Broomstick putter on the Tour

[Duct Tape]

Back for more discussion. 
 

It sure seemed to me that Matti Schmid, who was among the best putters at last weeks tourney at Colonial, was very close to anchoring if not actually in contact with his chest. 
 

This has been discussed ad nauseum but it seems to me if this rule is really unenforceable as several refs or officials have said, then the long putter should be abolished. You sometimes just can’t tell if the grip is just brushing a shirt (worn large for a reason?) or actually pressing on skin.
 

Alternatively, although not my preference, just allow full anchoring.  This decision sure seems easier than de-tuned golf balls or smaller drivers, etc….
 

It seems the armlock putter, which I’ve tried with dismal success, is easier to enforce so while the rule may be objectionable to some at least determining whether or not it’s use is appropriate under the rules of golf is not so difficult. 
 

 

I’m sure Adam Scott and Bernhard Langer will disagree. 🤓. Not to mention several of my aging regulars.  
 

 

[BSI99]

Personally I think the broomstick can be allowed but only after 10+ years of putting yips and >3 sports psychologists seen. These kids like Akshay using them at such a young age is stolen valor IMO. He hasn't been through the trenches of 3 putts from 10 feet on Sunday of a tour event. 

[TiScape]

1 hour ago, Duct Tape said:

Back for more discussion. 
 

It sure seemed to me that Matti Schmid, who was among the best putters at last weeks tourney at Colonial, was very close to anchoring if not actually in contact with his chest. 
 

This has been discussed ad nauseum but it seems to me if this rule is really unenforceable as several refs or officials have said, then the long putter should be abolished. You sometimes just can’t tell if the grip is just brushing a shirt (worn large for a reason?) or actually pressing on skin.
 

Alternatively, although not my preference, just allow full anchoring.  This decision sure seems easier than de-tuned golf balls or smaller drivers, etc….
 

It seems the armlock putter, which I’ve tried with dismal success, is easier to enforce so while the rule may be objectionable to some at least determining whether or not it’s use is appropriate under the rules of golf is not so difficult. 
 

 

I’m sure Adam Scott and Bernhard Langer will disagree. 🤓. Not to mention several of my aging regulars.  
 

 

I couldn’t decide between ‘stirring the pot’ & ‘poking the bear’. So…

[TiScape]

9 minutes ago, TiScape said:

I couldn’t decide between ‘stirring the pot’ & ‘poking the bear’. So…

And, did you also post this in the ‘Rules of Golf & Etiquette’ sub? Could b some terrific insight there 😬

😆

 

[farmer]

I used a belly putter and loved it until it became illegal.  I would go back in a New York minute.  Tried a broomstick and that designation seems an apt description.  Well suited for a broom, not so much for any golf related activity.  Remove the grey areas, make them completely legal or make them completely illegal.

[Duct Tape]

Stumbled across this in my news feed just now

 

https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/articles/ceqg2py1839o 

[Dabetic]

I'm in the camp of do whatever gets it (legally) in the hole the fastest, but do I think broomsticks are lame? Absolutely and forever

[vman]

I don’t use one but never had a problem with anyone that does. Putting is all about confidence and if they help, great, just don’t anchor it.

[Duct Tape]

43 minutes ago, vman said:

I don’t use one but never had a problem with anyone that does. Putting is all about confidence and if they help, great, just don’t anchor it.

Agree. It just seems the determination of anchoring or not is very difficult. 

[Duct Tape]

2 hours ago, TiScape said:

And, did you also post this in the ‘Rules of Golf & Etiquette’ sub? Could b some terrific insight there 😬

😆

 

Not going there!

 

Although it may get moved there.  Tour Talk and Grille are where I hang out. 

[DJDJ]

🍿

[Shilgy]

19 hours ago, TiScape said:

And, did you also post this in the ‘Rules of Golf & Etiquette’ sub? Could b some terrific insight there 😬

😆

 

What are the odds anyone in this thread manages to post something that has not been said on the subject at least 💯 times here on wrx?

[johnseg]

I don't like rules that make officiating harder. Rules should be clear and clearly enforceable. Gray Area rules suck and make people irritated. I think the novelty has worn off and they should just get rid of the rule since this was always about optics. In reality how use using a long shaft and gripping it to your forearm not an anchoring movement?

[Duct Tape]

24 minutes ago, johnseg said:

I don't like rules that make officiating harder. Rules should be clear and clearly enforceable. Gray Area rules suck and make people irritated. I think the novelty has worn off and they should just get rid of the rule since this was always about optics. In reality how use using a long shaft and gripping it to your forearm not an anchoring movement?

Thank you js. Thats the point here. Not necessarily if you like or don’t like it, but if you think it is being fairly used on Tour and elsewhere. If your buddy, or even opponent,  looks like he’s anchoring on a tournament or money round, are you going to successfully call him on it?  I doubt it.  

[TiScape]

1 hour ago, Shilgy said:

What are the odds anyone in this thread manages to post something that has not been said on the subject at least 💯 times here on wrx?

I’m goin with the same as gettin a fresh take in a ‘Rollback 3.0’ thread!! 
 

😜

[Mr.Cleeks]

I feel like Langer still anchors the putter.

