Editor’s Note: Needless to say, the social media world lit up on Wednesday with the announcement by the USGA and R&A proposing a rule to ban the use of anchored putting strokes. Here is a sample of the reaction -- both for and against the proposal -- by prominent golfers via Twitter (we will continue to update this feature throughout the day):
Rory McIlroy
@McIlroyRory Fully agree with the anchoring ban. Better image for the game of golf, skill and nerves are all part of the game. Level playing field in '16
ANCHORING BAN
The USGA and R&A have proposed a rules forbidding golfers from anchoring long putters ot their body during the putting stroke.
PGA STATEMENT
"The PGA has long supported the USGA in its role of establishing the Rules of Golf governing play and equipment. We have representation on the Rules of Golf Committee and we have tremendous respect for the USGA in regard to their critical role in writing and interpreting the Rules of Golf. As our mission is to grow the game, on behalf of our 27,000 men and women PGA Professionals, we are asking them to seriously consider the impact this proposed ban may have on people's enjoyment of the game and the overall growth of the game." -- PGA of America President Ted Bishop
Joost Luiten
@joostluiten Good to hear that the belly putters will be banned, because you can't anchor
@joostluiten The club annymore.Golf need to be played with your two hands holding a club and not puting it stuck into belly or chest. What do you think?
Dustin Johnson
@DJohnsonPGA Anchored putter ban makes no difference to me. Didn't care for 'em in the first place!!!
Will Strickler
@wstrick17 How has this happened to golf? Baseball still has the wooden bats, similar balls and leather gloves that it had 100 years ago.
@wstrick17 USGA and R&A are trying to make up for lost time and regretting sitting on their hands for the last 25 years as technology took off
@wstrick17 So if you currently use an anchored putter should you keep it for 3 yrs and make as much $ as you can or switch sooner to get used to it??
Nick Faldo
@NickFaldo006 #R&A #USGA...good simple proposed change #NoAnchor #NoHindge...now can we crack on! #GrowGolf
Peter Kostis
@peterjkostis Wow! I think they just said the stroke that Billy Casper used for his 51 tour victories is no longer allowed. Hands&arm against the thigh
Graeme McDowell
@Graeme_McDowell Careful and considered from the USGA/R&A on rule change banning anchoring of a golf club to the body. Only decision that could be made #2016
@Graeme_McDowell With the ban starting Jan 1st 2016 it will be interesting how quickly players start switching methods. Wait it out or start process now?
Steve Elkington
@elkpga Can't wait to see guys using long putters not anchored!.... #mikedavis #snakekiller
@elkpga I remember guys strokes before they went anchored... Scott Couples Langer Els Pete Senior Orville moody #scary
@elkpga Web Simpson & Keegan Bradley have the most to lose... If they don't win anything post BAN .... Did they really Exist?
Arron Oberholser
@ArronOberholser USGA, USGA, what do you see? I see lawsuits looking at me!!! PGA Tour, PGA Tour, what do you see? I see OUR OWN RULES looking at me!!!
@ArronOberholser Hey Mike Davis, are you trying to get more people to play the game or play checkers?! #bifurcation NOW
@ArronOberholser Love how the USGA and R&A continue to make an already hard game, harder for the average player. #bifurcation
@ArronOberholser Ok, now that this is over with, can we get to the important stuff, like finding a way to NOT have 7500 yard golf courses. #dumb
@ArronOberholser I feel bad for a couple of guys on tour who have made a living with the anchoring method. This could potentially cut some careers short
Gary Player
@garyplayer The R&A and USGA have made the right call on not allowing anchoring whilst still leaving all players to use long putters.
@garyplayer Well said @jacknicklaus the ball is the major problem and needs to be tackled as more & more courses become obsolete.
@garyplayer It's time for bifurcation like most other sports. If you think the game is the same for all, just watch Tiger or Rory vrs your club champ.
Joe Ogilvie
@ogilviej I applaud USGA and R&A for making a joint announcement on banning. The world of golf is getting flatter.
@ogilviej USGA and R&A could've sent this press release out as soon as Adam Scott holed the final putt at Lytham & St. Annes.
@ogilviej What if guys who anchor win next 4 majors & FEDEX Cup? They are now knowingly doing something that will be illegal, weird dynamic for golf.
Steve Flesch
@Steve_Flesch Enough with the 90 days and actual rule change in 3 yrs. USGA just needs to implement the rule and move on.
Jon Curran
@JonCurranGolf Where was the USGA and R&A when people were putting with anchored putters 20+years ago. This is a direct attack against specific PGA tour
@JonCurranGolf Players and not a rule to "protect the game".
