European Tour Supports Banning Anchoring a Club

   

 The European Tour today  confirmed its support for the R&A and the USGA and their proposal for rule 14-1b - the prohibition of anchoring any club when making a stroke under the Rules of Golf.

At the end of last month, the PGA Tour came out against the ban, joining the PGA of America in opposing the move.
However, the European Tour has backed the proposals put forward by the game's governing bodies, the R&A and USGA, although support from the tournament committee and player representatives was not unanimous
George O'Grady CBE, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: "The European Tour has been fully involved in the consultation process which ended on February 28th, and deeply value this involvement.
"Our Members support the unique role played by the governing bodies in formulating the Rules of Golf.
"Additionally, virtually all of our Tournament Committee and player representatives support the proposed rule even though they are aware, and have taken into account, the fact that some Members and especially our Senior Members use the anchored method.
"We understand the points put forward by the PGA Tour and the PGA of America and respect and sympathise with their views, which are based on their experience and the evidence before them, and have been expressed with great concern for the game.
"The whole issue has received far greater focus and comment in the United States than in the rest of the world, perhaps because of the numbers of their golfers using the anchored method, and the set up in general terms of their golf courses and the firmness and speed of their greens."
Three of the past five majors have been won by those using anchored putters including Ernie Els, who won the Open Championship in 2012, and Keegan Bradley, the winner of last year's US PGA.