Anchoring Ban!

[sev112]

Here's the definition of anchoring
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.

If the player's hand or arm is not in contact with the body then that is far enough, there's no minimum distance required. There's no interpretation required. Of course, if someone is attempting to conceal the fact that they are anchoring then that will be a problem, but a different problem.

Actually I find the related link is better :
http://www.randa.org/en/Rules-and-Amateur-Status/Anchoring/Prohibited-And-Permitted-Strokes.aspx

However , I agree, one can easily be in a legal position and then an illegal position with a very minor movement
For example my putting style has the inside of my forearms just near the elbows touching my sides (v sim to how Nicklaus putted) .
This is deemed legal - as long as my hands are in a traditional position on the grip. If I turn my right hand over to a "claw" style, then this is illegal (because the R&a say this is not traditional hand position in this specific case)!
So if I putt in a claw style, all of my FCs need to precisely know the rules and guidance , and be able to tell whether my inside left forearm is touching my side or not !!!
Then they need to be able to prove this beyond reasonable doubt, and then persuade a member of the committee who wasn't there at the time.

Looking forward to judgements on that !

You can give it a go if you like

 

[BTatHome]

But surely you should know what your stance/stroke is, and whether you are anchoring.

If you are doing things intentionally then you are breaking the rules, golf is based on honesty.

 

[RollinThunder]

I used one for a bit, and I did find it easier to use. Much easier to keep on a desired line, and distance control seemed easier. It was probably a placebo / confidence thing, as I still missed easy putts with it, but definitely nailed some longer ones than with a standard putter. I stopped when the ban was announced, but it wasn't difficult going back to a standard length.

It's sad to hear that people are considering giving up the game because of the ban. There's nothing to stop them being used in a casual round, but no doubt people will pipe up in comps.

 

[sev112]

But surely you should know what your stance/stroke is, and whether you are anchoring.

If you are doing things intentionally then you are breaking the rules, golf is based on honesty.

Of course, I was using it as an example of the difficulty of determining illegality in people who are trying it on, or those who don't know that they may be doing so

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I am sure the tour will be looking to enforce it with zeal when it comes in but how it gets policed in the monthly medal is another question. It is one thing that you know it is wrong and how you need to putt to comply but how many of us will be able to call a player for anchoring and will they self penalise

 

[delc]

Actually I find the related link is better :
http://www.randa.org/en/Rules-and-Amateur-Status/Anchoring/Prohibited-And-Permitted-Strokes.aspx

However , I agree, one can easily be in a legal position and then an illegal position with a very minor movement
For example my putting style has the inside of my forearms just near the elbows touching my sides (v sim to how Nicklaus putted) .
This is deemed legal - as long as my hands are in a traditional position on the grip. If I turn my right hand over to a "claw" style, then this is illegal (because the R&a say this is not traditional hand position in this specific case)!
So if I putt in a claw style, all of my FCs need to precisely know the rules and guidance , and be able to tell whether my inside left forearm is touching my side or not !!!
Then they need to be able to prove this beyond reasonable doubt, and then persuade a member of the committee who wasn't there at the time.

Looking forward to judgements on that !

You can give it a go if you like

According to the link provided, the claw grip (which I use a version of) is perfectly legal, no different to any of the other two handed grips using a short putter! For any of these grips you cannot rest your hands against your thighs as an anchor point. The only player I know of who did this is Billy Casper.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

According to the link provided, the claw grip (which I use a version of) is perfectly legal, no different to any of the other two handed grips using a short putter! For any of these grips you cannot rest your hands against your thighs as an anchor point. The only player I know of who did this is Billy Casper.

How do you putt with your hands anchored against your thighs?

 

[ColchesterFC]

I've been thinking about "anchoring" and the definitions of it and wondered if I could I get a really long putter and rest it against my left shoulder while I putt? Technically it wouldn't be anchored as the end of the grip wouldn't be held against my body and would be sticking up in the air above my left ear but I would surely get a more even stroke from having the club resting against my shoulder.

 

[Imurg]

Maximum length of a club is 48 inches unless I'm mistaken...

 

[ColchesterFC]

Maximum length of a club is 48 inches unless I'm mistaken...

You may well be right but I always thought that there wasn't a maximum length defined as a golfer that is 7' 6" could be at a disadvantage over someone that was 4' 6". Obviously the heights are exaggerated but that was my understanding of the thinking behind it.

