Scotland’s Martin Laird has joined the chorus of colleagues slamming any proposal to ban the anchoring of the belly or long-handled putter.

Laird has been using the belly putter for seven years but there was hardly an issue especially two years ago when he captured the Arnold Palmer Invitational and end a run of two wins in succession by Tiger Woods.

And Laird is the only Home of Golf born player competing in the States who has yet spoken out about a proposed anchoring ban.

“I understand why they considering a ban, and I don’t have a problem with why they want to ban any anchoring, but they are 20 years late if they go ahead with the ban,” he said.

Scotland’s Martin Laird adds to the chorus slamming golf’s ruling bodies over a proposal to ban anchoring of the belly or long-handled putter. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)

“When you’ve had golfers doing something they’ve doing for 35, 40 years and virtually playing your whole career using this putting method, and suddenly come along and one day say to those players you can’t do that anymore.

“I have a real problem with that.

“I don’t have a problem with their reasoning but it’s just a little late.  You can say ‘it’s better late than never’ but this is why now everyone is annoyed about a pending decision to ban anchoring.

“Twenty-five years ago when there was only 2% of players using this putting method there would not be a headline.

“But if Keegan (Bradley), Webb (Simpson) and Ernie (Els) didn’t win three of five Majors then there would not be an issue.

“With Ernie and Adam Scott battling out last year’s Open Championship and both using long putters, and on top of Keegan winning the PGA Championship using a belly putter and then Webb Simpson using a same putter to win the US Open was probably enough.

“The USGA looked at the subject two years ago and thought it wasn’t an issue but now it is only because three of the last five majors have been one with someone anchoring the putter.”

And Laird, who has been using the belly putter since 2006, says that in contrast to the likes of Keegan Bradley, Carl Pettersen, Vijay Singh and fellow Scot Colin Montgomerie he does not ‘tuck’ the putter into his tummy.

“When I use the putter it hardly touches my body and I don’t tuck it in to my stomach,” added Laird.

“Honestly, if I cut another inch off that putter it make a difference at all.

“So, if they do go ahead with the ban I will accept the decision but I just think it’s all a little too late.

”I also don’t think the PGA Tour will go it alone and they will go with the ruling.”

Laird will tee up in the $6.2m Shell Houston Open and still hopeful of qualifying for next month’s Masters.

A victory either this week or in next week’s Valero Texas Open in San Antonio will see Laird join fellow Scots Paul Lawrie and Sandy Lyle in the season’s first Major.

However Laird’s Houston Open plans were disrupted having arrived late on Tuesday night in competing in the Tavistock Cup in Orlando and then due to early morning frost in Houston it meant the Pro-Am being reduced to nine holes.

This week marks Laird’s fourth appearance in the event since 1998 but a first in three years.

“I’ve not been here for a while but this Redstone course is probably the best conditioned golf course we play all year,” said Laird.

“The greens are always flawless and it’s also a long golf course that will suit me as I’m driving the ball great.

“But after a good finish in Orlando hopefully it’s the start of my season starting to head in the right direction.

“I’m also playing San Antonio next week and while there’s still the chance to get into Augusta and while it would be great to again play the Masters, all I am concentrating on it playing more quality golf like I did over the weekend at Bay Hill.”

Laird will tee up at 8.30am (1.30pm UK time) in the company of the Americans John Huh and Jonathan Byrd.