New rule could change golf game

GREEN BAY - A rule proposed Wednesday could mean a big change to the game, particularly how a putter is used. 

Both international and national golf officials are making the push that would impact golfers at every level.

"I tried it out and hit three putts from about 20 feet and I said I'll take it and the rest is history," said Paul Rentmeester of Green Bay.

For ten years, the long putter has been part of Paul Rentmeester's golf game. 

"For the average, everyday golfer, it's allowed me to play golf more than I could before, just because of my back," Rentmeester said.

A similar putting stroke has been used by three of the last five major professional champions.

But two golf governing bodies, the Royal & Ancient Golf Club and the U.S. Golf Association, want to change the way amateurs and professionals use the club, particularly long putters and belly putters.

The new rule would make it illegal to anchor the club to the body when putting the ball.

The rulers of the game say the golf stroke should be a free swing, and anchoring a club eliminates part of the skill and tradition.

"You go to our section events with a bunch of PGA professional players and honestly, among 80 guys you see at least a dozen, so the numbers are up more," explained owner of Bisbee Golf Center and PGA Professional Jeff Bisbee.

PGA Professional Jeff Bisbee says the interest has grown and that's what concerns golf officials.

However Bisbee feels the rule change is unnecessary.

"To me, I don't feel it’s cheating, like some people think it is, or taking advantage of the rules," Bisbee said.

Professionals like Tiger Woods feel otherwise.

"It's nice if we play on a global basis, global that everyone plays under the same rules," Wood said.

If approved, the rule would not take effect until 2016.

The R&A and USGA will take comments for three months on the proposed rule before anything is decided.

The PGA Tour, European Tour and LPGA Tour said it would evaluate the proposed rule with its players.