Saturday
Jun272015
Bernhard Langer Still Miffed By The Anchoring Ban
As he heads into the U.S. Senior Open final round tied with Jeff Maggert for the lead, Bernhard Langer nears the end of his ability to anchor the long blade against his torso. And he's still unsure why it's happening.
The Sacramento Bee's Mark Billingsley reports.
“I just don’t understand,” said Bernhard Langer, who shot a 4-under-par 66 in Friday’s second round at the Del Paso Country Club and is 3 under for the tournament. “I’ve been using (the long putter) for 18 years, and it’s a real issue. If it’s easier, then why are we not seeing more players use it? I don’t see anyone using persimmon woods. And who is using hybrids now? Everyone.”
Saturday, June 27, 2015 at 10:30 PM
Reader Comments (57)
Every time I see a young guy with the cripple stick I think 'weak mind, poor coaching'. And every time I see a geezer with one I think 'get some help, you can afford it'.
If it was cheating, why'd they have to invent a new rule after decades of allowing it?
The Sports Gene
Choke
I agree that club pros are going to be pressured to accept it just as they are currently pressured to accept other "local rules".
The USGA has produced zero data that anchoring improves your putting....no more than putting cross-handed, split-gripped, claw, or any other different-from-the-norm aspect of gripping the club.
Yet there is zero proof that 'anchoring" improves the chances of making more putts. If there is, has anyone seen it??
Might look silly to some (anchoring), but so does TWO drivable par 4's on the back 9 of the US Open ( with a spoon no less!), and a 600 yard par 5 reached in two with a driver and 5-iron. Surprised the Blazers don't 'outlaw' the CLAW. Too many, it just doesn't "look like a golf grip"......Just saying.
Adapt or retire Bernhard.
Absolutely!
"... and a 600 yard par 5 reached in two with a driver and 5-iron."
But Pro, Davis has insisted that distance peaked several years ago. Mike wouldn't be feeding us a load of BS, would he?
As for Langer and his recent remarks. Come on man!! He's probably the most qualified to successfully implement a new putting method than anyone else out there.
I have mostly had the opinion that anchoring the end of the club is a teaching aid more than anything. It's sad pros felt the need to bring a crutch with them onto the course in the first place.
You are correct in that rule 14-1b is driven by aesthetics and nothing more.
"It's being banned because it's cheating."
False. And your continued "cripple stick" harping shows you don't understand the rule. Hey CC, you listed to episode #58 of State of the Game? Some interesting comments about Dustin Johnson and his (lack of a) caddie. You bailed on our discussion?
"Adam Scott is still anchoring, milking the technique for all it's worth until the deadline. He has more years of professional competition left in his career, but I suspect he'll adjust more easily than Bernhard to the new rule enforcement."
Both will easily adjust by simply raising their torso 1/8" and continuing on as is -- can't wait to witness the ensuing uproar from the Aesthetics Police!!
"Adapt or retire Bernhard."
He will. Ditto above. Heck, 1/16" will do the job!!
+1 Pro.
And btw, just from my first hour, the Fox crew seems to be doing just fine. Still haven't fixed the 5 person only board on the screen though.
If holding the putter the way you expressed he should was such a simple fix, do you not think he would have tried it some 18 months ago when the correct rule change was applied? Do you not think a man with the equipment contracts he has would have gotten a load of different length putters to trial? Do you think a man like Scott is reallly just a ''shit, I'll juct wing it'' kind of guy?
Del, he's screwed next year. The writing is on the wall.
And DTF, you can't gleefully speak for Scott or Langer how easy they might find it, only yourself. 1/8th, 1/16th ? They had better be a more noticeable distance from their anchoring point, or risk attention that will only hurt their game and others around them, not to mention more delays in a pro game that takes too long anyway.
This every week would kill televised gold.
For all we know he has tried it. In fact, he might just be in compliance right now and is just keeping it to himself for the time being -- even from 5-feet you won't be able to tell if he is in compliance or not...if he's touching his shirt but not anchored against his chest that's OK. After all, no need send the Aesthetics Police into an apoplectic conniption any sooner than necessary!
"They had better be a more noticeable distance from their anchoring point, or risk attention that will only hurt their game and others around them..."
False. 100% false. There is no designated distance required and as mentioned above he can even touch his shirt as long as not anchored on chest. Bottom line, golf is a game of honor and when Adam and Bernhard tell you they are in compliance you are going to have to take their word for it. How would this "affect others" or "delay the game"?
You all are correct about one thing...it's a fact this is a horribly written rule with more holes in it than Swiss cheese and it will F-A-I-L to accomplish their main goal, namely, change the aesthetics -- the broomstick is here to stay boys and I can't wait to witness the kerfuffle that will ensue once the calendar turns 1/1/16!!
Chico, if Del can master it a skilled practitioner like yourself can do so easily. Maybe I'll tape a little instructional video and send it your way ;0)
His and other users' comments re anchoring are disingenuous. Most don't use it because they can putt acceptably without it. Hey Bernhsrd if it doesn't provide an advantage why do YOU use it ?