Can I anchor my putter against my chest or stomach?

No, you can't anchor the club against your body. If you hold the club or a gripping hand against your chest, stomach, or any other body part (except your hand or forearm), it's a two-stroke penalty in stroke play or loss of hole in match play. The rule targets the anchor point — any deliberate bracing of the club or forearm against your frame to steady the stroke.

What counts as anchoring

Anchoring happens two ways. Direct anchoring is when you hold the club or your gripping hand against your body — like pressing a long putter into your chest or belly. Indirect anchoring is when you hold your forearm against your body to create a stable pivot point while your hands work separately on the grip. Both are banned because the swing has to be free-flowing, not locked to your frame.

What's still allowed

You can rest the grip against your forearm — that's fine. Your forearm or gripping hand can touch your body or clothing during the stroke as long as you're not holding them there. The rule only bites when you deliberately press and hold. A rain jacket doesn't change anything either; if you press the club into your body through clothing, it's still anchoring. For the specific nuances of forearm vs. stomach contact, see Can I anchor my putter against my forearm or stomach?.

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.

The penalty

In stroke play it's two penalty strokes. In match play you lose the hole. The stroke counts either way — you don't get to redo it. There are modifications for amputees and players using assistive mobility devices under Rules 25.3b and 25.4h, but for everyone else the ban is absolute.

Exceptions that change the answer

• Player is an amputee → Rule 25.3b modifies Rule 10.1b to allow anchoring if needed
• Player uses an assistive mobility device → Rule 25.4h modifies Rule 10.1b to allow anchoring if needed

Frequently asked questions

Can I rest the putter grip against my forearm?

Yes. Holding the grip against your forearm is explicitly allowed. The rule only bans holding the club or a gripping hand against any other body part, or holding your forearm against your body to create an anchor point.

What if my arm just brushes my shirt during the stroke?

That's fine. Mere touching — whether it's your forearm, hand, or the club — isn't a breach. You have to be holding it against your body deliberately. Incidental contact is not anchoring.

Does a belly putter automatically mean I'm anchoring?

Not if you don't hold it against your body. You can use a long or belly-length putter legally as long as you swing it freely without pressing the grip or your forearm into your stomach or chest.

What's the penalty if I anchor during a round?

Two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play. The stroke still counts — you don't replay it. There's no warning or free pass for a first offense.

Can I hold my forearm against my ribs if my hands stay together?

No. The interpretation says an anchor point exists when you hold a forearm against your body AND your hands are separated and working independently. But even with hands together, holding your forearm against your body to stabilize the stroke crosses the line.