The King: We Don't Need The Anchoring "Contraption" & Slowing Down The Ball Needs To Happen

Doug Ferguson reports on Arnold Palmer's press conference prior to the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.

On the proposed anchoring ban, the key quote leaves no gray area:

"That's not part of the game of golf. To attach it to your body in any way is taking a little bit away from the game," Palmer said. "I'm not going to argue with anybody about it. I've stated my position, and that is we do not need a contraption to play the game of golf.

"I would hope that we'd play under one set of rules, and those rules would include a ban on the long putter hooked to the body in some way, shape or form."

Rex Hoggard with The King's key quote on distance:

If Palmer was … well, king for a day, high-octane golf balls would also be on the endangered species list along with long putters. “I would like to see them slow the ball down. I think that's probably the major thing that I would like to see happen,” he said.

The press conference video courtesy of GolfChannel.com.

Meanwhile Arnie has been warned, the PGA of America is coming and they want to change his mind!

In his latest column, PGA President Ted Bishop makes his case again against the anchoring ban and says he's headed to Orlando to talk to His Majesty Palmer.

Next Wednesday, I fly to Orlando to meet with Arnold Palmer. Pete Bevacqua, PGA of America CEO, and I requested the meeting. Our intent is not to change Palmer’s mind on anchoring, but more to explain why the PGA of America is so opposed to the proposed ban.

At 83 years old, Palmer is the chief of the golf tribe, and his perspective matters. But, for a guy who once was adamant in his support of a non-conforming driver because it posed no harm, his current views on the anchoring topic are interesting.

I double dare you to say that to The King's face!