12. 10.2012
some opponents of the proposed rule that would
ban anchored putting in 2016 argue there isn’t
statistical proof that utilizing a fixed point to
putt is more effective than a conventional style.
that may be—and the usga and r&a didn’t
cite any such numerical backup in proposing the
ban—but there is no question for some golfers,
particularly older ones, anchoring can calm
putting nerves. “with a long putter i can drink all
the coffee i want in the morning. when i was
using a regular putter, i had to drink orange juice,”
admitted 53-year-old michael allen (shown),
whose long putter has helped make him a
champions tour stalwart. statistically, the long
putter works well for allen, bernhard langer and
peter senior, who were ranked first, second and
seventh respectively in putts per green in regulation while finishing third, first and 12th on the
money list in 2012 on the champions tour, where
an anchoring ban could have a huge impact.
(allen, langer and senior were also ranked
fourth, second and t- 6 in three-putt avoidance.)
“i totally understand why they’re doing it because on the golf swing you’re moving both ends
of the club,” said allen, “but i don’t understand
why they waited so many years to act on it.”
He will anchor—and enjoy coffee with his
breakfast—as long as he can. —B.F.
03old guys and the new rule
usga/ matt rainey
cover // contents // 10 things // pga tour australasia // asian tour // let // eQuipment // tim rosaforte
