It's official: USGA, R&A propose anchor ban

[Cyd]

Rule 14-3. Refers to "using equipment in an unusual manner that might assist in making a stroke."

[rustyputterguy]

[quote name='wick_dawg' timestamp='1354143404' post='5991953']
[quote name='monkeynaut' timestamp='1354130876' post='5990751']
[quote name='KYMAR' timestamp='1354130731' post='5990737']
[quote name='Dire Wolf' timestamp='1354130362' post='5990715']
[quote name='cardoustie' timestamp='1354130226' post='5990703']
i can see it now .. guys with back surgeries etc suing to go long putter due to a proven serious medical condition ... Casey Martin ruling pops into my mind
[/quote]

An injury is not the same as a birth defect. Are we going to make rules protecting players from the effects of all injuries, now?
[/quote]

And even if the case could be made they are similar enough, if for nothing more than the sake of this conversation, what could the argument possibly be? I had back surgery, therefore I need to anchor the putter? That is why the ruling is directed at how a stroke is made, and what makes a legal stroke. It ends the whole idea of disadvantaging someone who can't bend over because they have a back disease (for the record, As i do) All but the most adamant supporters of anchoring would cringe at that suggestion.
[/quote] "MY BAD BACK WON'T LET ME PUTT! But for some reason I can drive the ball 300 yards...."
[/quote]

You have no idea what you're talking about. I have 2 herniated discs and a fractured vertebrae in my lower back.

As long as my form is good on a full swing, it's a very natural motion and I have no pain. If my form is off, my back let's me know about it. But I can let loose a 300 yard drive when everything comes together.

Standing over a 35" putter is a different story. That hurts far worse than a full swing as long as my form is good.

So yes, believe it when these players with bad backs can crank it 300 yards but experience pain whilst putting with a standard length putter.

I'm sure many golfers with bad backs will agree with me.
[/quote]
This just in, you don't have to anchor a putter to use a long putter and save your back.

[Floratine]

[quote name='TRoc9892' timestamp='1354119691' post='5989733']
[quote name='Floratine' timestamp='1354118004' post='5989535']
I'll admit that I'm more than a little pissed. Like some of you I didn't change to a long putter because I couldn't putt, I switched because I have a bad back and couldn't practice. Bending over to practice with a short putter killed my lower back and the long putter and even belly, my belly putter is too long for me which allows me to bend over less, relieved the pressure in my lower back. This allowed me to practice putting which in turn allowed me to make more putts, practice allowed me to not the putter!

Now I know they didn't ban them completely so I can use but not anchor. However, I'm not a tour pro who has 14 hours a day to practice a new stroke. This was far and away my best putting year and I've been using the long putter for 5 years, so I guess 5 years from now I'll see success with the new method. Utterly retarded by the USGA.
[/quote]
Is there something that makes your back completely unable to practice putter for longer amounts of time? Because that completely unnaturaly position of the normal putting stance hurts everyone's back. Instead of just concluding that you can't putt normally, strengthen your back. Do excercises or stretches.
[/quote]


[color=#FF0000][b][size=5]Why thank you for that fantastic advice!!! I had never thought about exercising or stretching to strengthen my back, my God I feel like an idiot for not thinking of that!![/size][/b][/color]

I've had back problems since i was 13 and I'm now 33. I've been to more specialist than I can count and the consensus is I need a 2 level fusion or disc replacement. I have stenosis of the L5S1, a blown L4/L5 with a central tear to the L5/S1 that affects my sciatic nerve. The L4/L5 has a bunch of little cracks and its their opinion that nerve endings have grown into some of these cracks and because of that every little compression is amplified. Not only can I not practice with a short putter I don't pound balls on the range, I hit maybe 10 balls with a driver on the range this entire season. My practice consist of some wedges on a short range and putting, nothing else. I stretch for an entire hour prior to every round of golf, I wear a thermocare heat pad for every round even in 95* temps, I workout 5-6 days a week, 3 of those days with a personal trainer to ensure proper form. Part of my exercises are golf specific to give me the best chance of having my back hold up. With all of that my last round was October 10 because I was sick of my back aching and decided to take an extended winter break. The fact I'm a scratch golfer with my back, without being able to practice is amazing to some people. I'm sure my size doesn't help being 5'8" and 130Ibs while having 110mph ss is surely hard on my back. The problem is I love the game and the belly and long putter increased that love as it allowed me to practice at least 1 aspect of the game. I'll figure this out, I have no doubt.

