The Best Anchoring Ban Meltdown Yet!

Steve Eubanks, writing for PGA.com, builds to the reasonable conclusion that, in light of golf's brittle health, taking away the average golfer's right to anchor a putter against the torso body might not be the right thing at this time. There's even a quote from Commissioner First Tee, who, in his usual tortured language, mildly, sort of, agrees that a ban might conflict with the PGA Tour's newfound interest in growing the game.

"So what our position would be, if any, as it relates to the game as a whole, and how that would flow into it is impossible to project at this point.”

Got that?

Anyway, there is a review of the recent player comments, including the possibility of a lawsuit by Tim Clark. Followed by a mention of all the grow the game initiatives and how terribly timed an anchoring ban would be.

Now, let the melting begin!

The public no longer trusts its once-trusted institutions. This goes beyond the normal smarm of a political season -- although this year’s campaign ad wars have been particularly deceitful. It hits at the heart of what have always been considered givens.

Does anyone now doubt that Secret Service agents will party like frat boys on spring break while on duty? Does anyone believe the Bureau of Labor Statistics isn’t above fudging the numbers? Does anyone think the General Accounting Office is the best agency to control waste, fraud and abuse in government spending? And is there anyone left who believes the CIA won't time their assessments for political gain?

It wasn’t long ago that these institutions were above reproach, and questioning them was as absurd as claiming the world was flat. But no more. Their words and deeds are now discounted, perceived as another off-key note in a cacophony of background noise.

Golf’s ruling bodies are one arbitrary and capricious ruling away from the same fate.

Oh dear. Please, go on...

Whether the long-putter ban will be that final straw remains to be seen, but those in charge should be very careful, not just in their reasoning, but in their timing.

Because once you lose your moral authority, your ability to govern -- whether it is a nation or a sport -- vanishes in an instant.

And that is something our game cannot afford.

Can you imagine what he'll say if the USGA or R&A wanted to roll back the ball?