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.