Gary Player has STRONG WORDS for amateurs; wants anchored putters back
Golf legend Player calls for golf courses, golf equipment and golf courses to suit the average person.
Gary Player is never one to shy away from getting his points across, and this week was no different as he shared some strong words for golf's governing bodies to stop restricting the enjoyment of the average weekend golfer.
Nine-time major winner Player, widely considered one of the greatest golfers to ever play the game, is calling for a re-introduction of anchored putters for the amateur golfer, as well as flatter greens, wider fairways and less bunkers.
The anchor ban came into effect in January 2016 under Rule 14-1b, following a rise in major championship wins for those wielding anchored putters, such as Ernie Els, Adam Scott and Keegan Bradley.
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The argument against anchored putters was based on the assumption that affixing the club to one's body was an illegitimate way of gaining control of the putting stroke.
Long putters can still be used in 2018, they just cannot be anchored into the body - as many of Champions Tour players such as Bernhard Langer and Scott McCarron are still doing (albeit with some critics believing they're still actually anchoring!).
Player, 83, is all for continuing the anchor ban in the professional game, but believes it does little to benefit the future of the amateur game.
"There must be no restrictions on the weekend golfer," Player told Reuters. "Let them enjoy the round. There used to be the long putter, that was banned. To hang with that, let them use it."
He added: "We want amateurs to come out and enjoy themselves. We've done too many things to chase them away from the game, instead of getting them into the game."
Player also wants to see golf course layouts change in a bid to make round times quicker.
"Golf courses need flatter greens, wider fairways and not so many bunkers to make them [amateurs] enjoy the game," he said. "Amateur rounds are down because they are too expensive and too slow.
"There are so many big events, big attendances, big sponsors, massive money for the players, but what we need is to build the courses for the average man. The pro is not that important. It’s the average person who comes to the course, to enjoy the game and have fun. That is key."
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