Golf World Feature: "Behind Closed Doors."

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In his latest blog post, PGA of America President Ted Bishop writes that watching Adam Scott win "was probably as painful as swallowing a handful of nails for USGA and R&A officials."

The increasingly confrontational tone between Bishop's PGA and Peter Dawson's R&A is just one of the many topics covered in my Golf World feature from Augusta, posted on GolfDigest.com.

The centerpiece topic, of course, is the Woods ruling and the handling by Fred Ridley as yet another recent black eye for casual observers of the Rules.

Chairman Payne: "We hope and believe that they can reach common ground so that golf will continue under one set of rules."

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The press room consensus felt Masters Chairman Billy Payne's Wednesday comments on the proposed anchoring ban sealed the deal for the governing bodies. I did not read them that way and a few of my colleagues were equally hung up on the words "common ground."

Golf Channel's Randall Mell summarizes the anchoring portion of the proceedings here.

The questions and comments, starting with Scott Michaux's question:

Q.  Mr. Chairman, there was a long comment period from the USGA and the R&A about the anchored putting situation that didn't include this press conference in that time period, but everybody else, all of the other governing bodies and associations have sort of expressed their opinions.  What is the Club's opinion on the anchored putting?

CHAIRMAN PAYNE:  First, Scott, we are not a governing body.  We are a golf club that puts on a tournament, so we wouldn't be presumptuous to say that we have that kind of influence.

Given the fact that the ruling bodies have not yet declared a decision following that open comment period, I do think it would be inappropriate for us to express an opinion; other than to say, other than to say, that we hope and believe that they can reach common ground so that golf will continue under one set of rules.

And my attempt at a follow up:

Q.  Mr. Chairman, you said it would be inappropriate to comment on the anchoring, the proposed anchoring ban.  Does that mean that you endorse the USGA and R&A Rules of Golf so that if they were to go forward with the ban, you would support?

CHAIRMAN PAYNE:  That means, sir, what I said, and that is that we hope and believe that common ground will be achieved so that only one set of rules governs the game of golf.

Common ground, for me, translates as a compromise somewhere between the current USGA and R&A position of a 2016 ban on anchoring, and the PGA Tour/PGA of America position that this ban is bad for the game.

A longer grandfathering-in period beyond 2016? A shorter period until 14-b becomes the rule? A local rule option?

I will also note that the only tension during the entire press conference came when this topic was brought up. Clearly, this has caused consternation for the Chairman, who knew this would be asked because the club had deferred comment until this week. So the answer surprises me if nothing else for the lack of a position after every major golf organization took a stance on the proposed band. So what exactly bothers the chairman, who was in an otherwise excellent mood, remains a mystery.

"The 12th Condition of Competition could be golf’s great compromise."

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PGA of America President Ted Bishop expands on the "12th Condition of Competition" idea he talked about on last week's State of the Game podcast where the USGA and R&A would adopt this to allow for anchoring say, on the Champions Tour. Or in the Former Yippers Open.

He says the idea came from current USGA President Glen Nager during a buddies bonding trip at Augusta. Warms your heart, I know!

If the USGA would drop the proposed Rule 14-1b and instead, make the ban on anchoring a Condition of Competition in the Rule Book, all entities in golf could handle it the way they want. Rule 33-1 provides, “The Committee must establish conditions under which a competition is to be played.”

Currently, there are eleven (11) Conditions of Competition in the Rules of Golf. These conditions include matters which are not appropriate to deal with in the rules of the game. They include such matters as Specification of Clubs and the Ball; Caddies; Pace of Play and Suspension of Play; Practice, Advice, Anti-Doping, etc. These Conditions of Competition are options available to any entity who is conducting an event.

And why is the idea, a seemingly good one in many respects, dead on arrival?

Is a 12th Condition of Competition a perfect solution? Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson, Tim Clark, Adam Scott and Carl Petterson will say no. At least, they would get to anchor their long putters in all but maybe three events each year- the U.S. Open, the British Open and maybe The Masters.

That's the killer. If onef ot eh four majors already telegraphs that they wouldn't be on board, it's impossible for the governing bodies go through with this, no?

PGA 'O America Attacks: Bring On The PGA Tour Rules Of Golf!

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Not since Sonny Corleone was hit with 300 bullets (yet not one to the face!) has one of Golf's Five Families gone on such a brazen attack of another family. Yet the PGA of America sounds determined to go after the USGA and R&A's place in the game with its latest missive, penned by president Ted Bishop in his weekly column that summarizes the recent PGA Conference of Leaders.

An "Open Forum" was convened and mostly discussed anchoring.

A straw poll was conducted on Tuesday and there was not one single hand that went in the air to support the proposed ban of the long putter by the USGA and R&A from the over 200 in attendance.

