Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
Can any of the "pro-anchoring" Guys put forward a reason, apart from the timing issue, as to why it should be allowed....?
Anchored or Not?
- Thread starter Khamelion
- Start date
scratch
Q-School Graduate
This thread (and the entire issue) is complete nonsense. All this talk of 'spirit of the game' etc is complete rubbish.
Golf is about hitting a ball with a stick into a hole. No mention in the rules of how you have to hold said stick. What next, ban cack handed grips because they look wrong? Or wearing 2 gloves because that gives you a more secure grip on the club than someone who only wears one?
So somebody give me one good, valid, tangible reason why anchoring of putters should be banned?
Golf is about hitting a ball with a stick into a hole. No mention in the rules of how you have to hold said stick. What next, ban cack handed grips because they look wrong? Or wearing 2 gloves because that gives you a more secure grip on the club than someone who only wears one?
So somebody give me one good, valid, tangible reason why anchoring of putters should be banned?
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
Crow
Crow Person
I suspect that the PGA Tour is more in thrall of the big manufacturers, or at least one of them who made some noises about a bunch of amateurs running the game.
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
Who can you possibly mean Nick...
User20205
Money List Winner
I'm not really pro, but using a belly putter for example still uses 2 hands. The butt is anchored, but no where in the definition of a stroke, rule 14.1 or the spirit of the game can I find anything that casts doubt on this method. That's the bit I'm struggling with, the justification for changing the rule is what?
I've also not seen any proof it makes you a better putter. There is a risk of a division in the game, and I'm not sure it's warranted
scratch
Q-School Graduate
Hardly valid reasons.
The putter is still held in 2 hands the same as any other club. Plenty of people chip around the green with their arms firmly anchored to their bodies and just use a rotation of the body, what is the difference between that and anchoring the arms when putting?
FOOTBALL.... The clue is in the name, why not ban heading the ball then?
bluewolf
Money List Winner
I don't know, but I bet they can putt it 17 yards farther.
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
So why do people use them?
If they don't make you a better putter why do they exist?
Someone obviously - far back in the mists of time - thought " hang on, if I anchor this longer putter to my belly/chest/chin then I putt better than holding it "normally""
There's no other reason to use the method. Why change something to make you worse at something? You wouldn't. If Adam Scott was able to putt well with a standard putting method he would be using a normal length putter.
He can't putt well with one so he uses a different method - that method means he can putt well (sometimes!)
Is that an anchored putter making someone better?
You tell me....
User20205
Money List Winner
I agree in that instance. Adam Scott/ bernie langer can't putt with a normal putter, they have mental issues with short putts. Using a long putter has saved their careers to a degree, although in Adam Scott's case his performance under real pressure hasn't been helped altogether.
But I'm not convinced the the rule book should be re written because of the few examples highlighted. Other guys have putted with a long putter all their careers, that's a big change for them.
There is a real risk that golf could become split like darts, boxing etc and that would be worse for the game than a few pros prolonging their careers.
But I'm not convinced the the rule book should be re written because of the few examples highlighted. Other guys have putted with a long putter all their careers, that's a big change for them.
There is a real risk that golf could become split like darts, boxing etc and that would be worse for the game than a few pros prolonging their careers.
Although I'm not too fussed either way I voted "no."
Just what does anchoring achieve? For 'normal' putting you're anchored to the ground with your feet - you try and keep most of your body still and just rock your shoulders... ergo, you're anchored.
Everyone has the opportunity to buy a long putter, just as everyone can buy a sand wedge or graphite shafted driver. Hey, lets go back to small headed wooden clubs...
Just what does anchoring achieve? For 'normal' putting you're anchored to the ground with your feet - you try and keep most of your body still and just rock your shoulders... ergo, you're anchored.
Everyone has the opportunity to buy a long putter, just as everyone can buy a sand wedge or graphite shafted driver. Hey, lets go back to small headed wooden clubs...
sona
Assistant Pro
Ban them
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
Agreed but the only body that has any clout - if they actually have any at all - in the proceedings who are against the ban is the PGA Tour.
USGA, R&A and the European Tour are all in favour - they obviously see a reason.
If the PGA Tour goes it alone it won't be a disaster for Golf in my opinion.
You could liken it to FIFA deciding to change a rule in Football - like was said earlier, ban heading - but the FA being the only ones to not adopt the rule. So English games would see heading but you won't everywhere else. European games will go ahead, as will those in South America and the Far East. The World Cup will still happen.
The only difference is that England won't be there.....
So no more PGA Tour players in Majors, WGC events or the President's and Ryder Cups.
