Tim Clark and the Anchoring Ban

[LanDog]

On the commentary they were saying that he has a condition that doesn't allow him to rotate his wrists so it's difficult for him to putt any other way than anchoring it, Feherty suggested he could get a medical exemption, Clark's condition is genuine but what's to stop another player getting some make believe conditioning order to allow them to continue to use the long stick?

 

[delc]

On the commentary they were saying that he has a condition that doesn't allow him to rotate his wrists so it's difficult for him to putt any other way than anchoring it, Feherty suggested he could get a medical exemption, Clark's condition is genuine but what's to stop another player getting some make believe conditioning order to allow them to continue to use the long stick?

One has to question how he hits any other sort of golf shot with this condition! I thought that not rotating the wrists was beneficial to putting anyway! :mmm:

 

[bluewolf]

One has to question how he hits any other sort of golf shot with this condition! I thought that not rotating the wrists was beneficial to putting anyway! :mmm:

Was thinking the same thing. I can't really see how he plays golf at all if he can't rotate his wrists... Strange really..

 

[fundy]

On the commentary they were saying that he has a condition that doesn't allow him to rotate his wrists so it's difficult for him to putt any other way than anchoring it, Feherty suggested he could get a medical exemption, Clark's condition is genuine but what's to stop another player getting some make believe conditioning order to allow them to continue to use the long stick?

april the 1st? why does he need to rotate the wrists putting but not with any other shot he plays? sounds complete back to front

 

[LanDog]

The wrist rotation was just what was said by Feherty & Faldo maybe it's not wrist cocking that effects him but the actual wrist turning itself.

I'm not sure.

Don't shoot the messenger!

 

[bluewolf]

The wrist rotation was just what was said by Feherty & Faldo maybe it's not wrist cocking that effects him but the actual wrist turning itself.

I'm not sure.

Don't shoot the messenger!

If his wrist is turning during his putting stroke then no wonder he went to the long stick..

 

[HawkeyeMS]

The wrist rotation was just what was said by Feherty & Faldo maybe it's not wrist cocking that effects him but the actual wrist turning itself.

I'm not sure.

Don't shoot the messenger!

http://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/tim-clark-needs-anchored-putter-due-disability

Why this affects his putting and not any other shots I don't know

 

[GMAC88]

I was thinking the very same thing! Surely any wrist problem would hinder a full shot never mind a putt!?

 

[delc]

http://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/tim-clark-needs-anchored-putter-due-disability

Why this affects his putting and not any other shots I don't know

Apparently he can't bend his elbows into his sides. Perhaps a very short putter which would allow him to keep his arms straight would work for him? :rofl:

 

[chrisd]

Was thinking the same thing. I can't really see how he plays golf at all if he can't rotate his wrists... Strange really..

Didn't you see his posts on "ask the experts - struggling with my iron play" !

 

[CMAC]

Is it just me?

If he has a physical condition that prevents him competing and playing then tough!

I have a condition that stops me being on the tour, anyone rushing to give me exemptions.


Calvin Pete anyone, Nuff said.

 

[nemicu]

Tim Clarks attempt at getting some sort of exemption is laughable. To say that he cannot manipulate a putter in the normal manner and yet for some unexplained reason it does not present a problem with the other 13 clubs in his bag is quite frankly the sound of a prima donna not getting his own way. Personally, I would grant him his wish to anchor his putter, providing he also anchors the other 13 clubs for every conceivable shot as well.
There are literally millions of golfers worldwide who have some sort of physical condition that affects their play - and most of them simply adapt their technique within the rules of golf​ and get on with it. Maybe Tim should do the same - and quit whining while he's about it.

 

[freddielong]

I need a machine to swing a golf club cause my body doesn't allow me to swing a golf club correctly er no if you cant you cant sorry go and do something else

Goodbye Tim Clark good luck in your future endeavours

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Well i didnt expect the reaction to OP

The article is over a year old now and understand that Clark is going from lots of physio and medical tests to try and get another putter working - believe he is testing the long putter but not anchored at the top and away from his body ( there was a segment about it on Golf World a month or so back )

And i fully support the guys who are complaining about the ban - the use of long and belly putters has allowed people with injuries or struggles to continue playing ( both amatuer and pro ) - i still cant see the justification in banning it - for me it came down to the governing bodies didnt like a few guys winning with them ( think its three majors in total out of the hundreds that have been played since people started using belly and long putters ). The game has evolved - there are multiple clubs out there that help golfers - hybrids , adjustable drivers , big putters , cavity back irons etc etc - yet they ban the anchoring ?

