Anchored Putters Rules Change (Effective January 1, 2016)

[Rulesman]

Originally Posted by newtogolf

Based on my limited insight to the rule change, it wasn't the USGA that pushed for the change, it was the R&A;, after Els won The Open.  According to the articles I've read, anchored putting is not as popular outside the US, and after seeing Ernie win their major the R&A; decided that they needed to ban anchoring before it became popular outside the US.  R&A; told the USGA of their intentions and gave them the option of joining in the decision or to have this affect only play outside the US.  USGA felt it would be confusing to have 2 sets of rules and joined with the R&A.;

Where on earth did you get this from?

This discussion has been on the Joint Rules Committee's agenda for some years.

[phan52]

Originally Posted by JerseyThursday

So, it took them 35 years to modify their definition of a stroke in regards to anchoring?

Then go on to make it more convoluted (made matters worse) by saying variations like this are somehow okay.

I don't see a problem. The club does not appear to be anchored in either instance.

[mvmac]

Originally Posted by JerseyThursday

Not that I don’t mind get pummeled from all sides on the merit of the ruling, but what’s the deal with the Arm Lock putter?

Its hard to tell from the photo but it just looks like a standard belly putter (in the 45 inch range) braced against the forearm (Kuchar style).

Is the grip somehow configured to rest more comfortably against the arm?

Yep.  Little more info here, and if you have any questions I can pass them along to our Callaway guys

http://thesandtrap.com/t/63451/odyssey-reacts-to-proposed-anchor-ban-with-metal-x-arm-lock-putters

[newtogolf]

It was initially discussed on Brian Katreks show on XM.  He was the one that mentioned after the Open he had received information from golf insiders that the R&A; was not happy with increased number of golfers using anchored putting and that they were going to consider the rule change in conjunction or independent of the USGA.

Quote:

Speaking in the wake of the South African’s victory at Royal Lytham, R&A; chief executive Peter Dawson suggested the sport’s governing bodies were poised to take definitive action in the interest of resolving the long-running controversy.

Reuters’ Tom Pilcher was on hand to collect the quotage :

“The situation is that the R&A; and the USGA do have this subject firmly back on the radar… I think you’re going to see us saying something about it one way or the other in a few months rather than years.”

Quote:

Jim MacArthur, chairman of the championship committee for the R&A;, said there were 27 long putters and 16 belly putters in the 156-man field at the Open. Dawson said the number of golfers using the long putter has dramatically increased from about 5 percent five years ago, although he did not notice an increase at the recent British Amateur.

"It hasn't yet backed its way all the way down the game, although the statistics would show -- and I've checked this with the manufacturers -- that at the club level or recreational level, they are much more used in the United States than they are anywhere else in the world," Dawson said.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rulesman
Where on earth did you get this from?

This discussion has been on the Joint Rules Committee's agenda for some years.

[meenman]

* sigh* And I'm sorry for lumping you into a group with Texian, since I know his posting history and you are nowhere near stooping to his level.  But I'm sure you will simply never see my point of view on this, so you can have the last word on it.

Aaaaah the old *divide and conquer* - not cool [quote name="newtogolf" url="/t/62766/anchored-putters-rules-change-was-decision-coming-soon/360#post_788801"]It was initially discussed on Brian Katreks show on XM.  He was the one that mentioned after the Open he had received information from golf insiders that the R&A; was not happy with increased number of golfers using anchored putting and that they were going to consider the rule change in conjunction or independent of the USGA.[/quote] So those damn euros are getting back at us for defeating them hundreds of years ago by imposing their will on us - now it all makes sense.

[Rulesman]

I think you have read more into the what the journalists have said and selectively quoted that what has actually been going on in the meeting rooms.

I has been simmering for some time but no doubt the Open was an opportunity to trigger someone turning the heat up.

It has been an informal topic among staffers and referees at R&A; events for a couple of seasons.

