[Bryan Izatt]

According to the GC and Golf Week the USGA has had preliminary meetings with the Tour players about banning anchored putters.

http://golfweek.com/news/2012/oct/31/bradley-intends-fight-usga-anchoring/

And, Keegan Bradley says he is inclined to fight it.  And, Ernie Els has had a change of heart and supports the continued use of belly putters.  Legal action is mentioned.  I wonder who the players would sue - the USGA, the Tour (themselves) or both.  Would the manufacturers sit on the sidelines?  On what basis could they sue?

[Jim_Kennedy]

"we have a good investment portfolio" - USGA's Davis

If the fight materializes: 15 rounder, USGA wins by decision.

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

I am a non belly putter user and believe it is an advantage to anchor...that been said..it is NOT in breach of the rules and even though the USGA/R&A may come up with a "new" rule, which is eaxctly what it would have to be, I am not convinced that course of action is the right thing to do.
I think there are too many precedants that can be sighted by good attorneys regarding equipment over the past 25 years that has made the game "easier" without breaching the rules, and nobody steeped in then....why now?

I think this could be a slippery slope, and again..I am  a NON long putter user and dont believe it is in the spirit of the game, but illegal...sorry NO!!!

[John Kavanaugh]

I use a 50" putter and already play far too slow.  If I start missing short putts again it is only going to get worse and slower.  It would be selfish of me to use anything else.

[Terry Lavin]

Anyone who fights it is a dick-wad.  And dare I say, a cheating dick-wad.

Just when I thought that grandiloquence was out of fashion!

[Dean Stokes]

"we have a good investment portfolio" - USGA's Davis

If the fight materializes: 15 rounder, USGA wins by decision.

With the size of the USGA's "investment portfolio" do you think their will be any lawyers willing to take this case?

[David_Tepper]

"My totally unsubstantiated by science hunch is that if these long putters really were the magic wand that the majority of this forum seems to make out, that they would be far more widespread than they actually are."

Brian S. -

As Bradley pointed out in his remarks, not one of the top 20 in the PGA "strokes gained putting" stats used either a belly or broomstick putter, which supports your hunch.

DT

[Jud_T]

Anyone who fights it is a dick-wad.  

Bingo.  Any good will he garnered at the Ryder Cup is out the window.  Unfortunately I wouldn't be surprised if it's a class-action suit on behalf of most everyone who sweeps instead of putts...

[JR Potts]

Anyone who fights it is a dick-wad.  And dare I say, a cheating dick-wad.

Just when I thought that grandiloquence was out of fashion!

Don't fret, the world has not passed you by.....yet.

[Mike Benham]

Keegan Bradley says he is inclined to fight it ... Legal action is mentioned. 

Who will pay for Keegan's fight, if it does go the legal route?  He isn't likely to spend his own money.

A class-action suit might be possible, not sure how they work, but since the outcome would not be a financial settlement, who will pay the lawyers fighting the cause?

If the manufacturers were to fund the proceedings, which one is too benefit the most for status quo?

[JESII]

In my opinion the non-anchored broomstick is a whole different kettle than the anchored belly putter for a couple reasons. I don't see a case against the long broomstick that is held with a split grip; one at the very top as the fulcrum and one further down which controls the stroke.

The anchored belly putter, however, changes the fundamentals necessary to hole a putt. It virtually eliminates the possibility of an inconsistent angle of impact because the clubs swinging axis is now locked in place.

A full swing equivalent would be that practice drill that holds your wrists at a certain angle through impact. This particular "swing-aid" would benefit me greatly but I somehow think the USGA might not want me using it on the course.

[David Bartman]

"we have a good investment portfolio" - USGA's Davis

If the fight materializes: 15 rounder, USGA wins by decision.

JR what do you do for a living? 

What if some governing body that only controls 1/45th of your earning potential each year decided to change the rules so that you would earn less money and maybe far less money?  Might you fight the ruling, might you gather others with the same gripe and fight the potential rule change? 

Get off your high horse , I have never met you , but you are far from perfect I can guarantee that!

[Mike Hendren]

"we have a good investment portfolio" - USGA's Davis

Of course you do, because you haven't done a damned thing to grow the game, much less take on the moneyed ball manufacturers.  The only instutition that's worse is the church that stockpiles money while missionaries fend for themselves and God's other children go starving.  Golf has been, is now and always will be a stick and ball game.  And suddenly the USGA has an epiphany and decides to limit the length of a stick?   Because it looks goofy or because a small minority of players wield is effectively?  Trust me, no one will ever invent a putter that makes it easy to get a little ball in a little hole.  

