Anchored Putters Rules Change (Effective January 1, 2016)

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by mchepp

I should put my belly putters on eBay before they get banned and the price goes down!

Your putter isn't likely to be part of the ban, only how you use it.

[bplewis24]

Originally Posted by Fourputt

Your putter isn't likely to be part of the ban, only how you use it.

I'd pay large sums of money to see Adam Scott continue using his putter after any ban is implemented

[ejimsmith]

i use and enjoy a belly putter, i really hope i can keep using it through the next decade.  with that though, one thing i notice i do:  when i decide to putt out on a lag putt that's within 3-4 feet, i'll "anchor" the putter to my left forearm instead of my belly and make my stroke..   based on the predicted rules changes, would this still be legal?

thanks!

[newtogolf]

I think it's interesting the Mike Davis, the executive director of the USGA, referred to golf as a "game".  I guess that settles the dispute of whether golf is a game or sport.

[Dave2512]

Certainly not mutually exclusive considering I hear people refer to baseball, basketball, football etc. as a game as well as a sport.

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by newtogolf

I think it's interesting the Mike Davis, the executive director of the USGA, referred to golf as a "game".  I guess that settles the dispute of whether golf is a game or sport.

Not that it has anything to do with the topic, but football, basketball, baseball, hockey are all games too.  Being a game does not preclude an activity from being a sport as well.

[newtogolf]

I agree, but I'd expect someone from the USGA to refer to it as a sport, as sports seem to be taken more seriously than games.

Originally Posted by Fourputt

Not that it has anything to do with the topic, but football, basketball, baseball, hockey are all games too.  Being a game does not preclude an activity from being a sport as well.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by newtogolf

I agree, but I'd expect someone from the USGA to refer to it as a sport, as sports seem to be taken more seriously than games.

I guess none of the Olympic Games are sports either, eh?

Back on topic, please.

[mvmac]

Golf Channel is televising the anchoring ban at 8:30 ET/5:30 PT Wednesday morning. The two leaders of their respective governing bodies will be announcing the anchoring ban from Orlando

Originally Posted by ejimsmith

i use and enjoy a belly putter, i really hope i can keep using it through the next decade.  with that though, one thing i notice i do:  when i decide to putt out on a lag putt that's within 3-4 feet, i'll "anchor" the putter to my left forearm instead of my belly and make my stroke..   based on the predicted rules changes, would this still be legal?

thanks!

From what I've heard, yes, that will still be legal

[Beachcomber]

Originally Posted by mvmac

Golf Channel is televising the anchoring ban at 8:30 ET/5:30 PT Wednesday morning. The two leaders of their respective governing bodies will be announcing the anchoring ban from Orlando

I'll take a rain check and simply look for updates in this thread.... 5:30 AM is a little early for me!!

[iacas]

Watching it now. It's precisely what I thought it would be.

I will note that they have the word "intentionally," though I don't yet know how you can accidentally anchor a putter. I suppose if you have to choke up and punch out from under trees or something.

I don't believe it's specific to putters (though nobody's anchored their chips or tee shots or anything, so effectively, it is).

The Kuchar and Langer strokes are still allowed, but you cannot anchor the club, your hand, or your forearm to your body.

[Valleygolfer]

Finally we can move on and get rid of the "cheater sticks". HA! I can officially call them that now!

[RonTheSavage]

Good Riddance

[mvmac]

The joint USGA and R&A; press release...

THE R&A; AND USGA ANNOUNCE PROPOSED RULES CHANGE TO PROHIBIT USE OF ANCHORED STROKES

Rule Would Take Effect on January 1, 2016, Allowing for Transitional Period

Belly-Length and Long Putters Would Remain as Conforming Clubs

St Andrews, Scotland and Far Hills, N.J., USA (November 28, 2012) – The R&A; and the United States Golf Association (USGA), golf’s governing bodies, today announced proposed changes to the Rules of Golf that would prohibit anchoring the club in making a stroke.

The proposed Rule 14-1b, which follows an extensive review by The R&A; and the USGA, would prohibit strokes made with the club or a hand gripping the club held directly against the player’s body, or with a forearm held against the body to establish an anchor point that indirectly anchors the club.

