USGA Still Deciding If Long Putters Should Be Banned

  THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — Webb Simpson and Keegan Bradley say they won’t be happy if golf makes it illegal to use a putter anchored to the body.

But they won’t fight it.

The U.S. Golf Association and Royal & Ancient Golf Club have a press conference Wednesday morning at which they are expect to announce their decision on whether long putters and belly putters will be allowed. All indications point toward a ban on such putters.

At question is not the putter itself, but whether it can be attached to the body.

Three of the last five major champions have used belly putters — Bradley, Simpson and Ernie Els. Bradley had suggested fighting a potential ban. He and Simpson said they would go along with it.

Any change wouldn’t take place until 2016.