Putter Designer Equates Possible Anchored Putter Ban to Heresy


Duane Engdahl, the putter designer at Quantum Golf Company, maker of putters including the legacy Quantum, the Simplicity, and new Finesse Putter, has a strong opinion about the USGA and R&A's proposal to ban anchored putters.

"Thank you for asking for my input on the proposed ban of anchored putters," said Engdahl in a press release. "It is my opinion that putting is like religion. In putting, the goal is to get the ball into the cup; in religion, the goal is to get the soul into heaven. How the goal is achieved is a matter of personal belief. When governing bodies contemplate controlling personal belief, they are skating on very thin ice.

"As a golf putter designer, I do not believe that an anchored putter gives any advantage in getting the ball into the cup; but I strongly believe in the right of others to believe that it has. My belief is that it is actually disadvantageous and that is based upon theoretical physics verified by scientific testing. But that is neither here nor there. Freedom from unnecessary tyranny is what is at stake here.

"The framers of the government of United States of America thought it important to protect us from unnecessary tyranny. In fact they thought it so important that in the very first clause of the very first right listed in our Constitution's Bill of Rights, it states in no uncertain terms that 'the Federal Government shall make no laws which impede the free exercise of religion.'

"In my opinion, it would behoove the governing body of golf to protect golfers from unnecessary tyranny, too, and take a similar stand by stating that 'the USGA/R&A shall make no rules which impede the free practice of putting.'

"In the beginning, the USGA and R&A defined the rules of the game; that was clearly necessary. Then they began regulating the specifications of the equipment used in the game; that encroachment on the freedom of competition was the beginning of a slippery slope.

"Now they are beginning to think it is within their purview, not only to regulate the equipment, but also to regulate how the golfers believe the equipment should be used in the game. What's next; will we be limited on how fast we can swing the driver? This is not preserving tradition; it is advancing tyranny!"