As expected, the USGA and the R&A proposed a new rule that would ban anchoring of the club, most applicably the putter, to the body when making a stroke on Wednesday morning in a joint teleconference (see below for video aired on Golf Channel).

While golf’s governing bodies call it a “proposal,” it’s pretty much been decided that the rule will be implemented — but of course, to cover their bases, there will be a 90-day thorough review, so the members of the USGA and R&A rules committees can hear every side to every argument possible (as if this hasn’t been discussed enough) before the next approval in Spring of 2013. (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…)

Keegan Bradley: say hello to his longer-than-standard friend. *ahem*

Golfweek’s Alex Miceli, currently in China for the WGC-HSBC Champions, has filed an interesting report on the growing resistance among exponents of anchored putting techniques to the idea of an equipment ban.

Some tour players, sensing their livelihoods at risk, are apparently willing to consider legal action in the event of a rules change. (continue reading…)

Ernie Els’ Open Championship victory appears to have reinvigorated the debate surrounding the use of so-called “belly putters”.

Speaking in the wake of the South African’s victory at Royal Lytham, R&A chief executive Peter Dawson suggested the sport’s governing bodies were poised to take definitive action in the interest of resolving the long-running controversy. (continue reading…)

Mickelson: Oh no, not another four-footer!

Winners at the last three PGA Tour events have used non-traditional putters, renewing the debate on whether or not the USGA and R&A should ban them. Last Sunday Webb Simpson earned his first victory using a belly putter. The week before, rookie Keegan Bradley won the PGA Championship while also wielding a belly, making him the first to capture a major with a long putter. And the week prior to that, Adam Scott used a broomstick putter anchored to his chest to win the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. (continue reading…)

Wow, you look like a million bucks!

When players are tactfully asked why they’ve blown a tournament or had so many close calls, they usually respond with something like, “I just have to keep putting myself in contention and giving myself a good shot to win — it’ll happen.” How cliche! Well, depending on your luck, it materializes sooner rather than later.

For Webb Simpson, it came true pretty quickly. (Maybe the golfing gods were looking out for him after they basically screwed him over in New Orleans a few months ago — though it was for a good cause.) (continue reading…)