Pollcode

Other countries censor content and not just rogue regimes such as the Iranian mullocracy. Poor people! http://www.baidu.com <a href="http://www.baidu.com" title="baidu censor">baidu censor</a>

I work as a bag guy at a public course in Florida. My observation is that about 20% of the players at my course us a long putter. Almost every one of them is over 60. Some keep two putters in their bag instead of multiple wedges. They say the long putter isn't good for longer putts. So a touring pro would probably be giving up some feel on a long putt with a long putter. As far as rules go, how many of you refer to the "book" you get from the USGA to make a decision on a questionable action? Close to zero I would guess. The rules should be revised so that all of them fit on two or three pages. Can you imagine the back up at the tees if weekend players had to walk back to the teebox after a drive went one foot outside the white stakes and they didn't hit a provisional? I echo the comments about the turbo charged equipment that is given a pass by the "governing bodies". Maybe the Masters someday will require the same "dead" ball we used back in the 70's so 200 yard 7 irons would be a thing of the past. Just another reason to stop watching professional golf for us old guys...

Wow, there is no crying in golf! The issue is not the ban, the issue is that the governing bodies took WAY too long to institute it. All of you sound like industry "line toters". There are plenty of people playing this game, and that's what it is, a game... you know with RULES? The complainers on this board who are stating "the game is dying" and "if they are interested in restoring the game" are talking without knowing what the are talking about. The game is not broken, it does not need "restoring". It sounds like a bunch of whiney parents who don't like "outs in baseball". I am sorry, but for those of you who have physical issues, move up a few tees, use a longer putter but don't anchor it. If you have a back issue, would you take up Power Lifting? Maybe we should handicap the weighting of Power Lifters - if you have a back issue, you only have to lift half of the weight that the other guy does... stupid. And most of you don't keep legitamate handicaps anyway, play by any rules you want. Or how about this, go out and work on your game a little! How much more mediocrity can society take!

and maybe one day i'll learn how to spell too. lol!!

i love this rule!! it gets rid of the pros too week to be on tour!!

I fully agree with this decision and Rule 14-1b. I, like many golfers, have used a variety of putters and putting grips, including the long putter and the belly putter. I agree with the USGA and the R and A that a "stroke" must be made without anchoring. It is harder and tests ones nerves but that is an essential part of the game.

What do professional golfers and recreational golfers have in common? Absolutely nothing. Golf has been in decline since 2001 for the recreational golfer and this surely will not help. I have a garage full of putters none of them work well long or short but at least you have the option. If Tiger or Rory used a belly putter or long putter we wouldn't behaving this discussion.

I think they should also limit the length of the club used for taking relief. These broomstick putters are a big advantage vs. a driver when taking relief. I think I will get a 15 foot putter for use when taking relief.

Although I voted "no" in support only as a "protest" vote. Let's take care of the ball problem at the same time - the spirit of the new rule is to bring golf back to it's roots of shotmaking etc. Lets take care of both problems now.

I support the ban on anchoring as I don't believe it to be a golf stroke. However, for all those amateur golfers who play for fun with their mates, you can safely ignore this, the same way you allow mulligans, gimmes and everything else that makes golf fun.

The USGA has blown it big time. I have never used a long putter or anchored one, but I do know that those who do still have to read the green, aim, get the distance right and stroke it right. 3 majors have been won with long putters--all the rest have been won without them. Why do you think most pros (and players) don't use them? If the USGA wants to level the playing field then outlaw supercharged balls and tricked up drivers that REALLY give some a ridiculous advantage that cause courses to have to be lengthened and redesigned. And tell me where is written that a "swing" must not be anchored? And where in fact, is it written that a putt is a "swing"? Last I heard, it was a stroke. But we must protect poor golfers from developing"bad habits!

So it was ok for 30 years, but now that it becomes "more popular" it is an issue? This is wrong. It should have either never been allowed or now embraced as an option. Amateurs are leaving the game every day...2.,000,000 last year alone...this will drive even more from the game.

This is truly sad. If it's an option for everyone then who is cheated?

Long and Belly putters are Not being prohibited! It's the "anchoring" which is the issue to be banned. Let's enjoy the game "swinging" all the 14 clubs in our bags!

Ban it!

Really?? You can have fun playing with or without long putters. Now, the pros should be able to play with the short putter...they are pros after all. There're changing their swings al the time, why can't they adapt to the short putter?

Anchoring is not a swing.

As a high handicap (17) weekend player, I strongly oppose the proposed ban on anchoring the putter. After playing for 12 years, my putting with a regular length putter had become so uncomfortable, I decided to make a drastic change or quit the game of golf. I have now been comfortably playing with a long (48") putter for the last three years, and although my handicap has stayed the same I am enjoying the game of golf again.

You have all the statistics at your disposal to see how the professionals have fared over the last 5 years- are the players with long or anchored clubs putting significantly better than anyone else?

Stephen Inoue
Santa Fe, NM
GHIN # 2621634

I've played golf for 54 years and will never send the USGA another dime in membership dues. They should call them the USPGA as they govern golf strictly for the tour pros. There are 20 million (and declining) golfers in the US and they make rules for basically 200 tour pros. First no square groves and now no belly putters. Thanks for looking out for us over 60 year old golfers USGA who really need these features to continue to enjoy the game.

The PGA of America and Davis Love have voiced opposition to this rule change because it will only hurt a game that is losing golfers by the day. The USGA and the RundA just don't get it. The sport is dying.