Dawson admits legal concerns after belly putters banned

R&A chief executive Peter Dawson admits he does have concerns about possible legal action against the ban on anchored strokes, but believes any law suits would “not be on particularly strong grounds”.

The R&A and USGA yesterday confirmed the ban will come into effect from January 1, 2016, with Rule 14-1b approved after consideration of comments and suggestions made during the 90-day consultation process.

The European Tour supported the proposal, but the PGA Tour and PGA of America voiced strong opposition, raising the possibility of different rules being followed in different events.

The PGA Tour runs the lucrative American circuit and plays a dominant role in staging World Golf Championship events, while the PGA of America organise the US PGA Championship and American Ryder Cup team. Traditionally they adopt the rules of golf as determined by the R&A and USGA, who run the Open Championship and US Open respectively.

Legal action from players who use anchored strokes has been mooted – four of the last six Majors have been won by players with long or belly putters – but Dawson said: “I very much hope not. I don’t think lawsuits will be on particularly strong grounds.”

PGA of America president Ted Bishop admitted he was disappointed by yesterday’s decision and said they would decide how to proceed in June, but also suggested they would ultimately fall into line.