I know a couple of guys that struggle without a long putter - they have tried the shorter stick and it just kills their back and believe they will retire once the ban arrives - think we will also see Couples stop playing and maybe a few others. Very sad to see which i know wont go down well with the "tough brigade"

 

[freddielong]

If you cant do it you cant do it goodbye you cant just make it easier

 

[Deleted member 15344]

If you cant do it you cant do it goodbye you cant just make it easier

Perfect attitude to keep participation levels in golf on the rise - there was me thinking golf was looking at ways to get mroe people playing it.

 

[nemicu]

Perfect attitude to keep participation levels in golf on the rise - there was me thinking golf was looking at ways to get mroe people playing it.

Well, it's an empty argument if to encourage people to play golf, you allow them to interpret the rules to suit themselves. I guess at some point or another, somebody thought it would be a good idea to putt using the end of grip using a pool cue action - perfectly acceptable and encouraging them to participate in golf? Of course not. The anchoring debacle is no different - nobody is saying you can't use a piece of equipment or participate in golf, only that you need to comply with the rules of golf. And remember, the rules of golf exist to create a level playing field for all and to protect the game of golf. If that puts people off or discourages them for playing golf, then I can't offer any sympathy.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Well, it's an empty argument if to encourage people to play golf, you allow them to interpret the rules to suit themselves. I guess at some point or another, somebody thought it would be a good idea to putt using the end of grip using a pool cue action - perfectly acceptable and encouraging them to participate in golf? Of course not. The anchoring debacle is no different - nobody is saying you can't use a piece of equipment or participate in golf, only that you need to comply with the rules of golf. And remember, the rules of golf exist to create a level playing field for all and to protect the game of golf. If that puts people off or discourages them for playing golf, then I can't offer any sympathy.

So why the sudden change - why for the last 30 plus years did they allow it to happen with people using it ?

They have created a new rule to stop people using anchoring - why - Hybrids have given players an advantage yet they havent created a rule to ban the use of those ?

 

[nemicu]

So why the sudden change - why for the last 30 plus years did they allow it to happen with people using it ?

They have created a new rule to stop people using anchoring - why - Hybrids have given players an advantage yet they havent created a rule to ban the use of those ?

Hybrids are not normally anchored to play a shot. Are they easier to use than an iron or a wood? Many players would argue that they're not. I've tried a long putter but can't putt for toffee with them.
Why have they created a rule to ban anchoring? Obviously because they feel that using that technique gives an unfair advantage and is not in the spirit of the game. Golf is still a game of skill and the swing is still susceptible to the frailties of the human body. If you remove some of those frailties by using a technique to support or make the swing less vulnerable to human error, then the ruling bodies have deemed that is not fair to the rest of the golfing world.
Whilst we're also talking about Tim Clark, it's also worth remembering his argument was based on his ability to earn money by competing in tournaments - not about playing golf for the love of the game. His argument was based on greed in a sense. An argument which bizarrely did not affect his rise to fame as a professional golfer but came to the fore once he won a high dollar championship (the Players?) and his earning potential against much more talented and younger players looked in jeopardy.
It's fair to say that anchored putting is in a minority - and the rules would prefer to keep it that way to preserve the game of golf. I'm all for progress and evolution of the game, but not at the expense of the basic principles of the rules. I don't get to make the rules, I merely abide by them.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Hybrids are not normally anchored to play a shot. Are they easier to use than an iron or a wood? Many players would argue that they're not. I've tried a long putter but can't putt for toffee with them.
Why have they created a rule to ban anchoring? Obviously because they feel that using that technique gives an unfair advantage and is not in the spirit of the game. Golf is still a game of skill and the swing is still susceptible to the frailties of the human body. If you remove some of those frailties by using a technique to support or make the swing less vulnerable to human error, then the ruling bodies have deemed that is not fair to the rest of the golfing world.
Whilst we're also talking about Tim Clark, it's also worth remembering his argument was based on his ability to earn money by competing in tournaments - not about playing golf for the love of the game. His argument was based on greed in a sense. An argument which bizarrely did not affect his rise to fame as a professional golfer but came to the fore once he won a high dollar championship (the Players?) and his earning potential against much more talented and younger players looked in jeopardy.
It's fair to say that anchored putting is in a minority - and the rules would prefer to keep it that way to preserve the game of golf. I'm all for progress and evolution of the game, but not at the expense of the basic principles of the rules. I don't get to make the rules, I merely abide by them.

Why didnt everyone anchor the putter if it was such an advantage ? Why wasnt every event won by someone with an anchored putter - 3 people won and they paniced - it is still a skill to putt with a belly putter etc.

Big headed spider putters help people putt - will they ban those next ?

The rule will mean some seniors will stop playing - that to mean is very sad, the use of belly putters and broom handle putters gave a lot of people in the amatuer game a new lease of life within in the game.

Tim Clark used a long putter for decades - it didnt bother anyone.

Sorry but think it was a stupid rule to introduce and will actually discourage people to play.