Tour News
Anchored putter ban goes through
The clock is ticking for anchored putter users.
The USGA and R&A have ruled that rule 14-1B, the ban on anchored putters, will go into effect Jan. 1, 2016.
The new rule was proposed on Nov. 28, and faced considerable push back from PGA Tour players, the PGA of America and Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem. It states that golfers will no longer be able to anchor the butt end of a club to their body.
“Rule 14-1b protects one of the important challenges in the game — the free swing of the entire club,” said Glen Nager, president of the USGA, in prepared remarks. “The traditional stroke involves swinging the club with both the club and gripping hands held away from the body, requiring the player to direct and control the movement of the entire club.
“Anchoring is different: intentionally securing one end of the club against the body, and creating a point of physical attachment around which the club is swung, is a substantial departure form that traditional free swing.”
Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson, Ernie Els and Adam Scott, who have won four of the last six major championships, have all used the anchored putting stroke in their victories.
Here is a graph that explains the rule more clearly.
You can click the images to enlarge
Click here to read more about the ban.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
GolfWRX is on site this week in McKinney, Texas, at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson (FKA the AT&T Byron Nelson).
Last year at TPC Craig Ranch, Jason Day ended a five-year winless streak. J-Day is in the field again, as are Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, and Will Zalatoris.
We have our usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums for your perusal. As always, we’ll continue to add links to additional albums as they make their way to us from the Lone Star State.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Pierceson Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kris Kim – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- David Nyfjall – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Jarred Jetter – North Texas PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Richy Werenski – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Wesley Bryan – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Parker Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Peter Kuest – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Blaine Hale, Jr. – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kelly Kraft – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Rico Hoey – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- Adam Scott’s 2 new custom L.A.B. Golf putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Scotty Cameron putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Ben Griffin playing Maxfli golf ball
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage
GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.
We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.
We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.
Check out links to all our photos, below.
General Albums
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #2
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Justin Thomas – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Rose – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Chandler Phillips – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Nick Dunlap – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Thomas Detry – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Austin Eckroat – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Jason Day – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Will Zalatoris – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Patrick Cantlay – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Ludvig Aberg – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Collin Morikawa – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Sam Burns – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Stephen Jaeger – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
Pullout Albums
- Wyndham Clark’s Odyssey putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- JT’s new Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Thomas testing new Titleist 2 wood – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey putter with triple track alignment aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Scotty Cameron The Blk Box putting alignment aid/training aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey Ai One Eleven T putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Christian Bezuidenhout – testing new Callaway Ti 340 mini driver – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele testing the Callaway Ti 340 mini driver & the DUW – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Byeong Hun An, two new L.A.B. Golf putter builds with “T” alignment – 2024 RBC Heritage
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
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cesar castorena
May 21, 2013 at 10:30 pm
best thing to happen to pro golf, anchoring is cheating i want to see if Adam Scott ever wins again, they should make the rule to be effective tomorrow thank you USGA.
christian
May 22, 2013 at 9:38 pm
I agree, It’s ugly, an abomination. A crutch for people with the yips. Gives an unfair, totally unfair actually, advantage when it comes to taking a drop. Good riddance.
Randall
May 21, 2013 at 9:19 pm
Why wait 2.5 years before put in effect?
billy bob
May 21, 2013 at 7:43 pm
Glad they banned this……. bet adam scott NEVER wins another major and say goodbye to Webb Simpson (thankfully)
Mike
May 21, 2013 at 6:10 pm
Looking at that photo of Adam Scott makes me think this rule is impossible to police. Is Adam’s left hand touching his body in a way that is illegal (e.g. Anchor point created by forearm)? It looks like his left forearm is away from his body so how do you decide if the broomstick is illegal?
I putt poorly using a conventional technique so this rule doesn’t impact my poor play but it’s a giant waste of time. Remember the old slogan ‘these guys are good.’ I bet Keegan will be able to change his putting style without too much difficulty.
christian
May 22, 2013 at 9:35 pm
This is golf, if Adam Scott were to continue using the same stroke and claim “it can’t be policed” he would be demonished. Plus, we are supposed to call rule infractions on to ourselves, did you forget that part about being a golfer?
So Adam, who seems to be very much a “follow the rules guy” would never EVER stoop so low and bring chicanery and cheating into the game claiming it can’t be policed and go “catch me if you can ha ha ha”…
Troy Vayanos
May 21, 2013 at 4:46 pm
It’s little too late for this rule change, it’s been in play for over 30 years. Many professionals have grown up playing the game with a anchored type of stroke because it was legal and now they’re changing it.
Can’t understand it?
G
May 21, 2013 at 9:12 pm
14-club rule came in 1939. Do you think that was too late, what about all the golf that was played before 1939? Bobby Jones’ record, the Tom Morrises? What about them?
Then the stymie was abolished in 1952. Was that too late? Or was that for the good of the game, or did the game CHANGE completely at that point, since low-scoring became the norm, rather than beating your opponent somehow with previous rules?
