Anchored Putters Banned in 2016

[Clonefan32]

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.

Ok then, what about those massive putter grips? Isn't the intent of those to also make putting easier? Isn't the purpose of every new driver to eliminate side-spin on the ball while improving length? Isn't the dimple layout of every new ball meant to eliminate unwanted spin as well? New shafts meant to create more torque?

I understand the physics of creating another anchored point makes it easier to keep the club steady, but there are innovations in golf each year that are meant to effect the physics of the flight of the ball. To pick out this one thing is silly. I was for this rule change until I really thought about all of the ways people try to gain an advantage in golf.

 

[CarolinaCy]

Ok then, what about those massive putter grips? Isn't the intent of those to also make putting easier? Isn't the purpose of every new driver to eliminate side-spin on the ball while improving length? Isn't the dimple layout of every new ball meant to eliminate unwanted spin as well? New shafts meant to create more torque?

I understand the physics of creating another anchored point makes it easier to keep the club steady, but there are innovations in golf each year that are meant to effect the physics of the flight of the ball. To pick out this one thing is silly. I was for this rule change until I really thought about all of the ways people try to gain an advantage in golf.

This rule has nothing to do with banning something that makes the game easier. If using an anchored putter made putting vastly easier, then every single player on tour would do it. Guys that putt better with these putters are likely getting a mental advantage because they can't putt worth a crap with a standard putter.

IMO, this rule is all about making the putting stroke as close as possible to the swing of any other club. Name one other club that, when swung, the base of the club does not move at all. Why should the putting stroke be any different?

 

[jbhtexas]

IMO, this rule is all about making the putting stroke as close as possible to the swing of any other club. Name one other club that, when swung, the base of the club does not move at all. Why should the putting stroke be any different?

Why does the putting stroke have to be the same as every other stroke?

 

[Tre4ISU]

Ok then, what about those massive putter grips? Isn't the intent of those to also make putting easier? Isn't the purpose of every new driver to eliminate side-spin on the ball while improving length? Isn't the dimple layout of every new ball meant to eliminate unwanted spin as well? New shafts meant to create more torque?

I understand the physics of creating another anchored point makes it easier to keep the club steady, but there are innovations in golf each year that are meant to effect the physics of the flight of the ball. To pick out this one thing is silly. I was for this rule change until I really thought about all of the ways people try to gain an advantage in golf.

All of those things are also regulated.

 

[jbhtexas]

To pick out this one thing is silly.

Exactly. This rule is complete hypocrisy.

 

[TruClone]

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?

Because they need a gimmick to get past their mental part of the game.

 

[jbhtexas]

All of those things are also regulated.

Exactly. They are regulated, because if they were banned (as they should be for consistency with this silly new putting rule), there would be an outcry from the equipment industry as their revenue streams are stomped on.

The USGA picked anchored putting because they can look good in the eyes of the rich purists as far as keeping the game traditional, and because it will have minimal impact on the equipment makers.

As Azinger said in the clip following the main clip, the arguments given by USGA in support for the anchored putting ban are just plain silly.

The hypocrisy of this rule change is really kind of mind-boggling. As Azinger pointed out, The USGA bemoans the fact that less and less people are playing golf, and then they implement a rule to take away something that seems to be growing and makes golf more enjoyable for the casual golfer. In the mean time, equipment that allows pros and the better golfers to knock out huge drives (which requires courses to be updated and made longer/more difficut, and thus more difficult/expensive for casual golfers) is allowed.

Just crazy. The USGA/PGA puts all kinds of programs in place to get kids involved in golf, only to have many of them drop it in later life because the USGA/PGA has allowed an environment to develop where those same people can't afford the cost/time involved to stay in the sport as adults.

 

[CarolinaCy]

Older article, but gives some perspective from the USGA and R&A as to why they pushed for this:

Golf to ban anchoring of belly putters, long putters

 

[erikbj]

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

Haha, no pro....need all the help Incan get!!

I messed around with not anchoring it and its just ackward. Guess I will have to buy a new putter in the next 3 years.

 

[isutrevman]

Exactly. They are regulated, because if they were banned (as they should be for consistency with this silly new putting rule), there would be an outcry from the equipment industry as their revenue streams are stomped on.

The USGA picked anchored putting because they can look good in the eyes of the rich purists as far as keeping the game traditional, and because it will have minimal impact on the equipment makers.

As Azinger said in the clip following the main clip, the arguments given by in support of USGA for the anchored putting ban are just plain silly.

The hypocrisy of this rule change is really kind of mind-boggling. As Azinger pointed out, The USGA bemoans the fact that less and less people are playing golf, and then they vote to take away something that seems to be growing and makes golf more enjoyable for the casual golfer. In the mean time, equipment that allows pros and the better golfers to knock out huge drives (which requires courses to be updated and made longer/more difficut, and thus more difficult/expensive for casual golfers) is allowed.

