Can I anchor my putter against my forearm or stomach?
No, you can't anchor the club against your forearm or stomach. Rule 10.1b says the club must be swung freely — holding it or your gripping hand against your body, or bracing your forearm against your chest to create a stable pivot point, is a breach. The penalty is two strokes in stroke play or loss of hole in match play.
The key distinction: resting the grip against your forearm is explicitly allowed, but pressing your forearm itself against your torso to create an anchor point is not. That subtle line — forearm-on-grip (legal) vs. forearm-on-body (illegal) — is where most questions arise.
What counts as anchoring
Anchoring happens two ways. Direct anchoring is when you hold the club or your gripping hand against any part of your body — stomach, chest, chin, whatever — except your other hand or forearm. Indirect anchoring is when you press your forearm against your body to turn your top hand into a fixed pivot while the bottom hand swings the club. That "anchor point" is what the rule targets, and it's why long putters pressed to the belly or chest are banned. For a focused breakdown of chest and stomach anchoring specifically, see Can I anchor my putter against my chest or stomach?.
What's still allowed
You can rest the grip against your forearm — that's explicitly permitted. Your hands and forearms can brush your shirt or body during the stroke as long as you're not holding them there. The rule only bites when you deliberately pin the club or a forearm against yourself to steady the swing. Incidental contact is fine; intentional bracing is not.
And while we're on club rules: you also can't make a stroke with another player's club unless you're partners sharing 14 or fewer clubs total — see Can I make a stroke with another player's club? for that rule.
Clothing doesn't create a loophole
Stuffing a towel under your arm or pressing the club into a rain jacket counts the same as pressing it into your skin. The rule treats clothing held against your body as part of your body. You can't sidestep the ban by adding a layer of fabric between the club and your chest.
Exceptions that change the answer
- Player is an amputee or uses an assistive mobility device → Modified anchoring rules apply under Rules 25.3b and 25.4h — certain anchoring methods are permitted for these players. For amputees specifically, see Can I anchor the club if I'm an amputee and can't swing without anchoring?.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rest the putter grip against my forearm?
Yes. Rule 10.1b explicitly allows holding the club or gripping hand against your hand or forearm. That's not anchoring.
What if my forearm just touches my shirt during the stroke?
No penalty. Mere touching without holding the forearm against your body is allowed. The breach only occurs when you deliberately pin it there to create a stable pivot point.
Is a belly putter illegal?
The club itself is legal. Anchoring it against your stomach is not. You can use a long putter if you hold it away from your body and swing it freely.
What's the penalty for anchoring?
Two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play. It's a general penalty under Rule 10.1b.
Does pressing the club into my rain jacket count as anchoring?
Yes. Clothing held against your body by the club or hand is treated as part of your body. Deliberately pressing into a jacket to steady the stroke breaches Rule 10.1b.