Bernhard Langer's new putting stroke (Merged)

[farmer]

Give Langer some credit for being an honest, upstanding guy who doesn't break rules. He is abiding by the exact rule. There is no sub-text about distance from body,length of putter, or "spirit of the game".

[Man_O_War]

the governing bodies really wanted to get rid of the broom putter. this is an epic fail on their part. The mandate should have been..your putter cannot be longer than your driver. ridiculous. get rid of it. I like Langer..

[wobgon]

http://youtu.be/1fqeqd-wBEg

 

2 min 26 sec mark.

 

Looks fine to me.

2 min 37 sec mark, look again. His left forearm is anchored to his chest. I don't agree with the rule change, but he is certainly anchoring his left forearm as described in the not allowed section of the poster. He moves the top of the grip away from his chest, but his forearm is still touching and therefore anchored.

 

He's not even putting at 2:37. Am I missing something?

Yes, but his knee is clearly anchored to his left ear as he walks across the green at 2;37.......Blatant cheating if I ever saw it........Get the tar and feathers.

[Vindog]

the governing bodies really wanted to get rid of the broom putter. this is an epic fail on their part. The mandate should have been..your putter cannot be longer than your driver. ridiculous. get rid of it. I like Langer..

 

In this, I agree. I think the length restrictions should be the same for all clubs -- 18-48 in. But I think a 48" putter would still be about the same as above for the players, and still wouldn't quell the outrage.

[rony]

I think if he's cheating and not winning they'll leave him alone but, if he's cheating and keeps winning, they're gonna get pissed. I mean, "There's no honor among thieves." :rolleyes:

[2putttom]

I was watching him in the Chubb Classic and Ive got to say I was shocked. it looked to me like he was still anchoring.The camera's zoomed in on his left hand and at set-up he was definitely anchoring. Just before his started his stroke he moved his left hand forward just a touch (maybe 1/2"-3/4") and then started his stroke. OK you could see him move the putter away from his chest, but his left hand is still in contact with his shirt.

So the question is was it just touching his shirt or did it come even slightly back towards his body. One thing for sure is that when your using that stroke the left hand is never going to move further away from his chest. If anything its going to move closer.

In any event its certainly not like the illustration put out by the USGA where it shows a clear space between the putter and the body.

It really pushes the boundaries, and certainly is not in the spirit of the game.

Its not my call there are plenty of officials there. But..... I wouldn't sign his card.

109 posts...7 years on here and ya come up with this? were ya been all my life? I wanna hold your hand and walk on the beach with you at sunset.

[b.helts]

I am liking the fact that people are still outraged at this even though they got the rules changed like they wanted.

 

The Spirit Of The Game used to be that a club shouldn't be anchored. Now it's something different. Surprise surprise

 

This is BS. Just because someone wanted to see a change in how people are putting, particularly with regard to anchoring, does not necessarily imply they are happy with the USGA/R&A implementation.

[playa]

His refusal to accept what the rules makers wanted but couldn't legislate for fear of Ping groove style litigation by manufacturers shows that he really doesn't respect the spirit of the game. It's like a rich guy paying an accountant to find loopholes to avoid paying their fair share of taxes. Langer knows he is breaching the spirit of the rule, but he thinks he's bigger than the game.

[Mudguard]

His refusal to accept what the rules makers wanted

I'm confused, they banned anchoring. He's not anchoring. Is there something I'm missing?

[vman]

He's using a long putter that's not anchored.

[anth]

His refusal to accept what the rules makers wanted but couldn't legislate for fear of Ping groove style litigation by manufacturers shows that he really doesn't respect the spirit of the game. It's like a rich guy paying an accountant to find loopholes to avoid paying their fair share of taxes. Langer knows he is breaching the spirit of the rule, but he thinks he's bigger than the game.

 

Yeah it's like club manufacturers trying to get around the groove rule by having extra rough faces on their wedges... Oh wait

[Vindog]

I am liking the fact that people are still outraged at this even though they got the rules changed like they wanted.

 

The Spirit Of The Game used to be that a club shouldn't be anchored. Now it's something different. Surprise surprise

 

This is BS. Just because someone wanted to see a change in how people are putting, particularly with regard to anchoring, does not necessarily imply they are happy with the USGA/R&A implementation.

 

The change was implemented. The anchoring was banned. Now the goalposts have been moved, and some of us are not surprised and saw this coming a mile away. Limiting the length of clubs does nothing t address the issue. not to mention that many players who use a traditional stroke have putters longer than their shortest club.

 

Point stands. No offense.