Just crazy. You put all kinds of programs in place to get kids involved in golf, only to have the majority of them drop it in later life because they can't afford the cost/time involved to stay in the sport.

The putters aren't banned, players just can't anchor them to their body. There are players right now who use long putters, but don't anchor them.

What kids are going to quit because of this? Do many non-professional golfers actually use these? I can't remember the last time a saw someone using an anchored putter when I've been out on the course. I really don't think kids are being taught to use the anchored technique as opposed to the traditional way.

 

[CarolinaCy]

Exactly. They are regulated, because if they were banned (as they should be for consistency with this silly new putting rule), there would be an outcry from the equipment industry as their revenue streams are stomped on.

The USGA picked anchored putting because they can look good in the eyes of the rich purists as far as keeping the game traditional, and because it will have minimal impact on the equipment makers.

As Azinger said in the clip following the main clip, the arguments given by in support of USGA for the anchored putting ban are just plain silly.

The hypocrisy of this rule change is really kind of mind-boggling. As Azinger pointed out, The USGA bemoans the fact that less and less people are playing golf, and then they vote to take away something that seems to be growing and makes golf more enjoyable for the casual golfer. In the mean time, equipment that allows pros and the better golfers to knock out huge drives (which requires courses to be updated and made longer/more difficut, and thus more difficult/expensive for casual golfers) is allowed. Just crazy...

Yes. It's giant conspiracy to keep us non-rich folk down. I've never used a non-standard length putter and I still manage to have fun on the course. As Mike Davis of the USGA said, "For 570 years, people figured out how to play without anchoring. Now they can't do without it?"

 

[jbhtexas]

Yes. It's giant conspiracy to keep us non-rich folk down.

No, it's just a dumb rule to make the USGA feel good about themselves while they look the other way and fail to do anything about the serious issues that are making golf less available and less appealing to those who would be casual golfers.

 

[jbhtexas]

What kids are going to quit because of this?

Probably very few, but that's not the point I was making...

 

[CarolinaCy]

No, it's just a dumb rule to make the USGA feel good about themselves while they look the other way and fail to do anything about the serious issues that are make golf less available and appealing to casual golfers.

What serious issues?

 

[NickTheGreat]

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.

Agreed. Give me the pre-graphite shaft days and wooden club heads any time!

 

[Rabbuk]

I don't see why people who aren't professional players even care from a quality of their own game standpoint.

 

[TruClone]

Haha, no pro....need all the help Incan get!!

I messed around with not anchoring it and its just ackward. Guess I will have to buy a new putter in the next 3 years.

Have never used one but could you shorten the shaft, add a new grip and putt conventionally?

 

[Tre4ISU]

No, it's just a dumb rule to make the USGA feel good about themselves while they look the other way and fail to do anything about the serious issues that are making golf less available and less appealing to those who would be casual golfers.

Like what? Out of 75 people at league last night there are 0 anchored putters. I played in a large member guest last year at a very nice CC and I remember seeing maybe 2. Amateurs aren't using these things. Pros are. Why? Because it does give them a slight advantage over not anchoring and that's all it takes. It's not a drastic difference but it's a difference. Also, for anyone arguing cost of golfing being a huge issue, I think that's false.

 

[jbhtexas]

Like what?

Decline/lack in growth of golf participants in sectors other than high income. Golf course closures, particularly smaller courses where those of medium/lower income can play (there's a report out there commissioned by NGF assessing the state of golf from 2010-2020 that discusses this.) Escalating cost of equipment required to be successful on the redesigned longer/tougher courses that remain open.

Amateurs aren't using these things. Pros are. Why? Because it does give them a slight advantage over not anchoring and that's all it takes.

Player A gets an advantage over Player B by anchoring. USGA bans anchoring to equalize the game for Player A (even though nothing is preventing Player A from trying anchoring).

Player B gets an advantage over Player A by using a larger grip/different shaft/different shaped club head/different back swing/different foot position/etc./etc./etc. USGA changes no rules to equalize the game for Player B.

There are dozens of things that one golfer can use to gain an advantage over another. Can't you see the absurdity of arbitrarily picking one of those things and making it illegal?

Like Azinger said, it's not that anchoring violates any golf rule or the "spirit of the game", it's more that some people are having success with something new, and therefore something must be bad about it.

 

[CarolinaCy]

Decline/lack in growth of golf participants in sectors other than high income. Golf course closures, particularly smaller courses where those of medium/lower income can play (there's a report out there commissioned by NGF assessing the state of golf from 2010-2020 that discusses this.) Escalating cost of equipment required to be successful on the redesigned longer/tougher courses that remain open.

I would argue the decline of golf in recent years has a lot more to do with the state of the economy than anything equipment or course related. A lot of people have had to cut back on many things, and, let's face it, golf is sort of a luxury hobby. I've never been able to afford the newest and best equipment, but I still enjoying playing from time to time. It's not hard to find good, used equipment and inexpensive places to play IMO.