As expected — and as opposed by many — the United States Golf Association and the Royal & Ancient, golf’s two worldwide governing bodies, today announced that they will go through with the ban of the anchored putting stroke.
The ban will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2016.
Consider a worldwide can of worms opened, with questions about whether the PGA Tour will adhere to the ban and whether players who use the anchor putter and oppose the ban will seek legal action against the USGA and R&A.
Four of the last six major championship winners, including Masters winner Adam Scott, have won using an anchored putting stroke, which is clearly something that stirred golf’s governing bodies to move to ban it.
The timeline began on Nov. 28, 2012 when the USGA and R&A announced the proposed ban. On Jan. 22, 2013, PGA Tour players convened in a mandatory Players Advisory Council meeting at Torrey Pines and discussed the ban, voting unanimously against it. On Feb. 24, 2013, PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem announced the Tour’s opposition to the ban.
The PGA Tour opposition, along with similar opposition by the PGA of America, raised speculation about potential bifurcation, which would be two different sets of rules in the game _ either one set for the pros and one for amateurs, or the PGA Tour not following the USGA and R&A anchor ban.
Finchem has been on record stating he is not in favor of bifurcation.
Shortly after today’s ban announcement, though, the PGA Tour issued a statement saying that it will now begin a process reviewing whether or not they will adhere to the ban.
This was the PGA Tour statement:
“PGA Tour acknowledges that the USGA has adopted Rule 14-1b which prohibits anchored putting as of January 1, 2016. We would like to thank the USGA for providing the opportunity for input and suggestions relative to Rule 14-1b over the last several months. During that time, various questions were raised and issues discussed.
“We will now begin our process to ascertain whether the various provisions of Rule 14-1b will be implemented in our competitions and, if so, examine the process for implementation.
“In this regard, over the next month we will engage in discussions with our Player Advisory Council and Policy Board members. We will announce our position regarding the application of Rule 14-1b to our competitions upon conclusion of our process and we will have no further comment on the matter until that time.’’
This has been a contentious issue amongst PGA Tour players, with Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson, Ernie Els and Adam Scott all having won majors using anchored strokes.
Tim Clark, a PGA Tour player who argues that he has a physical reason for using the anchored stroke, has called the USGA and R&A ban “a witch hunt.’’
Here are parts of today’s opening statement from USGA president Glen Nager:
“Last November, after an extensive review, we proposed Rule 14-1b, to prohibit anchoring the club in making a stroke. Having heard and considered many thoughtful comments for and against the proposal, the USGA and The R&A have now adopted the Rule, effective January 1, 2016.
“This Rule has broad support across the world-wide golf community. While some may disagree with this decision, as Chair of the USGA’s governing board, I want to ensure that our reasoning is understood by all.
“Rule 14-1b protects one of the important challenges in the game _ the free swing of the entire club. The traditional stroke involves swinging the club with both the club and 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 that traditional free swing.
“Anchoring creates potential advantages, such as making the stroke simpler and more repeatable, restricting the movement and rotation of the hands, arms and clubface, creating a fixed pivot point, and creating extra support and stability that may diminish the effects of nerves and pressure.
“Some object that we have not shown statistically that anchored putting is a superior stroke. But the playing Rules are not based on statistical studies; they are based on judgments that define the game and its intended challenges. One of those challenges is to control the entire club, and anchoring alters that challenge.
“Others suggest that anchoring must not be advantageous because relatively few use it. But many golfers believe that anchoring is not a proper way to play the game and have not anchored for that reason. Also, the trend over two decades is toward remarkably increased use – a particularly worrisome trend now that beginners and juniors are being taught anchored strokes.
“Anchored putting has generated serious division about whether those who anchor are playing the same game and facing the same challenges. Such divisiveness is corrosive to a game based on sportsmanship. Rule 14-1b will serve the game by removing the cause of this divisiveness.
“Some argue that it is unfair to adopt Rule 14-1b, on the view that the Rules have allowed too many to anchor for too long. We respectfully disagree.
“Further, the effects of this new Rule are much less than has been suggested. Recent surveys indicate that, even with the recent upsurge in usage, anchoring is currently used by only 2 to 4 percent of all golfers in the United States and Europe, and by even fewer in other parts of the world. With more than two and a half years until the Rule takes effect, the small percentage of golfers who are affected have plenty of time and means to adapt.
“We have heard and genuinely empathize with those who will need to adjust. But the understandable objections of these relative few cannot prevent adoption of a Rule that will serve the best interests of the entire game going forward. Indeed, rather than being too late, now is actually a necessary time to act —before even larger numbers begin to anchor and before anchoring takes firm root globally.
“Some object that Rule 14-1b might negatively affect participation in the game. But the game is growing world-wide – and anchoring is hardly used where much of this growth is occurring. Moreover, the major causes of recent reduced participation in the United States and Europe – where national economies have been weak – are the expense of the game, the time that it takes to play, and the perception that the game is not always made fun and accessible for juniors and the like. No meaningful data suggest that anchoring plays any material role in driving participation rates. Indeed, the recent upsurge has occurred mainly because some golfers believe that anchoring helps them to play better, not because it is their only resort.
“While we care deeply about participation and are thus leading numerous health of the game initiatives, the USGA must also protect and preserve the game and its challenges for all players world-wide for the long term. That is the point of Rule 14-1b.
“For this reason, we cannot accept the view that Rule 14-1b should be applied only to elite players, either through permanent or temporary “bifurcation” of the Rules or an optional condition of competition. The method of stroke is a fundamental aspect of the game; and an integral part of the game’s appeal is that golfers at all levels can play the same course with the same equipment under the same Rules.
“We respect that some golfers and golf organizations have raised questions about this Rule. For the reasons I have offered, which are further elaborated in a statement posted on our website, we are convinced that there are compelling answers to these questions. We hope that those who have expressed concerns know that they have been heard and can appreciate our reasons for concluding that Rule 14-1b is in the best interests of the game, even if they would have decided differently. We ask that all now join with us in moving forward for the good of the game.’’
Whether is truly is “for the good of the game’’ is highly questionable, considering the possibility that this ban might drive players away from the game.
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Rule 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.
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Oddly, the R&A trumped what was scheduled to be an 8 a.m. (Eastern Time) joint announcement with the USGA by posting on its website confirmation of the anchor ban some 30 minutes before the start of the press conference.