(AP) -- Golf is proposing to ban the putting stroke used by three of the last five major champions.
The sport's ruling bodies announced a new rule Wednesday that would make it illegal to anchor the club in making a stroke.
The proposed rule is aimed at belly putters and long putters that are pressed against the body. Keegan Bradley was the first player to win a major with the belly putter at the 2011 PGA Championship.
Webb Simpson and Ernie Els used belly putters to win majors this year.
Officials say the golf stroke should be a free swing, and anchoring a club eliminates part of the skill.
The rule would apply to golfers at every level.
It would not take effect until 2016.
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