@JonCurranGolf This ban will not stick.
D.J. Brigman
@djbrigman In my opinion, mistake by USGA n R&A 2 wait until 2016 2 implement ban on anchoring putters. Wait on announcement or take effect immediately
@djbrigman USGA n R&A decision will have a negative effect on those players that do anchor in the media and from fans until 2016. #notfairtothem
Billy Horschel
@BillyHo_Golf USGA and R&A making the right decision based on the history of the game! Just can't believe it won't be in effect until 2016.
@BillyHo_Golf I think they should allow the Am's to continue to use the anchor method in regular play. Must confirm with rule in tournaments.
Ian Poulter
@IanJamesPoulter The long putter rule change will cause some unsettle I'm sure. I've always putted with a short putter so I'm not affected by the change.
Graham DeLaet
@GrahamDeLaet I don't agree with the ban on anchoring, but the changes the R&A are making to the Old Course are much more disappointing.
Chris DiMarco
@ChrisDiMarco I think the USGA needs to look at the Drivers size and the golf ball! Making mockery of golf courses. #ballgoestoofar
Comments
Carlus Noah
Do away with the big head clubs that you can close your eyes and still hit a good shot
rick lacy
If you look at video of the putting strokes with the 3 different styles, short, belly and long from the lowest hand down the strokes with the 3 putters are fundamentally the same. So whats the beef. Whats shameful is the lack of addressing modern equipment.....Adjustable drivers, iron heads with inserts and polymer materials, rebound effects. Golf balls that fly over 300 yards and go straighter. Why now? Just because a few World Class Professionals have won majors? None of them were the best putters that week. Bad rule change. Hope every user of these putters on all the Tours get lawyers and sue. I still remember the Casey Martin lawsuit. Many of the same 'purist' experts and legends of the game didn't want him in a cart either.
rick lacy
If you look at video of the putting strokes with the 3 different styles, short, belly and long from the lowest hand down the strokes with the 3 putters are fundamentally the same. So whats the beef. Whats shameful is the lack of addressing modern equipment.....Adjustable drivers, iron heads with inserts and polymer materials, rebound effects. Golf balls that fly over 300 yards and go straighter. Why now? Just because a few World Class Professionals have won majors? None of them were the best putters that week. Bad rule change. Hope every user of these putters on all the Tours get lawyers and sue. I still remember the Casey Martin lawsuit. Many of the same 'purist' experts and legends of the game didn't want him in a cart either.
rick lacy
If you look at video of the putting strokes with the 3 different styles, short, belly and long from the lowest hand down the strokes with the 3 putters are fundamentally the same. So whats the beef. Whats shameful is the lack of addressing modern equipment.....Adjustable drivers, iron heads with inserts and polymer materials, rebound effects. Golf balls that fly over 300 yards and go straighter. Why now? Just because a few World Class Professionals have won majors? None of them were the best putters that week. Bad rule change. Hope every user of these putters on all the Tours get lawyers and sue. I still remember the Casey Martin lawsuit. Many of the same 'purist' experts and legends of the game didn't want him in a cart either.
rick lacy
If you look at video of the putting strokes with the 3 different styles, short, belly and long from the lowest hand down the strokes with the 3 putters are fundamentally the same. So whats the beef. Whats shameful is the lack of addressing modern equipment.....Adjustable drivers, iron heads with inserts and polymer materials, rebound effects. Golf balls that fly over 300 yards and go straighter. Why now? Just because a few World Class Professionals have won majors? None of them were the best putters that week. Bad rule change. Hope every user of these putters on all the Tours get lawyers and sue. I still remember the Casey Martin lawsuit. Many of the same 'purist' experts and legends of the game didn't want him in a cart either.
rick lacy
If you look at video of the putting strokes with the 3 different styles, short, belly and long from the lowest hand down the strokes with the 3 putters are fundamentally the same. So whats the beef. Whats shameful is the lack of addressing modern equipment.....Adjustable drivers, iron heads with inserts and polymer materials, rebound effects. Golf balls that fly over 300 yards and go straighter. Why now? Just because a few World Class Professionals have won majors? None of them were the best putters that week. Bad rule change. Hope every user of these putters on all the Tours get lawyers and sue. I still remember the Casey Martin lawsuit. Many of the same 'purist' experts and legends of the game didn't want him in a cart either.
