4 Misconceptions about anchoring.

4 Misconceptions about anchoring.   I did not know this!

Hi, I’m Mel Sole, Director of Instruction at the Mel Sole Golf School, headquartered at Pawleys Plantation Golf and Country Club in Pawleys Island, SC.  We conduct 1, 2 and 3-day golf schools, hourly golf lessons, and senior golf schools—any golf instruction program your heart desires. Give us a call at 800-624-4653 or 843-237-4993.  We will be happy to book a commuter school or a package that contains accommodations, golf, and golf school.

Golf Blog by the Mel Sole Golf School.

A little more than two years ago, we first heard about anchoring and the proposed new rule. Then several months ago, when the USGA announced the 2016 changes to the Rules of Golf, anchoring again was in the spotlight. Rule 14-1b, which banned the anchored stroke, was one of the four major changes to the 2016 edition. We have heard more about the absence of anchoring and had yet to run into any issues with the rule itself for the first two weeks on the PGA Tour this year.

In the final round of the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, Zac Blair used fairway wood to play a chip from the fringe on the 71st hole. TV footage showed the handle of the club clearly catching his torso at the end of the stroke. PGA Tour officials questioned Blair, and no penalty was issued because he did not intentionally anchor the club for the stroke.

This is a great opportunity to clear up a few misconceptions about the new rule now that we have seen one of the potential gray areas arise in competition.

First, let's take a look at the shot in question:

Misconception No. 1:The anchoring ban is specific to putters.

Truth No. 1:

Rule 14-1b applies to all clubs and all strokes. The new rule does not permit players to anchor with other clubs. However, it does not prohibit players from using long or belly putters without anchoring.

Misconception No. 2:There is an Advantage.

Truth No. 2:

Those who believe using the anchored stroke created a big advantage should know that Els was among seven players who used long putters to win on the PGA Tour in 2012. This was Els’ first full season using the long putter, and he improved to No. 112 in the strokes gained putting category, up from No.181 last year. However, an even more interesting set of numbers shows that none of the long putters ranked in the top 10 in that category.

Misconception No. 3: Long Putter Users Will Disappear as Factors at the Highest Level.

Truth No. 3:

Who knows what the golf landscape will look like in the future?

Bradley, Simpson and Scott will be in the prime of their careers. If the youngsters haven’t matured into major players by then, will the blame necessarily be placed on the lack of the ability to anchor their long putters? Who knows where Els’ game will be by then?  One thing is for sure: The players this will affect most have already begun practicing with more traditional putters and have three years to figure something out.

Listen to what Jack Nicklaus said, recalling when croquet-style putting was banned decades ago and how golf moved on.  "They'll all learn to adjust," Nicklaus told Golf Channel. "Like anything else, they'll get over it. We've had changes with balls, wood heads, grooves, all kinds of changes. Players have adjusted to those, and they'll adjust to this."

Misconception No. 4: Players Who Have Won with Anchored Putters Are Cheaters.

Truth No. 4:

This really upsets me.  These players played the game with what was legal at the time.  How the heck can they be cheaters—people who say that have no idea of the honesty and integrity these players have.

So there you have it.  4 Misconceptions about anchoring.   If you have any further comments on this article, I would love to hear them.  Post in the comments section below!

Source: Mel Sole Golf School.

Thanks for reading - 4 Misconceptions about anchoring.  I know I learned a lot!  Did you?

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