After decades of often angry discussion and three years of transition and seemingly infinite analyzation, anchoring a golf club will officially be prohibited Jan. 1.

It won’t be the end of the belly and long putters, which are often used simply for consistency because of their added weight. But they can no longer "anchor" the swing. If the putter shaft touches the body and prohibits a free swinging motion, it will be a two-shot penalty (or loss of hole in match play).

The new rule does not affect most golfers, who still use standard putters and not the 45- to 50-inch models. But the growing popularity of the longer putters, and proliferation of those who won — and won big — with them about five years ago inspired the U.S. Golf Association and Royal and Ancient Golf Club to take a fresh look at an age-old controversy in 2012.

At one point, four of five PGA Tour events were won by pros using non-traditional putters. Adam Scott switched to a long putter in February of 2011, finished second at The Masters and won the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

The same year, then-rookie Keegan Bradley became the first to win a major with a long putter. Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson have been among the many who have given it a shot in an effort to breathe life into their putting.

So is Waialae Country Club Head Pro Kevin Carll, who has played in two Sony Opens in Hawaii. Problems on the greens, Paul Azinger’s Sony win with a long putter in 2000 and Vijay Singh’s ascent to No. 1 using a belly putter encouraged Carll to pick one up.

"The belly method taught me how to properly release the putter through impact," Carll recalls. "It took quite a bit of time and patience to get the hang of it, but eventually I was able to put the ball on line much more consistently than with my traditional putter. More than anything else it served as a re-set button for my putting."

The"mainstreaming" of the long putter has been especially obvious on the Champions Tour, with Colin Montgomerie, Fred Couples and Bernhard Langer leading the way. Langer has won 25 senior events in eight-plus years on the tour, including five majors. Troubled by the "yips" even as a kid, Langer isn’t happy about the change.

"I just don’t understand," he told the Sacramento Bee at June’s U.S. Senior Open. "I’ve been using (the long putter) for 18 years, and it’s a real issue. If it’s easier, then why are we not seeing more players use it? I don’t see anyone using persimmon woods. And who is using hybrids now? Everyone."

The USGA and R&A, golf’s governing bodies, proposed the new rule — officially 14-1b — Nov. 28, 2012. It was adopted in May of 2013 after getting feedback from all over the world, especially the U.S. It will be part of the 2016 edition of the Rules of Golf.

"Having considered all of the input that we received, both before and after the proposed rule was announced, our best judgment is that Rule 14-1b is necessary to preserve one of the important traditions and challenges of the game – that the player freely swing the entire club," said USGA President Glen D. Nager two years ago. "The new rule upholds the essential nature of the traditional method of stroke and eliminates the possible advantage that anchoring provides, ensuring that players of all skill levels face the same challenge inherent in the game of golf."

The USGA offers up a 39-page "explanation" of the change in a special section of its website. It talks about everything from the mere idea of cheating in "a game that cherishes its reputation for sportsmanship" to the introduction of new rules in other sports, such as basketball’s 3-point shot. It talks about "acting now to to ensure the issue is dealt with before anchoring takes firm root around the world."

It even introduces many of us to the word "bifurcate," which means dividing something into two branches. That was apparently inspired when the PGA Tour, PGA of America, Canadian PGA and National Golf Course Owners Association initially advocated not adopting the rule.

The USGA has over three pages explaining why "Bifurcation of the Rules or the Introduction of an Anchoring Condition of Competition Would Be Counterproductive and Harmful to the Game."

In other words, it won’t consider having elite players use one rule and allowing others to ignore it. There will be no "local rules" on anchoring and scores that aren’t played under the Rules of Golf are not permitted to be posted for handicaps.

Carll reluctantly gave up his non-traditional putter last year because of the rule change. It was difficult — "like starting over again" — but lots of practice put his stroke back on track.

"For the remaining players who use an anchored stroke, it’s colossal," Carll says. "So much of this game is mental. I literally felt naked the first few rounds I played with a traditional putter."

He has convinced himself to roll with it.

"Honestly, I didn’t see a significant advantage nor did the statistics show an advantage for the players who used an anchored putter," Carll says. "I sincerely hoped the challenge of putting another putter into play would be welcomed by all, however I’m fearful we may lose some golfers as is the PGA of America. Regardless, I respect the USGA’s decision and will support it."