Matti Schmid’s recent strong performance at the Charles Schwab Challenge, where he secured second place, has sparked a debate regarding his putting technique. Television footage showed his left thumb in close proximity to his shirt while addressing the ball with his long putter, raising concerns about potential anchoring.
The German golfer’s impressive putting display, which saw him top the putting statistics, led to questions about whether his thumb might be making contact with his chest, creating an illegal anchor point.
The lack of visible space between Schmid’s thumb and shirt prompted inquiries. A leading referee, while acknowledging the image’s “bad look,” noted that Rule 10.1 of the Rules of Golf allows for incidental contact without anchoring. This leaves the legality of Schmid’s stroke ambiguous.
Despite contacting Schmid’s representatives, BBC Sport remains uncertain. The ambiguity surrounding the interpretation of the anchoring rule, even almost a decade after its implementation, highlights a persistent challenge in golf.
Rule 10.1 explicitly prohibits anchoring the club during a stroke, but the interpretation of what constitutes anchoring remains subjective. While a referee suggested Schmid’s technique might be permissible due to potential movement, the issue of player integrity arises due to the close proximity of his hand to his body.
Another official from the DP World Tour, speaking anonymously, emphasized the difficulty of enforcing the rule, citing the reliance on player honesty. The lack of clear visual evidence frequently leaves referees in a difficult position, making consistent enforcement problematic.
The 2016 rule change, implemented after several major championships were won using anchored putters, aimed to preserve the traditional putting stroke. While some techniques, like Bryson DeChambeau’s, are accepted, concerns persist about the fairness and ease of putting with longer putters.
Several prominent golfers, including Bernhard Langer and Scott McCarron on the Senior Tour, have faced similar scrutiny. Langer has maintained his innocence, stating his control of the hand prevents anchoring. However, the subjective nature of the rule continues to create controversy.
The difficulty in enforcing the anchoring rule results in inconsistency and unfairness. Proposed solutions include limiting putter length, an idea supported by some referees, to create clearer guidelines and simpler enforcement. This ongoing debate underscores the need for a more precise and easily enforceable rule regarding putter length and putting techniques.