Garrigus On USGA: "Amateurs making rules for the professional game."
Michael Collins talked to Robert Garrigus about the anchoring ban and last weeks players meeting.
The PGA Tour player who has used every length putter imaginable says he asked USGA Executive Director Mike Davis about the make up of the current Executive Committee and how many have played tournament golf.
The video...and the text:
"Zero," Garrigus said Davis told him.
The 35-year-old winner of the 2010 Children's Miracle Network Classic didn't stop there.
"They are amateurs who are making rules for a professional game," Garrigus said.
"It's unfortunate that they are trying to ban it because the guys that are using the putter are good dudes. They're not cheating. It's within the rules right now. And it's never an advantage."
In his career, Garrigus has used a long putter anchored against his body.
"It's just unfortunate they've got to try to say that it's overwhelming the game. And I think that's ridiculous."
Geoff
**There was even more from Garrigus in his post round interview transcript:
Q. You had some success with a really short putter, did the long. What are your thoughts on this potential ban of anchoring?
ROBERT GARRIGUS: My thoughts are that let us play golf and leave us alone pretty much. I talked to Mike Davis, I talked to Tim Finchem, I just asked one simple question: I asked him out of the 15 board members that vote on our game, our professional game, how many of them have ever struck a shot in competition? And that was zero, and that's all I needed to hear.
It's unfortunate they're trying to ban it and everybody is calling Keegan and those guys cheaters. They're not cheating. I told them to go back to the tape in Canada when I couldn't make a thing on the last day with a long putter. Couldn't sniff the hole from three feet. And they think it's cheating? I mean, I giggled at that. I told him to his face, just go back to the tape and check it out. I didn't make anything. You think it's going to be illegal? You still have nerves.
His point was saying, hey, you guys can adapt, you're professionals, but he doesn't have to make a putt for a million dollars, and that's the unfortunate thing. They're amateurs policing a professional game. It's just unfortunate. But we'll see what happens because you've got a lot of TOUR players, obviously Tim Clark and Carl Pettersson‑‑ Tim Clark can't even grip the club the right way. He has to get changed like this because his hands don't fold out. So he's probably going to do something legally if it comes to that, but I don't think it's going to come to that.
It's unfortunate that nerves play a big part in the game and being able to control them, and I don't think a long putter‑‑ who cares if Ernie won with a long putter or Keegan. They played great golf, they hit great shots and made great putts, and it doesn't matter what they were using. It's not as easy as it looks.
I've been saying that forever. I used a mini‑me putter for 28 inches, I used a 50‑inch putter in my chest, and I think the long putter helped me with the short one. I plead the case for the long putters because when we're playing and we miss a two‑footer on the last hole with whatever putter we're using, if we're in the top 10 or top 5, that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars, and it's not our money, but it should be if we make the putt.
No, I don't think it's probably going to go through. I think there are some things that are going to happen that people will be surprised about.
Reader Comments (58)
Yes, really. However it looks like you're talking about apples and I'm talking about oranges. I'm talking about Rules and their application and you're talking about golf courses and their set-up.
When it comes to Shinnecock and Pebble, no one can control the wind at a seaside course. And if you remember, the weather was brutal at the '04 and the '92 US Opens. But what about Beth Page and Torrey Pines? Would you say fair but challenging?
As far as bad USGA course set-up, I will give you number 16 at Olympic on the final day last year. There was also a bad hole location, again I'm thinking it was Olympic in '98. (Payne Stewart putted his ball up a steep incline and it ended up back at his feet.)
Let me ask you about the courses that the Pros have complained about that the USGA did not set up; Dove Mountain, Kapalua, Carnoustie and any Pete Dye course ( including Sawgrass) that they play.
(1) Non-seriously played: One mulligan per nine or more if you like; really I as many as I like ... but I never slow down the pace of play as I hate slow play, but not slow players.) Actually the more mulli's I take, the better I play -- a good thing. If I'm behind a tree, don't like my lie, or something like that, I'll improve my lie, etc. Nothing too egregious, just anything I allow myself to do--which is anything, really. I give myself all reasonable length putts and those of my playing partners. Reasonable length in this case being whatever I say it is. I applaud good shots, encourage others, never give golf tips to others without them asking, replace/sand my divots, walk the course, etc. Yep, I go out to have fun when i play like this. And it is fun; that's why I play this way. I try to practice as much as possible when I play.
(2) Seriously played: When I play golf with others who are sticklers for rules, etc. -- meaning, they play for money, aren't very good and try to gain an edge however they can -- I play straight up. No breaking of any rules, etc. I'm a good enough player to hit in the 70s on most courses I play on (remember, I practice a lot) so I win some, lose some but always have fun. Why? Because golf is great fun if not taken so seriously. To me, it's not life; it's but a game to be played for fun. I play this way 4-5 times per year and it's fun to play this way but I couldn't do it every time I play. Too boring. Too detailed. Too "ugh".
But if you play with me, I'll play whichever way makes you feel more comfortable and contributes to you having a good round/pleasant time on the course. I usually play with the same groups of guys and they don't care how any one else plays. We just enjoy each others' company. I love golf. I don't watch too much pro golf on TV and don't care one way or another about illegal this or legal that per golf clubs or balls.
I think I respect the game (whatever that means, I guess). I play quickly. I rake bunkers. I don't hit into others. I never take my golf game personally (if I play well that day, I play well that day and am thankful for it ... If not, then that's okay as well; I'll get 'em next time. I buy my clubs and balls etc. from the pro shop on the muni's, resorts, and/or country clubs I play at. I play with my family as well and am thankful they enjoy the game as well. I just don't let others tell me how to enjoy my time spent playing golf. I don't care a whit what the USGA and R&A say about this that or the other. The game would still be around if the USGA and R&A were to altogether vanish tomorrow. I'd still go out and play and have fun.
So let all others speak to this and that. I'm going to go play golf now. I may play 9 or 18 or I may just go sit around the clubhouse and drink sweet tea and watch others come in from the course. We'll see, I suppose. Wish me luck. I've enjoyed golf for 70+ years and hope to die on the course (after hitting a hole in one, of course ... never had one btw - ha!). Let the golf meddlers do as they wish, just go out and play and have fun with it.
Cheers!
Carnoustie, oops.
When it comes to Garrigus, I do not think I'll change my mind.
One more point I thought about after reading Steve's post. The goals of theTour and the USGA regarding course set-up are completely different. The Tour wants a birdie fest. The USGA wants par.
Majors are different/tougher for a reason.
I saw a fellow die on the golf course- hit a tee shot down the middle on 18 ( a tough driving hole) and up and died. Star Flight came, but he was gone. They put him in a body bag and left him on the tee, waiting for the coroner (?) to come and ''pronounce''.
Golf continued, with everyone teeing off a front tee on 18.
He was playing in a senior weekly event, and the tournament just kept playing- I guess they expect to lose one every now and then :)
I often think about it, that body bag laying on the tee box was something you don't forget. Other than dying at home with your family, that tee shot thing was not a bad way to go.
seen PGA Tour officials use a member tee and cause pros to hit 3 wood, 7 iron--thats not a reaction to weather, thats easy.