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April 19, 2016
If you were watching or reading about the Masters tournament, there were a number of people commenting on Bernhard Langer's putter and stroke.
"He is using a banned putter," and
"it is anchored into his chest," cried a number of viewers.
"It is illegal and he's a cheater!"
The reality is, Bernhard is a smart player who at age 58 was in contention to become the oldest player by 10 years to win a major. Bernard has suffered from the putting yips since he was 15 years old. He used two very different putting strokes to win his first two Green Jackets and almost pulled off an amazing run at the 2016 Masters.
Here is the rule and clarification.
14-1
. General
b
. Anchoring the Club
In making a stroke, the player must not anchor the club, either "directly" or by use of an "anchor point."
Note 1:
The club is anchored "directly" when the player intentionally holds the club or a gripping hand in contact with any part of his body, except that the player may hold the club or a gripping hand against a hand or forearm.
Note 2:
An "anchor point" exists when the player intentionally holds a forearm in contact with any part of his body to establish a gripping hand as a stable point around which the other hand may swing the club.
Penalty for Breach of Rule 14-1 or 14-2:
Match play - Loss of hole; Stroke play - Two strokes.
 In Bernhard's case, he does have the putter anchored for all his practice strokes and
"prior to his actual stroke."
Why is he not penalized?
Before he makes the stroke, he moves his upper hand off his chest by an inch or two.
Removing his hand from his chest eliminates the anchor point. This simple, almost magician like slight of hand action results in Bernard no longer breaching Rule 14-1.
His putting stroke has been deemed legal by golf's leading bodies (R&A, USGA, PGA Tour and Champions Tour).
DECISIONS FOR REFERENCE:
Decision 14-1b/2
Meaning of "Anchor Point" in Note 2 to Rule 14-1b
QUESTION.
Rule 14-1b provides that a player must not anchor the club during a stroke by using an "anchor point." In Note 2 to the Rule, which defines "anchor point," what does it mean "to hold a forearm in contact with any part of the body to establish a gripping hand as a stable point around which the other hand may swing the club"?
ANSWER.
The "anchor point" provision prohibits only a very specific type of stroke in which a forearm is intentionally held against the body as an indirect means of anchoring the club. For an anchor point to exist, the following two criteria must be met: (1) the player must intentionally hold a forearm against the body; and (2) he must grip the club so that the hands are separated and work independently from one another (i.e., the top hand effectively secures the club in place as if attached to the body to establish a stable point, while the bottom hand is held down the shaft to swing the lower portion of the club around that point). (New)
Decision 14-1b/3
Explanation of "Forearm" in Relation to Rule 14-1b
Note 1 to Rule 14-1b provides that a player may hold his club against his hand or forearm in making a stroke. For the purpose of Rule 14-1b, "forearm" is the part of the arm below the elbow joint and includes the wrist. (New)
For more information on acceptable putting strokes and what is anchoring please click:
In closing, please remember the long putter is perfectly legal. Use it under the rules if it makes you happy and more confident over the ball. Please remember, the same principles on the golf course apply to an angler in a fishing boat ...
"For the safest results, before you move make sure you lift the anchor!"
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Happy golfing and remember the Rules of Golf Matter
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