Or maybe just confirmation that groupthink is alive and well in America?

During the Open Forum, I gave a brief presentation to our PGA members on Local Rules and Conditions of Competition as defined by the Rules of Golf. The reason for doing this was to insure that our Section leaders were clear on their understanding that if the proposed ban is implemented, PGA professionals and their facilities will not have the ability to impose a local rule or a condition of competition allowing anchoring without it being a direct violation of the Rules of Golf.  This would be bifurcation of the Rules in its purest sense.

I do believe the Rules of Golf are entirely optional, so technically it's not bifurcation? More like, not playing by the optional Rules of Golf, right?

Currently, there are four Conditions of Competition in the Rules of Golf that are adopted differently by the four major championships. In the case of the One Ball Rule, the PGA Championship does not accept it while the other three majors do.

There's a buried lede for you! Go on...

However, there has been widespread speculation that if the proposed anchoring ban is implemented by the USGA and R&A that the PGA TOUR might adopt in its own set of rules which will allow anchoring. The question was then posed to PGA members in the Open Forum, which rules would you follow? Those adopted by the USGA, banning anchoring, or a set of PGA Rules, which might permit it? Less than a dozen in attendance indicated support of USGA Rules and well over 200 indicated support of what could be PGA Rules.

Great! Can't wait to read these special rules. That should only take about 1000 hours of Tim Finchem's time in the coming months, not to mention the massive legal bill they'll run up ironing out differences and proving they aren't plagiarizing the copyrighted Rules of Golf.

Just the thought of the non-profit PGA of America and PGA Tour dipping into their hundreds of millions in the bank and spending so much time on something that won't make them a dime makes my Friday!

Of course, it'll take them about three years to get these rules up and running. If we're lucky.

The PGA of Canada recently surveyed its membership and approximately 33% responded with nearly 65% opposing the proposed ban on anchoring. The PGA of Canada has sent a letter to the R&A and the USGA expressing the opinions of its members. I have also had conversations with Shizuo Mori, the Chairman of the PGA of Japan. He indicates that while there is nothing official yet, he agrees more with the position of the PGA of America and the PGA TOUR. Japan and Canada both are governed by the R&A.

PGA Tour, PGA of America, PGA of Japan. Tim, don't forget to build in translation costs to that bill for the new PGA Tour Rules of Golf! But it'll be great having your partners from Japan at the table, won't it?

A week ago, the European Tour issued a statement in support of the proposed ban. Some would say that this was a reversal of positions based on earlier comments by the European Tour that “there was no compelling reason to change the Rule at this time.” The Sunshine Tour, located in South Africa, also supports the ban.
 
The line in the sand seems to be the Atlantic Ocean. Golf bodies west of the Atlantic are agitated by the proposed anchoring ban. Those East of the Atlantic seem more inclined to follow the authority of the rules makers. As Michael Bamberger from Sport Illustrated pointed out to me, Americans always seem to be more inclined to challenge authority than their European counterparts. History has proven that.

Or maybe the Europeans don't have silly fast greens and therefore as many yippy golfers?

The PGA TOUR recently acquired the Darrell Survey Data from 2009 to present as it relates to usage numbers of mid-length and long putters at all official PGA TOUR events. In assessing this date, the TOUR has cross-referenced the number of players using these clubs per event (of whom almost all are presumably anchoring) with field size, identifying a percentage of use at each event.

From 2009 through much of 2011 between 5-10% of the fields anchored. From late 2011 to early 2012, there was a significant spike in usage where the TOUR saw 15-25% of the field using these clubs.

Which would be supporting the notion that anchoring was increasing at an amazing clip?

However, following the end of the West Coast PGA TOUR events in the early spring of 2012, usage begins to drop and we see a continuing downward trend that appears to be approaching the previous levels of 2009-2011.

And therefore...the announced proposed ban has already discouraged some? Or it was a fad and the governing bodies are merely eliminating a fad?

Certainly another issue facing PGA members is at the recreational level. We have serious concerns on how the ban on anchoring could affect the enjoyment of the game by our amateur customers. Over the past few months, I have received dozens of letters from concerned amateurs who look to the PGA of America to stand up and protect their interests.

Dozens?

These people are discouraged and frustrated that an anchoring ban will be imposed after they adopted a previously legal method of putting. Most indicate they will play less golf or quit. The game cannot afford this.

I think we need to commission a study on this, no?

We feel the USGA and R&A have underestimated the impact and ramifications that Rule 14-1b will have on the overall state of the game. It has become one of the most divisive issues that modern day golf has seen. All of these controversial issues will dissipate if the proposed ban is dropped.

Oh, something tells me that isn't so!

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

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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."

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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.