Anchor Putting comes closer to the end

The USGA and R&A announced Wednesday a proposed anchored putting ban that, if approved
The proposed rules change would take place on Jan. 1, 2016, in keeping with the four-year cycle for such amendments to the rules. Long putters and belly putters allow users to anchor the end of the club to their stomach or chest, acting as a base for the pendulum motion of the golf stroke.

The proposed rule would make that Rule 14-1a, with 14-1b concerning Anchoring the Club. "In making a stroke, the player must not anchor the club, either directly or by use of an anchor point"

This is NOT an official rule yet but it might be in the next few month. This Totally sucks for people like Keegan Bradley!

I don't think the Belly Putter should be banned. I don't use one but everyone is different. Plus I don't think there is significant proof that it can help or not help someone's putting stroke.

Just My Opinion.

Twiddly wrote:

I don't think the Belly Putter should be banned. I don't use one but everyone is different. Plus I don't think there is significant proof that it can help or not help someone's putting stroke.

Just My Opinion.

I agree! Even some of the best pros who have tried the belly putter or anchored putter decided it wasn't for them and went back to a regular putter

Ihatetoputt wrote:

Twiddly wrote:

I don't think the Belly Putter should be banned. I don't use one but everyone is different. Plus I don't think there is significant proof that it can help or not help someone's putting stroke.

Just My Opinion.

I agree! Even some of the best pros who have tried the belly putter or anchored putter decided it wasn't for them and went back to a regular putter

EXACTLY! Tiger was Quoted by saying it made his putting stroke worse!

So is this official. I keep hearing people talk about it as if it is?

Ihatetoputt wrote:

So is this official. I keep hearing people talk about it as if it is?

As of right now, it's not official but it's close enough that some pros are already starting to practice with conventional putters in preparation for the inevitable. I don't get it myself. I imaging there's somebody out there that is keeping stats. on either putts /round or who's winning with the anchored stroke. I'd like to see that. The opinions seem to be split evenly, but the USGA policy board doesn't seem to care.

I'm pretty sure that Keagan Bradley might toss up a law suit if Anchor Putters officially get canned

Well lets remember, It's not the putters that are in ?, it's the method of using them. As long as they don't "anchor" the putter to the body, they can use the same long putters. But I agree, I think maybe a law suit or two may get more consideration into this matter. Won't see one in my bag, I don't like them. I made a long putter from Golfsmith about 12 years ago, used it for 3 rounds and couldn't make any putts.

There have been so many studies done of whether or not its helps and there is never really any conclusive evidence saying it does.

And it's official! Anchors are banned!