I have a very strong core and back. This does not help me avoid pain! IN the second round of club championship this year I made a practice swing with a 3 wood and dropped to my knees, done, over, couldn't move. This has nothing to do with strength, its a nerve issue and bending over to practice with a short putter exacerbates the problem.

[360_CS]

So they are banning something that helps people who suffer with a mental issue and therefore limiting their ability to make a living

[monkeynaut]

[quote name='rustyputterguy' timestamp='1354144276' post='5992007']
[quote name='wick_dawg' timestamp='1354143404' post='5991953']
[quote name='monkeynaut' timestamp='1354130876' post='5990751']
[quote name='KYMAR' timestamp='1354130731' post='5990737']
[quote name='Dire Wolf' timestamp='1354130362' post='5990715']
[quote name='cardoustie' timestamp='1354130226' post='5990703']
i can see it now .. guys with back surgeries etc suing to go long putter due to a proven serious medical condition ... Casey Martin ruling pops into my mind
[/quote]

An injury is not the same as a birth defect. Are we going to make rules protecting players from the effects of all injuries, now?
[/quote]

And even if the case could be made they are similar enough, if for nothing more than the sake of this conversation, what could the argument possibly be? I had back surgery, therefore I need to anchor the putter? That is why the ruling is directed at how a stroke is made, and what makes a legal stroke. It ends the whole idea of disadvantaging someone who can't bend over because they have a back disease (for the record, As i do) All but the most adamant supporters of anchoring would cringe at that suggestion.
[/quote] "MY BAD BACK WON'T LET ME PUTT! But for some reason I can drive the ball 300 yards...."
[/quote]

You have no idea what you're talking about. I have 2 herniated discs and a fractured vertebrae in my lower back.

As long as my form is good on a full swing, it's a very natural motion and I have no pain. If my form is off, my back let's me know about it. But I can let loose a 300 yard drive when everything comes together.

Standing over a 35" putter is a different story. That hurts far worse than a full swing as long as my form is good.

So yes, believe it when these players with bad backs can crank it 300 yards but experience pain whilst putting with a standard length putter.

I'm sure many golfers with bad backs will agree with me.
[/quote]
This just in, you don't have to anchor a putter to use a long putter and save your back.
[/quote]They don't want to hear that.
Romney was right. 47% just want to have their putts handed to them.

[highergr0und]

[quote name='307golf' timestamp='1354143517' post='5991965']
[quote] I don't believe for one second that people cannot see the difference between a stroke where the butt is anchored in one place and the way Kuchar putts...[/quote]

Both techniques are designed to reduce variables, namely the movement of the hands and wrists. Both techniques accomplish this goal, though slightly differently. Is the "Kuchar style" of putting in the best interest of the game? Why is one strategy legal, while the other is not, given that both are quite outside the traditional swing of the golf club including contact through the hands.
[/quote]

To me, a belly stroke with a conventional grip looks WAY better than a claw or a forearm anchored stroke. I agree that a broom stroke looked silly, but I was not for the ban.

[highergr0und]

I guess it's just on us to see what all we can get the USGA to ban. Come up with a stroke method that works that looks absolutely ridiculous. Using a long or belly putter to do so is a big plus.