Can you see Rory, Rose, Bubba, Luke, Bradley, Simpson, Scott etc etc giving up the chance to play the Majors?
USGA, R&A and the European Tour are all in favour - they obviously see a reason.
If the PGA Tour goes it alone it won't be a disaster for Golf in my opinion.
You could liken it to FIFA deciding to change a rule in Football - like was said earlier, ban heading - but the FA being the only ones to not adopt the rule. So English games would see heading but you won't everywhere else. European games will go ahead, as will those in South America and the Far East. The World Cup will still happen.
The only difference is that England won't be there.....
So no more PGA Tour players in Majors, WGC events or the President's and Ryder Cups.
Can you see Rory, Rose, Bubba, Luke, Bradley, Simpson, Scott etc etc giving up the chance to play the Majors?
MashieNiblick
Tour Winner
Well Rule 14 does try to set out how the sticks should be used to get the ball in the hole. The rule says that the ball should be "fairly struck at" and bans pushing, scraping or spooning. Using the putter like a billiard cue is also banned and Rule 16-1e bans standing astride the line of putt to make a stroke. There are also rules that govern make and form of clubs, grips and gloves. So it isn't simply a free for all and you can do whatever you like with whaterver stick you like to get the ball in hole.
Banning anchoring is no different to all that and you might even argue that the phrase "fairly struck at" in itself suggests the club shouldn't be anchored.
Thing is this is an old rule and although as worded it has done well in preserving the nature of the sport for the best part of 100 years it now needs tightening up to reflect a modern trend that undermines the intrinsic nature of the game.
I think the authorities are right in this case.
bladeplayer
Money List Winner
Likewise mate ive no real intrest in what happens as i use the traditional putter (fast becoming a belly putter & its not the putter thats growing
) i just thought that its a sad reflection that it only became an issue when people started winning marquee tournaments , banning anchoring or not is not going to affect me in the slightest .. my only question all along is Why now ?
bluewolf
Money List Winner
Likewise mate ive no real intrest in what happens as i use the traditional putter (fast becoming a belly putter & its not the putter thats growing
Ii do wonder if in the early days of the belly putter, the higher ups at the R&A thought "Nothing really to worry about, it's only the past it yippy putters who'll use these things. No point banning them as no one will win anything with them!" Now they've seen the army of american college golfers waiting in the wings with a cheat stick in every bag and they've panicked.
bladeplayer
Money List Winner
Ive never claimed to be pro or anti anchoring doesnt bother me in the least , totaly a timing issue for me ..
ScienceBoy
Money List Winner
I am generally in disbelief they were allowed in the first place, we are dealing with mistakes made decades ago when these putters first came around.
Everything that is happening now should have happened then!
Should we keep then just because they have now been around for a LONG time?
Still shocked this has continued for decades, I had never heard of them until recently though.
Everything that is happening now should have happened then!
Should we keep then just because they have now been around for a LONG time?
Still shocked this has continued for decades, I had never heard of them until recently though.
Akie
Head Pro
I voted no as I think people should be allowed to choose, can see that I'm heavily out-numbered!
Swinger
Journeyman Pro
You guys have too much time on your hands.
Really don't see an issue with them. Having used one myself for a season and a bit I didn't see much of a change in all fairness.
I just think that the USGA and R and A were pushed into making a decision because people didn't like them. I'm glad the USPGA stood up against this as I have seen no stats that support the banning of them.
I might even agree with the thinking that it doesn't look right or fit in with the rest of the game but the whole thing just seems badly thought out and a bit of a snap decision with no real basis.
There are more urgent things that need attention in this game before they start listening to all the moaners out there!!
I'd much rather have the governing bodies of the game look at forcing or encouraging the tours to impose bigger fines and penalties for slow play which then should help filter through the game. Help start to tackle the drug problems in the game. Put strict caps on what the golf ball can and can't do.
I'd have thought all of those would be more important to preserving this great game of ours.
Really don't see an issue with them. Having used one myself for a season and a bit I didn't see much of a change in all fairness.
I just think that the USGA and R and A were pushed into making a decision because people didn't like them. I'm glad the USPGA stood up against this as I have seen no stats that support the banning of them.
I might even agree with the thinking that it doesn't look right or fit in with the rest of the game but the whole thing just seems badly thought out and a bit of a snap decision with no real basis.
There are more urgent things that need attention in this game before they start listening to all the moaners out there!!
I'd much rather have the governing bodies of the game look at forcing or encouraging the tours to impose bigger fines and penalties for slow play which then should help filter through the game. Help start to tackle the drug problems in the game. Put strict caps on what the golf ball can and can't do.
I'd have thought all of those would be more important to preserving this great game of ours.
