22 Comments

1. 

   Brad

   Jul 5, 2013 at 7:45 pm

   It’s very simple…the whole point of the game of golf is to not “ANCHOR” any club….Right!?? Why is anyone confused on why they are banning the “ANCHORED” putter when it is an obvious loop hole for those who are to weak to putt like it was intended. As much as we think golf should change it’s not going to…there is no reason to change something that is as glorious as time itself. ~Play it as it lies~

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   • 

     Steff

     Jul 6, 2013 at 4:45 pm

     I thought the point of golf was to get the ball in the hole……

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2. 

   Rich

   Jul 4, 2013 at 4:16 am

   I think it was hard for the Pros to decide to bite the hand that feeds them and the spending of their money to pay legal feeds!

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3. 

   Andy Elliot

   Jul 3, 2013 at 10:09 pm

   Personally, I don’t see where folks are finding evidence that it is advantageous to us an anchored putter. I went to a belly for a year and putted marginally better, then went back to short and have putted considerably better than with the belly and have had better feel on long lag putts. All most likely due to technique not equipment. It’s a shame the governing bodies let it get so deeply ingrained before addressing it. It has surfaced bitterness among some short putters who feel they have been unfairly beaten by their anchoring buddies and disappointment among those who found new confidence and enjoyment with anchoring.

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4. 

   RCM1301

   Jul 3, 2013 at 10:21 am

   Ridiculous! So what’s next to ban? Jim Furyk’s swing? In my eyes that surely is not in the “tradition” and “spirit” of the game – it is eye soring.

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5. 

   chris franklin

   Jul 3, 2013 at 5:54 am

   Which planet do you live on if you think that bifurcation is not already a reality?
   Tour professionals do not play to the same rules of golf as amateurs.
   As for tradition and spirit being ‘nebulous concepts’that may be true of the professional game where players are too ill mannered to remove a cap when shaking hands but is not the case amongst amateurs who make an effort to show respect and courtesy.
   If pro golf ended tomorrow the effect on the majority of golfers would be ZERO,as an apparent pro golf fanboy you attach too much importance to the affairs of the overpaid few.

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6. 

   Marc

   Jul 2, 2013 at 11:46 pm

   It is currently allowed so cannot be referred to as cheating. I do believe that the anchor will not benefit better putters, but those that have a challenge controlling their arms, push/pull, etc. Tiger has stated he has tried it and putts horribly with it. Partially, because he controls his motion as good or better than anyone. I also find it ugly to look at. However, I play a lot at various courses and have only seen one person using one. IMO, anchoring does go against the spirit of the game, but it has been around forever and they should have taken action earlier.

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7. 

   John Gates

   Jul 2, 2013 at 10:31 pm

   The reason they banned it was because Tiger Woods complained, plain and simple. Money talks.

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   • 

     RCM1301

     Jul 3, 2013 at 10:22 am

     Spot on.

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     • 

       John Gates

       Jul 4, 2013 at 4:12 am

       thank you

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8. 

   billy bob

   Jul 2, 2013 at 9:45 pm

   PGA Tour just isnt big enough to go against the ban by themselves so it was an obvious out come.

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9. 

   dapadre

   Jul 2, 2013 at 7:03 am

   Good judgement. It would have been bad for the game if the PGA had ruled otherwise. The players that may litigate will eventually lose, as well as the game itself and the only ones to win will be lawyers. The governing bodies have the right to amend the rules as they see fit in the spirit of the game (baring exemptions given ie medical as in Tim Clark’s situation if given). But in someways, I do feel the goofed this up. Im totally against belly putting as I do think it gives an advantage. The argument that if it were an advantage everyone would do it bears no creadance. Its like saying every sporter that takes steroids will perform well, NOT TRUE, but yet its banned. They should have banned this earlier as it does seem to suggest that because many BP’s have won most recent majors (4 majors since 2011) its been targetted.

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   • 

     steff

     Jul 2, 2013 at 7:42 am

     “The argument that if it were an advantage everyone would do it bears no creadance. Its like saying every sporter that takes steroids will perform well, NOT TRUE, but yet its banned”

     You could not be more wrong! We are talking about a sport were every shot counts and the margin between winning and coming second is super thin. Every player on tour has tried a long putter. And if they feel that it will improve their game they will put it in their bag. Its as easy as that. And the example with steroids is just stupid! You can die and seriously damage your health from steroids and thats not the case with the long putter.

     Grow up and mind your own business instead!

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     • 

       dapadre

       Jul 2, 2013 at 10:22 am

       Steff, judging by the tone of you response, I think the citation of growing up would suit you best, but thats a different argument and I wont stoop to that level. Thats one reason I play golf, its one of the remaining sports where respect still holds true.

       Secondly, I wasnt aware that it was not my business, but would you be so kind as to inform the rest of us why its ONLY YOURS?

       This has nothing to do with margins, as in track and fields fractions of seconds count. Steroids when done under medical supervision has limited risks, you can check past users. Every player on the tour has NOT tried it and those that had didnt use it for all reasons ( look, feel etc) BUT that doesnt mean their is not an advantage. Also the spirit of the game is NOT to anchor the putter, period.

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       • 

         Bryan

         Jul 2, 2013 at 11:30 am

         Dapadre, “…and I wont stoop to that level.” Just by typing that you did, in fact, stoop to that level. Next time try to show some of that respect that you said you love in golf, period.

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         • 

           Steff

           Jul 2, 2013 at 6:01 pm

           dapadre, you are comparing something that is cheating with something thats not! And you will never be able to cheat with a belly putter because, well its obvious….everybody can se if you are using one after 2016.

           To call anchoring cheating you will atleast need some statistical evidence to proov it. And what I know there is´nt any!

           And regarding whos business it is to complain and whine about what others do… Well thats no ones business.

           I will gladly let everyone using an anchored putting stroke continue to use one and spend my time getting better at golf instead and I suggest you do the same!

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     • 

       golfnazi

       Jul 5, 2013 at 1:36 am

       I agree with you.Look where banning gets us in government.Innovation , Individualism, natural progression and imagination is squashed.I loathe traditionalists that rob everyone else of their freedom of expression.

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   • 

     ssf

     Jul 2, 2013 at 4:21 pm

     There are valid arguments for the USGA to ban the anchored putter, but the anchored putter conferring an advantage is not one of them. The statistics since it’s use show this and the USGA already admits that they don’t have any data to substantiate that the anchored putter confers an advantage. The reason that the USGA gives for banning the anchored putter is that they don’t believe that this technique constitutes as a “golf swing” in the spirit of golf. Personally, I think that aesthetics is the other reason which they won’t admit to.

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   • 

     RCM1301

     Jul 3, 2013 at 10:35 am

     Comparing anchored putter to steriods? Not very bright!

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10. 

    esketores

    Jul 2, 2013 at 6:50 am

    Bad headline… It was “anchored putting” that was banned.

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11. 

    Mateo

    Jul 2, 2013 at 12:53 am

    Finally!!! Bench those cheating sticks people!!!!!!

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12. 

    Jnradioactive

    Jul 1, 2013 at 9:45 pm

    WooHoo!!!

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