LONDON: The Royal & Ancient Club (R&A) said yesterday the 90-day period set aside for submissions to be made on the proposed ban on anchored putting had ended and that a full review of them would be carried out.
The three-month period was agreed after golf’s two governing bodies, the R&A and the US Golf Association, proposed a ban on such strokes which involve fixing the top of the putter to a point on the body.
That move followed continuing debate over anchored putting, fired up by the victories of Keegan Bradley in the 2011 USPGA, swiftly followed by Webb Simpson at the US Open and Ernie Els at the British Open.
All three used an anchored putting stroke.
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.
“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 publicly voiced opposition to the proposed ban. PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said “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.” AFP
