Anchored Stroke Is Target Of Proposed Usga, R&a Rule Change

DRAWS REACTION FROM AROUND NEW JERSEY

The announcement on Wednesday that the R&A and the United States Golf Association (USGA), golf’s governing bodies, are proposing changes to the Rules of Golf that would prohibit anchoring the club in making a stroke drew reaction from around the state.

The proposed Rule 14-1b, which follows an extensive review by The R&A and the USGA, would prohibit strokes made with the club or a hand gripping the club held directly against the player’s body, or with a forearm held against the body to establish an anchor point that indirectly anchors the club.

USGA PRESS RELEASE INFOGRAPHIC: UNDERSTANDING THE RULE

“The New Jersey State Golf Association and all of its championships are conducted under the USGA rules of golf and we will be supportive of USGA rules decisions,” said Steve Foehl, NJSGA executive director.

“Part of the skill of putting or making any stroke is to control the club in a natural swinging motion and anchoring the club against any part of the body can create an unfair advantage,” Foehl stated.

The proposed new rule would not alter current equipment rules and would allow the continued use of all conforming golf clubs, including belly-length and long putters, provided such clubs are not anchored during a stroke. The proposed 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.

Prior to taking a final decision on the proposed Rule, The R&A and the USGA will consider any further comments and suggestions from throughout the golf community.

Mark McCormick, head professional at Suburban Golf Union and 2008 State Open champion, said he flirted with the long putter, but felt “confined with it attached to my chest. And the long putts were a little more difficult for me.

“I think the reason for the proposed change is for the ruling bodies to get back to more traditional ways and in defining what a stroke is. That point where the club is still attached to the body disregards the definition of what makes a stroke,” added McCormick, whose son, Ryan, a St. John's University golfer, won the 2012 State Amateur in June at Baltusrol.

“I’ve spoken to many young golfers, including my son Ryan, and they are traditionalists who feel this rule will level the playing field and allow the more skilled golfer to emerge when the rule is put into play.”

Chris Dachisen, the head professional at North Jersey Country Club in Wayne has used a long putter since 1997. He won the State Open in 2001 at Upper Montclair.

“I believe it helps and I believe it’s cheating and I use it. I was very inconsistent when I went to it,” Dachisen said. “If you put a belly putter in the hands of a talented young golfer with good nerves, it’s a deadly combination.”

Just last year, Adam Scott, who switched to a long putter that he anchors to his chest, won the World Golf Championship at Firestone. A week later at the PGA Championship, Keegan Bradley (belly) became the first player to win a major using a longer putter. Webb Simpson (belly) won the following week in Greensboro, N.C., and then won again at the TPC Boston. Simpson went on to win the U.S. Open this June at Olympic Club in San Francisco.

“I think Ernie Els is the poster child for the long putter when he made a lot of putts down the stretch to win the British Open this year,” Dachisen stated.

Veteran Ed Whitman of Knickerbocker Country Club in Tenafly has used a belly putter for 12 years. In 2004, he won the State Open at Crestmont.

“It’s my personal belief that the proposed rule could inhibit some poor guys who can’t putt any other way. I think if just the PGA Tour adopts the rule change, it’s fine,” Whitman said. “For me, it has helped me control the yips. Tiger Woods thinks people should be able to control their nerves. For a lot of people, the yips are uncontrollable. You can’t wish them away. You have to learn to live with them.”

--Mike Moretti