963 replies to this topic

[zakkozuchowski]

USGA, R&A propose anchor ban

By Zak Kozuchowski

GolfWRX Managing Editor

The USGA and R&A have proposed a change to the Rules of Golf that will prohibit the anchoring of a club in during all strokes, including during putting.
The proposed rule will fall under Rule 14-1b, and state:

In making a stroke, the player must not anchor the club, either “directly” or by use of an “anchor point.”

Note 1:  The club is anchored “directly” when the player intentionally holds the club or a gripping hand in contact with any part of his body, except that the player may hold the club or a gripping hand against a hand or forearm.

Note 2:  An “anchor point” exists when the player intentionally holds a forearm in contact with any part of his body to establish a gripping hand as a stable point around which the other hand may swing the club.

The new rule will not alter equipment rules, meaning all conforming equipment including belly and long putters will remain legal. But belly and long putters will not be allowed to be anchored to the body, with the exception of putting styles like Matt Kuchar's, who won The Players Championship while anchoring his putter grip alongside his left forearm.

“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.

Three of the last five major champions: Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson and Ernie Els have won using anchored putting styles that would be prohibited under the new rule. The rule is expected to be finalized in the spring and go into effect Jan. 1, 2016, after a 90-day comment period that will allow industry members to address concerns about the anchor rule.

“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.”

Below is a graphic from the USGA that illustrates the new rule.

[Cartrydge]

So they are saying I can't stick the putter in my mouth like the lady in the picture anymore?

[Socrates]

Nuts!  Back to the drawing board.  Why do I feel like Wylie Coyote all of a sudden?

[Vindog]

So nothing in the statement about statistical evidence?  That's perfectly okay, but I just want to be clear, that it's a subjective ruling and not a factual one, which again is their right.

[DNice26]

RIP the anchor method....

[ragweed10]

I don't understand why they are waiting till 2016 to be put in effect, this should be put in effect for 2014. I don't necessarily agree with the ban but waiting to go in effect just creates more problems and resentment on tour. Just like the Ping wedges did a year ago when some of the guys brought these back out, some other pro's called them cheaters for doing it.

[Socrates]

2016 Champions Tour Event

Now on the tee….

Chirp, Chirp, Chirp, Chirp…..

[Socrates]

All fun aside, I wonder if the Tours will put it into effect sooner to try and avoid any cheater stigma?

[arlingtonz]

Wait, you can still anchor it to your forearm? It is a good big step to removing the anchoring issue, but allowing the forearm rest still removes the potential of a pivot point in the wrist.

[Dillio187]

I don't use a long putter, but the USGA must be made up of politicians.  You'd think they'd concentrate on real issues in the game like pace of play and golf ball technology, not something like this which has no statistical evidence to back up.

[KYMAR]

ragweed10, on 28 November 2012 - 09:34 AM, said:

I don't understand why they are waiting till 2016 to be put in effect, this should be put in effect for 2014. I don't necessarily agree with the ban but waiting to go in effect just creates more problems and resentment on tour. Just like the Ping wedges did a year ago when some of the guys brought these back out, some other pro's called them cheaters for doing it.

They are on a 4 year rules cycle. The next rules change in that cycle is set for 2016. Make perfect sense.

[ptjn1201]

I guess this is the best they could come up with, but I'm glad I'm not the one who would rule on when forearms are allowed to touch the body and the grip of the club, versus when the forearms become an anchor point.  It's clear you can't jam the butt of the grip into your body with this rule, but I don't think the rest is clear-cut enough to make it workable.  It'll work on tour, but can you imagine the arguments at clubs about this?

[dcmidnight]

So you can jam your forearms into your side to create a stable base or you can lock your elbows onto your hip to create a stable base - or you can lock the putter onto your forearm to create a stable base.

But yeah, belly putting, that is definitely where we draw the line.

Like I said, I give Odyssey a week or two before they are designing Kuch-style putters for people. Hard to experiment sitting down at work but I could easily see a way of locking it into your forearm and creating a real stable stroke.

[J13]

Adios

[Vindog]

arlingtonz, on 28 November 2012 - 09:39 AM, said:

Wait, you can still anchor it to your forearm? It is a good big step to removing the anchoring issue, but allowing the forearm rest still removes the potential of a pivot point in the wrist.

No man...It's  all about the "free swing of the club"...

Edited by Vindog, 28 November 2012 - 09:45 AM.

[KILLEDBYASHANKEDWEDGE]

What were they thinking?????? Three more months we have to suffer countless threads about this?

