Els On Anchoring: "Ban it."

Ernie Els visited the Northern Trust Open media center today to talk about his foundation and golf at Riviera this week. He opened the door for me to ask a long putter/anchoring question.

Q.  You mentioned the short putter.  The USGA has said they're taking a fresh look at the belly putter, long putter, anchoring.  Do you welcome that?  What do you think about that?

ERNIE ELS:  Yeah, I think so.  Although I've used it, I've used it for, what, six months now, I feel the same as most of the traditionalists.  I feel that no club should be anchored to your body.  I don't know how they're going to go around it, maybe use a putter as long as you want as long as it's not anchored to your body any way, even up your arm.  You see a lot of the guys use it in their armpits now.

Nothing should be anchored to your body, and I believe‑‑ I still believe that.  I was in such a state that I felt that I needed to change something, which I did.  I went to the belly.  It hasn't really helped me that much, but it has helped me.  But I'm for it.  Ban it.  It's fine.

If you haven't listened to it yet, this week's State of the Game podcast focuses on the belly putter and it's a great listen.