"The last time something this popular was banned it was called prohibition and that didn't go over so well."
In the early reaction to a change we knew was coming, I'm surprised at how negative much of it is from folks whose views I trust. This suggests to me that politically, banning anchoring before doing something about distance may be backfiring. Or maybe they calculated this reaction as a way to pave the case for a rollback, something they layed the groundwork for in today's press conference.
Here is Brandel Chamblee's first of multiple passionate pleas for bifurcation in the post anchoring ban announcement. Also includes a pretty tough statement from Davis Love not supporting the announcement, read by Tim Rosaforte.
Similar theme from Gary Van Sickle of golf.com, only expressed Van Cynically:
The USGA and the R&A must be joking.With all the pressing issues in golf, they've decided to ban anchored putting? That's like the Emperor Nero issuing jaywalking tickets to residents fleeing Rome as it burns.
And...
We have 460-cc drivers made of high tech alloys, graphite shafts, balls that go forever, and more technology in every clubhead than golfers could have dreamed of even 20 years ago. All these things have had a much greater impact on golf than long putters. In an era when 350-yard drives are no longer Happy Gilmore pipe dreams, why is all the scrutiny on one type of putting stroke?
Alistair Tait says this "debacle" does the game no favors:
To make a U-turn a generation later makes the R&A and USGA look amateurish and incompetent. If anything is to be learned from this debacle, it is that the governing bodies need to get their acts together quicker in the future. A lot quicker!
Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at 09:35 AM 20 Comments | in Belly Putter, R&A, State of the Game, USGA
Reader Comments (20)
One thing I'd agree with is that the USGA and the R&A have done themselves no favors by being so opaque on all of these issues. We should have been having a much more open debate for a long time, and not just limited to GeoffShackelford.com, GCA and BombsquadGolf.com. The USGA should have been engaged, publicly and openly. They have actually done more talking about anchoring putters, than about golf ball rollbacks. I'm not sure why, but they are entirely different and unrelated issues. At least, if that were the position of the USGA, I'd feel compelled to agree.
I'm off to St Andrews on Friday to see the Old Course for myself-I will report back!
Brandall, Iām all for 2 sets of rules, but not for allowing the anchoring for the amateur within the rules split. You are shooting yourself in the foot, dude!
Chamblee seems to be wanting to provide himself a soapbox to preach from, but sadly his message needs bifurcation..
http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-tours-news/blogs/local-knowledge/2012/11/michael-jordan-causes-stir-at-private-club-by-wearing-cargo.html
1. Smoking on the golf course
2. Spitting on the golf course (or in the hole)
3. Loud mouth pants
4. Pros making music videos
5. 10-minute preshot routines
6. Crediting your Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
7 John Daly
And then they will address the golf ball.
"A Jordan rep confirmed that Jordan opted against changing his outfit, but was unaware that Jordan is out at La Gorce for good. "I guess it's their loss -- as MJ is a great golfer, and a great guest," the rep told the Post."
just confirms the arrogance of Michael Jordan, a true American icon
How about this idea, give tour players the option of using smaller drivers, steel shafts, and balata balls...but as an incentive increase prize money to those that volunteer. So if you finish 10th with "new" equipment...you get a smaller check than if you finish 10th with "old" equipment. It would be interesting to see how many players vounteer to go back to the old equipment.
Exactly - I loved how quickly Chamblee extrapolated the numbers to arrive at 30% of the golfing population is getting screwed (he estimated some 20 million people). I was waiting for him to claim that they were all victims who are afflicted with the yips.
In my experience at local publics, the non-traditional putter ratio is closer to 3%-5% (I think I saw one in my league).
Ultimately, I think you see the ratio higher now on pro tours because their livelihood is so closely tied to putting performance, more than anything else. On the local hack scene, I think most of our enjoyment comes from the rest of the game.
The casual golfer that they seem to be so worried about losing probably could care less about which putter he uses. Competitive golfers are attracted to the game and aren't going to leave it solely because of this rule change.
A large percentage of pros may not want to switch to anchoring because they don't want to tinker with what got them to the Tour, but that won't prevent the next generation from using anchoring from the start.
People don't quit playing golf, because of a golf rule. They quit because it takes five and a half hours to play; because it costs $60 a round and because they are going to their kid's soccer games. Two of these issues could be solved by the PGA professional at the golf course.
We complained that the USGA and the R&A should have addressed the long putter issue years ago. Today we're saying to them, "It's about time." WELL, it really IS about "time". The golf pros at our local clubs should stand up to the real issue of declining rounds and say "Pick up the pace."
+1000%
This is what i've been screaming. Charlie Rymer and anyone who thinks golf is going to start losing thousands of golfers because they can't stick a putter in their gut are dilusional. We are losing golfers exactly for the reasons stated by OPgolfer....cost and pace of play. Rymer needs to find something else to cry about.