• Rules of Golf

PGA Tour will heed to anchored putting ban

ESPN staff
July 1, 2013
Masters champion Adam Scott is a long putter user © PA Photos
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The PGA Tour has announced it will implement the ban on anchored putting strokes, due to come into effect in 2016, alleviating fears that different rules might be in place for separate events.

The ban was approved in May by the game's governing bodies, the R&A and USGA, after a 90-day consultation process where they welcomed comments and suggestions from all corners.

The European Tour supported the proposal, but their American counterpart opposed it and they said would discuss the matter with their Player Advisory Council and Policy Board members.

But on Monday, the Tour released a statement reading: "The PGA Tour Policy Board today acknowledged that the USGA's ban on anchored strokes, known as Rule 14-1b, will apply to PGA Tour competitions beginning on January 1, 2016."

But the Tour remains concern. The statement added: "In making this acknowledgement, the Policy Board also passed a resolution strongly recommending, along with the PGA of America, that the USGA consider extending the time period in which amateurs would be permitted to utilise anchored strokes beyond January 1, 2016."

PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said: "The Policy Board recognised that there are still varying opinions among our membership but ultimately concluded that, while it is an important issue, a ban on anchored strokes would not fundamentally affect a strong presentation of our competitions or the overall success of the PGA Tour.

"The Board also was of the opinion that having a single set of rules on acceptable strokes applicable to all professional competitions worldwide was desirable and would avoid confusion."

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