 

[ColchesterFC]

Maximum length of a club is 48 inches unless I'm mistaken...

Having just checked.........

"c. Length
Appendix II, 1c states that:
The overall length of the club must be at least 18 inches (0.457m) and,
except for putters, must not exceed 48 inches (1.219m)."

So we were both correct to some degree. But I'm still not sure if I can get a 7ft long putter and rest it on my shoulder rather than anchor it against my body.

 

[SocketRocket]

One of the advantages of a belly putter is that you can anchor your arms and wrists and by rotating the shoulders it eliminates the potential movement of the arms and wrists.

I saw the attached video some time ago and now use this method with a standard putter. I find it gives me a very stable controlled swing. Here is the video:

[video=youtube;XPKkF872w1M]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPKkF872w1M[/video]

 

[delc]

How do you putt with your hands anchored against your thighs?

Billy Casper and one or two other players did this back in the 1960's. You rest your hands against the top of your thighs and use the putter like a pendulum around this pivot point. It only works with a fairly short putter and looks very wristy.

 

[Slab]

I've been thinking about "anchoring" and the definitions of it and wondered if I could I get a really long putter and rest it against my left shoulder while I putt? Technically it wouldn't be anchored as the end of the grip wouldn't be held against my body and would be sticking up in the air above my left ear but I would surely get a more even stroke from having the club resting against my shoulder.

I'd imagine the term anchor or anchoring in this scenario isn't restricted to the end of the club and likely that resting mid-grip on a shoulder is still anchoring to an extent

Don't know the full wording for the change but would be surprised if the amended Decisions doesn't cover definitions and phrase along the lines of : any part of the club in a position touching the body which provides added stability

 

[HawkeyeMS]

One of the advantages of a belly putter is that you can anchor your arms and wrists and by rotating the shoulders it eliminates the potential movement of the arms and wrists.

I saw the attached video some time ago and now use this method with a standard putter. I find it gives me a very stable controlled swing. Here is the video:

[video=youtube;XPKkF872w1M]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPKkF872w1M[/video]

I think this is what Adam Scott means when he says the long putter has taught him how to putt again

 

[dontfancythisputt]

I hold a belly putter using a similar style to Matt Kuchar. I have used this method with much success almost since i started playing as it was the surest way to minimise wrist movement.

Following confimation on the ban last year I wrote to the R&A asking if my stoke was still legal. After sending a few pictures to them they wrote back confirming the stoke was perfectly legal.

I will therefore continue to use the method at least until the ban gets enforced.

I think the biggest issue will be having to explain every week that I still have a legal stoke (I have a copy of the email in my bag to help with this) and whether i can deal with the certain frequent comments that will come my way after every half decent putt I make. (im getting a few already and the ban is not yet enforced!)

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

there is a guy at my clubs says he's giving up once the ban comes in. the Broomhandle is the only thing keeping him playing he says.

He told me that he was so a bad with a standard putter he would miss from 6 inches

I have to say his threat sound a little bit of attention seeking hyperbole - we can all miss from 6" - and at that distance it's not the putter.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Here's the definition of anchoring
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.

If the player's hand or arm is not in contact with the body then that is far enough, there's no minimum distance required. There's no interpretation required. Of course, if someone is attempting to conceal the fact that they are anchoring then that will be a problem, but a different problem.

That does seem clear to me. Don't see issues arising unless players try and cheat (by trying to get around the rule)

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

But surely you should know what your stance/stroke is, and whether you are anchoring.

If you are doing things intentionally then you are breaking the rules, golf is based on honesty.

Important point sir! It is very easy for us as golfers to cheat and deceive our FCs if we want - but the game falls apart if we do.

A rule's a rule. It should be beholden upon us all to accept the rule as defined and in intent and to not try and find ways around the rule just because it may not or doesn't suit us individually.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

So we were both correct to some degree. But I'm still not sure if I can get a 7ft long putter and rest it on my shoulder rather than anchor it against my body.

And I would hope that would be covered in the rules. It is very easy to imagine someone who did this (resting on shoulder) finding a little shoulder attachment with a 'rest' for the end of the putter handle. So that even although the putter handle may not be 'fixed' to the body in ways defined - it would not be able to move laterally on the players shoulder, This sort of thing would clearly be contrary to the the intent of the rule if not ini breach of it. I would frown.