Anchored Putters Banned in 2016

[Tre4ISU]

Great news. I, for one didn't like them. I didn't really care if they were allowed on the amateur side but I didn't really want pros using them.

Golf's governing bodies impose ban on anchoring putter starting in January 2016 - ESPN

 

[CycoCyclone]

as long it's a human holding the club (even if it is against his/her body), I had no issues with it.

 

[Clonefan32]

I agree that I don't like belly putters, but you have to question where you begin drawing lines equipment wise. We have tour-legal drivers with knobs and dials to change the lie of your club to assist in a fade/draw. At some point you have to draw a line with alot of the new technology.

 

[CarolinaCy]

I agree that I don't like belly putters, but you have to question where you begin drawing lines equipment wise. We have tour-legal drivers with knobs and dials to change the lie of your club to assist in a fade/draw. At some point you have to draw a line with alot of the new technology.

The putters aren't being banned, anchoring them to the body is what is being banned. It doesn't have anything to do with the clubs or banning a certain type of technology. These types of putters will still be allowed, you just can't hold it against your gut or chest anymore to putt.

 

[Tre4ISU]

I agree that I don't like belly putters, but you have to question where you begin drawing lines equipment wise. We have tour-legal drivers with knobs and dials to change the lie of your club to assist in a fade/draw. At some point you have to draw a line with alot of the new technology.

Yes, but you can't adjust it during play. That line has been drawn and basically all it has done has made the adjustment process easier. I wouldn't be surprised if we see some ball regulations changed in the coming years but I think as far as clubs were are pretty much down to helping the weekend warrior while maybe making pros longer or be able to control things a little better. My current driver isn't significantly longer than the one I had 10 years ago but it is more forgiving which some tour players wouldn't prefer.

 

[1100011CS]

What if I put the butt end of the putter in the crook of my elbow? This is dumb. If it's so much of an advantage, why aren't all pros doing it?

 

[klamath632]

I didn't like the belly putters and I am glad they are gone. What's next? The old Czervik laser-guided putter?

 

[Tre4ISU]

What if I put the butt end of the putter in the crook of my elbow? This is dumb. If it's so much of an advantage, why aren't all pros doing it?

Look at the last few guys who have won majors.

 

[CarolinaCy]

What if I put the butt end of the putter in the crook of my elbow? This is dumb. If it's so much of an advantage, why aren't all pros doing it?

I think many pros didn't do it because they felt it violated the spirit of the game, regardless of the benefits. Plus I think some of them viewed using a belly putter or long putter as the equivalent of shooting free throws underhanded.

 

[erikbj]

Not a fan of it, Tiger started complaining about the belly putters a couple years ago - so the USGA changed the rules to make him happy. not a fan of it, one thing if they made the rule for the PGA tour guys, but why affect the amateurs - now I have a $400 belly putter and won't be able to use it in a couple years.

 

[Clark]

Not a fan of it, Tiger started complaining about the belly putters a couple years ago - so the USGA changed the rules to make him happy. not a fan of it, one thing if they made the rule for the PGA tour guys, but why affect the amateurs - now I have a $400 belly putter and won't be able to use it in a couple years.

yes you can.

 

[klamath632]

yes you can.

You must not know that erikbj is a professional golfer on the PGA Tour.

 

[Clark]

You must not know that erikbj is a professional golfer on the PGA Tour.

lol, he could still use it. He just wouldn't be able to anchor it.

 

[Rabbuk]

I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of pro golf careers suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced.

 

[Clonefan32]

You know, the more I think about it the more I dislike this change. First off, it was legal to all players and nothing was preventing other players from using it. Also, the PGA hasn't necessarily been resistant to other changes that have made the game easier. Look at the difference in driver head sizes from now to 15 years ago. Look at the difference in grooves in wedges (although I know they've regulated that).

Also, if they have found this to give a competitive advantage, what about a claw grip? If we could show that was more effective, should it be banned?

I get what they are trying to do, but this is a very slippery slope.

 

[IcSyU]

The claw grip is still a free swing which is the intention.

And spending $400 on a putter is ridiculous in the first place, belly putter or not.

 

[jbhtexas]

Does anchoring the putter pose some kind of danger to other players or the course?

How does it violates the spirit of the game? How does swinging a club and advancing the ball towards the hole violate the spirit of the game?

How does it give an advantage to one player over another when everyone is free to use the technique?

Anchoring is different: Intentionally securing one end of the club against the body, and creating a point of physical attachment around which the club is swung, is a substantial departure from that traditional free swing.

And gripping the putter with your hands doesn't create a point of physical attachment on one end of the club around which the club is swung???? Am I not intentionally securing one end of the club when I grip it?

Nothing more than the purists trying to keep the game closed. Too bad...

 

[Deanster]

I like it, keep everybody using the same stuff. Plus they look dumb.

 

[Tre4ISU]

Does anchoring the putter pose some kind of danger to other players or the course?

How does it violates the spirit of the game? How does swinging a club and advancing the ball towards the hole violate the spirit of the game?

How does it give an advantage to one player over another when everyone is free to use the technique?



And gripping the putter with your hands doesn't create a point of physical attachment on one end of the club around which the club is swung???? Am I not intentionally securing one end of the club when I grip it?

Nothing more than the purists trying to keep the game closed. Too bad...

What?

If you can't see the difference between anchoring to chest or belly and in your hands, then that's too bad. I've tried those putters and it's clear that fixing that end takes a lot of movement. I never used one for a long period of time but just in trying them, I think I could get pretty damn good at putting. Under pressure, I don't know what happens but I would imagine that end being fixed takes some shake out.

 

[peteypie]

This comment summed up my thoughts:
The jokes on you golf, I still can't putt with ANY putter! This rule doesn't effect me at all.