'Anchored' belly putters under microscope

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THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Nov. 28 (UPI) -- U.S. and British golf governing bodies proposed a ban on "anchored" strokes, in which a club is held against the body such as in the use of "belly" putters.

The U.S. Golf Association and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club said Wednesday they would take comments over the next three months regarding anchored strokes. If enacted the change would enter the Rules of Golf in 2016.

At issue is use of so-called belly putters, extra long clubs some players brace against their bodies when putting. The clubs themselves wouldn't be banned but "anchoring" the club against a player while making a shot would be.

Three of the past five major tournament champions use such putting strokes.

The proposal, if accepted, would be listed under Rule 14-1b as: "In making a stroke, the player must not anchor the club, either 'directly' or by use of an 'anchor point.'"

The proposal defined "directly anchored" as a player intentionally holding the club or a gripping hand in contact with his or her body other than the other hand or forearm; and said an "anchor point" exists when a player intentionally holds a forearm in contact with any part of his or her body to establish a gripping hand as a stable point around which the other hand make swing the club.