Harper Lin
Anchoring in golf refers to the practice of anchoring the club or a gripping hand against any part of the body when making a stroke. This practice is considered controversial and has been a source of debate among golfers and fans. While some argue that anchoring takes variables out of the stroke and reduces the skill required to play, others believe it benefits all players by minimising the club face dispersion on impact. The Rules of Golf, which were updated in 2016, 2019, and 2023, specifically address anchoring in Rule 10.1b, stating that players must not anchor the club directly or by holding the gripping hand against their body. However, the rules also clarify that inadvertent touching of clothing during a stroke is not considered anchoring, as long as it is not done deliberately.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Anchoring outlawed in golf | 2016 |
| Rule | 10.1b |
| Definition | Holding the club or a gripping hand against any part of the body |
| Allowed | Holding the club or gripping hand against a hand or forearm |
| Allowed | Grip resting against forearm |
| Allowed | Using a long putter when neither the forearm nor the gripping hand touches the body |
| Not allowed | Holding a club against the stomach |
| Not allowed | Placing the forearm or gripping hand against the chest |
| Clarification | Inadvertently touching clothing during a stroke is not anchoring |
| Clarification | Holding the club extremely close to the body is anchoring |
| Clarification | Having a physical size or build that causes the arms to rest close to the body is anchoring |
| Sanction | Loss of hole in match play |
| Sanction | Stroke counts and a two-shot penalty in stroke play |
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What You'll Learn
What constitutes anchoring?
Anchoring is an illegal move in golf that was outlawed in 2016. It involves holding the club, or gripping hand, against any part of the body during a stroke. This means that a player cannot anchor the club to their sternum, stomach, chest, or any other part of their body.
According to Rule 10.1b of the Rules of Golf, a player "must not anchor the club". This means that the player must not hold the club or gripping hand against any part of their body during a stroke. The rule specifies that anchoring can be done directly or indirectly. Direct anchoring occurs when the player deliberately holds the club or gripping hand against their body. Indirect anchoring occurs when the player "holds the club extremely close to the body" or has a "physical size or build that causes the arms naturally to rest close to the body".
In match play, anchoring results in a loss of the hole. In stroke play, the stroke counts, and a two-shot penalty is applied. It's important to note that inadvertently touching one's clothing during a stroke is not considered anchoring, according to Clarification 10.1b/3. As long as it is not done deliberately, it is not a breach of the rule.
Some golfers argue that anchoring does not take skill out of the game and that it should be up to the player to choose how they play. However, others believe that anchoring provides an advantage that should be eliminated to preserve the traditional challenges of the game, such as freely swinging the entire club.
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The rules of anchoring
Golf's governing bodies, the USGA and the R&A, have strict rules regarding anchoring the club while making a stroke. Rule 10.1b, which covers anchoring the club, states that a player must not anchor the club directly by holding the club or a gripping hand against any part of the body during a stroke. This includes holding the club against the stomach or placing the forearm or gripping hand against the chest.
However, it is important to note that merely touching the body or clothing during a stroke without holding the club against it is not considered anchoring. For example, a grip resting against the forearm, as used by Bryson DeChambeau, is allowed. Using a long putter where neither the forearm nor the gripping hand touches the body is also acceptable.
The rules regarding anchoring have evolved over time, with anchored putting being outlawed in 2016. This rule change focused on the technique of making a stroke rather than banning specific equipment. Despite this, some golfers have continued to use anchoring techniques, such as arm-anchoring or arm-lock putting, which have sparked debates among golfers and raised questions about the effectiveness of the rules.
The consequences of anchoring in match play include the loss of a hole, while in stroke play, the stroke counts, and a two-shot penalty is applied. These rules aim to ensure fair play and maintain the challenge of directing and controlling the movement of the entire club freely without anchoring it.
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Reasons for anchoring rules
The Rules of Golf, as outlined by the USGA and R&A, prohibit anchoring the club during a stroke. Anchoring is defined as either directly holding the club or gripping hand against the body or using an anchor point to hold a forearm against the body to create a stable point for swinging the club.
