From the PGA World Golf Hall of Fame Book
Conforming straight forward stroke |
The history of the putter design has been
rich with diversity over the past 200 years. The United States Golf Association has embraced this diversity in the design of the
putter. It has made special rules and exceptions to rules which allow putters to have different characteristics from all other
clubs. The USGA not only allows great diversity in putters, it even allows putters to be adjustable.
The two primary rules
which apply to the design of putters are Rule 4-1 and
Appendix II. Rule 4-1 is the general rule regarding the
form and make of all clubs, including the putter. Appendix II gives much more detail with regard to design limitations
for golf clubs. "The Way" putters conform to USGA rules. As required by Appendix II, 4.1a(iii),
"The Way" putters are designed to prevent the golfer from adjusting the putter into a non-conforming configuration. "The Way"
putters give the golfer maximum adjustability for putters within the USGA rules. Each putter comes with a copy of the letter of
conformity from the USGA.
The USGA rules also address the issue of
the putting stroke itself. Rule 16-1(e) states that, "The player
shall not make a stroke on the putting green from a stance astride, or with either foot touching the line of the putt or an
extension of that line behind the ball." You may take any type of putting stance you like so long as your feet are not
straddling the imaginary line running from the cup to the ball and beyond. The straight-forward
putting stroke we refer to conforms to USGA Rule 16-1(e). |
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