287 replies to this topic

[Rock Chalk Jayhawk]

Please leave your reasoning for your choice. I am referring to the technique of anchoring, NOT the equipment. I don't think golfers care about putter length, the argument boils down to whether or not ANCHORING the putter should be legal or not.

Edited by Rock Chalk Jayhawk, 16 November 2012 - 11:37 PM.

[Rock Chalk Jayhawk]

I believe that ANCHORING a club against in body in a location other than your hands is in conflict with the intent and spirit of the rules of Golf. I have no fault with the length of putters, granted the club rests solely in the hands and does not rest upon any other part of the body.

Edited by Rock Chalk Jayhawk, 16 November 2012 - 11:38 PM.

[rvgolfer]

It's just too late to ban anchoring.  Were it going to be done, it should have happened long ago.

[Birddog2]

Rock Chalk Jayhawk, on 01 November 2012 - 07:47 PM, said:

I believe that anchoring a club against in body in a location other than your hands is in conflict with the intent and spirit of the rules of Golf.

+1

[brew4eagle]

I just plain don't like watching people putt with them-  ban 'em.

[Thrillhouse]

I don't think they offer any advantage, but banning them would get rid of all the rabble about them which I've been hearing since the 90's about the long putter.

So I say ban them, people will adjust.

[farmer]

The problem with rules is that they have to be interpreted and enforced.  This will be complicated and not worth the time and effort.  Tempest in a teacup when there are more pressing issues.

[JJGolo]

Judging break and speed is hard whetherbu anchor or not. Anchoring seems to be a minor, if any, benefit. However, the distance the ball is hit is the real difference maker, that's where the focus of banning or controlling should be aimed.

[dlam]

R&A and USGA get ready for class action from guys on the tour that use long putters for their livihood

[Guia]

I think that if the putter is anchored then it is not a stroke.  I say ban.  

However, just like the banning square grooves, I don't think it will make any difference in play or
scores.

[DFinch]

I thought they should have been banned when they first started gaining popularity on the senior tour, but for some reason nobody cared.  They grew in popularity on the regular tour over time and it still didn't get much attention.  Now, an entire generation has grown up using only the long putters and suddenly we have a controversy because the young guns are winning with them.

Meanwhile, they continue to ignore the impact of the ball on the game.  First the grooves, which have had zero impact on scoring.  Next the putters, which will have an impact on a select few.  

I just don't understand why or how they let it get this far down the road.  You can't putt croquet style between your feet but for the last 25 years or so that this has been growing in popularity it made sense to allow anchoring?

I feel for the guys who may see a significant impact on their ability to make a living.  It's been horribly mismanaged and I'm very torn on my opinion based because of that mismanagement.

[Rock Chalk Jayhawk]

dlam, on 01 November 2012 - 10:04 PM, said:

R&A and USGA get ready for class action from guys on the tour that use long putters for their livihood

What standing do professional golfers have to sue the USGA and R&A?  These organizations are free to set up rules as they see fit.

[zack175]

There might not be a rule against anchoring, but there is a rule against using equipment in an unusual way that it was not meant to be used in.
In practice it may or may not matter but under pressure taking your wrists out of the equation is a HUGE advantage.

I know everyone can use them right now, but the people that choose not to probably believe they would be breaking the rules of the game, and the people who use it are taking advantage of a rule loophole that was Looked over for the mercy of people with back problems so they could still play in official events, because it helped them not having to practice putting hunched over for long periods.
The competitive nature of our great game has caused some of us to take advantage of a mercy loophole
BAN THEM
Sorry for being long winded, I feel strongly about this

[zack175]

Lol I think pros should sue the USGA and R&A for them banning square grooves bc pros had been using square grooves their whole life and needed more spin for their livelihood!

NOT

[OldGolfer87]

I have a hard time seeing why all the hoopla now when these putters have been around for something like 30 years , but now they are seen as a implement of cheating , it just does not make sense , i am not in favor of lawsuits to solve problems but i hope if the rule changes about the longer length putters/anchoring that Keegan Bradley and Carl Petterson sue the asses right off the USGA , enough already, those players by their use  of anchoring a longer putter is a damn side less detremental to the game of golf than a rules official using a slow motion frame by frame tv camera to interpret whether or not a leaf moved in a hazard to access a penalty that could not be determined by the naked eye  ,now that is not in the spirit of the game

[IMAGOLFER]

I think it's absolutely ridiculous to try and ban them. I remember 5 years ago when all the belly putters we had in the shop just sat there collecting dust. We couldn't give them away. No one had a problem with them then. All of a sudden a couple guys win with them and we should ban them?