[Vindog]

KILLEDBYASHANKEDWEDGE, on 28 November 2012 - 09:45 AM, said:

What were they thinking?????? Three more months we have to suffer countless threads about this?

I wish it were only 3 months...

[Socrates]

Vindog, on 28 November 2012 - 09:46 AM, said:

KILLEDBYASHANKEDWEDGE, on 28 November 2012 - 09:45 AM, said:

What were they thinking?????? Three more months we have to suffer countless threads about this?

I wish it were only 3 months...

Having dealt with their proposals before and their willingness to entertain comments and new information, I can tell you that the 3 months is just smoke.  They have already poured the cement and just waiting until it becomes concrete.  The 3 months is a joke.  They needed to put it into effect Jan 1, 2013.

[bobobs]

But what if my belly sticks out longer than my arms are long? I play with guys like this!  Or what if I have a really long chin?

[Socrates]

bobobs, on 28 November 2012 - 09:51 AM, said:

But what if my belly sticks out longer than my arms are long? I play with guys like this!  Or what if I have a really long chin?

A really fat Jay Leno.  Just great!!

[ragweed10]

KYMAR, on 28 November 2012 - 09:41 AM, said:

ragweed10, on 28 November 2012 - 09:34 AM, said:

I don't understand why they are waiting till 2016 to be put in effect, this should be put in effect for 2014. I don't necessarily agree with the ban but waiting to go in effect just creates more problems and resentment on tour. Just like the Ping wedges did a year ago when some of the guys brought these back out, some other pro's called them cheaters for doing it.

They are on a 4 year rules cycle. The next rules change in that cycle is set for 2016. Make perfect sense.

I guess this explains it, but is doesn't make sense to wait. All this will do is make resentment towards the guys that still use this method till then. Imagine the press conference on Saturday night of any major if the guy leading is using the anchored method. Media "Do you feel as if your cheating?" "Do you think there should be an exception next to your name if you win?"

[esketores]

I think they should have taken the ruling one step further and said the putter cannot be longer than the longest club in the bag. Why... a long putter gives an unfair advantage when taking a drop.

[fore_life]

Lol @ me for buying a belly putter last week. The hell with them I tell ya!

[Vindog]

Socrates, on 28 November 2012 - 09:53 AM, said:

bobobs, on 28 November 2012 - 09:51 AM, said:

But what if my belly sticks out longer than my arms are long? I play with guys like this!  Or what if I have a really long chin?

A really fat Jay Leno.  Just great!!

Awesome... lol

[Vindog]

esketores, on 28 November 2012 - 09:53 AM, said:

I think they should have taken the ruling one step further and said the putter cannot be longer than the longest club in the bag. Why... a long putter gives an unfair advantage when taking a drop.

I agree that length requirements should be consistent across the bag... although I honestly don't know how much of an advantage and extra 2 inches of drop space really is in a practical sense..

[tembolo1284]

I'm a happy camper.

[KYMAR]

ragweed10, on 28 November 2012 - 09:53 AM, said:

KYMAR, on 28 November 2012 - 09:41 AM, said:

ragweed10, on 28 November 2012 - 09:34 AM, said:

I don't understand why they are waiting till 2016 to be put in effect, this should be put in effect for 2014. I don't necessarily agree with the ban but waiting to go in effect just creates more problems and resentment on tour. Just like the Ping wedges did a year ago when some of the guys brought these back out, some other pro's called them cheaters for doing it.

They are on a 4 year rules cycle. The next rules change in that cycle is set for 2016. Make perfect sense.

I guess this explains it, but is doesn't make sense to wait. All this will do is make resentment towards the guys that still use this method till then. Imagine the press conference on Saturday night of any major if the guy leading is using the anchored method. Media "Do you feel as if your cheating?" "Do you think there should be an exception next to your name if you win?"

As much as I am for a an anchoring ban, I don't disagree with you here. I am not sure what the procedural hurdles are when it comes to just implementing a rule instantly. But it will be interesting to see the scenario you describe play out, should it happen.

[b0geyman]

Fellow USGA members: any support for a mass resignation unless they rescind this proposal? Let's pick a date.

And for the record I do not use an anchored putting stroke

[Vindog]

b0geyman, on 28 November 2012 - 09:59 AM, said:

Fellow USGA members: any support for a mass resignation unless they rescind this proposal? Let's pick a date.

And for the record I do not use an anchored putting stroke

What did your letter say.  They must have sent you one to smooth things over?

Standard procedure...

[scottvw13]

Interesting that the USGA has chosen to classify this as a "Proposed" ban.  The question is did they do this so they can truly listen to their membership reaction, or did they do it to placate the minority of they membership who might be opposed to the ruling?