Banning Putter
Anchoring
It's official......the USGA and the R & A have
officially banned the anchoring of a putter in 2016.
These organizations have decided to ban the anchored putter
starting on January 1, 2016.
There has been much debate and opinions over this situation
and the PGA Tour and the PGA of America have stated they won't follow the
banning of the putter.
At this point there seems to be a standoff.......many PBA
Tour players said they won't take this lying down and they will file a lawsuit
to get this overturned.
I am interested to see what the PGA Tour and the PGA of
America will do with this situation.
The new rule banning anchoring will be called 14-1B and
officially says a golfer "in making a stroke, must not anchor the club, either
directly or by use of an anchor point."
Now what does the new rule mean.
The new rule will permit putting using the "claw" method,
you can use the long putter not anchored, you can use a grip resting against
your forearm, you can use the traditional putting grip, you can putt
cross-handed, you can use the mid-length putter not anchored, forearms can be
held against body without anchor point and you can have one or both elbows
braced against your body.
What you can not do with this new rule includes no anchoring
of a mid-length putter against your stomach, can not anchor a long putter, can
not use anchored point created by forearm.
The penalty against anchoring includes a 2-stroke penalty in
stroke play and loss of hole in match play.
PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem hasn't said whether or not
the PGA Tour will go along with the USGA and R&A ban. Finchem said, "we
don't attempt to denigrate that position in any way whatsoever, it's just on
this issue, we think if they were to move forward they would be making a
mistake."
Comments heard from several local older league golfers were,
"if you're old and have a bad back then keep using your big belly or long putter
but the pro's shouldn't need them."
Needless to say the gauntlet has been thrown down and
decisions need to be made. The PGA of America's mission has always been to grow
the game.
One can understand the opinions of both sides, but,
anchoring has been around for nearly a hundred years so it is part of the
tradition of the game.
Will banning anchoring hurt the game? some say absolutely.
Should anchoring be allowed? others say maybe.
Ed's
Outlook
In our vast golf travels we meet some very interesting
people.
Had the opportunity to visit with David Fernandez of
Seagrove, N.C. recently. David and his wife Alexa own and operate Seagrove
Stoneware Inn and Pottery.
An artist for 40-years and a golfer for longer than that
David understands the concept of functional beauty and so he has combined art
and sport into the exciting concept of a putter head made of clay.
He calls them Precision Art Putters as each putter head
starts as a lump of custom formulated clay composite. The clay is h and turned
on the potter's wheel to form the basis head and when the clay putter head is
half dry, the face is cut at a precise angle (up to 10 degrees by USGA
regulations).
The top surface is then carved with a unique pattern
including a center sighting line and when the putter is completely dry it is
coated with a permanent glaze and kiln fired to 2400 degrees.
Once cool, the putter face is smoothed and the shaft
installed...... David reminds us that this is all done by hand.
Wow...... can you imagine that each putter is handcrafted by
David, is one of a kind and the putters look beautiful and have an amazing feel
when striking the ball.
My Monday Night golf league partner noted to me after seeing
me putt with this putter that "I think your going to like that
putter."
David's putters are not only appealing but I love the "soft
feel" when putting. This putter is a piece of art and the soft feel and response
in your hands is amazing.
David will customize a putter for you and he can be reached
at 336-207-6985 or email at dfernandez@triad.rr.com His web site is
www.clayputter.com
Ed Townsend is a PR Consultant to the sport of golf. Ed
writes and compiles the information for this column. If you have league and
tournament information, shoot a hole-in-one or even shoot your age, let Ed know
at 845-439-8177, email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or fax at
845-205-4474.View this column and all of Ed's pictures at
http://bght.blogspot.com We are also on Facebook
The Golf
Tip
By Robert
Menges
How To Find Your Rhythm In A Hurry
Here's a simple exercise you can do anytime on the course to
regain your rhythm.
Simply turn a driver or wood up the other way and
swing.
Doing this will make the club very, very lights and it will
change the feelings that you've been having with the club.
Once you've had a number of swings like this, I suggest you
grip the club normally and go back to swinging it the way you normally would.
But doing this drill will help you to feel the clubhead and that's critical in
the golf swing.
Have you heard the expression,"swing the clubhead?" Well, if
you have or you haven't.....just do it.
Swing the clubhead and not the club. Let the clubhead do the
swinging and feel the power you get without forcing it. Keep turning the
clubhead over so you can get the feeling of the clubhead more
often.
You'll soon regain your rhythm and with it will return your
confidence.
Robert Menges is the head golf professional at the Swan
Lake Golf & Country Club, Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. He is available for
private lessons and if you have a question or subject you would like covered, he
can be reached by phone at 845-292-0323 or via email at
menges@hughes.net
The Putting
Tip
By Joe Bermel
Confidence in your putting ability is a huge
key.
The 4 step process.
1. Motivation to improve.
2. Practicing the correct elements of putting including 4
putting drills.
3. Quality, diligent practice putting sessions will bring
good results.
4. Good results will give the golfer the CONFIDENCE to
continue the practice of putting skills over time
Joe Bermel is available for private lessons, group,
corporate, organization golf shows and tournaments. His special edition DVD
"How To Putt Well" is available by calling 631-589-1384, at his Web site
www.ThePuttingDoctor.com or by email at joe@theputtingdoctor.com
Identification of this picture
David Fernandez with his putter display and photos of his
hand-made putter process.
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