'Throughout the 600-year history of golf, the essence of playing the game has been to grip the club with the hands and swing it freely at the ball,' USGA Executive Director Mike Davis said. 'The player’s challenge is to control the movement of the entire club in striking the ball, and anchoring the club alters the nature of that challenge
So with that the R&A and the USGA gave decided to ban the anchoring that is inherent in using the long or belly putter. This I agree with although there are several things about the announcement that has the golf world buzzing that raises my ire.
* First of all it was the same governing bodies that allowed players to anchor back in 1989 that has led to yesterday's ruling.. Talk about hoisting yourself by your own petard..
* Next, the ban doesn't take place until 2016. I realize these suits change rules in 4 year cycles, but come on, if it is so bad, it starts on January 1, 2013..
* On the PGA tour this year 39 winners had regulation putters, 6 anchored. This ruling will lessen the enjoyment of golfing for millions of recreation golfers who might even be using them for health reasons (bad backs etc) for the sake of a very few pros.
I have always argued that anchoring simply is wrong. It is against the fundamental principle that to putt well, you have to be able to control your nerves, and for those who can't it shows up in their hands. Anchoring removes that problem, especially when you combine it with the claw grip, thus completely removing the hands.
As for we duffers, we break the rules of golf every time we play, foot wedges, 6 foot gimme's, tip ups, mulligans, you know them all don't you. So while I agree we all should be bound by one set of rules I am sure we will continue to see those ugly big sticks in golf bags long beyond 2016..
It may be "Anchors Away" for the pros and top amateurs, but along with the foot wedge and all the rest, I feel we weekend warriors will be humming the same old song..
Bryan Angus
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