Anchoring is not permitted now.

That's what I thought. Was talking to a guy who said he wanted a belly putter. I thought they were not permitted now, but didn't want to say anything without being certain. I think he's simply a recreational player anyway so probably won't care, but if I build someone something I wanna be up front with them about it.

Longer putters are not nonconforming. Anchoring them to the body is.

One of the most stupid rulings by the USGA. PGA club pro's were against it. Finchem forgot he had a pair and cringed because a few high profile pros didn't like it. F the USGA. I still play one and always will. If conforming isn't an issue for your friend build him one.

BTW, you can't tell me that Langer isn't still anchoring his putter on his chest. I am guessing the seniors think the ruling is BS and letting Langer slide.

The USGA bans anchoring but lets other stuff slide. They say that a putter head shall be "plain" in shape. How plain is a head like the Taylormade Spider that looks like a f'ing space ship. You can't put an alignment mark on a putter head with a Sharpie but you can put an alignment mark on a ball with one. The list of stupid crap goes on and on...

    Rickochet I've seen a little of the debate, but not much since I'm just trying to get back into the game. So, tell me, if a long putter is not nonconforming, but anchoring is, what is the point of the extra length of the long putter? Where the decision, ruling, rule, or whatever that made "anchoring" against the rules?

    Ok, so I found an infographic showing what is permissible and what's not permissible with the rule verbiage. If you take it word for word, I guess if you can anchor with your wrist or the ball of your hand without touching the club to your body, then it should not be non-permissible. The rule only states you can't anchor with your forearm

    Rickochet BTW, you can't tell me that Langer isn't still anchoring his putter on his chest. I am guessing the seniors think the ruling is BS and letting Langer slide.

    I have seen that too, and came to the same conclusion.

      Rickochet The USGA bans anchoring but lets other stuff slide. They say that a putter head shall be "plain" in shape. How plain is a head like the Taylormade Spider that looks like a f'ing space ship. You can't put an alignment mark on a putter head with a Sharpie but you can put an alignment mark on a ball with one. The list of stupid crap goes on and on...

      I have wondered about this for some time. So, if the OEMs put an alignment mark on a ball or putterhead, its okay.

        I heard a discussion on this during a Champions Tour telecast. Per the commentators, Tour rule officials say it boils down to "intent". If a player using a broomstick type putter happens to touch his chest with his hand or butt of the shaft during his stroke, that's ok as long as he didn't INTEND to do so.

        The true abuser of this is Scott McCarron (sp?). You can often see his shirt being moved by his left hand during the stroke. If you watch Langer closely, he may brush his shirt occasionally, but I don't think he truly anchors.

          puttnfool Yep, totally agree and can't understand why the other players don't cry foul.

          puttnfool Yeah, but if Clinton didn't intend to release classified e-mails, than it's all good. (Verboten??)

          I agree that the rules can seem really arbitrary, especially the concept that the TM Spider putter is "plain in shape"? In what universe?

            I no longer care what the USGA does with their rule book. I no longer play tournaments, no longer keep a handicap and no longer concern myself with anything but enjoying my day on the golf course no matter if I shoot 75 or 95 . They only make rules to curtail the pros and almost never give a thought to the average joe who plays the game and then they wonder why people quit the game.

            If they don't like the rules, don't want to follow them and don't want an official handicap but like "playing the game", why would they stop playing? No one compels them to follow the USGA/R&A rules.

            Probably because they can't play as well as they thought they could.

            I am considering a re-visit (after 15 years) to building a belly putter.
            I have the head (Yes Callie Mid 12) but need a shaft and grip.
            Winter project.

            rsvman Yeah, but if Clinton didn't intend to release classified e-mails, than it's all good

            The problem with that logic is that Clinton knew exactly what she was doing so you gotta assume she wanted to release that classified info.

              Bankshot

              You wanna know the most interesting thing about that? McCarron openly accused Mickelson of outright cheating back in early 2010 because Phil (at the time) was trying to make a statement (with using his old Ping wedges) about how absurd the USGA ruling was regarding the square grooves being non-conforming, when there was a legal loophole that the USGA settled out-of-court in their lawsuit filed against them by Solheim about two decades prior, which made their clubs legal to use, which superseded any following action by the USGA to ban them.

              McCarron literally came out and openly stated that Phil was cheating. He apologized afterward, of course, but still...

              He strikes me as a major league shitweasel.

                I use a belly length putter, but don't anchor it. I did anchor when it was OK by the rules, but found it very easy with adjustments to keep using the long putter. I did adjust my putter for the adjustments I made. The challenge was to create the lie angle desired with the shaft I wanted to use. I came up with a solution which works well and is reasonably easy to do with the tools I have.

                For me it was always about standing taller with an open stance to improve vision and a longer putter to smooth out my stroke as I tend to be a "hitter" with the putter. A longer putter facilitates this, but it requires a more upright putter with a head weight to balance out the increased length. It is easy to use this type of putter without anchoring, but still separate your hands in the stroke if you wish.

                Personally as I have grown used to the feel of this type of set up I find it much easier to be consistent with both my line and distance. However, it does take a period of adjustment.