Dan Rapaport has suggested that the R&A and USGA need to step in with a new rule, as long putters remain a controversial topic among golf fans.
Adam Scott and Will Zalatoris are among the current PGA Tour players who use long putters, but the method continues to face criticism, much like AimPoint.
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The rules prevent golfers from anchoring their putter to any part of their torso during a stroke.
During the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, some fans accused Akshay Bhatia of anchoring. Bhatia led going into the final round but finished tied for sixth.
Dan Rapaport pushes for new putting rule to clear up long putter debate
Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images
Speaking on Dan on Golf, Rapaport made it clear that he trusts Bhatia’s word that his putter was not anchored.
Even so, he believes the sport’s governing bodies need to step in, so players are not forced to defend themselves over it.
“I’m calling for a new rule with the long putters, with the broomsticks, I’ve said that I don’t think they should be allowed. You should have a maximum length for the longest club and it shouldn’t be as long as a broomstick putter, but I’m not even calling for that. I think that would be very disruptive. I’m calling for common sense,” he stated.
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“You should have to be able to see daylight between a top hand of a player and their chest. Not all broomstick grips are created equal. So here’s Will Zalatoris when he’s putting with a broomstick, I see daylight. It is clearly not on his chest. Now, here’s Akshay Bhatia, there’s no daylight there. And I’m not saying that Akshay is anchoring. I don’t think he is. He said he’s not anchoring and I believe him, but it’s just too close for comfort and it’s leading to some nasty accusations.”
Introducing a new putting rule would create chaos on the PGA Tour
Bhatia, it should be said, is one of many examples of trust in golf, where players are expected to call penalties on themselves. It is part of the sport’s culture.
Sahith Theegala gave up any chance he had of winning the 2024 Tour Championship by penalising himself after his club brushed the sand in a bunker at East Lake. There was not any clear video showing he made contact.
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Bhatia is aware that his putting style draws extra attention, but Rapaport seems right to believe there is nothing suspicious going on.
If there are doubts about players’ honesty around anchoring putters, then perhaps more aspects of play should be under closer review than just this one issue.
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