"Greens are not changed because people are putting with a long putter."

I know a lot of you do not think the anchoring and distance issues should be lumped together by players like Adam Scott and Webb Simpson.

But in the context of the USGA's concern for the health of the game, Scott did raise a fair point when it comes to the urgency of the anchoring ban compared to a more pressing issue for the long term well-being of golf.

Quoted in Patrick Johnston's Reuters story:

"I think that it is fairly well acknowledged that length generally is probably the biggest issue in the game and it doesn't just mean how far pros hit it.

"Some of our courses, great courses are too short these days. If we are talking about equipment side of things the length issue is probably the most important because tees are moved back. Greens are not changed because people are putting with a long putter."

It seems the governing bodies could have squelched this line of argument by first dealing with the skill, cost and common sense factor surrounding the distance explosion.

Comments

[KLG]

USGA/R&A are just trying to make up for their fecklessness about the ball and trampoline-faced drivers. chico and others still have a good point about this still being a legitimate change in the rules (anchoring). But it's the practical equivalent of painting the trim on a suburban McMansion that is too far out in the sticks and for sale at half the original price.

[tlavin]

Greens aren't changed, but nerves are changed. His Adam's apple putter is a confession of yips, plain and simple. And if you need a crutch to help your yippy hands, get a different day job.

[Matt H.]

Greens have changed. Much faster now than 20 years ago. Think that has something to do with the belly putter's popularity?

[johnnnycz]

Beg to differ...greens have changed b/c every know it all greens committee chairperson wants (and expects!!!) the "Augusta Look". It ain't ever going to happen.

[Errol]

@tlavin Adam's views about course length and the ball are valid, so please don't denigrate them because he uses a long putter. Anchoring is a different issue and he may well agree with you that it should be banned

[carnaptious and camsteerie]

What's to stop all the pro tours getting together and dealing with distance issues between themselves? No one organisation is beholden to the governing bodies on any issues concerning the game.

Let me see now, could it be they don't want to end up being embroiled in one litigation battle after another with club and ball manufacturers or did Wally (Mr Titleist) Uilein's warning shot across the governing bodies bow a few years back only resonate with the R&A and USGA? Some very short memories around here. Anyone still remember the Ping legal debacle?

Just sayin'.

[UnderTheChin]

34 putts for Adam Scott today. Might be time to change back to the short one