Starting January 1, 2016 the R&A and the USGA will ban anchoring the putter, the announcement was finally made today.

The new rule, 14-1b, has been a hot button topic since it was first reported that the governing bodies of Golf were considering the ban on November 28, 2012.

Four of the last six major championship winners use the long or belly putter and some feel that this jump in victories by anchoring the putter is what prompted the R&A and the USGA to move swiftly and implement this rule as soon as possible.

Now the question is, what is the PGA Tour going to do?

Commissioner Tim Finchem stated that the PGA Tour was not going to follow the rule if it passed, making the Tour the only place in the world that will allow anchoring.

Personally I can see what Commissioner Finchem is doing.  He is protecting the players and that is his job to do so.

But at what cost?

I understand how some people feel about the rules of golf and golf in general but the game has to be honored, protected and respected. Without the rules and the way they are, it would be just another game. Who wants that?

If the R&A and the USGA are banning anchoring, everyone should observe the new rule that is, 14-1b.

14-1b Anchoring the Club

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.

 

(Courtesy of YouTube)

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