 

[TiScape]

34 minutes ago, johnseg said:

I don't like rules that make officiating harder. Rules should be clear and clearly enforceable. Gray Area rules suck and make people irritated. I think the novelty has worn off and they should just get rid of the rule since this was always about optics. In reality how use using a long shaft and gripping it to your forearm not an anchoring movement?

I agree. Henceforth why I feel the NFL should do away with the PI call. 
 

“Let them play. Let them play. Let them play…” 

 

🤣

 

*did I use ‘henceforth’ correctly? On my 1st cup of coffee. No doubt WRX will let me know  😁

[TiScape]

3 minutes ago, Mr.Cleeks said:

I feel like Langer still anchors the putter.

 

In ur book, every W with it has an asterisk * by it? 

[Mr.Cleeks]

1 hour ago, TiScape said:

In ur book, every W with it has an asterisk * by it? 

I don't really care about the Champions tour but I do think his made cut at the 2020 Masters should have a * by it. Everyone talks about how Langer beat Bryson at the Masters that year. But in reality Langer was anchoring away on every green. 

[iBanesto]

14 hours ago, Mr.Cleeks said:

I don't really care about the Champions tour but I do think his made cut at the 2020 Masters should have a * by it. Everyone talks about how Langer beat Bryson at the Masters that year. But in reality Langer was anchoring away on every green. 

 

Well if we are going to pedantic, it can be said DeChambeau anchors his putts.

 

[Duct Tape]

10 minutes ago, iBanesto said:

 

Well if we are going to pedantic, it can be said DeChambeau anchors his putts.

 

Fixed to a “moving part” i.e. forearm is ok. Also, for this discussion easily enforceable. 

[Mr.Cleeks]

1 hour ago, iBanesto said:

 

Well if we are going to pedantic, it can be said DeChambeau anchors his putts.

 

Here’s an explanation directly from the USGA: The anchoring rule states that while making a stroke, a player may not anchor the club (i) “directly” or (ii) indirectly through use of an “anchor point.” Therefore, since nothing is anchored to the butt of the putter grip, the arm lock putting style is completely legal and conforms to the Rules of Golf.

[iBanesto]

6 minutes ago, Mr.Cleeks said:

Here’s an explanation directly from the USGA: The anchoring rule states that while making a stroke, a player may not anchor the club (i) “directly” or (ii) indirectly through use of an “anchor point.” Therefore, since nothing is anchored to the butt of the putter grip, the arm lock putting style is completely legal and conforms to the Rules of Golf.

 

But you're saying Langer is anchoring with no evidence but just pure assumption he is breaking the rules.

 

My point is we can say whatever we want but at the end of the day the scores are officiated, and Langer is not penalised because he hasn't broken the rules.

 

 

[KennyP]

I don't like them.

 

Just limit the length of the putter to, say, 40" and then they'll become illegal.

 

 

[Mr.Cleeks]

8 minutes ago, KennyP said:

I don't like them.

 

Just limit the length of the putter to, say, 40" and then they'll become illegal.

 

 

Tiger said the putter should be the shortest club in the bag. But I don't think liking something aesthetically is enough to constitute a rules change unless their is direct evidence it gives you a distinct advantage

[TiScape]

1 minute ago, Mr.Cleeks said:

But I don't think liking something aesthetically is enough to constitute a rules change 

If it were, faux carbon fiber on the back of an iron would be banned! 
 

*if you know, you know 🤷🏼‍♂️

[uW0tM8]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: if anchoring of any kind was that much better, we would have seen more tour pros do it and they would have been some of the best putters, statistically speaking. Can’t think of a single broomstick, armlock, or belly putter who was “automatic”. Only one guy currently in the top 10 in SG: Putting uses a broomstick. 

[TiScape]

34 minutes ago, uW0tM8 said:

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: if anchoring of any kind was that much better, we would have seen more tour pros do it and they would have been some of the best putters, statistically speaking. Can’t think of a single broomstick, armlock, or belly putter who was “automatic”. Only one guy currently in the top 10 in SG: Putting uses a broomstick. 

Whether it’s an advantage or not isn’t what’s up for debate. It’s black & white. if it’s illegal, enforce it.

Like the ppl that tried to say some stats proved the cheating didn’t statistically help the Astros that much in 2017 so it’s okay. (Yes, ALL Astros fans 😂) 

[Shilgy]

1 hour ago, TiScape said:

Whether it’s an advantage or not isn’t what’s up for debate. It’s black & white. if it’s illegal, enforce it.

Like the ppl that tried to say some stats proved the cheating didn’t statistically help the Astros that much in 2017 so it’s okay. (Yes, ALL Astros fans 😂) 

In my opinion they do enforce it…but no one is cheating. Guys see that top hand touch the shirt on their tv and start screaming cheater.

 

 And they’re wrong.

[TiScape]

Just now, Shilgy said:

In my opinion they do enforce it…but no one is cheating. Guys see that top hand touch the shirt on their tv and start screaming cheater.

 

 And they’re wrong.

Gotcha.

My comment was more geared towards someone saying essentially, ‘it’s okay if they are breaking a rule, bcs it doesn’t offer a true advantage’.