'Your papers, please' must never be heard in America
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews is one of the oldest and most prestigious golf clubs in the world (the oldest being the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers at Muirfield). It is based in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, and is regarded as the worldwide "Home of Golf". Formerly, it was also one of the governing authorities of the game, but in 2004 this role was handed over to a newly formed group of companies, collectively known as The R&A. - Source: Wikipedia
The new rule does not ban the long putters, only the way they commonly are used. Golfers no longer will be able to anchor the club against their bodies to create the effect of a hinge.
Golf's two governing bodies outlawed the anchored putting stroke used by four of the last six major champions, approving a new rule that starts in 2016 and urging the PGA Tour to follow along so the 600-year-old sport is still played under one set of rules.
Just because the home of the Masters now has female members, the Royal & Ancient Golf Club has no plans to pressure the all-male clubs in the British Open rotation to change its membership policies.
With only a few weeks left before a decision on long putters, British Open champion Ernie Els hopes that golf officials change their minds.
Golf's governing bodies, worried that players will turn to long putters as an advantage instead of a last resort, proposed a new rule Wednesday that would ban the putting stroke used by three of the last five major champions.
Golf's governing bodies, worried that players will turn to long putters as an advantage instead of a last resort, proposed a new rule Wednesday that would ban the putting stroke used by three of the last five major champions.
Brace yourself _ just not your putter.
Keegan Bradley is gearing up to fight the governing bodies of golf if they decide to ban the long putter, and the American is hoping others will rally around the cause, too.
If golf decides to ban long putters, U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson will be ready.
One day after Ernie Els won the British Open to become the third major champion using a belly putter, the Royal & Ancient said long putters were "firmly back on the radar" and that a decision could come soon on whether players can keep using them.
Darren Clarke turned in the claret jug Monday. Now, he's ready to start playing like the guy who won a major title.
Darren Clarke turned in the claret jug Monday.
The locals are famous for saying that if it's "nae rain and nae wind then it's nae golf."
