Joint Press Conference R&A/USGA tomorrow

[Joe Bausch]

I'm guessing all USGA members just received an e-mail with these contents, as I did a few minutes ago:

http://ebm.cheetahmail.com/c/tag/hBQthMHB73vQaB8vaDKMuKLM5l2/doc.html

[Mark Woodger]

I think this is a good decision. Personally i would have like the broom handle to remain but this is better than doing nothing.

next stop changing the ball.

[Bryan Lewis]

To be honest (and frank) the anchoring thing is just to little an issue for me, all the lenght problems taken into consideration. If hard pressed I would say those putters should be considered/banned, but the discussion in my mind should be about why they take their time away from thinking about the lenght issue.

I don't think this is taking time away from the length issue.  I know that continues to be studied and I believe by different parts of the organization.  Think about it this way, if the governing bodies are able to navigate their way through an issue like anchored strokes, they may have a better chance at tackling the stickier issues like length.  If players sue, as has been suggested, and it becomes a long drawn out problem rather than simply accepting their authority, there is ZERO chance of success on the issue of reigning in the length.

[jeffwarne]

Now that putting is hard again, (or more ironically "traditional") can we please stop flattening greens?

[Jason Thurman]

If anyone sues, it should be Randy Haag...

[John Keenan]

Jason

Wouldn't Randy Haag side saddle approach fall within the new rules?  I am far from an expert on it but it seems to still be OK

John

[John McCarthy]

The issue now is whether a current anchored player would be better off practicing normal putting for three years or litigating this rule change.  

[Howard Riefs]

Good resources on the proposed rule to ban anchoring, courtesy of Shackelford:

USGA and R&A press release:
http://www.geoffshackelford.com/homepage/2012/11/28/for-immediate-release-the-anchoring-ban-fine-print.html

Responses from PGA and LPGA:
http://www.geoffshackelford.com/homepage/2012/11/28/statements-from-the-tours-on-anchoring-ban.html

Graphic on dos and don'ts:
http://www.geoffshackelford.com/homepage/2012/11/28/the-rule-14-1b-dos-and-dont-chart-women-included.html

[Neil White]

I see they have allowed a three-month period for 'comment' from the world of golf which they will listen to as this is a subject that is of wide interest from people in the game and they will listen to what people say.

Shame they didn't share the same courtesy regarding the changes to TOC.

Neil.

[Mac Plumart]

I see they have allowed a three-month period for 'comment' from the world of golf which they will listen to as this is a subject that is of wide interest from people in the game and they will listen to what people say.

Shame they didn't share the same courtesy regarding the changes to TOC.

Neil.

EXACTLY!!!

[Mike_Young]

Here is the way we have to start looking at this stuff....IMHO

Golf is hard and if we expect to grow the game we have to make it where more people want to play.  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.  there are 60,000,000 million golfers in the world.
The governing bodies have evidence of what the ball and the new drivers can do but they the anchored stroke (not the putters)  without evidence that it was a direct benefit. 

All of this is being done to affect maybe 50 guys in the world during any given week.  AND IT WILL HAVE A DIRECT EFFECT ON THE GROWTH OF THE GAME.

[Alex Miller]

John, I would have thought a winter season would be enough to get back in the groove with the short putter. These are pros after all. If I was a Keegan Bradley, I would continue as normal until late 2015. But then there may be an outcry that whilst it is still legal it is against the "spirit of the game" as the practise is to become illegal.

Anyone who is putting with an "anchored" putter has already made at least one change to their putting style, and in all likelihood many more. I think Matt Kuchar's current forearm style with a longer putter will be adapted by at least a couple players.

[Tim Pitner]

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.  

[Will Lozier]

I see they have allowed a three-month period for 'comment' from the world of golf which they will listen to as this is a subject that is of wide interest from people in the game and they will listen to what people say.

Shame they didn't share the same courtesy regarding the changes to TOC.

Neil.

Very well said...of course the answer is that the changes to TOC will not likely risk having a lawsuit brought against the R&A.

Cheers

[Jason Thurman]

Jason

Wouldn't Randy Haag side saddle approach fall within the new rules?  I am far from an expert on it but it seems to still be OK

John

The rule will also ban anchoring of the forearm to the body. I've never watched Haag putt specifically, but every side-saddle putter I've ever seen anchors their forearm to their chest to stabilize the top hand (with the exception of Sam Snead).

[John Keenan]

Jason is that different than what Matt Kuchar does?  Seems the view on GCA is that Kuchar style is OK under new rules.

All of  this does raise a question regarding rules enforcement, on first pass would seem to be tough on them to make the call. I do not even want to think about someone on their couch who is  "positive" they saw a player anchor a putter and call it in.

The world of unintended consequences.

[Jason Thurman]

Jason is that different than what Matt Kuchar does?  Seems the view on GCA is that Kuchar style is OK under new rules.

Yes. Kuchar "anchors" his grip, lengthwise, to his forearm. Randy Haag and most other face-on putters anchor their forearm to their body, and then hold the butt of the grip in their hand to establish a "pivot point."

The face-on guys will either have to change their strokes pretty dramatically or go to a more conventional putting style.

[John Keenan]

Thanks Jason I was not aware of that

[Mike_Young]

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.

[Jason Thurman]

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 exactly it. We play golf hoping to putt as little as possible, and now with anchoring banned plenty of players will be putting more than ever.

[David_Tepper]

In case anyone has not seen it, here is the USGA/R&Q proposal regarding anchoring:

http://www.golfwrx.com/53307/usga-ra-propose-anchor-ban/?utm_source=Newsletter+11%2F28&utm_campaign=9-4&utm_medium=email

[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.

[Jud_T]

Was there a Q&A?  Did anyone raise the Old Course?

[Mike McGuire]

Jason

Wouldn't Randy Haag side saddle approach fall within the new rules?  I am far from an expert on it but it seems to still be OK

John

The rule will also ban anchoring of the forearm to the body. I've never watched Haag putt specifically, but every side-saddle putter I've ever seen anchors their forearm to their chest to stabilize the top hand (with the exception of Sam Snead).

Haag has forearm anchored. It would be simple for him to unanchor but might be a bit less stable.

I have putted the same way as Haag for a good chunk of the last 20 years ( not as much in the last 3) so am familiar with his method and have seen him on video.

[Mike_Young]

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.