[jlab-9hgl 00386] Fwd: Proposed Change to the Rules of Golf

[Mark Ito]

Fyi
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From: "USGA" <Members at usgamail.org>
Date: Nov 28, 2012 8:49 AM
Subject: Proposed Change to the Rules of Golf
To: <markito3 at gmail.com>

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November 28, 2012


Dear USGA Member:

The USGA cherishes its strong relationship with our Members, and we
appreciate the support you provide in helping us lead the game toward a
sustainable future. Your membership bolsters the critical mission of the
USGA in many important ways and has helped to make the game more enjoyable
for golfers of all ages and skill levels.

Recognizing the role that you play in all that we do to protect and nurture
the game, we want you to be among the first to know about some important
news. This morning, together with The R&A, the USGA is proposing a change
to the Rules of Golf for players at all levels of the game that would
disallow direct or indirect anchoring of the club in making a stroke with
any club from any location on the golf course.

The proposed Rule 14-1b would prohibit strokes made with the club or a hand
gripping the club intentionally held directly against the player’s body, or
with a forearm intentionally held against the body to establish an anchor
point that indirectly anchors the club.

The proposed Rule would not alter current equipment standards and would
allow the continued use of all conforming golf clubs, including
belly-length and long putters, provided such clubs are used in a
non-anchored manner. The Rule would target only a few types of strokes in
which the club is anchored, while preserving the golfer’s ability to play a
wide variety of strokes in his or her individual style.

Throughout the game’s 600-year history, the essence of the golf stroke has
been to grip the club with the hands and swing it freely at the ball. This
Rule change is being proposed to preserve the fundamental challenge that
makes golf a unique competitive sport.

The proposed Rule change would take effect on January 1, 2016, at the start
of the next four-year cycle for revisions to the Rules of Golf. This
timetable provides an extended period during which golfers currently using
an anchored stroke may adapt their method of stroke, if necessary, to
conform to the requirements of the new Rule.

We are proposing to take action now in response to the recent upsurge in
the use of anchored strokes at all levels of the game. We believe that the
proposed Rule is necessary to protect the essential nature of the golf
swing and to fulfill our fundamental responsibility to the game.

The proposed Rule is the culmination of a review process that began in
early 2012, and it reflects the strong consensus of our leadership and the
Rules of Golf Committee. Given the high level of public discussion and
interest in this issue, we are announcing the proposed change in advance of
final action by the Executive Committee, which is expected to occur in
early 2013. Between now and then, we will explain our rationale for the
Rule and its application, answer questions and solicit feedback on the
proposal from the golf community.

Recognizing that you may have questions, and that you may also want to
share this information with fellow golfers, we have developed videos,
images, graphics and other materials that are available at
www.usga.org/anchoring<http://usgamail.org/a/hBQthMHB73vQaB8vaDKNsgeIVlX/anchoring>to
help you become more familiar with the specifics of the proposed Rule.
We have also provided an opportunity to offer written questions or comments
on the proposed change, and we encourage you and others to do so.

Thank you for your support and passion for the game as we continue to serve
all golfers around the world and work to secure the health and traditions
of the game for current players and for future generations.

Sincerely,





   Glen Nager
President



  Mike Davis
USGA Executive Director



 For the good of the game®



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