You’ve seen golfers using those extra-long putters and maybe heard the term anchoring discussed with a bit of controversy. This caused a major stir in the golf world, leading to a significant rule change that affected players from tour pros to weekend amateurs. Let's clear up exactly what anchoring is, why the governing bodies stepped in, and what you can legally do today to find that same rock-solid stability in your putting stroke.
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What Exactly Is Anchoring in Golf?
In simple terms, anchoring is the act of intentionally securing the golf club, or the hand gripping the club, against any part of your body to create a fixed pivot point. Think of it like a hinge on a door. By bracing the club, you create a stable hinge that the rest of the putter can swing around, almost like a pendulum on a fixed point. This is different from a normal stroke, where the club is swung freely away from the body with the hands, arms, and shoulders moving in concert.
The most common forms of anchoring that rose to popularity involved:
Belly Putters: Using a mid-length putter and pressing the butt end of the grip into your stomach area.
Long Putters (Broomstick): Using a very long putter and bracing the end of the grip against your sternum or even your chin.
Forearm Anchoring: Pinning the forearm of your grip-hand against your chest or ribcage to prevent it from moving independently.
The whole goal was to take the small, often unpredictable muscles in the hands and wrists out of the putting motion. For players who struggled with the "yips" or had shaky hands under pressure, this was a game-changer. It simplified the stroke by forcing the bigger, more stable muscles of the shoulders and torso to control the movement.
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The History and The Ban: Why Did the Rules Change?
For a few years, anchoring wasn’t just a niche technique, it was winning major championships. Players like Keegan Bradley (2011 PGA Championship), Webb Simpson (2012 U.S. Open), and Adam Scott (2013 Masters) all claimed major victories using an anchored putting stroke. Their success brought the method into the spotlight and sparked a major debate in the golf world.
The game’s governing bodies, the USGA and The R&,A, took a long look at the practice. Their concern wasn't that anchoring provided a scientifically proven unfair advantage. Instead, they concluded that it went against the traditional character of the game. They believed that freely swinging the club away from the body is a fundamental element of a golf stroke. By directly connecting the club to the body, players were creating a stroke that was fundamentally different from what golf had always been.
Consequently, Rule 10.1b (previously Rule 14-1b) was introduced and put into effect on January 1, 2016. It’s important to understand what the rule banned and what it didn’t. It did not ban long putters or belly putters. It only banned the method of anchoring them to the body.
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Understanding the Rule: What’s Banned vs. What’s Legal?
This is where many golfers get confused. You can still buy and use a long putter, but you have to use it in a conforming way. Let’s break down the specifics of Rule 10.1b so you're perfectly clear on what to avoid and what is fair game.
What Is Expressly Forbidden?
Creating an Anchor Point: You cannot hold the club or your gripping hand in contact with any part of your body to establish an "anchor point." This means you can't deliberately press the grip against your chest, stomach, or chin.
A "Stable Point" with Your Forearm: You cannot hold a forearm in contact with your body (like pinning it to your rib cage) to create a stable point around which your other hand can swing the club.
Essentially, any intentional action to eliminate the free-swinging nature of the stroke by creating a fixed point is illegal.
What Is Still Perfectly Legal?
The rules are more permissive than many people think. The key difference is the concept of intentionality and whether you're creating a fixed "hinge." Here's what's okay:
Incidental Touching: You are allowed to have the club or your hands brush against your body or clothing during the stroke. For example, if your forearms lightly touch your torso while making a putting motion, that's fine. It's not an intentional anchoring act.
The Arm-Lock Method: This has become a very popular alternative. In this method, the grip of a slightly longer putter rests against the inside of the lead forearm (the left forearm for a right-handed player). This is legal because the grip and the forearm are not held in a fixed position, they move together with the shoulders as one unit. Matt Kuchar is a famous user of this style.
Forearm Bracing (without anchoring): You can hold one forearm against the other to keep them together during the stroke. As long as neither arm is pressed against the body to create a pivot, this is a legal way to keep the stroke connected.
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So, the shortcut of anchoring is gone. But the desire for a stable, repeatable, pendulum-like putting motion remains. Luckily, there are several outstanding, totally legal methods you can adopt to quiet your hands and get the ball rolling true.
1. Try the Arm-Lock Method
This is the closest you can get to the feeling of anchoring without breaking any rules. It promotes a very stable stroke controlled by the shoulders.
How to Do It:
Get the Right Putter: You’ll likely need a specific arm-lock putter. They have a longer shaft than standard putters (typically 40-42 inches) and more loft (around 6-7 degrees) to account for the forward press created by "locking" the shaft to your arm.
Establish the "Lock": Take your normal putting stance. Press the upper portion of the grip against the inside of your lead forearm. Your lead wrist should be flat, and the shaft should feel like an extension of your lead arm.
Take Your Grip: Place your other hand on the grip below your lead hand. You can use any style you prefer (conventional, claw, etc.), but the key is that your lead arm and the putter shaft are now a single, connected unit.
Make a Shoulder-Powered Stroke: The entire stroke should be generated from rocking your shoulders back and through. There should be almost no independent movement in your hands or wrists. Think of your arms and shoulders forming a solid triangle that just moves back and forth.
2. Experiment with Counter-Balancing
Counter-balancing is another effective way to make your putter feel more stable and discourage a "handsy" stroke, but it works on the equipment rather than your technique.
A counter-balanced putter has extra weight added to the grip end of the club. You can achieve this by using a heavier-than-standard grip or installing a specialized weight in the butt of the shaft. This additional weight raises the club's balance point, which makes the entire putter feel heavier and more stable through the stroke. It forces you to engage your bigger, steadier muscles to move the club, quieting down any unwanted wrist action.
Often, instability in a putting stroke comes from the dominant hand (the right hand for a righty) getting too active. Alternative grips are designed specifically to neutralize this hand.
How The Claw Works:
With "The Claw" grip, your non-dominant (left) hand holds the club in a traditional manner at the top of the grip. Your dominant (right) hand, however, is removed from its steering role. It is placed on the side of the grip in a "palm-out," pincer-like fashion, with the thumb underneath the grip and the index finger resting lightly on top. This hand's only job is to provide stability. It prevents the wrist from breaking down and promotes a smooth stroke powered by the shoulders.
Final Thoughts
Anchoring became a popular technique because it helped players quiet their hands and rely on a stable, repeatable putting motion. While the specific act of fixing the club to your body is now illegal, the underlying goal of achieving that stability remains. By exploring legal techniques like the arm-lock method, counter-balancing, and alternative grips, you can find that same confidence on the greens without breaking Rule 10.1b.
Understanding golf's complex rules and deciding on the best shot strategy can be difficult, especially under pressure. That's why we created Caddie AI. We wanted to give every golfer access to instant, expert-level advice right when they need it. If you're ever uncertain about a ruling, like the specifics of anchoring, or if you're standing over a tricky lie and don't know the smart play, you can get a clear, simple answer in seconds. Just take a picture of your ball's position or ask a question, and our AI provides the kind of strategic guidance that helps you make smarter decisions and play with more confidence. You always have a trusted expert opinion right in your pocket with Caddie AI.
Spencer has been playing golf since he was a kid and has spent a lifetime chasing improvement. With over a decade of experience building successful tech products, he combined his love for golf and startups to create Caddie AI - the world's best AI golf app. Giving everyone an expert level coach in your pocket, available 24/7. Caddie's mission is simple: make world-class golf advice accessible to everyone, anytime.
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