USGA to Ban Anchored Strokes
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Scott Barbour/Getty Images(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.) — The USGA is proposing to ban long and belly putters, a stroke that has been used by the last five major champions, the association announced on Wednesday.
The new rule would go into effect in 2016. It would make it illegal to anchor the club in making a stroke.
Tiger Woods is against this kind of putter.
“I just believe that the art of putting is swinging the club and controlling the nerves,” Woods said on Tuesday. “It’s something that’s not in the traditions of the game.”
Officials believe the golf stroke should be a free swing, and that by anchoring the club, it eliminates part of the skill.
“This is not an equipment change,” said Mike Davis, executive director of the USGA. “We’re going to continue with long putters. We’re going to continue with belly putters. This is all about the stroke. We believe the player should hold the club away from his body and swing it freely. We think this is integral to the traditions of the game.”
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