[rjn5656]

no, i have until jan 2016

[justjim]

Dave Pelz a known "expert" on putting scientifically proved over 15 years ago that the long anchored putter was the most accurate way to putt. Pelz writes for Golf Magazine and was a NASA engineer who used all kinds of scientific tests to determine which is the best way to putt a golf ball. According to Pelz, the second best way is the cross hand method or what he calls the left hand low (for right hand putters). In the last few years, many golfers begin to believe his findings and started using his scientific methods. I do not consider myself a good putter but have been using the left hand low method of putting for about 10 years. With this method you do not anchor the club to your body but it does help (especially seniors) with the so called yips.

[ugotme]

Absolutely agree on changing the golf balls.

Too many courses are being lengthened for the pros which makes them even more difficult for the average player.

And, let's be honest, most people do not strictly adhere to the rules. Not meaning to cheat but if my ball is against a root of a tree I am not going to risk injury or the possibility of breaking a club. If the pros break a club they just go get another one from the trailer at no cost to them.

This, of course, is done while playing with friends which we all agree on.

[Thnonne]

The rules of golf are for competitive play. The average player in TV plays for enjoyment, to be outside, and to have a good time. Rules made for pros and tournament or league players need not apply. The social player "breaks" the rules of golf often, i.e. resetting their lie, not stroke and distance on OB, not playing out of a divot, grounding their club in a hazard, and if it keeps them from not being frustrated and enjoying themselves, great. So anchor your long putter social player and let the old foggies at the USGA and the Royal & Ancient sip their scotch and smoke their cigars while they make rules. Who cares as long as you are having a good time on the golf course.

[justjim]

Originally Posted by ugotme

Absolutely agree on changing the golf balls.

Too many courses are being lengthened for the pros which makes them even more difficult for the average player.

And, let's be honest, most people do not strictly adhere to the rules. Not meaning to cheat but if my ball is against a root of a tree I am not going to risk injury or the possibility of breaking a club. If the pros break a club they just go get another one from the trailer at no cost to them.

This, of course, is done while playing with friends which we all agree on.

Ugotme the key is to AGREE on the rules while playing with friends and have fun. Of course, keeping up the pace of play is absolutely imperative.

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by Thnonne

The rules of golf are for competitive play. The average player in TV plays for enjoyment, to be outside, and to have a good time. Rules made for pros and tournament or league players need not apply. The social player "breaks" the rules of golf often, i.e. resetting their lie, not stroke and distance on OB, not playing out of a divot, grounding their club in a hazard, and if it keeps them from not being frustrated and enjoying themselves, great. So anchor your long putter social player and let the old foggies at the USGA and the Royal & Ancient sip their scotch and smoke their cigars while they make rules. Who cares as long as you are having a good time on the golf course.

I have to disagree a little. I don't see many players on the regulation courses who break the rules - at least not knowingly I know I play in two leagues who play by strict USGA rules and we call them on ourselves or others as they come up. We also putt everything out and we play in a decently fast (4 hours give or take) pace

I think it does happen more on execs and as long as I have no money or standing riding on it then be my guest.

[ugotme]

Originally Posted by Russ_Boston

I have to disagree a little. I don't see many players on the regulation courses who break the rules - at least not knowingly I know I play in two leagues who play by strict USGA rules and we call them on ourselves or others as they come up. We also putt everything out and we play in a decently fast (4 hours give or take) pace

I think it does happen more on execs and as long as I have no money or standing riding on it then be my guest.

I think the key to your comment is "League Play." Then - Yes - I believe all the rules should be followed.

However, when 4 "buds" go out and agree on certain "rules" such as (my example) not hitting by a root of a tree I think this is fine - as long as you all agree.

So, as was stated, go ahead an anchor your long putter if you want if you are in my group!

[rjn5656]

I will give up my long putter on that date of the new rule. In the meantime, I will continue to use. Who knows if I will still be playing then (LOL)

[justjim]

Clearly the "traditionalist" got their way on this one. USGA should tackle the lively golf ball and clubs but I suppose there are more economic issues now involved with equipment manufactures than USGA wants to deal with. The PGA has not said they agree just yet but IMHO they will follow suit.

[Topspinmo]

I don't agree with the restricting equipment to meet distance standard. Every since the first homemade golf ball and club were made there have been improvements... You still have to have club, ball, and swing... IMO the swing makes the difference. So, were do we back roll standard to 70's, 60's, 50s. why not 1900.. or when the first acorn was hit?

[justjim]

So, would you allow a baseball player improve the distance he could hit a ball by using a bat made out of material that makes the ball go another 50-100 feet and with a little more lively ball maybe even further. Of course not---that is my point. Ballparks as we know them would have to be rebuilt.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by Rc Moser

...Every since the first homemade golf ball and club were made there have been improvements... You still have to have club, ball, and swing... IMO the swing makes the difference...

Exactly...the swing. So why not a (somewhat) standard ball so the swing is even more the difference?!?

Originally Posted by Rc Moser

...So, were do we back roll standard to 70's, 60's, 50s...

...or 80's, or 90's, or 00's. Just pick one.

[will1546]

If it wasn't challenged or enforced when the long putter was invented, why ban it now?
I think there will be some law suits coming.

[Mikeod]

Originally Posted by will1546

If it wasn't challenged or enforced when the long putter was invented, why ban it now?
I think there will be some law suits coming.

The long putter hasn't been banned. You just can't anchor it against your body. Big difference.

[Mikeod]

Regarding the ball, it seems to me that perhaps it is not the main reason for the increased distance players are getting. Those who began golf with wooden drivers remember you had to hit them perfectly for max distance. Off center hits suffered greatly in both distance and direction. With the advent of the metal heads and increased MOI leading to more forgiveness, it was possible to go all out with the swing. And if you hit a bit off center, the loss of distance and direction was reduced.

That's why you will see some comments about reducing the size of heads, at least on the PGA Tour. I don't think that will happen, though, because there is so much marketing devoted to buying the same driver the pros use. If the tour limits the size of drivers to, let's say, 350cc, and manufacturers change over to that size completely, imagine the complaints from amateurs who only see lost distance and forgiveness with the smaller heads. So the manufacturers would then have to decide whether to make two sizes and try to market them even though they are not like the ones the pros use, or risk losing market share by only selling the smaller heads. Sounds like a lose-lose proposition to me.