It’s never too late to change the rules for the better.
G
May 22, 2013 at 11:12 am
No reply? Thought so.
JD
May 22, 2013 at 8:50 pm
More than 14 clubs and some of the creativity of the game is lost….the stymie is not in keeping with the sportsmanship that is ingrained in the game….removing anchoring doesn’t enhance anything. If you think it’s wrong, than let me ask you how your 460cc driver, juiced ball, and laser range finder are working for you?
G
May 23, 2013 at 3:24 am
Obviously you don’t get it.
Vic D
Jun 12, 2013 at 1:30 pm
yeah you dont get it. anchoring could start to flow into chipping or even a real swing. Can you imagine golf with an anchored driver swing??? No, it’s not the way a club should be swung in any fashion….period
Woodie
May 21, 2013 at 4:19 pm
That is a joke. Anchoring was allowed for decades… Sam Torrance was one of the first in the 80/90s, Bernhard Langer followed in the mid 90s.
And now it is gonna be illegal?
Paul
May 21, 2013 at 4:10 pm
I don’t use a long style putter but think it’s a rediculous rule against them. To be effective with any putter one must roll the ball on the correct line – at the right speed to make the putt.
Matthew
May 21, 2013 at 4:12 pm
Have you ever tried using an anchored putter? you never miss your line…
Al.J
May 21, 2013 at 11:04 pm
That’s not true about never missing your line! Putts can still be pushed or pulled with an anchored putter just as easy. Still requires making a good stroke along with proper speed. If you never missed your line the guys using the anchored putters would be winning every tourney with no more than 18 putts per round.
Barry
May 21, 2013 at 1:54 pm
Kuchar’s method is still allowed because he isn’t “locking” the end of his club to a part of his body. There is a world of difference between swinging a free floating club and swinging a club with a fixed point like a pendulum.
Steven
May 21, 2013 at 3:32 pm
Right – the end of his club is not fixed against any part of his body.
Reqq
May 21, 2013 at 4:21 pm
yes but his arm is moving.. while other anchor points does not..
but ye im not sure myself what to think about kuchars way of putting.. think i need to try it myself before i can say anything about that..
about the rule itself, i think its good!
JKratz
May 21, 2013 at 1:19 pm
The rules of golf continue their war on common sense. Any technique or piece of equipment available to every player offers no advantage over another. If your argument is protecting the integrity of the game, there are many pieces of golf equipment that should be addressed before this. Golf begs for more players, but continues to turn off the ones they have. BTW, I have never used a belly/long putter.
Desmond
May 21, 2013 at 1:48 pm
But it is not about the equipment, it’s about anchoring.
You can put money on it — the equipment makers will adjust and find new ways to make money in putting, and they will probably make more money with the anchor ban.
Minh
May 21, 2013 at 1:01 pm
I understand the whole concept of not anchoring. However, as one who putts traditionally, I find all forms of anchor putting extremely difficult. If there is indeed some form of competitive advantage, I sure don’t see it.
sdgfhjkhgjkdfsfg
May 21, 2013 at 12:03 pm
Ban the USGA.
JD
May 22, 2013 at 8:55 pm
I’ll second that
Mick J
May 21, 2013 at 11:28 am
Can’t wait to see Keegan’s reaction to all fo this…
Double Mocha Man
May 21, 2013 at 11:16 am
Gump… I think “anchoring” for the USGA and R&A refers to attaching the butt end of the club to the trunk of the body, not an appendage.
Though of interest, I believe it was Billy Casper, one of the great all-time putters, who anchored the butt end of his putter, via his left hand, to his left hip.
BeThere
May 21, 2013 at 11:14 am
Sorta have mixed feelings. Waited too long to make a ruling. No real evidence that shows there is an advantage to anchoring and thus making more putts. Raises more questions about other equipment-related issues, which could be bad for the game long term. What if they go after the ball next? Read Aaron Oberholser’s tweet about hitting a new Pro V and an old, mint Professional 90 (wound) the same distance. What about game improvement irons? Don’t they aid the golf stroke? They correct or mask poor swings? Do weaker players gain an advantage by using hot faced, oversize irons? Maybe everyone uses muscleback irons? Why not make an argument about that? What about drawing alignment aids on the ball? Just seems a little bit arbitrary to me. If everyone was doing it and winning then you have an argument. But Keegan lipped a putt this past weekend on 16 that could have helped him win, and he uses an anchored putter. Very strange ruling.
G
May 21, 2013 at 9:08 pm
1939: 14 club rule.
1952: Stymie abolished, marking balls mandatory and etiquette.
2010: Square grooves bye-bye.
2013: Anchored putting stroke DEAD.
Move along, nothing to see here
doc19
May 21, 2013 at 9:47 pm
That’s the thing, it’s not an equipment ruling, I think that’s a point that people keep missing. The clubs are still legal, you can still use them. They are just ruling on what constitutes a “swing.” You cannot anchor the club when using these clubs. Adam Scott recently said he would just hold the putter a millimeter away from his chest and use the same putter. By the rules, it’s still legal. They are not saying it makes you a better golfer, they are just saying that a golf stroke should constitute some sort of free swing that isn’t anchored.