[Floratine]

[quote name='rustyputterguy' timestamp='1354144276' post='5992007']
[quote name='wick_dawg' timestamp='1354143404' post='5991953']
[quote name='monkeynaut' timestamp='1354130876' post='5990751']
[quote name='KYMAR' timestamp='1354130731' post='5990737']
[quote name='Dire Wolf' timestamp='1354130362' post='5990715']
[quote name='cardoustie' timestamp='1354130226' post='5990703']
i can see it now .. guys with back surgeries etc suing to go long putter due to a proven serious medical condition ... Casey Martin ruling pops into my mind
[/quote]

An injury is not the same as a birth defect. Are we going to make rules protecting players from the effects of all injuries, now?
[/quote]

And even if the case could be made they are similar enough, if for nothing more than the sake of this conversation, what could the argument possibly be? I had back surgery, therefore I need to anchor the putter? That is why the ruling is directed at how a stroke is made, and what makes a legal stroke. It ends the whole idea of disadvantaging someone who can't bend over because they have a back disease (for the record, As i do) All but the most adamant supporters of anchoring would cringe at that suggestion.
[/quote] "MY BAD BACK WON'T LET ME PUTT! But for some reason I can drive the ball 300 yards...."
[/quote]

You have no idea what you're talking about. I have 2 herniated discs and a fractured vertebrae in my lower back.

As long as my form is good on a full swing, it's a very natural motion and I have no pain. If my form is off, my back let's me know about it. But I can let loose a 300 yard drive when everything comes together.

Standing over a 35" putter is a different story. That hurts far worse than a full swing as long as my form is good.

So yes, believe it when these players with bad backs can crank it 300 yards but experience pain whilst putting with a standard length putter.

I'm sure many golfers with bad backs will agree with me.
[/quote]
This just in, you don't have to anchor a putter to use a long putter and save your back.
[/quote]

You are correct, you don't have to and starting next year I won't. I know the rules don't kick in for a cpl years but just like the groove rule I felt compelled to switch. My issue isn't changing its the annoyance of having to figure out a new stroke when all the statistical data showed anchoring wasn't an advantage to begin with. A cpl guys win some tournaments and the USGA get there panties in a bunch and now everyone, if you want a valid handicap, must adapt. Its simply ridiculous. Oh well, I'm headed to the garage to take a cpl inches off one of my belly putters to start experimenting.

[Cyd]

One thing to consider.

All clubs can and do have local rules.

Lobby your local club to adopt a rule for amatuer events, MGA events and the like to allow anchoring. Make your case and see what happens.

As for the guy who I may play with who wishes to use a long putter and anchor it. I don't care. I'm not playing for millions of dollars so it makes no difference to me how you putt.

I wish I was a better putter, have toyed with the long and belly putter. I didn't care for it, but that does not mean that guys in my Men's Associoation who are older or have physical limitations should not be allowed to use the long putter in a manner that allows them to enjoy the game of golf.

Until bifurcation happens, adopt local or group rules as to who can and cannot anchor putters.

If you don't belong to a club, then use your putter to your hearts content.

If someone calls you a cheater, make note that is not someone you care to play with again. Because I can practically guarentee you they have cheated some how some way in their past.

[rustyputterguy]

[quote name='monkeynaut' timestamp='1354144632' post='5992033']
[quote name='rustyputterguy' timestamp='1354144276' post='5992007']
This just in, you don't have to anchor a putter to use a long putter and save your back.
[/quote]They don't want to hear that.
Romney was right. 47% just want to have their putts handed to them.
[/quote]
I actually laughed out loud.

