Joint Press Conference R&A/USGA tomorrow

[William_G]

The anchored stroke had brought many back to the game at an older age after they had quit playing or it increased the times they played. 

Really?  I don't know anyone who plays golf in order to putt.  I could see it influencing people who play competitively, maybe, but not your average weekend player.  

Well I know plenty and so it seems do many others.  I know at least 4 at my club that had quit playing as much as they once did due to the yips but now are back playing more with the long putter.  And no where did I say people play golf in order to putt.

That's too bad that the 4 who played less just didn't practice more or became less concerned with the outcome of their putts.

Playing golf offers no guarantee of success while putting, but it does give one the chance to play.

Jason,
The four guys I'm speaking of were all scratch players at one time and they quit the game.  It is not an isolated incident.  As the PGA stated in it's press release today, we all need to be growing the game and this type of ruling will keep more from playing.  We need drivers and balls and putting methods that help 99 percent of the golfers enjoy the game.  I'm 100% behind banning it at the pro level or even in amateur events but it's time to do what we can to make the game work for owners and all of us.  This doesn't help.  All they have ever needed to do is fix the ball for tournament golf and I am now convinced more than ever it will happen.  What happened today was not good for golf.

I guess I'm good not growing the game if folks need to anticipate an outcome.

Golf as I know it, guarantees no outcome.

So, I'm good with growing the game properly. QED

[John Kavanaugh]

Don't underestimate how bright these guys are. This is their way of achieving bifurcation without getting blood on their hands. They already have the press release crafted saying how they listened during the 90 day comment period and for the good of the game anchoring will only be banned at the elite level. They are playing us for the rubes we are and will soon get everything they want while laying the blame on us.

[Mike_Young]

Don't underestimate how bright these guys are. This is their way of achieving bifurcation without getting blood on their hands. They already have the press release crafted saying how they listened during the 90 day comment period and for the good of the game anchoring will only be banned at the elite level. They are playing us for the rubes we are and will soon get everything they want while laying the blame on us.

I think you are right or close to it...but it's no different than wooden bat/aluminum bat....one foot in for a pass completion or two feet in...

[William_G]

Don't underestimate how bright these guys are. This is their way of achieving bifurcation without getting blood on their hands. They already have the press release crafted saying how they listened during the 90 day comment period and for the good of the game anchoring will only be banned at the elite level. They are playing us for the rubes we are and will soon get everything they want while laying the blame on us.

hmmmm

doubt it

[Chris Roselle]

Don't underestimate how bright these guys are. This is their way of achieving bifurcation without getting blood on their hands. They already have the press release crafted saying how they listened during the 90 day comment period and for the good of the game anchoring will only be banned at the elite level. They are playing us for the rubes we are and will soon get everything they want while laying the blame on us.

Do you realize how hard bifurcation would be to impliment?  Bifurcation goes so far beyond just anchoring the putter.  The great thing about this game, and having just heard Mike Davis tak about this issue, is that it does have one set of rules for all participants, regardless of skill level, age, sex, creed, whatever anld because of those it makes it possible for all those different types to play it.  Bifurcation is a pandoras box they don't want to open.

[Mac Plumart]

Do you realize how hard bifurcation would be to impliment?

I believe we are already bifuracted.  Recreational golfers play by their own "local rules" all the time.

[Chris Roselle]

Do you realize how hard bifurcation would be to impliment?

I believe we are already bifuracted.  Recreational golfers play by their own "local rules" all the time.

If you are talking about "local rules" as found in the Rules of Golf book I guess you could call that bifurcation.  But most local rules as they are found in the rules book deal with circumstances that are extraordinary (ie ESA or yardage finders).  The way a golfer holds on the club is not extraordinary but is a foundation of how this game has been played for 550 or so years out of the 600 years some form of golf has been played.  And those recreational golfers are still more than welcome to use their own "local rules" all the time and anchor their putters, they just better not be trying to play under the Rules of Golf.

[John Kavanaugh]

Don't underestimate how bright these guys are. This is their way of achieving bifurcation without getting blood on their hands. They already have the press release crafted saying how they listened during the 90 day comment period and for the good of the game anchoring will only be banned at the elite level. They are playing us for the rubes we are and will soon get everything they want while laying the blame on us.

Do you realize how hard bifurcation would be to impliment?  Bifurcation goes so far beyond just anchoring the putter.  The great thing about this game, and having just heard Mike Davis tak about this issue, is that it does have one set of rules for all participants, regardless of skill level, age, sex, creed, whatever anld because of those it makes it possible for all those different types to play it.  Bifurcation is a pandoras box they don't want to open.

Of course I know how hard bifurcation would be to implement. (it's obviously hard to spell) I am against anything but one set of rules for all players.  I think it is what makes golf great.  This is where the genius lies in the rules committees methods.  If, by chance, bifurcation does great harm to the game they have washed their hands of all blame.  They did it at the bequest of the people in an attempt to grow the game.

[Jud_T]

I don't understand what's so hard to implement.  All Pro, Division 1 College and top Amateur events use a tournament ball.  Everyone else uses the current ball.  Done.

[Jason Topp]

Do you realize how hard bifurcation would be to impliment?  Bifurcation goes so far beyond just anchoring the putter.  The great thing about this game, and having just heard Mike Davis tak about this issue, is that it does have one set of rules for all participants, regardless of skill level, age, sex, creed, whatever anld because of those it makes it possible for all those different types to play it.  Bifurcation is a pandoras box they don't want to open.

Chris - do you remember the change to the grooves rules a few years ago?  Bifurcation exists now and, other than a few incidents has gone very smoothly.

Bifurcation would be far less difficult to implement for balls than for clubs.  People buy golf balls regularly. 

[Bryan Lewis]

I don't understand what's so hard to implement.  All Pro, Division 1 College and top Amateur events use a tournament ball.  Everyone else uses the current ball.  Done.

What about different balls for events depending on the course?  Doesn't NASCAR have "restrictor plate" races?  For Chamber's Bay you use "A ball" but for Marion you could have a "B ball".  (Not that I'm advocating that!)  Also, didn't we have two different balls at the same time, the R&A small ball and the USGA 1.68-inch ball?