And forgive me for getting on a soup box… but game improvement clubs/balls are a marketing scam. Most people would be better off getting a mid-level set of irons that give you feedback, get properly fit, get lessons and actually practice on a regular basis. And I’m pretty sure the USGA knows that as the average handicap index hasn’t changed in forever.
I do agree though that the ball is something they have to take a look at. They need to start thinking about capping the balls distance where they are at now. Modern day balls I hit further than range balls, which is a bit ridiculous if you think about it.
JD
May 22, 2013 at 8:42 pm
This is 100% an equipment ruling. The USGA and R&A just decided that in order to do away with long putters and not get sued by every manufacturer out there, that their best option was to rule on the stroke. Aside from the Kuchar option, a long putter is useless without anchoring. Their rules are inconsistent at best….you can anchor your forearms to your torso if you use a short putter, but can’t anchor your forearm to your chest if you use a long putter??? Dwindling numbers and closing courses…seems like a wise move to make the game tougher. And for all you purists out there, without joe average paying his green fees, you can’t afford to golf.
christian
May 22, 2013 at 9:27 pm
“Joe average” does NOT use a long putter..It’s very very rare to see omebody with a long putter. I have a neighbour/golf buddy that uses it, and it’s the ONLY one I have ever seen being used. You make it sound like a huge majority of amateurs use a long putter, that’s just pure BS.
kevin smith
May 23, 2013 at 5:36 am
Economic events over the last 10 years, and the shipping of middle class jobs overseas is the real problem with golf. Overbuilding of golf courses and golf course communities during the boom time was reckless at best.
Golf is a difficult game, and anchoring of the putter is the issue, not the equipment..
Pace of play, and the golf ball need to be the next issues to tackle in that order. Five hour rounds are more detrimental to the game of golf in modern times then the Belly Putter. And, I mean pace of play for recreational golfers. They are the ones who fuel the sport, and that point I totally agree with you.
Blanco
May 21, 2013 at 9:50 pm
I think it’s completely different than the equipment/strategy thing. They are trying to define what is and isn’t a golf swing: the one and only athletic movement in golf.
Gump
May 21, 2013 at 10:42 am
Got to say, I don’t see how Matt Kuchar’s “grip resting against the forearm” can be allowed when the whole principle they are banning is the anchoring of the end of the club against the body!!! Seems like a bit of a cop out….
A
May 21, 2013 at 11:20 am
the butt end of the club moves when using the Kuchar technique. its not anchored…
Eric
May 21, 2013 at 11:40 am
You make a good point and I thought this as well. I think it might have to do with the fact that Kuchar’s putting stroke doesn’t have a fixed point that a typical pendulum motion would have. One of the main reasons why anchored putting was banned is because having a pendulum with a fixed point makes gravity do most of the work and therefore leads to enhanced consistency.
That’s just how I am making sense of this ruling, and even then I still see a gray area in this rule. Like you mentioned he is still “anchoring” it to his forearm. Hopefully we get some further clarification.
cjb
May 21, 2013 at 11:58 am
The club will not be swung around one anchored point the way he do it.
Even if he is resting it against the forearm the whole club is in motion when he is putting.
Desmond
May 21, 2013 at 1:46 pm
Apparently, the arm is not the body for purposes of the Rule.
Andrew
May 21, 2013 at 6:05 pm
The rule being enforced here is free swinging. In the anchoring method, there is a piece of the club that isn’t free swinging (the anchor against the body).
In Kuchar’s method, every piece of the club still moves with his stroke. The club is anchored to his moving forearm, just like the club is anchored to most peoples moving hands with a standard stroke.
In the case of long putters, the club is being anchored against a part of the body that isn’t swinging with the stroke like the hands/arms.
Kyle A
May 21, 2013 at 9:57 am
The USGA only thought about the 1% of golfers (aka Tour Players) when making this rule. If they had a problem with people winning majors with the anchored putter make it a PGA problem and dont try and ruin everyone else’s round of golf
christian
May 22, 2013 at 9:23 pm
But they don’t ruin anything for anybody else. If you want to use a belly putter during your casual round of golf, then do so. Nobody will run out on the golf course on the first green to arrest you or anything. Just like some people use a non-conforming driver, use a golf cart and wear shorts, examples of other things that are different compared to the pro game.
erkr
May 23, 2013 at 9:24 am
Many play casual competitive golf. Rules must be obeyed even if you play against friends.
This rule takes away the fun for players who have yips problems. Let the game progress and don’t hold it back. Its complicated enough.
John F
May 21, 2013 at 9:33 am
Interesting to see that Matt Kuchar’s arm-lock putting style will still be legal in 2016! I was curious about them and found some good info here.
G
May 21, 2013 at 11:16 am
http://www.odysseygolf.com/armlock/armlock,en_US,sc.html