It is a rule change in golf that will affect many of the best golfer’s across the world. The rule makers who govern how the PGA manages golf tournaments have stated that it is now illegal for a player to anchor a club to a player’s body during a stroke. This practice is used by many top golfers when they are putting. The rule will be put into practice in 2016. This time will give players a chance to adapt to the new rule.
Out of six of the last major champions in PGA tours, four used anchor strokes when putting. Anchoring is when a player anchors the club or his/her free arm directly against their body or forearm. Creating an anchor point gives the player more control. So why is the PGA taking this away from players?
The two entities that are the “rule makers” for the PGA are the United States Golf Association and the Royal & Ancient Golf Club. Both of these groups, with the USGA governing United States and Mexico and the R&A controlling golf in the rest of the world, worked together to reach this decision. They did so in somewhat of a democratic process. The rule makers listened to debates from both sides of the anchored stroke outlook. More and younger players have started instituting the anchored stroke. It seems to have taken away from the golf education that golf educators have been trying to instill in students.
The governing bodies of golf have decided that the rules need to be nearly the same for all. They feel the basic fundamentals and traditions of the game of golf need to stay consistent. Many feel that the anchored stroke became a “loophole” that gave leverage to players who knew how to use it properly. The rule makers claim they didn’t make the rule because of advantages, but just to keep tradition.
Will this rule cause problems in the PGA? It is too early to tell. There is the possibility the PGA will disregard the rule. There is the possibility of legal action being taken. Some players and fans feel that the governing bodies should consider other factors such as over-sized clubs and balls being of one design.
For those of you who are looking for a professional golf career, it is recommended that you leave the anchored stroke in the closet. There is no sense in using something that will probably be illegal. It does seem the rule makers are being quite fair. They are giving players three years to adapt to this change. Yes, players may try to break the rule, but wouldn’t it be much better to just adapt and golf the traditional way?
