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The Guidelines of Golf are difficult! Fortunately, we’ve bought the guru. Our Guidelines Man is aware of the e book entrance to again. Acquired a query? He’s bought all of the solutions.
Is a putter allowed to have a lie angle extra perpendicular than 80 levels? Bryson DeChambeau’s putter seems to be nearer to 90 levels. —Jim Morrissey, South Bend, Ind.
Please relaxation assured, Jim, that our reigning nationwide champion does issues by the e book — particularly the cult traditional, The {Golfing} Machine, by Homer Kelley. BDC is an innovator however not a scofflaw; there’s no query his tools hews to the related requirements.
To your edification, the pertinent portion of the Gear Guidelines, Half 2, 1d, reads: “(i) the projection of the straight a part of the shaft on to the vertical aircraft by means of the toe and heel should diverge from the vertical by no less than 10 levels…. If the general design of the membership is such that the participant can successfully use the membership in a vertical or close-to vertical place, the shaft could also be required to diverge from the vertical on this aircraft by as a lot as 25 levels.”
For extra putter-conformance steering from our guru, learn on …
I’ve an outdated TaylorMade Spider putter however didn’t just like the white line on the black clubhead, so I caught a bit of white tape on the pinnacle and drew a pink line with a Sharpie. Is that this authorized? —Vince Zachetti, by way of electronic mail
A confession, Vince: Over the previous half-century, Guidelines Man’s father, Tinker Man, has butchered untold variety of putters in his basement workshop, a.okay.a. “The Lair,” together with sawing off the toe of a Scotty Cameron. Blowtorches to the hosel, Wite-Out dabbed on the topline, chair glides caught to the only, ball bearings shoved down the grip and into the shaft: We now have seen flatsticks undergo all method of doubtful cosmetic surgery by means of the years.
By no means as soon as did Tinker Man ask if he was violating the Guidelines, and in filial deference, nor was this data imposed upon him. Now it may be instructed: Tape affixed to the putter is a nonconforming exterior attachment and renders the membership nonconforming. Below Rule 4.1a, when you make a stroke with stated membership, you’re disqualified.
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