[Spennyo33]

Watch what Jackie Burke says around 1:10. Interesting view on anchoring of putters.

[mcmski]

I think the ruling should be similar to the groove rules. Legal for amateurs and casual play not allowed in professional competition.

[poizster]

The USGA should still be in timeout for the groove debacle, not making decisions on how to further hurt the game.

[dubbie]

That horse has left the barn IMHO.

[Stretch]

No. Since no one has been able to demonstrate that long putters disadvantage the players who aren't using them, there's absolutely no logical justification for screwing over the players who are.

[Neurotica]

Rock Chalk Jayhawk, on 01 November 2012 - 07:47 PM, said:

I believe that anchoring a club against in body in a location other than your hands is in conflict with the intent and spirit of the rules of Golf.

This^^^

[atlanta golfer]

They should not be banned because they have been around for decades, offer no general advantage, and I've got one and like it!

[tembolo1284]

don't ban the club, ban the technique. Even Yao Ming likes golf...you can't expect the poor chap to play with a 35 inch putter.

[Scotty1140]

Rock Chalk Jayhawk, on 01 November 2012 - 07:47 PM, said:

I believe that anchoring a club against in body in a location other than your hands is in conflict with the intent and spirit of the rules of Golf.

At the professional level, I completely agree. At the amatuer level, I'm fine with it.

Problem is, if the USGA and R&A band their use, things are going to get messy. I'd imagine players who use them to react strongly. Personally, I think the technological advances to things like how far the golf ball goes, driver technology etc, are more pressing issues. The USGA missed their opportunity to quietly band anchored putters before this recent explosion in popularity.

[Scotty1140]

tembolo1284, on 02 November 2012 - 08:11 AM, said:

don't ban the club, ban the technique. Even Yao Ming likes golf...you can't expect the poor chap to play with a 35 inch putter.

Wasn't DL3 recently using a belly putter, but NOT anchoring it to his body?

Edited by Scotty1140, 02 November 2012 - 09:30 AM.

[OspreyCI]

IMAGOLFER, on 01 November 2012 - 11:44 PM, said:

I think it's absolutely ridiculous to try and ban them. I remember 5 years ago when all the belly putters we had in the shop just sat there collecting dust. We couldn't give them away. No one had a problem with them then. All of a sudden a couple guys win with them and we should ban them?

Exactly.

This game is hard enough, let players choose the equipment they want to play. If it's such an advantage why isn't everyone using them?

[Tarkata]

at the tour levels, I just think that using a club which is attached to your body directly is wrong and against the gist of golf.
at the hacker level, I have no issue whatsoever with people using them...sort of the 'cat's outta the bag' on that...that's just my opinion...I wouldn't be against a phase out like they did with the grooves...

really, they should put a limit on the tour golf balls and/or the COI on all clubs....hitting 3 woods 320 yards and a 3 iron 295 is destroying the courses...why make all courses lay down to technology is short sighted by the people who govern the game...600 yard par 4s anyone? what is the point?

I am sure I am in the minority....

Edited by Tarkata, 02 November 2012 - 10:42 AM.

[nbg352]

The anchored stroke has been around long enough to have earned grandfathered status. It should not be banned. People wouldl get used to it should it's use be once  again affirmed by the governing bodies.
There are so many much newer innovations and equipment changes that I would prefer to see addressed, way ahead of anchoring a putter.

[birdyking99]

Rock Chalk Jayhawk, on 01 November 2012 - 10:22 PM, said:

dlam, on 01 November 2012 - 10:04 PM, said:

R&A and USGA get ready for class action from guys on the tour that use long putters for their livihood

What standing do professional golfers have to sue the USGA and R&A?  These organizations are free to set up rules as they see fit.

+1...i am in agreement with this and anyone that signs up to follow this class action lawsuit is showing the dependency they need to survive on tour.    They are contractors and have to deal with the governing bodies making the rules of the game.   Can I do a class action against my company because they are making me use a Windows PC vs. an Apple?   I am making a living just like they are.       They need to start practicing with a different style now and be prepared instead of wasting time and money chasing a class action suit.