Can I anchor the club if my mobility device prevents a normal swing?

Yes, you can anchor the club. Rule 25.4h permits players who use assistive mobility devices to make anchored strokes, even though anchoring is normally prohibited under Rule 10.1b. This exception applies anywhere on the course.

Why this exception exists

The Rules recognize that some players cannot swing conventionally because their mobility device — wheelchair, cane, crutch, or other aid — gets in the way or makes a free swing impossible. Rule 25.4h levels the playing field by letting those players anchor the club against their body or the device itself. It's not a loophole; it's a specific modification for a documented need. You don't need a doctor's note or a Committee ruling. If you show up with an assistive mobility device and use it to play, the exception is yours automatically.

What counts as anchoring here

Anchoring means holding the club or a hand against any part of your body or the mobility device to create a fixed pivot point. Rule 25.4h allows this for players who use an assistive mobility device, whether it's a wheelchair, a motorized cart, a cane, or crutches. The key is that you must actually use the device for mobility; you can't just prop a club against your belly because your back hurts. Long putter against the chest, mid-length against the belly, or the shaft braced against the wheelchair frame — all of it is fair game under this Rule.

No extra permission needed

You don't need to ask the Committee, file paperwork, or carry a medical certificate. If you use an assistive mobility device to play, the exception is automatic. Your playing partners and the Committee can see the device, and that's all the proof required. Just play your round. Your aide can also help you get set up. Rule 25.4a lets them position you or the device before the stroke, including getting the club into an anchored position.

Exceptions that change the answer

• You don't actually use an assistive mobility device for mobility → The anchoring exception doesn't apply — Rule 10.1b's ban on anchoring stands and you'd get the general penalty (two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play).

Frequently asked questions

Does this apply if I only use a cane sometimes?

Yes. If you use a cane, crutch, or any assistive mobility device for that round, Rule 25.4h allows you to anchor. The exception is tied to using the device, not to a permanent disability classification.

Can I anchor with a long putter against my chest?

Yes. Any anchored stroke — long putter against chest, mid-length against belly, club braced against the wheelchair — is permitted under Rule 25.4h as long as you use an assistive mobility device.

What if I use a motorized golf cart instead of walking?

A standard golf cart isn't an 'assistive mobility device' under Rule 25.4. The exception only covers devices like wheelchairs, canes, crutches, or other medical mobility aids. Riding in a cart doesn't unlock anchoring.

Do I need to tell my marker or the Committee before anchoring?

No. The exception is automatic when you use an assistive mobility device. No announcement, form, or medical note is required.

Can my aide help me position the club in an anchored setup?

Yes. Rule 25.4a allows your aide to help position you or your device before the stroke, including getting the club set in an anchored position.