Tony in a hole over long putters

[HiltonParker78]

Elsewhere on the forum you will see "Tony Jacklin has me in a spin", which I posted earlier today. Well, Tony, your thinking on the long putter has my head spinning, too.
In The Open edition of GM he writes: "And the long putter. I do not know why it took 30 years to realise it is not in the spirit of the game. Anyone observing the game from a Rules perspective should have seen that."
In The Open edition of a rival golfing mag he reveals: "I don't agree with the decision to ban anchored putting. Although I'm a traditionalist, if anchoring makes the game better and more people involved, I don't see any issue with it".
You can't have it both ways, Tony. Sorry.

 

[CMAC]

that is surprising to be so polar opposite in two magazines, wonder if he was misquoted.

 

[FairwayDodger]

Poor Tony.... he's got a stalker!

 

[Ethan]

Well, to be a pedant, one comment is about equipment and the other about technique. It is possible for both to co-exist without contradiction although it is a fine balancing act.

 

[GB72]

Well, to be a pedant, one comment is about equipment and the other about technique. It is possible for both to co-exist without contradiction although it is a fine balancing act.

I agree with this, if you read it another way the quotes are saying that it should have been obvious that long putters were not in the spirit of the rules and that should have been picked up early on but now that they exist, if they are helping people enjoy the game then let them get on with it.

 

[FairwayDodger]

I don't really understand the "helping people enjoy the game" argument. Putting is only part of the game and, lets face it, amateurs aren't generally all that good at it anyway. Anyone using a long putter is doing so to try and gain an advantage, not simply to enjoy the game.

 

[HiltonParker78]

If I felt that using my long putter (unanchored) gave an unfair advantage, I would hang up my spikes tomorrow. I would not wish one on my worst enemy. Going from being an excellent putter with the short stick (pre yips) to a mediocre one with the unwieldy "pole" is no fun.
And there will be even less fun come 2016. Yes, I know my method will still be legal, but the sniping and smart comments I get already are certain to intensify come the anchoring ban.
If Tom Watson now sides with the use of long putters (as he does), there may still be hope for we broom boys. I'm no stalker, just an interested party and it would have been nice to know Tony Jacklin's take on it all.

 

[FairwayDodger]

If I felt that using my long putter (unanchored) gave an unfair advantage, I would hang up my spikes tomorrow. I would not wish one on my worst enemy. Going from being an excellent putter with the short stick (pre yips) to a mediocre one with the unwieldy "pole" is no fun.
And there will be even less fun come 2016. Yes, I know my method will still be legal, but the sniping and smart comments I get already are certain to intensify come the anchoring ban.
If Tom Watson now sides with the use of long putters (as he does), there may still be hope for we broom boys. I'm no stalker, just an interested party and it would have been nice to know Tony Jacklin's take on it all.

Sorry, HiltonParker78, I wasn't having a go. The "stalker" comment really was intended as a joke... 'cos you'd started two threads about Tony J. Will use more smilies in future..

Also I didn't say "seeking an unfair advantage" just "seeking an advantage" which I meant in the same way that some people use hybrids or buy the latest driver every year....

It's just the "enjoyment" argument I don't get.

 

[HiltonParker78]

No offence taken - or perceived for that matter. As far as enjoyment goes, there is absolutely none when you come to a green, then three, four or five stab a putt because of the yips. My long putter allows to play on as a senior and long may that continue!

 

[drdel]

No offence taken - or perceived for that matter. As far as enjoyment goes, there is absolutely none when you come to a green, then three, four or five stab a putt because of the yips. My long putter allows to play on as a senior and long may that continue!

So the longer 'handle' is helping you overcome an issue which the 'short' stick doesn't e.g. it gives an advantage; you've proven why its not in the original spirit of the game. However the rules say you can use it so do what you wish.

 

[DaveM]

Dont really think it will make much difference when the ban on anchored putting comes on. Just as easy to putter with the long putter without anchoring the forearm or hand. So you can still use one. As an aside if any part of the forearm is anchored with short putter that's banned to. It's the stroke not the putter that is banned.