[newtogolf]

I'm not sure which part of my post you feel I've read too much into.  The quotes are selective in that they back up the points I made which is what you requested.  I did qualify the entire post by saying I had limited insight so I have no issue in being corrected if I've misunderstood what I heard and read.

Originally Posted by Rulesman

I think you have read more into the what the journalists have said and selectively quoted that what has actually been going on in the meeting rooms.

I has been simmering for some time but no doubt the Open was an opportunity to trigger someone turning the heat up.

It has been an informal topic among staffers and referees at R&A; events for a couple of seasons.

[Valleygolfer]

Quote:

We didn't run out of arguments. We presented arguments that no one could refute other than insightful comments like "I'll know it when I see it,." and "Uh, if you say so. It's about the stroke in my opinion."

The people (USGA and R&A;) imposing this change don’t seem to understand what it takes to propel a golf ball a short distance, as on a green.

You don’t have to “swing” at it. A “tap,” a “jab,” or a tiny movement that is no more than a “pivot” can move it the necessary distance on most putts.

You have to “swing” clubs other than the putter. If you tried a “pivot” movement with your driver, unless you have wrists like King Kong, the ball wouldn’t go 30 yards.

It makes you wonder if those USGA and R&A; people even play the game, or just spend their time sitting around making up arcane rules to make it more complicated.

Why can't you make a putt with a real putter?

[JerseyThursday]

Originally Posted by mvmac

Yep.  Little more info here, and if you have any questions I can pass them along to our Callaway guys

http://thesandtrap.com/t/63451/odyssey-reacts-to-proposed-anchor-ban-with-metal-x-arm-lock-putters

Thanks.
I can see that the hosel is unique and as rulesman said it has more loft than a traditional putter.
My one question: is the grip different in that the flat side is facing to the left to lay flat against the wrist? Is that even allowed?

[Rulesman]

The grip of a putter may be non-circular in cross section but must be symmetrical. There is no specification re orientation.

[notsohard]

seems like a lawsuit may be coming......

[iacas]

Originally Posted by notsohard

seems like a lawsuit may be coming......

Not a winnable one IMO. Not even one a reasonable judge shouldn't throw out of court.

[Valleygolfer]

Originally Posted by notsohard

seems like a lawsuit may be coming......

Idle threats...

[meenman]

Idle threats...

Somebody will sue - but it will be a waste of their time. Any chance of this being changed would have to come from someone coming up with an argument that the USGA hadnt thought of yet - also highly unlikely, but more likely that someone winning a lawsuit.

[bplewis24]

Originally Posted by notsohard

seems like a lawsuit may be coming......

Has anybody been quoted to that effect since word of the decision came out?

[David in FL]

Not a winnable one IMO. Not even one a reasonable judge shouldn't throw out of court.

True. But since when has that stopped anyone from trying in our overly litigious environment, We REALLY need a "loser pays" system in this country...

[JerseyThursday]

I was at my club today and 5 of us anchored putter users were on the putting green consoling each other and fiddling around with alternative methods that were going to be legal. The pro saw us and walked out to us saying: “I can guess what you guys are discussing.” He went on to tell us, that in his opinion, the easiest transition for anchored belly putters would be going to the Kuchar grip and the rule for that is the grip can press up against your left forearm but can't extend above your elbow.
We all had typical belly putters so it didn’t work perfectly (the loft hadn’t been added to accommodate for the forward tilt and the flat side of the grip was facing forward), but I really like the way it felt. I played 9 holes and again it felt really good.
Point being, I can see why Odyssey is developing the “arm-lock” putter and I can see a lot of  people switching to this method when the time comes.

[turtleback]

Originally Posted by JerseyThursday

I like how you edited out my key point: the governing boards are doing away with it without one shred of numerical statistics that proved it gave an advantage to user.

They were trying to solve a problem that never was a problem.

Maybe because the basis of the rule was NOT that anchored putting provides an advantage.  If someone could demonstrate that pool cue putting dies not provide an advantage would that be an argument for allowing it?

And, as an aside, if it doesn't provide YOU with an advantage why do you use it?