THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) – Golf is proposing to ban the
putting stroke used by three of the last five major champions.
The sport’s ruling bodies announced a new rule Wednesday that would make it illegal to anchor the club in making a stroke. The proposed rule is aimed at belly putters and long putters that are pressed against the body.
Keegan Bradley was the first player to win a major with the belly putter at the 2011 PGA Championship.
Webb Simpson and Ernie Els used belly putters to win majors this year.
Officials say the golf stroke should be a free swing, and
anchoring a club eliminates part of the skill.
The rule would apply to golfers at every level. It would not
take effect until 2016.