The proposed new Rule would not alter current equipment rules and would allow the continued use of all conforming golf clubs, including belly-length and long putters, provided such clubs are not anchored during a stroke. The proposed Rule narrowly targets only a few types of strokes, while preserving a golfer’s ability to play a wide variety of strokes in his or her individual style.

Prior to taking a final decision on the proposed Rule, The R&A; and the USGA will consider any further comments and suggestions from throughout the golf community.

“We believe we have considered this issue from every angle but given the wide ranging interest in this subject we would like to give stakeholders in the game the opportunity to put forward any new matters for consideration,” said Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A.;

The proposed Rule change would take effect on January 1, 2016, in accordance with the regular four-year cycle for changes to the Rules of Golf. This timetable would also provide an extended period in which golfers may, if necessary, adapt their method of stroke to the requirements of the Rule.

For more information about the newly proposed Rule, as well as additional information including videos and images of strokes that would be allowed or prohibited by the proposed changes to Rule 14-1, visit www.RandA.org/anchoring or www.usga.org/anchoring.

NEW RULE WOULD DEFINE AND PRESERVE THE NATURE OF THE STROKE

In proposing the new Rule, The R&A; and the USGA concluded that the long-term interests of the game would be served by confirming a stroke as the swinging of the entire club at the ball.

“Throughout the 600-year history of golf, the essence of playing the game has been to grip the club with the hands and swing it freely at the ball,” said USGA Executive Director Mike Davis. “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.”

NEW RULE WOULD ADDRESS RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE GAME

This proposal reflects The R&A;’s and USGA’s responsibility to define how the game is to be played. Aspects of how a player must make a stroke have been addressed in past Rules changes, such as the century-old Rule codifying that the ball must be fairly struck and not be pushed, scraped or spooned and the 1968 prohibition on the “croquet” style of putting.

“As governing bodies, we monitor and evaluate playing practices and developments in golf, with our primary mandate being to ensure that the Rules of Golf continue to preserve the fundamental characteristics of the game,” added Davis.

Although anchoring the club is not new, until recently it was uncommon and typically seen as a method of last resort by a small number of players. In the last two years, however, more and more players have adopted the anchored stroke. Golf’s governing bodies have observed this upsurge at all levels of the game and noted that more coaches and players are advocating this method. The decision to act now is based on a strong desire to reverse this trend and to preserve the traditional golf stroke.

“Anchored strokes have become the preferred option for a growing number of players and this has caused us to review these strokes and their impact on the game,” said Dawson. “Our concern is that anchored strokes threaten to supplant traditional putting strokes which are integral to the longstanding character of the sport.”

REVIEW PROCESS AND TIMETABLE

Earlier this year, The R&A; and the USGA announced that they were reviewing the subject of anchoring. There has been widespread discussion of the issue throughout the international golf community which has been noted by the governing bodies.

Each organization is expected to take a final decision on the proposed Rule change in spring 2013. Anyone wishing to provide written comments to the appropriate governing body is encouraged to do so by February 28, 2013 as directed on the respective websites: www.RandA.org/anchoring or www.usga.org/anchoring.

[JetFan1983]

This is amazing. I cannot wait to see the effect on all pros currently using an anchored stroke out there, whether it be the day to day, or down the stretch of a major. If some can overcome it, that's awesome. If some cannot? Wow... that's going to be sad... but entertaining.

[Valleygolfer]

Damn.....4 years...

[inthehole]

Originally Posted by JetFan1983

This is amazing. I cannot wait to see the effect on all pros currently using an anchored stroke out there, whether it be the day to day, or down the stretch of a major. If some can overcome it, that's awesome. If some cannot? Wow... that's going to be sad... but entertaining.

I don't see it as a huge deal at the pro level ... all current pro's learned with a standard putter - it'll just be a matter of going back to what they used to do.     They will not like it (in fact, there will be much kicking and screaming), but as I've always said, this ruling makes us all HAVE to use the same tool for the job ... I give the USGA props - took guts to make this ruling for the betterment of the game.

I do wonder if any pro's will quit anchoring it as it will likely be perceived by many now as "cheating" , or if they will continue to use it anchored up until the bitter end in 3 years...

[bplewis24]

Originally Posted by Beachcomber

I'll take a rain check and simply look for updates in this thread.... 5:30 AM is a little early for me!!