The reasons for the anchoring rules are to preserve the integrity of the game and promote a free and natural stroke. Here are some detailed reasons for the anchoring rules in golf:
Encouraging Natural Stroke Movement
The USGA defines a stroke as "fairly striking at a ball with the head of a club." The fundamental challenge in golf is to direct and control the movement of the entire club by freely swinging it without anchoring. Anchoring can provide an unfair advantage by creating a more stable and controlled stroke, deviating from the intended challenge of freely directing the clubhead.
Preventing Unfair Advantage
By prohibiting anchoring, the rules aim to prevent golfers from gaining an unfair advantage over their competitors. Anchoring the club can provide additional stability and control, making it easier to execute precise and consistent strokes. This could create an uneven playing field, especially in competitive golf, where equipment and technique are closely regulated to ensure fairness.
Technique Over Equipment
The USGA clarified that the anchoring rule change was not a ban on equipment but a restriction on a specific technique. The rule focuses on the method of the stroke, ensuring that golfers make a standard strike between the putter head and the ball without pushing, scraping, or scooping it. This distinction emphasizes that golfers can still use various equipment, including mid-length or long putters, as long as they are swung freely without anchor points.
Consistency in Rule Enforcement
The anchoring rules provide clear guidelines for golfers and officials to follow during play. While enforcing these rules can be challenging, as it may involve accusing a player of cheating, clear definitions and penalties help maintain consistency. The rules specify that inadvertent touching of clothing or the body during a stroke is not anchoring, providing clarity and reducing potential disputes.
Adapting to Evolving Techniques
The USGA and R&A have updated the rules over the years to address new techniques that may emerge. For example, the "arm-anchoring" or "arm-lock" technique, where the forearm is anchored against the body, has sparked debates about its legality. The governing bodies have clarified that as long as there is no deliberate anchoring, this technique does not breach the rules. This adaptability ensures that the rules remain relevant and effective as golf evolves.
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Anchoring and tradition
Golf is a sport steeped in tradition, and one of the most important traditions and challenges of the game is that the player must freely swing the entire club. Anchoring the club directly by holding it or the gripping hand against any part of the body is not allowed. This includes holding the club against the stomach or placing the forearm or gripping hand against the chest.
However, it is allowed to hold the club or gripping hand against the hand or forearm, and if the club, clothes, or gripping hand merely touches the body or clothing during a stroke without being held against it, it is not considered anchoring. For example, a grip resting against the forearm is permitted, and using a long putter where neither the forearm nor the gripping hand touches the body is also acceptable.
The Rules of Golf, which were updated in 2019 and 2023, specify that anchoring the club is not allowed. Rule 10.1b states that a player "must not anchor the club" during a stroke. This rule was implemented to preserve the traditional method of stroke and eliminate the possible advantage that anchoring provides, ensuring that players of all skill levels face the same challenge.
Some people argue that anchoring does not take skill out of the game and that it should not be banned. They believe that it benefits all players and helps to eliminate variables from the stroke. However, others disagree and consider anchoring to be against the traditional nature of the game.
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Penalties for anchoring
Golf's governing bodies, the USGA and R&A, implemented a ban on anchoring strokes on 1 January 2016. The rule, 10.1b, states that a player "must not anchor the club" when making a stroke. Anchoring the club directly by holding the club or a "gripping hand" against any part of the body is prohibited. This includes using an anchor point and holding a forearm "against any part of the body to use a gripping hand as a stable point around which the other hand may swing the club".
If a player is found to be anchoring the club, the penalties are as follows:
- In match play, it is considered a loss of hole.
- In stroke play, the stroke counts, and a two-shot penalty is applied.
It is important to note that accidental brushing of the grip against the body, such as a loose shirt, is generally acceptable. A penalty is applied only if the player intended to anchor the club. Additionally, holding the club against the hand or forearm is allowed, provided that the hands and arms can still swing independently and without restriction.
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Frequently asked questions
Anchoring is a technique in golf where a player holds the club or a gripping hand against any part of the body to steady it when making a stroke.
Anchoring the club to the body reduces the variables in a stroke, making it easier to control and improving accuracy.
Anchoring was banned in the Rules of Golf in 2016.
The penalty for anchoring in match play is the loss of a hole.
In stroke play, the stroke still counts, but a two-shot penalty is applied.
