PGA To Ban Anchored Putters

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The PGA Tour will go along with the ban of anchored putters in 2016 by the United States Golf Association and the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, the rules-making bodies of the sport.

According to media reports, the PGA Tour’s Policy Board met on Monday at White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., where the Greenbrier Classic will be played this week, and discussed the matter before voting to go along with the ban.

“In making its decision, the Policy Board recognized that there are still varying opinions among our membership, but ultimately concluded that while it is an important issue, a ban on anchored strokes would not fundamentally affect a strong presentation of our competitions or the overall success of the PGA Tour,” Commissioner Tim Finchem of the PGA Tour said in a statement.

“The Board also was of the opinion that having a single set of rules on acceptable strokes applicable to all professional competitions worldwide was desirable and would avoid confusion.”

There had been some speculation that the PGA Tour and the PGA of America, which is against the ban specifically for recreational golfers, might go there own way on the issue.

In an interesting sidelight, the PGA Tour Policy Board will ask the USGA and the R&A not to enforce the anchored putter ban on amateurs until 2024.

Several PGA Tour player who use anchored putters, including Masters champion Adam Scott, Carl Pettersson and Tim Clark, have retained a lawyer and it’s possible legal action could be coming.