US PGA TOUR TO IMPLEMENT BAN ON ANCHORED STROKES "TO AVOID CONFUSION"

  FROM THE BBC SPORT.COM WEBSITE

The United States PGA Tour will implement the global ban on anchored strokes from January 1, 2016 to "avoid confusion".

The R and A and the US Golf Association first unveiled plans last year which were supported by the European Tour but not the US PGA Tour.
The US PGA has now decided that a single set of rules on acceptable strokes is "desirable and would avoid confusion".

Rule 14-1b

In making a stroke, the player must not anchor the club, either "directly" or by use of an "anchor point".
Note 1: The club is anchored "directly" when the player intentionally holds the club or a gripping hand in contact with any part of his body, except that the player may hold the club or a gripping hand against a hand or forearm.
Note 2: An "anchor point" exists when the player intentionally holds a forearm in contact with any part of his body to establish a gripping hand as a stable point around which the other hand may swing the club.

The ban will apply to any club rested against a part of the body, such as broom-handle or belly putters.

Four of the last seven major winners have used anchor putters, most recently Adam Scott at this year's Masters in April.
In May, the US PGA Tour said it would discuss the matter with its Player Advisory Council and Policy Board members and, having done so, has said it will "allow" the ban.
A US PGA Tour statement read: "The US PGA Tour Policy Board acknowledged that the USGA's ban on anchored strokes, known as Rule 14-1b, will apply to US PGA Tour competitions beginning on January 1, 2016.

Anchoring of putters banned from 2016
"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.

"US PGA Tour competitions are conducted in accordance with the USGA Rules of Golf. However, the Policy Board reserves the right to make modifications for US PGA Tour competitions if it deems it appropriate."