Anchoring is not a stroke
Anchoring is not a stroke. It is a crutch, regardless whether stats show it…we are at point now where junior players are being taught anchor at outset – and that is fundamentally wrong.
Here is my solution:
USGA and R&A carries forward with anchoring ban, effective 2016.
However, one major concession…allow current (2016) PGA Tour and Champions Tour pros to use anchoring for remainder of professional playing career (be grandfathered in) – so this would neutralize any argument of Rule serving to take away livelihood and something that has been in use for 20-30 years (keep the Tim Clarks at bay)…only downside to this is it perhaps create stigma to those pros who continue to use it (ie those who will be on list of major winners with anchored putter; even though legal for them)… – but if anchored stroke is that important to them then perhaps it outweighs that stigma.
But the 2016 effective date allows elite amateurs and college players time to reform and make a good shot at pro tours…
Hopefully PGA Tour does not oppose – and complies with that.
And if Average Joes and Weekend Warriors etc want to use anchored equipment, then they can…so long as it is not in an event conforming with USGA Rules.
By the way, The Ponce will undoubtedly adopt whatever Rules the USGA / R&A enact.
I really don’t care about current pros / Finchem’s argument that there is no data to show competitive advantage of using anchored vs non-anchored…point is, anchored is inherently not a stroke, and juniors etc should not be taught anchoring at outset of learning the game…