[wick_dawg]

[quote name='rustyputterguy' timestamp='1354144276' post='5992007']
[quote name='wick_dawg' timestamp='1354143404' post='5991953']
[quote name='monkeynaut' timestamp='1354130876' post='5990751']
[quote name='KYMAR' timestamp='1354130731' post='5990737']
[quote name='Dire Wolf' timestamp='1354130362' post='5990715']
[quote name='cardoustie' timestamp='1354130226' post='5990703']
i can see it now .. guys with back surgeries etc suing to go long putter due to a proven serious medical condition ... Casey Martin ruling pops into my mind
[/quote]

An injury is not the same as a birth defect. Are we going to make rules protecting players from the effects of all injuries, now?
[/quote]

And even if the case could be made they are similar enough, if for nothing more than the sake of this conversation, what could the argument possibly be? I had back surgery, therefore I need to anchor the putter? That is why the ruling is directed at how a stroke is made, and what makes a legal stroke. It ends the whole idea of disadvantaging someone who can't bend over because they have a back disease (for the record, As i do) All but the most adamant supporters of anchoring would cringe at that suggestion.
[/quote] "MY BAD BACK WON'T LET ME PUTT! But for some reason I can drive the ball 300 yards...."
[/quote]

You have no idea what you're talking about. I have 2 herniated discs and a fractured vertebrae in my lower back.

As long as my form is good on a full swing, it's a very natural motion and I have no pain. If my form is off, my back let's me know about it. But I can let loose a 300 yard drive when everything comes together.

Standing over a 35" putter is a different story. That hurts far worse than a full swing as long as my form is good.

So yes, believe it when these players with bad backs can crank it 300 yards but experience pain whilst putting with a standard length putter.

I'm sure many golfers with bad backs will agree with me.
[/quote]
This just in, you don't have to anchor a putter to use a long putter and save your back.
[/quote]

Pay attention dude. My comment was in response to this guys ignorant disbelief that someone can hit a 300 yard drive but experience pain from putting with a standard length putter. Apparently you missed the point. It's ok buddy... You'll catch up.

[MtlJeff]

as i've said many times, i don't have a problem with them banning the anchored putter. I even agree with many of the reasons. I also don't think it will affect pros who use it that much, and am sure Keegan and Webb will be fine.

older players who want to use long putters for health reasons still can, just don't anchor them...again no real issue there IMO. If your hands shake over a putt maybe you shouldn't be a great golfer. I mean if your hands shake while shooting a free throw in basketball, you are just bad at free throws, simple as that

but the way the USGA banned them, which is simply caving to the public opinion and antiquated notions of "purity" from retired pros and media personnel after a couple of major wins....is simply laughable

[Socrates]

I'd like to see Keegan Bradley win either the US Open or the Open this coming year and then tell them to 'stick it' at the ceremony.

[Cyd]

[quote name='Floratine' timestamp='1354144859' post='5992053']
A cpl guys win some tournaments and the USGA get there panties in a bunch and now everyone, if you want a valid handicap, must adapt. Its simply ridiculous. Oh well, I'm headed to the garage to take a cpl inches off one of my belly putters to start experimenting.
[/quote]


I would say it was actually eldrick who got his panties in a bunch but I don't want to offend eldricks fans.

[monkeynaut]

[quote name='MtlJeff' timestamp='1354145206' post='5992091']
as i've said many times, i don't have a problem with them banning the anchored putter. I even agree with many of the reasons. I also don't think it will affect pros who use it that much, and am sure Keegan and Webb will be fine.

older players who want to use long putters for health reasons still can, just don't anchor them...again no real issue there IMO. If your hands shake over a putt maybe you shouldn't be a great golfer. I mean if your hands shake while shooting a free throw in basketball, you are just bad at free throws, simple as that

but the way the USGA banned them, which is simply caving to the public opinion and antiquated notions of "purity" from retired pros and media personnel after a couple of major wins....is simply laughable
[/quote]
Shame there's no "Hack a Shaq" in the Majors.

[307golf]

I really hope an anchored putter wins the Masters this year (or before 2016). It would complete the slam if I'm not mistaken.

[MtlJeff]

[quote name='307golf' timestamp='1354145363' post='5992105']
I really hope an anchored putter wins the Masters this year (or before 2016). It would complete the slam if I'm not mistaken.
[/quote]

it will be interesting if guys still use the putter until 2016, or if they just figure they might as well switch right away and get used to it

[monkeynaut]

Yes. It would complete The Sham.

