Golf: Ruling bodies show stomach for fight over belly putters

THE R&A has confirmed the use of belly putters has “come to the fore again” in its discussions with the USGA, golf’s other governing body, over the shaping of the game’s future.

When American Keegan Bradley used a belly putter to win last year’s final major, the USPGA Championship, it was commonly believed that it was too late to do anything to stop the growing trend of top players using such implements.

However, it appears the putting phenomenon known as “anchoring”, either with a belly or long putter, is causing enough concern for both the R&A and USGA for them to take a serious look at it.

“The issue of anchoring and long/belly putters has come to the fore again in recent months,” David Rickman, the R&A’s Executive Director–Rules and Equipment Standards, confirmed to The Scotsman.

“We have regular discussions with the USGA as part of our every-day governance of the game and this is something that we are continuing to look at along with many other aspects of the game.”

The change in attitude towards belly putters and long putters – Webb Simpson has climbed to world No 6 using one while Martin Laird, Scotland’s highest-ranked player, has wielded one to good effect as well – was also clear at last weekend’s USGA annual meeting in Houston. “All of a sudden this has become a much bigger topic,” USGA executive director Mike Davis told golfweek.com. “The USGA and R&A have been talking about this at length.

“The R&A was in Far Hills (New Jersey) last week. We have an annual meeting where we talk about all kinds of issues about how we govern the game worldwide. We did talk about various equipment issues, including anchoring. Our board (USGA Executive Committee) did (talk about it) this week as well. There are no outcomes at this point.”

Peter Dawson, the R&A’s chief executive, is believed to have a personal dislike of anchoring, but it is the equipment standard committees for the two rulesmaking bodies that are charged with such decisions.

“It is something we have taken a fresh look at,” added Davis. “More players are using it, both on the elite level and the recreational level. We want to be sure that we are looking at all the angles and thinking about what is in the best interests both of the traditions of the game, the history of the game, and what we think would be good for the game.”

It is believed the USGA will address the matter publicly at this year’s US Open at the Olympic Club in San Francisco in June.