USGA bans anchored putting style effective January 1, 2016

Tuesday, May 21, the USGA announced that anchored putting will no longer be allowed effective January 1, 2016. The R&A also concurred. In the face of opposition from the PGA Tour and the PGA of America, the USGA went forward with adopting the new rule. After the announcement both the PGA Tour and PGA  of America in effect responded with no comment, and stated they will be reviewing, digesting, and discussing internally within their respective boards and with members of their organizations. Here are the highlights from the press conference.

“Rule 14-1b protects one of the most important challenges in the game of golf:  the free swing of the entire club.  The traditional stroke involves swinging the club with both the club and the gripping hands held away from the body, requiring the player to direct and control the movement of the entire club.  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 the traditional free swing.

Rule 14-1b eliminates the potential advantages that anchoring creates, such as making the stroke simpler and more repeatable, restricting the movement and the rotation of the hands, the arms and the clubface, creating a fixed pivot point, and creating extra support and stability that may diminish the effects of nerves and pressure, that anchoring provides these potential advantages is confirmed by those who play, teach and observe the game.

The notion that a Rules change must be made soon after an issue is identified or else be considered forever foreclosed, regardless of negative effects on the game, is contrary to the history and the needs of the game. Many Rules revisions have occurred only long after an issue was first identified, such as the changes related croquet style putting, the 14 club maximum, and the stymie.” Mike Davis, Executive Director USGA.

USGA president Glenn Nager said at Tuesday’s news conference in Far Hills, N.J., “It’s important to understand that the playing rules of golf are not based on statistical studies, they’re based upon judgments that define the game and its intended challenges. One of those challenges is to control the entire club and the swing, and anchoring alters that challenge. Moreover, the issue here is not whether anchoring provides a statistical demonstrable advantage to the average golfer or on every stroke or in every circumstance. What matters here is whether by diminishing obstacles inherent in the traditional stroke, anchoring may advantage some players at some times. Statistics are not necessary to resolve that issue.”

“We ask that all join with us now in moving forward for the good of the game.” Mike Davis

It will be interesting to see who will pursue legal action leading up to the effective date of January 1, 2016. My hope is that those golfers, who use an anchored putting style, will keep the game enjoyable during the transition from anchored putters to a non-anchored stroke. I look forward to helping you with your game.

What Putter To Choose With New Putter Rules?

The USGA recently announced a proposed rule change that would prohibit anchoring the club in making a stroke, effective January 1, 2016. This would allow for a transitional period, where-in anchored belly and long putters would remain as conforming clubs till then. The proposed new Rule would not alter current equipment rules and would allow the continued use of all conforming golf clubs, including belly-length and long putters, provided such clubs are not anchored during a stroke. For those of you using a belly-length or long putter, not anchoring it would most likely affect the lie of the putter and the shaft angle, making the putter not perform as well as it does being anchored. 

So, if you decide to try a new putter that would be conforming in 2016 what are your options? 

Fist off you would want to determine what the best putter length is for you. Raymond Floyd used a fairly long putter in the 1980’s and didn’t anchor it. This allowed his back to be more upright at address and he was able to practice longer without his back hurting. Secondly you would want to get the lie angle of the putter correct with the length that you are using. I see people all the time who have a putter that is too flat for the way they set up and the length of the putter. Thirdly I would get the grip size of the putter comfortable in your hands, because now you are most likely going to have both hands on the putter. I’m not a fan of the thick grips and prefer a normal width putter grip with just one wrap of tape. 

What about a new stroke and rhythm?

With the anchored putters, many golfers used a pendulum rhythm stroke. With the putter anchored, once you ended your back stroke, you could let go of the putter and it would seemingly swing through. With a normal length putter, pendulum rhythm is not the best rhythm. I like to see the forward stroke faster than the back stroke. In pendulum rhythm, the amount of time for the back stroke and the forward stroke is similar. I'm not a fan of the heavy putters because once again they tend to promote pendulum rhythm. My old 8802 was probably a B-8 swing weight and my Scotty Cameron is about a C-8, so you don't want to go too heavy.

What's the best putter to choose?

I like a putter that is heel shafted or close to that and a little offset. That allows the toe of the putter to release going through. I'm not a fan of face balanced putters or back-weighted putters. Both of those promote a pendulum type rhythm. The most copied putter in golf is the Ping Answer. I've used a Scotty Cameron Newport  putter since 1998 that is a close copy of the Answer. The Newport II, that Tiger used for many of his wins, is a close copy of the Answer 2. There are many putters out there that are similar to these. Find one that looks good to you, and one that you are able to control the distance with. I hope this helps. Thanks.

Larry