[rustyputterguy]

[quote name='Floratine' timestamp='1354144859' post='5992053']
[quote name='rustyputterguy' timestamp='1354144276' post='5992007']
[quote name='wick_dawg' timestamp='1354143404' post='5991953']
[quote name='monkeynaut' timestamp='1354130876' post='5990751']
[quote name='KYMAR' timestamp='1354130731' post='5990737']
[quote name='Dire Wolf' timestamp='1354130362' post='5990715']
[quote name='cardoustie' timestamp='1354130226' post='5990703']
i can see it now .. guys with back surgeries etc suing to go long putter due to a proven serious medical condition ... Casey Martin ruling pops into my mind
[/quote]

An injury is not the same as a birth defect. Are we going to make rules protecting players from the effects of all injuries, now?
[/quote]

And even if the case could be made they are similar enough, if for nothing more than the sake of this conversation, what could the argument possibly be? I had back surgery, therefore I need to anchor the putter? That is why the ruling is directed at how a stroke is made, and what makes a legal stroke. It ends the whole idea of disadvantaging someone who can't bend over because they have a back disease (for the record, As i do) All but the most adamant supporters of anchoring would cringe at that suggestion.
[/quote] "MY BAD BACK WON'T LET ME PUTT! But for some reason I can drive the ball 300 yards...."
[/quote]

You have no idea what you're talking about. I have 2 herniated discs and a fractured vertebrae in my lower back.

As long as my form is good on a full swing, it's a very natural motion and I have no pain. If my form is off, my back let's me know about it. But I can let loose a 300 yard drive when everything comes together.

Standing over a 35" putter is a different story. That hurts far worse than a full swing as long as my form is good.

So yes, believe it when these players with bad backs can crank it 300 yards but experience pain whilst putting with a standard length putter.

I'm sure many golfers with bad backs will agree with me.
[/quote]
This just in, you don't have to anchor a putter to use a long putter and save your back.
[/quote]

You are correct, you don't have to and starting next year I won't. I know the rules don't kick in for a cpl years but just like the groove rule I felt compelled to switch. My issue isn't changing its the annoyance of having to figure out a new stroke when all the statistical data showed anchoring wasn't an advantage to begin with. A cpl guys win some tournaments and the USGA get there panties in a bunch and now everyone, if you want a valid handicap, must adapt. Its simply ridiculous. Oh well, I'm headed to the garage to take a cpl inches off one of my belly putters to start experimenting.
[/quote]
I get what you're saying, it sucks for a lot of people, but there's a lot of talk about guys with bad backs who have to quit because they can't use their long putters. That's just not the case. Agree with the ruling or disagree, anchoring a long putter isn't the only way guys with bad backs can putt, as inconvenient as a change may be. Good luck.

[hoganfan924]

Guys have been anchoring since the 1930's!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPjiQfP6mX8

What's this guy going to do!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fC4SwgRuWuM

[rustyputterguy]

[quote name='wick_dawg' timestamp='1354145152' post='5992087']
Pay attention dude. My comment was in response to this guys ignorant disbelief that someone can hit a 300 yard drive but experience pain from putting with a standard length putter. Apparently you missed the point. It's ok buddy... You'll catch up.
[/quote]
Sorry to hurt your feelings. I know it's hard to follow the entire string of comments you quoted and how my comment might relate to them and not just yours. My comment wasn't directed soley at you and I shouldn't have quoted you. My apologies.

[Irons]

I have long felt that the belly, broom and all sundry long putters be banned from the Tour to start with and then extended to cover all us club hacks, so this is a first step in the right direction.

Nothing is more pathetic than seeing Tour pros with anchored long putters after 300-yds+ drives and short irons to greens to ease up the only real test left
for them with brooms and other long stems and curious grips and stance. The putter-shaft length should be allowed to vary but within a maximum limit, to compensate for the players' height, that's all.