[Vindog]

His refusal to accept what the rules makers wanted but couldn't legislate for fear of Ping groove style litigation by manufacturers shows that he really doesn't respect the spirit of the game. It's like a rich guy paying an accountant to find loopholes to avoid paying their fair share of taxes. Langer knows he is breaching the spirit of the rule, but he thinks he's bigger than the game.

 

The "loophole" was shown to him by the USGA and R&A themselves. So actually, it wouldn't be an accountant, but the IRS showing a rich guy how to do his taxes.

[SurfDuffer]

Instead of bracing the butt of the putter he is bracing his left arm tightly to his body creating the same effect as if he were bracing the butt of the club.

[youraway2]

It appears to me that he is not anchoring "most" of the time, but at times it also appears his forarm is in fact anchored to his left side. I believe his intent is not to anchor.

[Vindog]

Instead of bracing the butt of the putter he is bracing his left arm tightly to his body creating the same effect as if he were bracing the butt of the club.

 

You mean like traditional stroke users who keep their elbows in tight to their waist? Kinda like that?

 

Unless he is only rolling his wrists, then I can't see how, if after he moves his hand away, that he is still creating an anchorpoint with his forearm. I understand if people are upset, though. He isn't going away like they predicted, and it must be frustrating for them.

[Vindog]

Here is a question and I'm just wondering, not trying to be a jerk. Do we think that his Fellow Competitors are watching closely, or do we think that out there on the Champion's Tour they're all like "whatevs."

 

Do we think that he and his FCs have a short convo prior to the round regarding this to make sure he's on the level?

[SurfDuffer]

Instead of bracing the butt of the putter he is bracing his left arm tightly to his body creating the same effect as if he were bracing the butt of the club.

 

You mean like traditional stroke users who keep their elbows in tight to their waist? Kinda like that?

 

 

 

No. He is creating a locked hinge point so to my eyes he is in violation at least in spirit of the rule.

[cxx]

I was watching him in the Chubb Classic and Ive got to say I was shocked. it looked to me like he was still anchoring.The camera's zoomed in on his left hand and at set-up he was definitely anchoring. Just before his started his stroke he moved his left hand forward just a touch (maybe 1/2"-3/4") and then started his stroke. OK you could see him move the putter away from his chest, but his left hand is still in contact with his shirt.

So the question is was it just touching his shirt or did it come even slightly back towards his body. One thing for sure is that when your using that stroke the left hand is never going to move further away from his chest. If anything its going to move closer.

In any event its certainly not like the illustration put out by the USGA where it shows a clear space between the putter and the body.

It really pushes the boundaries, and certainly is not in the spirit of the game.

Its not my call there are plenty of officials there. But..... I wouldn't sign his card.

 

Then you would be a classless competitor.

 

He is legal and it doesn't push any boundary. Not anchored is not anchored.

 

Im guessing you dont play for a living Hawkeye.

As I said its not my call, there are officials out there, its their call, but I still wouldnt sign his card. Thats my opinion and Im staying with it from what I see. If you look at the video (thanks for posting by way), It seems to me he is anchoring with his left forearm.

Anchoring with your forearm is still anchoring.

 

My guess is you'd be the one to get DQed.

[Vindog]

Instead of bracing the butt of the putter he is bracing his left arm tightly to his body creating the same effect as if he were bracing the butt of the club.

 

You mean like traditional stroke users who keep their elbows in tight to their waist? Kinda like that?

 

 

 

No. He is creating a locked hinge point so to my eyes he is in violation at least in spirit of the rule.

 

Well he isn't. You know how I know. Because the graphic shows that this is permitted, specifically. So why would they include that if is was against what they were trying to accomplish, in spirit?

[Vindog]

I was watching him in the Chubb Classic and Ive got to say I was shocked. it looked to me like he was still anchoring.The camera's zoomed in on his left hand and at set-up he was definitely anchoring. Just before his started his stroke he moved his left hand forward just a touch (maybe 1/2"-3/4") and then started his stroke. OK you could see him move the putter away from his chest, but his left hand is still in contact with his shirt.

So the question is was it just touching his shirt or did it come even slightly back towards his body. One thing for sure is that when your using that stroke the left hand is never going to move further away from his chest. If anything its going to move closer.

In any event its certainly not like the illustration put out by the USGA where it shows a clear space between the putter and the body.

It really pushes the boundaries, and certainly is not in the spirit of the game.

Its not my call there are plenty of officials there. But..... I wouldn't sign his card.

 

Then you would be a classless competitor.

 

He is legal and it doesn't push any boundary. Not anchored is not anchored.

 

Im guessing you dont play for a living Hawkeye.

