Last November the USGA and the R&A announced a proposed change to the rules of golf. Rule 14-1b would disallow an “anchored stroke”.

The governing bodies of golf began to see too many instances of entrants in their sanctioned events using an anchored style of putting.

Golf teaching professionals were teaching juniors to adopt the “anchored stroke” and touted the advantages of it.

Webb Simpson, Keegan Bradley and Ernie Els all won major championships using either a long or belly style putter.

The rule change as outlined on the USGA website specifically states,

"In making a stroke, the player must not anchor the club, either “directly” or by use of an “anchor point.”

Note 1:  The club is anchored “directly” when the player intentionally holds the club or a gripping hand in contact with any part of his body, except that the player may hold the club or a gripping hand against a hand or forearm.

Note 2:  An “anchor point” exists when the player intentionally holds a forearm in contact with any part of his body to establish a gripping hand as a stable point around which the other hand may swing the club.

Rule 14-1b will not alter current equipment rules and allows for the continued use of all conforming golf clubs, including belly-length and long putters, provided such clubs are not anchored during a stroke. The new Rule narrowly targets only a few types of strokes, while preserving a golfer’s ability to play a wide variety of strokes in his or her individual style."

The PGA Tour has held meetings to discuss the proposed “anchored stroke” rule change and has made public announcements urging the USGA and the R&A to abandon it.

Many golf professionals have used the long or belly putter for many years and feel it will drastically affect their ability to earn a living if they are forced to change their putting method.

Average golfers that have been using the “anchored stroke” want to conform with the rules of golf, but won’t want to give up their long putters.

Not all of the golf manufacturers are happy with the USGA and R&A decision. In a statement released by Cobra Puma Golf,

“Golf lost today. This is not the direction we should be going, it will only continue to alienate people from golf. Cobra Puma Golf has been stressing the importance of game enjoyment since we formed in 2010; Game enjoyment is how we are going to bring people back to golf. This decision is a giant leap back on that front.”

The USGA and the R&A have just told the golf community, make no mistake we make the rules for golf. We don’t care if it hurts your golf club making company, your Saturday $2 nassau, or your ability to earn a living on the PGA Tour.

The “anchored stroke” will no longer be legal after January 1, 2016.