It is well documented that you see the line far better when standing upright, therefore a long putter has an undue advantage, particularly if anchored, over other competitors...and recent wins by otherwise dubious putters proves the point.

[smoky25]

I would like someone who is pro-ban to explain to me why it has taken decades and a reversal of a previous ruling for the R&A/USGA to figure out that anchoring is against the "spirit of the rules." Careful, I am not a fool.

[wobgon]

[quote name='Irons' timestamp='1354146761' post='5992201']
I have long felt that the belly, broom and all sundry long putters be banned from the Tour to start with and then extended to cover all us club hacks, so this is a first step in the right direction.

Nothing is more pathetic than seeing Tour pros with anchored long putters after 300-yds+ drives and short irons to greens to ease up the only real test left
for them with brooms and other long stems and curious grips and stance. The putter-shaft length should be allowed to vary but within a maximum limit, to compensate for the players' height, that's all.

It is well documented that you see the line far better when standing upright, therefore a long putter has an undue advantage, particularly if anchored, over other competitors...and recent wins by otherwise dubious putters proves the point.
[/quote]
I have no desire to use a long putter but recent wins prove nothing. If it's opinion, say it,s opinion. welcome to the sight!

[307golf]

[quote]I would like someone who is pro-ban to explain to me why it has taken decades and a reversal of a previous ruling for the R&A/USGA to figure out that anchoring is against the "spirit of the rules." Careful, I am not a fool. [/quote]

Because. "They" think so, and "they" are responsible for protecting the game...

My guess is that the threat didn't seem that significant until recently (major wins and junior golfers moving in large numbers to longer putters).

[SnapFade2]

im glad i hate those stupid looking things. good riddance.

[pingman1]

[quote name='SnapFade2' timestamp='1354147904' post='5992275']
im glad i hate those stupid looking things. good riddance.
[/quote]

Those "stupid looking" things will still be around, they will just find ways around anchoring, i.e. putting side saddle with the long putter.

[avrag]

[quote name='smoky25' timestamp='1354147324' post='5992231']
I would like someone who is pro-ban to explain to me why it has taken decades and a reversal of a previous ruling for the R&A/USGA to figure out that anchoring is against the "spirit of the rules." Careful, I am not a fool.
[/quote]

I think Topekareal summed it up pretty well in post #247 (page 9).

[mkc]

[quote name='smoky25' timestamp='1354147324' post='5992231']
I would like someone who is pro-ban to explain to me why it has taken decades and a reversal of a previous ruling for the R&A/USGA to figure out that anchoring is against the "spirit of the rules." Careful, I am not a fool.
[/quote]

From what I got from Davis and Dawson on golf channel today, they say that after the surge in popularity over the last couple years, especially this past year, they have developed much concern over the anchoring method becoming mainstream. What with young kids now getting in the game and starting off with anchoring as their putting technique. So basically for the past 30-40 years it seems they didn't think anyone really thought it was any credible way of getting the job done unless you were at the end of the rope in the putting department and needed some last ditch effort to get the ball in the hole. Now with this new found popularity and some teachers teaching it as a better way of getting the job done, they felt the need to finally step in and clarify the rules and define what is a swing.

This is just what I got from listening from them today on tv.

Side note, was watching at my parents, and my mother, who doesn't really know much about golf says out of the blue "It looks like they're cheating". I thought that was interesting coming from a non-golfer.

[smoky25]

[quote name='avrag' timestamp='1354148143' post='5992305']
[quote name='smoky25' timestamp='1354147324' post='5992231']
I would like someone who is pro-ban to explain to me why it has taken decades and a reversal of a previous ruling for the R&A/USGA to figure out that anchoring is against the "spirit of the rules." Careful, I am not a fool.
[/quote]

I think Topekareal summed it up pretty well in post #247 (page 9).
[/quote]

I agree.