"The last time something this popular was banned it was called prohibition and that didn't go over so well."

In the early reaction to a change we knew was coming, I'm surprised at how negative much of it is from folks whose views I trust. This suggests to me that politically, banning anchoring before doing something about distance may be backfiring. Or maybe they calculated this reaction as a way to pave the case for a rollback, something they layed the groundwork for in today's press conference.

Here is Brandel Chamblee's first of multiple passionate pleas for bifurcation in the post anchoring ban announcement. Also includes a pretty tough statement from Davis Love not supporting the announcement, read by Tim Rosaforte.

Similar theme from Gary Van Sickle of golf.com, only expressed Van Cynically:

The USGA and the R&A must be joking.With all the pressing issues in golf, they've decided to ban anchored putting? That's like the Emperor Nero issuing jaywalking tickets to residents fleeing Rome as it burns.

And...

We have 460-cc drivers made of high tech alloys, graphite shafts, balls that go forever, and more technology in every clubhead than golfers could have dreamed of even 20 years ago. All these things have had a much greater impact on golf than long putters. In an era when 350-yard drives are no longer Happy Gilmore pipe dreams, why is all the scrutiny on one type of putting stroke?

We have 460-cc drivers made of high tech alloys, graphite shafts, balls that go forever, and more technology in every clubhead than golfers could have dreamed of even 20 years ago. All these things have had a much greater impact on golf than long putters. In an era when 350-yard drives are no longer Happy Gilmore pipe dreams, why is all the scrutiny on one type of putting stroke?

Read more: http://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/banning-anchored-putting-stroke-usga-proves-it-focused-wrong-thing#ixzz2DXObqGOu

We have 460-cc drivers made of high tech alloys, graphite shafts, balls that go forever, and more technology in every clubhead than golfers could have dreamed of even 20 years ago. All these things have had a much greater impact on golf than long putters. In an era when 350-yard drives are no longer Happy Gilmore pipe dreams, why is all the scrutiny on one type of putting stroke?

Read more: http://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/banning-anchored-putting-stroke-usga-proves-it-focused-wrong-thing#ixzz2DXObqGOu

Alistair Tait says this "debacle" does the game no favors:

To make a U-turn a generation later makes the R&A and USGA look amateurish and incompetent. If anything is to be learned from this debacle, it is that the governing bodies need to get their acts together quicker in the future. A lot quicker!

The Rules of Golf should not be dictated by commercial concerns, but eliminating long putters just as they're gaining in popularity with recreational players is just plain wrong.

The USGA and the R&A must be joking.

With all the pressing issues in golf, they've decided to ban anchored putting? That's like the Emperor Nero issuing jaywalking tickets to residents fleeing Rome as it burns.

Golf is losing participants in droves for three main reasons: it's too difficult, too expensive and too slow. The game is in a recession, or worse, and the USGA is worried about a style of putting that may make golf easier, has been around for more than a quarter century and is used by a small minority of players?

The Rules of Golf should not be dictated by commercial concerns, but eliminating long putters just as they're gaining in popularity with recreational players is just plain wrong.

The USGA and the R&A must be joking.

With all the pressing issues in golf, they've decided to ban anchored putting? That's like the Emperor Nero issuing jaywalking tickets to residents fleeing Rome as it burns.