PGA Tour opposes putter ban

Last updated: 25th February 2013

The PGA Tour has revealed its opposition to the move to ban anchored putters.

The U.S. Golf Association and Royal and Ancient Golf Club announced the proposed rule in late November, and offered up a 90-day period for comment, with the PGA Tour now delivering their view.

"The USGA and the R&A notified us several months ago about their intention to put forward a proposal to essentially change the rule as it relates to what a stroke is, by further defining it as something where you can't ground your club and anchor your club," said PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem.

"We then undertook to go through a process to determine our position on that and we brought that to a conclusion last week.

"Essentially, where the PGA Tour came down was that they did not think that banning anchoring was in the best interest of golf or the PGA Tour."

Finchem added that 13 of the 15 players on their advisory council were against the ban.

Despite its opposition, the United States Golf Association welcomed the Tour's statement.

"The 90-day comment period remains a very good process," the statement read.

"We continue to listen to varying points of view and have had many productive conversations across the golf community, which is a reminder of just how much people care about the game, regardless of their position on this issue.

"As we consider the various perspectives on anchoring, it has always been our position that Rule 14-1b aims to clarify and preserve the traditional and essential nature of the golf stroke, which has helped to make golf a unique and enjoyable game of skill and challenge.

"It is our plan to take final action on the proposed rule in the spring."

A spokesman for the Royal and Ancient Club said the R&A would not be making a comment at this stage.