs from one model might benefit a player over clubs from another model. But the scale is way off for that comparison. Irons, drivers, etc, have detailed specs they have to conform to. Ultimately any difference between clubs comes down to using the clubs the same way while getting a different experience from them. But anchored putters change how the club is actually used, which is very different. That's really the crux of the complaint against anchored putters: That they change a fundamental manner in which the putter is used.

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Originally Posted by Fourputt

Simple... it eliminates at least one variable in the putting stroke - it helps guide the hands back and through on the same arc.  In doing so it reduces the skill needed to make a good putt.


Sorry, I don't buy this. If it really reduced the skill necessary to make a good putt why would anyone use anything else?

Danny    In my :ping: Hoofer Tour golf bag on my :clicgear: 8.0 Cart

Driver:   :pxg: 0311 Gen 5  X-Stiff.                        Irons:  :callaway: 4-PW APEX TCB Irons 
3 Wood: :callaway: Mavrik SZ Rogue X-Stiff                            Nippon Pro Modus 130 X-Stiff
3 Hybrid: :callaway: Mavrik Pro KBS Tour Proto X   Wedges: :vokey:  50°, 54°, 60° 
Putter: :odyssey:  2-Ball Ten Arm Lock        Ball: :titleist: ProV 1

 

 

 

 

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Im by no means a traditionalist or anything and I havent read enough on this subject but if I had to answer now I would say get rid of the darn thing. I still think it's possible to grow the game without the anchored putters. Besides, using it on tour seems bush league to me. Just one man's opinion

Ron :nike: GOLF Embracing my Angry Black Male :mad:

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Originally Posted by NM Golf

Sorry, I don't buy this. If it really reduced the skill necessary to make a good putt why would anyone use anything else?

Personally I think it looks dorky.  I learned to putt well with a normal putter and if I can do it anyone can.  I'm about as athletic as a chubby Barney Fife.

And if you haven't seen the trend on the Tours then you aren't watching.  Those guys wouldn't be changing if they didn't see an advantage to be gained.  You use it, so of course you are going to defend it.

Rick

"He who has the fastest cart will never have a bad lie."

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