I tried something different this evening because I was short on time and had to get to the airport for my flight to the Palm Beach area. Yep, the Honda Classic kicks off the Florida swing, which in the past two years has been a joy to cover.

I also went on a little adventure today — nothing crazy. I just went on a field trip to 30 Rock to check out the taping of “The Crossover,” a new sports/pop-culture show hosted by Michelle Beadle and Dave Briggs (my apologies, I called him Rob when I was stammering during the solo #WUPHangout) on the NBC Sports Network.

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Part-time pro golfer and Policy Board Member Steve Stricker opposes the anchoring ban

On the final day of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, the semifinal and finals matches won’t necessarily dominate the headlines and the discussion. Instead, the announcement PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem is expected to make on Sunday will likely overshadow the actual golf.

In two meetings this week 15-member Players Advisory Council and the nine-member Tour Policy Board to thrash out the Tour’s stance on the USGA’s and R&A’s proposed ban on anchored putters, the majority of the players want the Tour brass to ask golf’s governing bodies to back off the rule change. And Finchem, who knows the “game” as well as anyone, will appear on Sunday’s broadcast to inform the world of the Tour’s objection, according to Sports Illustrated’s Michael Bamberger.

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Image via watoday.com.au

Yep, it’s the week of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, which means it’s that time again! — the “mandatory” players’ meeting historically takes place on-site on Tuesday evening. Longtime WUP readers know that I have fervidly covered the annual event, though it’s always been from NYC or Florida. See here, here, and here.

Well, I’m actually on-site this time, where the vibe at the golf course has been energetic and spirited.

Although it’s the fourth event on the PGA Tour calendar — and no offense to the first three, which I’ve covered with love for the past three years and enjoy thoroughly — but this feels more like the start of the season. Maybe because most of the “big names are in the field, like Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. (I know others will argue it doesn’t start until the Masters.) But I digress.

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Beware the belly. It can be used as a weapon!

Keegan Bradley, the first to win a major with a belly putter at the 2011 PGA Championship, along with Webb Simpson, who won the U.S. Open earlier this summer with the same type of putter, have unfortunately become targets in the forthcoming anchoring ban–announced by the USGA and R&A earlier this week.

However, the rule will not go into effect until 2016. As of now, it is still legal for players to use belly putters and long putters. This three-year grace period was bound to cause problems. (Shock!) I didn’t anticipate incidents so early, but unfortunately, Keegan was heckled by a fan on the last hole on Saturday at the World Challenge. (continue reading…)

This is an absolutely brilliant and hilarious parody on the whole anchoring ban rule that you may have heard about. Bravo, Alan Bastable!

In the wake of the USGA and R&A announcement on Wednesday, I surveyed a bunch of players at Q-school for SI/Golf.com and asked them if they were for or against the anchoring ban. Golf.com’s Mike Walker made the pretty graphic above. (continue reading…)

Bradley, the first player to win a major with a belly putter, eyes the imminent anchoring ban...with respectful distaste

The anchoring ban controversy elicits strong reactions. It pits a group of people who favor one school of thought against another faction who are set in their view on the issue. (Of course there are some who are indifferent because they say it doesn’t effect them one way or the other but that’s kind of missing the point.)

Now I’m sure you haven’t heard or watched or talked about this imminent new rule that will prohibit the anchoring of a club to the body. Trust me, I am dreading 3-4 more years of this, and more importantly, it’s taken away attention away from the multitude of interesting storylines at Q-school (that I have saved yet not enough hours in the day to write and post). That said, after this, I’m putting a hold on all things anchoring — with exceptions, like if it involves opinions of players at Q-school or if Webb Simpson and Keegan Bradley picket outside Sherwood Country Club. (continue reading…)

Keegan to USGA: Fine, I'll deal with it.

On the eve of the joint teleconference by the USGA and R&A on Wednesday morning from 8:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. (EST), it’s widely purported that golf’s governing bodies will announce that the decision has been made to ban “anchoring,” aka the putting method used with belly and broomstick putters. Which allegedly will not go into effect until 2016 (because the USGA reviews the Rules of Golf every four years, don’t ask me why).

The short of it via industry chatter and insiders: Anchoring against the fulcrum (body) will be illegal, but golfers will still be allowed to anchor the putter against the arm — a la Matt Kuchar. You can use a long putter as long as it isn’t propped or wedged against a part of the body. The actual wording of the rule will be interesting because of the gray area that comes up in this game and the potential lawsuits. (continue reading…)