Tour pros have mixed responses to anchored putting ban
Tour pros were vocal when the anchored putting ban was proposed in December. When the ban became official Tuesday morning, players didn't have quite as much to say, but some golfers still voiced their support, displeasure and confusion over the ruling.
Tiger Woods made his feelings on the proposed anchoring ban known in a press conference previewing the AT&T National on Monday.
Well, I hope they go with the ban. That's something that I've said, that anchoring should not be a part of the game. It should be mandatory to have to swing all 14 clubs. There are different ways of making the butt end of the club move. You've seen it with Bernhard Langer when he won the Masters putting against his forearm, what Kuch does putting against his forearm, as well. But it's not a fixed point; the butt end does travel. So I think that's where guys are going to try and ‑‑ will figure it out if that's the ban and that's where they go, I think it's great.
And as far as the PGA TOUR, I hope they do it as soon as possible to be honest with you. I've always said that. I've always felt that golf you should have to swing the club, control your nerves and swing all 14 clubs, not just 13.
Immediately following the ruling, the Golf Channel said that Adam Scott, Webb Simpson and Carl Pettersson, all high-profile anchorers, politely declined to comment.
Brenden Steele, who has anchored his putter since 2006, did comment, saying, "I’m going to putt however I can best get the ball into the hole this week and then deal with it moving forward. I’m using the [Matt] Kuchar-style because I feel like it’s the best chance for me to hole putts this week."
Corey Pavin said he didn't know if anchoring was a pressing matter for the USGA, but was glad the ban won't take place until 2016.
“I'm glad it wasn't made across the board where they just banned them,” said Pavin, who is competing this week in the Crowne Plaza Invitational for the 30th time. “They have been around too long, well, forever, I guess – the last 30 years or 20 years. It's a long time to have something legal and then make it illegal. So I think keeping the putter in play is a good thing. I'm not so sure that stopping anchoring is really that big of a deal as far as a change of a rule. I'm not sure if it was necessary. But that's the way they went and that's what the rules are now. Well, they are in 2016," Pavin said.
Other pros took to Twitter to give their opinion.
John Daly offered: "It's time that the Club Pros & PGAPros stop being pushed around by amateur companies when it only matters to 2 tourn British/USOpen why should we change our rules--again that's IMO. NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL....all professional organizations create their rules, PGA should also create rules as professionals in our organization."
If only 2-4% of worldwide golfers use anchored putters, why do they feel this is "bad" for the game?
— Rich Beem (@beemerpga) May 21, 2013
I could not disagree more with the USGA's decision today. #respectfullytheygotitwrong
— Meg Mallon (@MegMallonUSA) May 21, 2013
USGA/R&A have methodically thought through this issue. Consensus and adherence will be key. Two years offers time for litigation to play out
— Olin Browne (@OlinBrowne) May 21, 2013
Can only imagine where all the Media at Colonial will be today....putting Green anyone?#anchorban
— Ricky Barnes (@RealRickyBarnes) May 21, 2013
The USGA just cut down a mole hill. Can they now get to the mountain? Which mountain? Driver, ball, slow play,access. You choose.
— Arron Oberholser (@ArronOberholser) May 21, 2013
I'm in support of the ban on anchoring for tournament golf. It should have been done a long time ago though @usga.
— Parker McLachlin (@ParkerMcLachlin) May 21, 2013