As I said its not my call, there are officials out there, its their call, but I still wouldnt sign his card. Thats my opinion and Im staying with it from what I see. If you look at the video (thanks for posting by way), It seems to me he is anchoring with his left forearm.

Anchoring with your forearm is still anchoring.

 

My guess is you'd be the one to get DQed.

 

I don't think there is a penalty to the marker for refusing to sign a scorecard, except for the public humiliation of being a jerkface for absolutely no reason at all.

[cxx]

I was watching him in the Chubb Classic and Ive got to say I was shocked. it looked to me like he was still anchoring.The camera's zoomed in on his left hand and at set-up he was definitely anchoring. Just before his started his stroke he moved his left hand forward just a touch (maybe 1/2"-3/4") and then started his stroke. OK you could see him move the putter away from his chest, but his left hand is still in contact with his shirt.

So the question is was it just touching his shirt or did it come even slightly back towards his body. One thing for sure is that when your using that stroke the left hand is never going to move further away from his chest. If anything its going to move closer.

In any event its certainly not like the illustration put out by the USGA where it shows a clear space between the putter and the body.

It really pushes the boundaries, and certainly is not in the spirit of the game.

Its not my call there are plenty of officials there. But..... I wouldn't sign his card.

 

Then you would be a classless competitor.

 

He is legal and it doesn't push any boundary. Not anchored is not anchored.

 

Im guessing you dont play for a living Hawkeye.

As I said its not my call, there are officials out there, its their call, but I still wouldnt sign his card. Thats my opinion and Im staying with it from what I see. If you look at the video (thanks for posting by way), It seems to me he is anchoring with his left forearm.

Anchoring with your forearm is still anchoring.

 

My guess is you'd be the one to get DQed.

 

I don't think there is a penalty to the marker for refusing to sign a scorecard, except for the public humiliation of being a jerkface for absolutely no reason at all.

 

I'm not sure what the process would be, but he'd have to explain himself. He could lie and say Langer cheated. Why else would he refuse to sign? My guess is he'd never recover from such a foolish blunder.

[youngwaldo]

I am a sort of a purist and after watching the Langer putt on TV he is not violating any rules when he is making a stroke.

 

Wk

[Frostfield]

Instead of bracing the butt of the putter he is bracing his left arm tightly to his body creating the same effect as if he were bracing the butt of the club.

 

You mean like traditional stroke users who keep their elbows in tight to their waist? Kinda like that?

 

 

 

No. He is creating a locked hinge point so to my eyes he is in violation at least in spirit of the rule.

 

Well he isn't. You know how I know. Because the graphic shows that this is permitted, specifically. So why would they include that if is was against what they were trying to accomplish, in spirit?

 

Exactly. You just owned that guy.

[rybo]

Just went to the garage and tried using an old long putter I had used a few years back for a time. Felt very awkward just moving it away from chest and putting like Langer is doing, just felt too long and very sloppy. Putted fine with it anchored though. Played around with it for a bit and then cut roughly 5" off the shaft. Hhhhmmmm.......might like this better! Stroke was actually easier then when it anchored. My left elbow is out like Adam Scott, so no where near the body like Langer.

 

Might see a resurgence of long putters once people realize how easy it is to use when using a shorter length and not anchored. I'll take it to the practice green today to see what it's like on an actual grass.

[SHIVAN]

His forearm is anchored to his body, but not the butt. From the USGA/R&A handouts, and the stuff they showed on TGC, his new stroke is one of the "legal ones". Oddly still anchored, just not the butt end.

 

"Understanding Rule 14-1b: Permitted Strokes

PERMITTED: With this long putter, the player is not anchoring because neither the club, the hands nor the forearms are intentionally held in contact with the body."

 

The shows a clear gap in the forearm and body.

 

 

In Langer's stroke, his forearm is in contact with his body.

[Lord Helmet]

Have no idea if he is anchoring or not...But watched him Saturday on TV. Guy is a machine. Couple close ups though on the putting stroke, the putter looked wobbly a bit going thru the stroke. But....he made the putts so whatever I guess.

[Loki]

Doesn't the rule basically say the butt end of the club, whether it is a putter or a driver, must be displaced as it moves through the hitting zone of the ball? It cannot pivot at a player created pivot point.

[2putttom]

Either merge or

[Socrates]

In Langer's stroke, his forearm is in contact with his body.

So I guess that the 20 or so Rules Officials that are working the tournament all missed this. Shame on them since you can clearly see it from your armchair.

 

For the better part of 2 years many have said it's not banning the long putter, you can just use it without anchoring. It is crazy hard to do that btw. So Langer is using it without anchoring and now many are getting their Jockey's in a bunch. Life sucks when you get your way and you still aren't happy.