rick lacy
If you look at video of the putting strokes with the 3 different styles, short, belly and long from the lowest hand down the strokes with the 3 putters are fundamentally the same. So whats the beef. Whats shameful is the lack of addressing modern equipment.....Adjustable drivers, iron heads with inserts and polymer materials, rebound effects. Golf balls that fly over 300 yards and go straighter. Why now? Just because a few World Class Professionals have won majors? None of them were the best putters that week. Bad rule change. Hope every user of these putters on all the Tours get lawyers and sue. I still remember the Casey Martin lawsuit. Many of the same 'purist' experts and legends of the game didn't want him in a cart either.
rick lacy
If you look at video of the putting strokes with the 3 different styles, short, belly and long from the lowest hand down the strokes with the 3 putters are fundamentally the same. So whats the beef. Whats shameful is the lack of addressing modern equipment.....Adjustable drivers, iron heads with inserts and polymer materials, rebound effects. Golf balls that fly over 300 yards and go straighter. Why now? Just because a few World Class Professionals have won majors? None of them were the best putters that week. Bad rule change. Hope every user of these putters on all the Tours get lawyers and sue. I still remember the Casey Martin lawsuit. Many of the same 'purist' experts and legends of the game didn't want him in a cart either.
rick lacy
If you look at video of the putting strokes with the 3 different styles, short, belly and long from the lowest hand down the strokes with the 3 putters are fundamentally the same. So whats the beef. Whats shameful is the lack of addressing modern equipment.....Adjustable drivers, iron heads with inserts and polymer materials, rebound effects. Golf balls that fly over 300 yards and go straighter. Why now? Just because a few World Class Professionals have won majors? None of them were the best putters that week. Bad rule change. Hope every user of these putters on all the Tours get lawyers and sue. I still remember the Casey Martin lawsuit. Many of the same 'purist' experts and legends of the game didn't want him in a cart either.
rick lacy
If you look at video of the putting strokes with the 3 different styles, short, belly and long from the lowest hand down the strokes with the 3 putters are fundamentally the same. So whats the beef. Whats shameful is the lack of addressing modern equipment.....Adjustable drivers, iron heads with inserts and polymer materials, rebound effects. Golf balls that fly over 300 yards and go straighter. Why now? Just because a few World Class Professionals have won majors? None of them were the best putters that week. Bad rule change. Hope every user of these putters on all the Tours get lawyers and sue. I still remember the Casey Martin lawsuit. Many of the same 'purist' experts and legends of the game didn't want him in a cart either.
rick lacy
If you look at video of the putting strokes with the 3 different styles, short, belly and long from the lowest hand down the strokes with the 3 putters are fundamentally the same. So whats the beef. Whats shameful is the lack of addressing modern equipment.....Adjustable drivers, iron heads with inserts and polymer materials, rebound effects. Golf balls that fly over 300 yards and go straighter. Why now? Just because a few World Class Professionals have won majors? None of them were the best putters that week. Bad rule change. Hope every user of these putters on all the Tours get lawyers and sue. I still remember the Casey Martin lawsuit. Many of the same 'purist' experts and legends of the game didn't want him in a cart either.
Patrick Devlin
The proposed rule change is an ill thought out reaction to Tiger Woods comments earlier this year. Tiger may be the PGA Tour to some people as his grousing over the long putter sparked more action than anything in this last 30+ years. Chris DiMarco is right - Look at the golf ball or the new clubs as absurd changes to the game. Everyone uses these clubs and balls. If the long putter was such an advantage then everyone would be using it.
Bifurcation will create a breach in the game that cannot be bridged. The proposed ban will take players out of it.
Sheila Joyner
I am most surprised by the total disregard for women who use long putters--and the whole issue of the forearm. I do not anchor my long putter but hold it out away from my body by several inches. However, because of my female anatomy (breasts) the upper part of my forearm does touch my body (outside of my left breast) when my left hand is on the top of the putter and my left arm is at a 90 degree angle. Men do not have this problem--of the forearm touching the body. This is a real problem and a very interesting application of the rule--which allows men to have a legal grip that women with big breasts cannot use. Sounds like sex discrimination to me.
Tim Fritsche
I'm surprised at the comments of Mr. Bishop !! I felt like my opinion and thoughts in regards to the banning didn't matter. I have paid too much in many ways to be ignored,as have many of my PGA brothers. I play with fellows professionals almost every week, and I know only one who putts with a chest anchored putter ! Without it, he can barely get the putter back to the ball after his take away !! Pathtic !
Sammie L
Looks like Graeme McDoweel wants less competion. It appears that some tour boys wants less competition on the greens, but love to pick and choose which technology they will use. In the end it is all about the money, less compettion the better. The USGA and R&A have just given a major asterisk to Billy Casper 51 wins and Ernie, Webb and Keegans major wins.