Thousand Oaks, CA (Sports Network) - The United States Golf Association and
the Royal & Ancient Golf Club announced on Wednesday a proposal to ban
anchored strokes.
At the core of the issue are long putters and belly putters, which have been
used by three of the past five major champions.
Under Wednesday's proposal, long putters and belly putters would not be
banned, just the act of anchoring any club against a player's body during a
shot.
Golf's ruling bodies noted that they will take comments from the golf industry
over the next three months, with an expected final decision to come in spring
2013. If the decision is upheld, the ban will go into effect with the next
official update of the Rules of Golf in 2016.
Here is the proposed rule change, which will be listed under Rule 14-1b:
"In making a stroke, the player must not anchor the club, either 'directly' or
by use of an 'anchor point.'
"Note 1: The club is anchored 'directly' when the player intentionally holds
the club or a gripping hand in contact with any part of his body, except that
the player may hold the club or a gripping hand against a hand or forearm.
"Note 2: An 'anchor point' exists when the player intentionally holds a
forearm in contact with any part of his body to establish a gripping hand as a
stable point around which the other hand may swing the club."
More to follow.
The Sports Network