Armlock length

[teddyironboy]

I see the rules say you can’t anchor a long putter above the elbow. But having some of the grip in contact with the arm above the elbow, is that ok?

[antip]

58 minutes ago, teddyironboy said:

I see the rules say you can’t anchor a long putter above the elbow. But having some of the grip in contact with the arm above the elbow, is that ok?

The club cannot be held against the body (exception for against hand or forearm), so holding against the arm above the elbow is breach of 10.1b.

[teddyironboy]

But what about holding against the forearm, like in the picture, but imagine the top of the putter grip extending to the bicep? Because even if the grip is longer, the anchor point is still the forearm.

 

[antip]

1 hour ago, teddyironboy said:

But what about holding against the forearm, like in the picture, but imagine the top of the putter grip extending to the bicep? Because even if the grip is longer, the anchor point is still the forearm.

 

If the club is in contact with the bicep, how can that not be holding the club against part of the body?

 

You could try the USGA and see if they give a different answer ([email protected])

[sui generis]

1 hour ago, antip said:

You could try the USGA and see if they give a different answer ([email protected])

 

Or, call them at 908-326-1850. The person who answers will happily give you the correct ruling. Honest, they take all sorts of questions all day . . . it's their job. 🙂

[Dpavs]

3 hours ago, teddyironboy said:

But what about holding against the forearm, like in the picture, but imagine the top of the putter grip extending to the bicep? Because even if the grip is longer, the anchor point is still the forearm.

 

 

Honestly you could just call the USGA as Sui indicated but I believe antip has already answered your question.

 

Let's look at 10.1b (the relevant parts I will reference can be seen below in full context of the rule)

 

The first part provides an exception to anchoring by indicating that the player must not anchor the club.... "(except that the player may hold the club or a gripping hand against a hand or forearm)"

It is important to understand that the exception is allowing you to "hold" the club against any part the forearm

 

The second part very clearly states that "For the purposes of this Rule, “forearm” means the part of the arm below the elbow joint and includes the wrist."

 

Therefore "holding" the club against the upper part of the arm would not be allowed regardless of any reference as to where you feel you are actually anchoring it.

 

To be honest because of the exception, I don't really think that holding the club against the forearm should even be thought of as anchoring, but that is another discussion all together. 😉

 

 

Rule 10.1b -

b. Anchoring the Club

In making a stroke, the player must not anchor the club, either:

• Directly, by holding the club or a gripping hand against any part of the body (except that the player may hold the club or a gripping hand against a hand or forearm), or   ^{*(referenced part 1)}

• Indirectly, through use of an “anchor point,” by holding a forearm against any part of the body to use a gripping hand as a stable point around which the other hand may swing the club.

If the player’s club, gripping hand or forearm merely touches his or her body or clothing during the stroke, without being held against the body, there is no breach of this Rule.

For the purposes of this Rule, “forearm” means the part of the arm below the elbow joint and includes the wrist. ^{*(referenced part 2)}

Edited January 11, 2022 by Dpavs