The Royal & Ancient Club and US Golf Association have proposed to outlaw the anchoring of long-handled putters to the body from 2016.

According to the ruling, players would be banned from 'anchoring any strokes' from their chest or midriff, a proposition that has been backed by world number one Rory McIlroy.

A three-month consultation is planned to take place during which players and manufacturers can offer their opinion.

"Our concern is that anchored strokes threaten to supplant traditional putting strokes," said R&A chief executive Peter Dawson.

"If you anchor one end of the putter to your body, it is taking away one of those frailties. The majority of golfers will understand why we have done this.

"There will be some players whose careers have become dependent on the anchored putting stroke. They do have three years to find another method if the rule change is confirmed."

Three of the last five majors have been won by players using long putters.