Golf

R&A admits proposed ban is 'polarising'

Golf: The Royal and Ancient Club is considering numerous responses to the proposed banning of anchored putting strokes after…

The long putter has ignited much lively debate on both sides of the Atlantic as the USPGA and RA seek to protect the integrity of the game.
The long putter has ignited much lively debate on both sides of the Atlantic as the USPGA and RA seek to protect the integrity of the game.
Fri Mar 01 2013 - 00:00

Golf:The Royal and Ancient Club is considering numerous responses to the proposed banning of anchored putting strokes after consultation on the subject closed.

A 90-day period was set aside for submissions to be made to the R&A, which together with the United States Golf Association (USGA) governs the game worldwide, about the rule change and that has now ended.

An R&A spokesman said: “Anchoring has been a polarising issue in our sport and despite having weighed the matter thoroughly before making the proposal, we believed it was important to give stakeholders in the game the opportunity to air their views.

“Our consultation period has generated a number of considered responses which have continued to arrive right up to the deadline. We appreciate those responses and will take time to review and evaluate them.

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“We note that this matter has proved particularly sensitive in the United States, while the proposed rule change has been received more favourably across the international golfing community.

“As we have throughout this process, we will work closely with the USGA in moving towards a final resolution.”

Last week America’s PGA Tour, the largest and richest in the world, publicly voiced opposition to the proposed ban on anchoring, which would come into effect in 2016.

PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said on Sunday: “Our player advisory council looked at it twice. We had the USGA come in and make a presentation to a player meeting in San Diego and the USGA made a presentation to our board.

“We researched and looked at it and articulated our position to the USGA and shared that thinking also with the R&A.

“Essentially where the PGA Tour came down was that they did not think that banning anchoring was in the best interest of golf or the PGA Tour.”

The USGA also issued a statement and pledged to continue working to find a “final resolution” on the matter.

The statement read: “The 90-day comment period on proposed Rule 14-1b has been very constructive and we appreciate the thoughtfulness of everyone who offered feedback.

“We received comments, questions and suggestions from recreational golfers, golf professionals and organisations representing many segments of the golf community. The discussion has been informative and serves as a strong reminder of just how passionate golfers are about the game

no matter their position on this specific issue.

“For well over a year, the golf community has engaged in a healthy and spirited discussion about anchoring, as well as other important issues confronting the game.

“Throughout this period, we have worked to explain the intent of Rule 14-1b, which aims to clarify and preserve the traditional and essential nature of the golf stroke that has helped to make golf a unique and enjoyable game of skill and challenge for centuries.

“As the comment period comes to a close, we will continue to review and evaluate the feedback that we have received. As we have throughout this process, we will continue to confer with the R&A in our work to reach a final resolution on this matter.”