PGA Prez: USGA Needs An Anchoring Condition Of Competition

In his latest column, PGA President Ted Bishop makes his case again against the anchoring ban.

Bishop is recommending a 12th condition of competition to allow leeway in the rules for anchoring if the governing bodies refuse to back down.

I maintain that the USGA and R&A have underestimated the ramifications a rule change banning anchoring. In my opinion, the next best thing to no ban would be the creation of a 12th condition of competition in USGA rules that deals with anchoring. Presently, the four major championships are not uniform to applying four conditions of competition (for example, the one-ball rule, practice putting at hole last played, embedded ball rule and removal of stones in bunkers are handled differently in the majors).

This way every stakeholder walks away with what they want and everybody plays by the same set of rules. Davis, though, disagrees with the idea saying the USGA doesn’t believe in such conditions for “real fundamental rules.”

Politically, I wonder if the PGA of America had started with this as their position if it would have allowed for more dialogue in hammering out a happier outcome to this battle. What that solution would be, I have no idea.

Video: Meet The 23-Month-Old Anchorer!

I know, he's totally adorable, but yes, Owen Kopinski is an anchorer!

He was on the Today Show showing off his anchored swing, and can be seen in the video below draining some bombs with the putter anchored. I still say ban it.

Sorry, Little Owen. This is for the best. Some day when you are winning the Masters with a conventional grip, you'll understand!

Thanks to reader Chuck for sending this Daily Mail write up of Owen's appearance.

The YouTube video:

Tim Clark On A Possible Legal Challenge To Anchoring Ban: "That would never be something I'd ever look to do."

Following up on last week's chat with select media members (reported here and here), Tim Clark and Adam Scott sat down with Golf Channel's Todd Lewis for their first TV interview to defend the rights of putter anchoring. Both players do their best to make their case, and Lewis asks some different questions which help clarify a few key points. (I've transcribed highlights as the Golf Central videos disappear into cyberspace in a week.)

Both players tell Lewis they were surprised by the announcement of the proposed rule change last fall, but remain respectful of the governing bodies place in the game. But asked why he switched, Clark said he "never felt I was a very good putter, still don't feel I'm a very good putter" and explains his medical condition.

I have a bit of a congenital arm issue where I can't supinate my forearms, so the short putter was just never very comfortable in my hands. I always looked awkward over it and it just felt awkward.

Lewis interrupts, asking for clarification whether the conditions is "uncomfortable or painful?" Clark:

"More uncomfortable. I mean, it's extremely hard to putt with tight forearms and you know, I picked up the long putter and it took me a long time to take it out into competition."

Lewis asks about nerves playing a part and both players were taken aback by the suggestion that anchoring eliminates nervous twitches. "Flabbergasting to me," said Clark, while Scott says those are "Completely unqualified comments" by anyone making that assertion.

Clark made clear he wants "to play by the rules" and appreciates Tim Finchem for finding the decision "unfair and unjust." Not sure he used such strong words...

Lewis asks if they'll be anchoring in 2016. Both players are optimistic and Scott noted that he thinks he'll be able to putt with any putter he wants. Of course, the wording of the rule change does not impact the putter in any way so that statement is certainly true.

As for the European Tour supporting the governing bodies, Clark says they changed their stance shortly before supporting the USGA and R&A:

"The interesting thing is that a week and a half ago we thought the European Tour would follow what the [PGA] Tour was going to do. I guess in a span of five or six days they completely changed their position. So that was a shock. You know we thought these guys have a good handle on what is going on and they're going to do the right thing. Obviously they changed their minds and we're not sure way. Obviously that was a bit troubling."

In the most newsworthy portion of the conversation, Lewis asks if the ban happens whether the players would pursue "maybe a legal right to fight whomever to use anchor styled putter."  Clark:

"There's no way I want to be in a situation where I'm the only guy using something out there. So that would never be something I'd ever look to do."

Scott:

"I haven't given it that much thought at all. Because you can't make decisions on assumptions and foresight like that. I can only go with what is happening right now and we're dealing with this the best way we feel we can."

You feel for both during the interview but ultimately, their case is not going to be strong enough.

"Anchoring will be done and gone. And we will move on, as we always do."

Longtime USGA observer Jim Achenbach explains how the anchoring ban comment period has gone for the governing bodies.

Then he lays out how he thinks the proposed rule and political infighting will play out from here.

The USGA and R&A once again will thank everyone who submitted comments. They will talk about the family of golf. They will make it clear we’re all in this together. Then they will discuss the sanctity of the rules – history has shown us that the rules are the foundation of the game; we cannot disturb that bedrock without shaking and agitating the game itself.

Then it will be over. Except for the details and the method of implementation, anchoring will be done and gone. And we will move on, as we always do.

More From Clark & Scott...

Jim McCabe goes into more depth on the media sitdown with anchorers Adam Scott and Tim Clark, and as McCabe lays out it there is a little more desperation in their voices. And I do sympathize with some of their points. Still, there is one major question not addressed: what exactly is being taken from you besides anchoring the putter against your chest?

The piece is well worth reading from beginning to end, but a few comments worth noting...

“Statements are thrown out like, ‘They’re good players, they’ll be all right.’ Well, hang on a second. Tim has spent thousands of hours practicing a method that is allowed. Keegan Bradley has spent thousands of hours practicing, rehearsing this method that’s been allowed. How do you just cut the legs out from us over your view that you don’t like seeing a junior putt (by anchoring)?”

Thousands of hours practicing? Might want go with hundreds there Tim!

He decided to try the long putter and practiced with various grips and stances for months until he settled on a method that suited him. He concedes that it felt a bit awkward, that because very few people used the technique he was “self-conscious” about it, but there were two over-riding aspects. One, it felt better on his arms, and two, it was clearly within the rules and no one raised an issue with it.

And again, the same grip and putter can still be used, so what's the big deal?

“We have a great game,” Scott said. “As professionals, we have great tours, and we should be working together on this. I’m shocked that they went ahead and proposed the ban before getting Tim Finchem’s point of view. Why would they want to rock the boat like this? I just don’t think golf is at a point where it needs a shake-up.”

Interesting that Scott is under the impression that Tim Finchem's and the tour's perspective was not known to the governing bodies when they made this decision.

Anchorers Clark & Scott To Gov Bods: Just The Facts Please

Doug Ferguson gets Tim Clark, lead anchorer, to speak about his appearance at the Torrey Pines player meeting where the proposed anchoring ban snowballed from done deal to PGA Tour opposed.

"What we have here is a different method of putting," Clark said. "It's not wrong. It's not against the values of the game. It's still a stroke. People who come out and say, 'It's not a stroke, you don't get nervous,' I can't believe that. I've been using it for 15 years. I get nervous. I miss putts under pressure. Putting essentially will always come down to 99 percent brain and mindset and confidence.

"If I felt I was cheating, I wouldn't be using it."

So what exactly changes when the putter end gets moved an inch away from touching your chest? Apparently a lot.

Adam Scott begged for mercy. And facts.

"Now we're making rules for the betterment of the game based on zero evidence? Incredible," Scott said.

"What did they think when they allowed it?" the Australian added. "You're dealing with professional athletes who are competitive, who want to find better ways. ... What do they think when they've got super talented golfers putting in thousands of hours of practice with a long putter, short putter, sand wedge, whatever? It was just a matter of time. They're going to get good."