I am saddened but not surprised to read the recent article on GolfDigest.com by Jaime Diaz “Why is Bernhard Langer guilty until proven innocent?”
In my Feb 17th 2016 “Ambiguous Anchoring Rule” post I expressed my disappointment to hear the chatter after his Chubb Classic victory implying that he may be violating the Anchoring rule, and stated then, as I will now, that “Bernhard is one of the most honest and sincere individuals that I have met on Tour. He clearly understands the rule and would not violate it.”
In this post I re-emphasized two points made in my October 2015 article “The Point of Anchoring” regarding adoption and implementation of anchoring rule, which were:
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“There was no evidence that anchoring had a detrimental effect on the game.”
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“The way it has been explained and written introduces ambiguity, confusion, complexity as well as difficulty in monitoring, all of which will inevitably lead to disagreement and confrontation. This is not good for the game.”
When we introduce a questionable rule for possibly good reasons but not clearly explained, and it turns out to be worse than the perceived problem, then we need to take a new look at the anchoring rule and the objective for adopting it.
As Technical Director of the USGA I dedicated a good portion of my life to writing, interpreting and monitoring the equipment rules, and subsequently researching putting. I sincerely believe in the importance of simplicity and clarity of the rules which promotes observance.
A proposed alternative to the anchoring rule – which took approximately 20,000 words to explain— is only 17 words long and reads “The length of the putter shall be no longer than the shortest club in the player’s bag.” ( Ref. Point of Anchoring Oct 2015)
If you have any comments, please share them below.
Frank
franklygolf 
Dear Sir; As far as I am concerned when anchored the strike was caused by a pendulum motion and not stroke. When the player is “un anchored” both hands move during the stroke. When looking at Mr. Langer it does not appear to be the case. With so few players using the long putter I would like to see your size suggestion became the rule and eleminate any conflict. Scot McCarran anchores at times it looks like to me. Why he was not mentioned is thought provoking. Bob Kasse
I agree with those who object to the new rule. It is a disservice to the game and we players who may have used long/belly putters. To paraphrase Spiro Agnew (who knew how to turn a phrase) the USGA is comprised of an elite corps of effete snobs who have nothing to do but mess with the game we love.They changed our grooves and now our putters. We don’t elect them but they have a powerful, and sometimes negative, effect on our game. Although I agree with the recent improvements to simplify the rules next year, they have, in recent years, dropped the ball many more times than they have carried it over the goal line. No offense to you Frank (if you were involved) but I was delighted to see their wings clipped (along with the PGA) in the Ping litigation back in the ’90s.
Frank, my understanding is that when the long putter first appeared in Orville Moody’s bag back in the late 1980’s, the officials looked at banning it then on “non traditional” grounds. They then found out that it had been used by some notable players in the 30’s and earlier so that reason went out the window. I think the long putter is great as it keeps players, who would have left because of the “yips”, in the game. Isn’t that one of the aims of the USGA and R & A.
Just before the anchoring rule was introduced, we had a visit to our country by some of the R & A’s top officials for a seminar for rules officials and I specifically asked about a “Langer” situation when a player says he is not anchoring but it looks as if he might be. Their reply was that you must accept the player’s word. What a strange way to administer the rules? This will only cause friction between players and officials.
I agree with your comment where the USGA says they must accept the player’s word he is not anchoring. But… applying that standard (take the player’s word) didn’t work out so well for Dustin Johnson at the 2016 US Open, in spite of the fact he had support from other players and what seemed to me to be video proof.
The rule opened a can of worms that should have been left alone.
I think long putter should never have being invented and not for golfing period. this game is purely human arm movement without touching any part of body It is the hinge of arms to the body. If unfit person plays golf than the rules should differently written. No long putter.
Why worry with Langer, the “Anchoring Ban” was bad for the growth of the game.
Frank, you hit the nail on the head…. limit the size of the putter. Period. I also agree with you about Langer’s honesty and integrity.
On a humorous note, wouldn’t it look great if all the senior pros showed up for a tournament with long putters Who would monitor them? On the serious side, let the amateurs use them but not the pros.
“Amen to that!”
There are as many different golf swings as there are players.I have never felt that the long putter gives an advantage to anyone and I have seen very few amateur players using the long putter.
Since there are no rules about how a swing should be performed, making a rule about the putter swing seems rather strange. I believe that the long putter can be used without anchoring to the body as Langer and Mccarron say they are doing.
One of the core values of golf is honesty and we need to trust these players when they say they are not anchoring.
Maybe I should clarify my comment better my issue is the professional player like Langer and McCarron that uses the long putter should use the standard putter. I like the idea of having one rule for the professional ranks and one for the amateurs that will probably never play a usga event. I have no problem with a playing partner using the long putter if that keeps them playing the game I am all for it. Its the professional player that I have an issue with. Sorry for the confusion on my response.
Hi, Frank. As always, thanks for your wisdom & input. Regarding your point 1., I completely agree that “there was no evidence that anchoring had a detrimental effect on the game”. My recollection is that the studies showed that those who anchored did not putt better than those who did not anchor. My belief is that these studies are not pertinent to the question. I believe that the only relevant study would be one in which the putting statistics of golfers who do anchor is compared and contrasted with the putting statistics of those same golfers when they do not anchor. The question is whether anchoring results in improved performance for the golfer who anchors. I believe that is a question that can never be answered statistically, but only anecdotally – a golfer would most likely adopt an anchored swing only if the golfer believes that anchoring would improve the golfer’s putting. I look forward to your thoughts on my comment. Thank you very much.
David, Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I believe that anchoring may make a golfer with putting problems putt better, but will never make a great putter out of a good putter. Frank
I, too, have the yips, and am thinking of quitting the game. The long putter keeps me playing. I thought that was the goal. Golf courses are closing. We need every player we can get.
Could it not be as simple as ‘there must be a clearly visible gap between the upper hand and the body / clothing at all times’
This would remove the suspicion of anchoring completely.
I will have to give up the game if you take away my long putter. Yips in my left hand. Please don’t do it!
Frank I agree with you on the length of the putter any other length is illegal. These people are supposedly professionals and they should be able to putt with a conventional putter and use various grips if needed. If you cannot putt then I suggest you go and start teaching the game to people the golf world can use more teacher.
The proof of the pudding is in the eating. It has never been proven to my satisfaction that a putter of any length, anchored in any manner, has improved a putting performance to the effect of lowering a handicap. Sure, many players have used a longer/anchored putter to maintain a level of proficiency, but that’s not the same as improving one’s game. If the use of a non-traditional putter only offends the eye of a traditionalist or two, what’s the harm? Banning anchored putting was a rule that was never needed and has only caused harm to the game.