What is the one rule you wish could be changed

[LICC]

Wrong, wrong, and wrong again. For each one of those, if you look right at it you can see whether there was a violation. Not with Langer’s putting. You would have to stick your fingers on his chest and forearm while he putted to maybe tell.

[rogolf]

Not fingers, maybe a scorecard though.

All of the others identified by sui are based on integrity when there is nobody around (and referees don't need to be there at the times they occur, they rely on the player integrity.)

[sui generis]

I was inclined to think that you had no experience and little knowledge on this topic. I'm no longer "inclined to think" as you've demonstrated that you don't know what you're on about. Now, go bother someone else about divot holes or Ricky's white belts.

[Sawgrass]

If you can consistently identify a particular player’s ball marking from any reasonable distance, I will be impressed.

 

Really, in upteen cases the player’s integrity is what makes this game work. That’s why there is such outrage when a skilled player appears to be cheating.

[bladehunter]

So let me ask about something that is similar but I have experience with.

 

Armlock. I have a setup that includes a crouched position ( Kucharish or maybe Nicklausesque ) where the elbows are tucked . The putter grip butt end is very close to the crease on my left elbow and the butt of the club can touch my side ( wedged between side and arm ) if I’m not vigilant. I call it being “ tucked in “ . I’m not currently using armlock. But. I still have the setup.

I know where the line is here as far as per rules. But. During the stroke i have no idea where the grip end touches on or off. And I’ve had a few jealous type playing partners call it out. Am I looking at the same scenario as the long putter ? As in I’m not intending to anchor. So I’m not. Or ?

[rogolf]

Answering a question with a question - are your hands separated on the putter such that they can work independently? If not, there is no breach, reference is Interpretation 10.1b/1.

[nsxguy]

 

Not sure but I think rogolf posted the answer earlier,,,,,,,,,,

[bladehunter]

No I use a conventional reverse overlap grip. So hands touching and left forefinger over right pinky ish.

[bladehunter]

@rogolf

thanks. So is that a no breach because I’m not setting up with it touching my side or elbow crease ? Or no breach of i did setup and go that way ? ( just to be clear in my mind )

[rogolf]

If your hands are not separated such that they can act independently, it is not a breach.

[bladehunter]

Hmm. Awesome. Even better. Thanks again !

[rogolf]

You said earlier that I was fast to respond. Well, it's winter here - ever heard of cabin fever?

Anyway, Merry Christmas.

[bladehunter]

Lol. Yep. Same here. Super Windy day. So limited to what tasks i could do for work. So on here too much. Merry Christmas to you and yours as well !

[rogolf]

Merci beaucoup! (Thanks a lot!)

[antip]

I think you are not acknowledging the technology available to the USGA/PGA at their tournaments. They have a rules person scrutinising the high definition video feeds and they have the capacity to zoom to pore level and replay and slow mo to the nth degree. And they can do that throughout the tournaments - the players have no warning or guidance that big brother is watching to allow those wicked souls to only perform legally when they know they are being watched.

[LICC]

But they are allowing Langer to touch his arm to his chest, as long as he doesn’t “intend” to press his arm to his chest. No zoom video will show you that. It’s ridiculous

[sui generis]

Why, why do you so resolutely refuse to read the Rule? Rules and Interpretations Rules and Interpretations

 

[LICC]

Why, why do you so resolutely ignore the USGA interpretive release on the Rule?

“What methods of stroke are prohibited?

Rule 14-1b prohibits only a few types of strokes in which the club is intentionally anchored, either directly or through use of a forearm to establish an anchor point against the body.”

[Newby]

Does Langer hold his forearm or upper arm against his body?

[LICC]

Look at the video I posted and you tell us what you think it looks like.

[sui generis]

The ruling bodies learned long ago that there are several methods for determining compliance with the Rules. One method, seemingly your favorite, sitting on one's fat butt in front of a TV doesn't work for all cases.

[LICC]

Don't lash out with low level personal attacks because I pointed out that you were clueless about the USGA interpretive release. That's how you get a bad reputation.

[bladehunter]

It’s pretty easy to see that he and McCaron do. Are they pressing it or not ? Don’t know. But there are hundreds of pics and videos that show Langer with a forearm touching.

This is why I have a hard time understanding how the rule really is enforced.

 

Come on guys. You have to stop being defensive for a second and be real. Do either of you think this rule is portraying a clean appearance of “ legal ,illegal “. If yes please explain in detail. I am open minded and quite interested. If no , then why would you disagree that it should be better ?

[Newby]

The rule would seem to distinguish between 'touching' and 'holding against'. Which is he doing?

[sui generis]

10.1b/1 – Player Must Not Anchor the Club with Forearm Against BodyHolding a forearm against the body during a stroke  is an indirect means of anchoring the club.

For an “anchor point” to exist, two things must happen: (1) the player must hold a forearm against the body; and (2) the player must grip the club so that the hands are separated and work independently from each other.

For example, in making a stroke  with a long putter, the player’s forearm is held against his or her body to establish a stable point, while the bottom hand is held down the shaft to swing the lower portion of the club.

However, a player is allowed to hold one or both forearms against his or her body in making a stroke , so long as doing so does not create an anchor point.

 

[Shilgy]

All your going to get from some is the yelling of "he's touching, he's touching"!!!

Watch these guys in person, without prejudice, and it's easy to see that they are not anchoring. If a part of the hand or arm brushes against the shirt or jacket some will scream foul even though you can see the movement and not be anchored.

[Sean2]

On TV it looks like some anchoring is going on, however just because it may look that way on TV doesn't mean it is actually occurring. IF Langer, for example, was anchoring, I suspect he would have been called out for it by his peers.

[LICC]

Some have complained behind the scenes apparently.

[farmer]

I would like my belly putter to come back (maybe). I would like to change the age rules. All of them.

[antip]

To emphasise what Sui (and others) are saying, this is taken from the R&A Advanced Quiz:

On the putting green, a player addresses the ball with her club anchored directly against her body. However, during her backswing, the player removes the putter from the anchor point and continues with her stroke with the club no longer anchored. What is the ruling?

A

There is no penalty.

B

The player gets two penalty strokes and the ball is played as it lies.

C

The player gets one penalty stroke and the ball is played as it lies.

<

The R&A's answer is A. My understanding of Langer's technique is he makes his practice strokes anchored, takes his stance anchored, then moves the hands off his body ('lifts anchor') and putts. This is his repeating technique and all absolutely legal. And he is one of the most ethical players on the planet (Patrick Reed he ain't). IMO, he literally couldn't live with himself if he was breaking the rules and accepting prize money he is not entitled to. (Aside, he also happens to be one of the finest ball strikers of the last 50 years and has a prodigious work ethic.)

Clearly, some contributors to this thread do not like the rule and would like to see it changed. I get that. My quirky cut on this is I would limit the length of all clubs, not just all but the putter.