Golf governing bodies signal an end to the anchoring of putters

The world and its mother, as well as the dogs in the street, knew it would come to pass. And, yesterday, the R&A and the USGA – the two governing bodies of world golf – signalled the phased end of the anchoring of putters.

The new rule will take effect on January 1st, 2016, providing those proponents of the method with a spell of adjustment.

In confirming Rule 14-1b will prohibit the anchoring of belly-putters and long-putters in making a stroke, the R&A and the USGA have effectively thrown down the gauntlet to the PGA Tour, who had objected to the rule’s imposition.

Not all is sunshine and light, though. The US Tour issued a statement which said it would begin a process to “ascertain whether the various provisions of Rule 14-1b will be implemented in our competitions and, if so, examine the process for implementation.”

In contrast, the PGA European Tour has said it will abide by the new rule. The R&A's chief executive Peter Dawson said the move had been mainly brought about because of the "increase in use on tour [and] young players being coached" in the method.

USGA president Glen Nager remarked: "Rule 14-1b protects one of the important challenges in the game – the free swing of the entire club."

The new rule will still allow the use of belly and long-putters, but won’t allow them to be anchored to the body. The report from the R&A and the USGA also argued it is not too late or unfair to require players to comply with the rule and that it will remove concerns about any potential advantage that anchoring provides.