Good for Bradley. If I'm him I sue them for everything they're worth, including their dandruff covered navy blazers.  

End of Rant.

Bogey

[Jon Wiggett]

It is a shame that the USGA and R&A seem happy to deal with this none important issue instead of reducing the distance the ball flies. This makes them appear to be so out of touch with the real problem facing not just the pro tours but nearly all clubs.

Jon

[Dan_Callahan]

I really don't understand why professional golfers are such a bunch of bitches. World Cup skiing seems to change ski standards once a decade. No threatened law suits there. The NFL changed the rules on kickoffs, moving it up and virtually guaranteeing a touchback. Might not a guy who is in the league as a kick returner consider suing because his value has been diminished? The NBA told players they could no longer wear those hideous tights that were all the rage a few years ago. Might not someone sue, claiming the tights made him better and now the NBA is unilaterally removing that advantage?

The rules for equipment, playing surfaces, conduct, etc., in sports change ALL THE TIME. Golfers need to get over it. F'ing crybabies.

[Dean Stokes]

Hey look, if the belly/long putters don't help or make putting easier than having to putt the 'regular' way, then as a player why go through the hassle of law suits and headaches? Just stop the fighting and arguing and use the 'regular' style putter....it wont effect/lessen your earnings in any way at all because it is just as easy to use.

[John Kavanaugh]

I bought a 50" putter because I can not afford to lose at golf more than 60% of the times I play.  I heard so many people say it was cheating but still legal that it only made sense to give it a try.  I guarantee that it makes 3' and under putts much easier to make under pressure.  btw.  Those are the putts most of you guys pick up or don't care if you miss because you play for "fun".

It only helps people who need help.  Try to find those stats.

[Terry Lavin]

It only helps people who need help. 

They say the same thing about sobriety!

[John Kavanaugh]

I also wish all you fan boys would stop and think about what sells golf.  It ain't watching guys miss 3' putts.  It is everything you hate, great athletic ball striking and low scores.  I hate the tour and all pro sports.  Hell, I hate crowded golf courses.  The best thing to empty courses and end the tour would be dead balls, missed putts and fat guys in Amana hats.  I'm with ya, ban anything that makes golf fun.  Empty courses for everybody!!!

[JESII]

The anchored belly putter, however, changes the fundamentals necessary to hole a putt. It virtually eliminates the possibility of an inconsistent angle of impact because the clubs swinging axis is now locked in place.

Jim - when you stand upright and still, are you "locked into place"

Can't think of the last time I fell over...how 'bout you?

[Jim_Kennedy]

"we have a good investment portfolio" - USGA's Davis

If the fight materializes: 15 rounder, USGA wins by decision.

JR what do you do for a living? 

What if some governing body that only controls 1/45th of your earning potential each year decided to change the rules so that you would earn less money and maybe far less money?  Might you fight the ruling, might you gather others with the same gripe and fight the potential rule change? 

Get off your high horse , I have never met you , but you are far from perfect I can guarantee that!

Melyvn David,

First, that would be JK, not JR.  

Second, don't drink and type.  

Hope your dyspepsia gets better.  

[Jim_Kennedy]

David,

I happened to look back on this thread and saw the d***wad post made by JR Potts.

Perhaps you copied the wrong reply and were lambasting the wrong person, perhaps not. If you did, you can disregard my last post. If you did not, it stands.

[Jud_T]

What is the legal basis for a suit?  These are rule making bodies making the rules as they see fit.  Sounds like slave owners suing over the Emancipation Proclamation because it cut into their profit margin.

[Chris Shaida]

Second, don't drink and type.  

If this suggestion were actually followed generally I am afraid this place would be a ghost town...

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

Ditto...Mike great comments and the way many feel about the stuffed shirts of the USGA and R&A....who ahve never yruly cared about anybody but themselves.
Even at events they stage, they strut around in their blazers , nose stuck up in the air with a general air of superirity, oblivius to what teh ame often needs.
They KNOW they dropped the ball on the big drivers and ball issue, too busy ignoring the distances as the ball companies were backhanding their bank drafts...now they decide to stand up to soemthing that they know the manufacturing companies will not retlaiate against.
There is not that big of an investment to the companies in "long" putters to really upset them too much...too little too late gents..and I use the word gents loosely.

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