PGA to ban anchored putters

The PGA Tour said Monday it would follow a new rule that bans the anchored putting stroke used by four of the last six major champions, asking instead Monday for a temporary reprieve for those who play the game for fun.

The announcement is the final piece of confirmation from a major golf organization for Rule 14-1b, which will take effect Jan. 1, 2016, when the next “Rules of Golf” is published. The rule makes it illegal for players to attach the end of the club to their body while making a stroke.

Adam Scott used a long putter held against his chest when he won the Masters. Ernie Els (British Open) and Webb Simpson (U.S. Open) used a belly putter last year. Keegan Bradley in the 2011 PGA Championship was the first major champion with a belly putter.

The Royal & Ancient Golf Club and U.S. Golf Association proposed the new rule Nov. 28. It formally adopted the rule May 21.

PGA commissioner Tim Finchem said in February the tour was opposed to the new rule because there were no data to suggest an advantage. The tour’s opinion was shaped by a players-only meeting earlier that month.

“In making its decision, the policy board recognized that there are still varying opinions among our membership, but ultimately concluded that while it is an important issue, a ban on anchored strokes would not fundamentally affect a strong presentation of our competitions or the overall success of the PGA Tour,” Finchem said in a statement.