Long Putter and the Anchoring Rule
Also known as: long putter, broomstick putter, belly putter, is a long putter legal, anchoring rule, anchoring ban, anchored putting
Yes, a long putter is legal. The club length limit does not apply to putters. What is banned is anchoring: under Rule 10.1b you may not hold the club or a gripping hand against your body, such as your chest or belly, during a stroke.
Long putters come in two main styles. A belly putter rests near the stomach, and a broomstick putter reaches up to the chest. Both were once often pressed into the body to make a fixed pivot.
Rule 10.1b now bans that. You must not hold the club or a gripping hand against any part of your body. You also must not hold a forearm against your body to make a gripping hand a fixed point. You may still hold the club against a hand or forearm. It is fine if the club merely touches your clothing without being held there.
So a golfer can still use a long putter, as long as the top hand and grip stay away from the body. Many long-putter users keep a small gap between the top hand and the chest.
Tips by skill level
If you use a long putter, check in a mirror that your top hand is clearly away from your body.
Arm-lock and counterbalanced putters are also legal options if you want more stability without anchoring.
Example
He loves his broomstick putter but used to press it into his chest. He keeps the putter and holds the top hand a few inches away from his body, which keeps his stroke legal.
Why it matters
The rule bans a method, not a club. Knowing the difference lets golfers keep a putter that works for them.
Common mistakes
- Thinking long putters are banned
- Pressing the grip into the chest or belly
- Holding the forearm against the body to steady the hand
- Assuming any touch of the clothing is a breach
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a belly putter?
Yes, the putter itself is legal. You just can't press the grip into your belly during the stroke. Hold it free of your body, or brace it against your forearm.
What is the anchoring rule in golf?
Rule 10.1b says you must not anchor the club during a stroke. That means no holding the club or a gripping hand against your body, and no holding a forearm against your body to make a fixed pivot.
Is a broomstick putter still legal?
Yes. You can use it as long as the top hand and grip are held away from your chest during the stroke.
Sources
Related terms
- Putter LengthPutter length is fit to a golfer's height, arm length, and preferred posture. Most standard putters run 33 to 35 inches, but a mismatched length forces a compensating posture that changes lie angle and face position at address.
- Arm-Lock PuttingArm-lock putting uses a longer putter whose grip is held against the inside of your lead forearm. The shaft and lead arm move as one, which leans the shaft forward and quiets the wrists. It is legal, because Rule 10.1b lets you hold the club against a forearm.
- Counterbalanced PutterA counterbalanced putter adds weight near the grip end, usually with a longer shaft and a heavy, oversized grip that extends above your hands. The extra weight up top offsets the heavy head, which can steady the stroke. You hold it at normal height, with the extra length above your hands.
- Putting StrokeThe putting stroke is the controlled pendulum motion that rolls the ball along the intended line. Good mechanics include a square face at impact, consistent tempo, and path that matches the putter's arc.
- 14-Club Limit (Maximum Clubs in Your Bag)Under Rule 4.1b you may not start a round with more than 14 clubs or have more than 14 during it. In stroke play, an extra club costs two strokes for each hole where the breach happened, up to four. In match play, the match score loses one hole for each hole in breach, up to two.
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