Golf’s governing bodies ban the use of anchored putting technique – Golf News
Golf’ governing bodies, the Royal and Ancient (R&A) and the United States Golf Association (USGA) have decided to ban the use of anchored putting strokes, effective from January, 2016.
The idea of banning the use of long putters was first proposed in November last year. After taking feedbacks and suggestions from different individuals and golf organisations, the R&A and the USGA finally announced
the decision in proposal’s favour.
"We took a great deal of time to consider this issue and received a variety of contributions from individuals and organisations at all levels of the game," R&A chief executive Peter Dawson said. "We recognise
this has been a divisive issue but after thorough consideration, we remain convinced this is the right decision for golf.”
The idea behind proposing the idea of the ban was that the use of anchored putting stroke was modifying the traditional way of playing golf. In addition to that, its use also made it quite easier for the players
to make successful putts.
According the many golf experts, the game should never become easy, as this reduces people’s interest in working hard to improve their playing techniques.
While making the announcement for the ban of anchoring of putting strokes, the USGA president, Glen D. Nager, said that the new rule will completely eliminate the possible advantage that anchoring provides and
will impose the use of traditional way of making strokes.
"Having considered all of the input that we received, both before and after the proposed rule was announced, our best judgment is it is necessary to preserve one of the important traditions and challenges of
the game - that the player freely swing the entire club," Nager said.
A number of big names in the world of golf use anchored putting strokes and some of them include the last month’s Masters champion Adam Scott, the reigning British Open champion Ernie Els.
Anchored putting is a technique in which a player uses long putter, also known as belly putter, and hold it to their chest or belly to provide stability to their stroke.
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