Is THIS The Future Of Putting? Arm Lock Method Tested | Golf Monthly

[@seancoxe3577]

I looked at armlock putters for a long while (putting yips), but I couldn't bring myself to spend the 200-300 dollars companies like Bettinardi and Odyssey wanted. While browsing Play It Again Sports one day, I found a Boccieri K3B mid-weight belly putter for $19. It looked as if it'd never been used. I asked the clerk, "Why so cheap?" He said no one was buying belly-putters anymore since the USGA/R&A ruling. I bought it anyway. I took it to the local PGA Superstore and the tech there bent it to 8* loft and 71* lie FOR FREE! So for $19 I had a first-rate armlock putter. It's eliminated the yips entirely.

[@winstonsmith11]

You did it right.

[@TitleistGuy]

Been using arm lock for 3 years ... Best decision ever made.

[@FratterKnox]

I’ll be honest, I’ve tried this a couple of times in my last few outings and it definitely feels like there’s potential here. I’ll be keeping at it. To those wondering about if this is too close to anchoring, I personally feel like this method keeps the same putting motion, without adding external leverage from the body. Over the years, we’ve seen a lot of variation among different grip styles & hand placement, this just takes that to the extreme; as opposed to a club-designed advantage that uses leverage from the torso to provide additional control over the stroke.

[@josephdeprizio3352]

Best arm length putting video I've found. I just got a Sik 41in and I am struggling with how to hold it. You gave me many options to try and made me feel more confident. Thank you

[@erichansen3641]

I tried the arm lock putting method yesterday and thought I created the method. It just occurred to me to try it. My putter, Acushnet BULLSEYE, is already very short, 33 inches, and I have a thin short Karma grip on it. I bend way over and grip the club bare shaft with my left hand and grip the bottom of the grip with my right hand. This forms a Y shape with a straight right arm. I use the left hand to push the putter grip into my right forearm to brace it (arm lock it). This works very well on left-handed putts to 10 feet. For right-handed putts to 75 feet where I need more power I use a standard cross-handed grip, no arm lock, with left hand low and right hand high. I have thought about kneeling to putt on the 10 footers or less, so I don't have to bend over so far to putt standing using the arm lock method.

[@brentthompson5235]

Started playing at 58 and did this method but locking shaft in my right arm as I’m right handed and locking legs straight. Works well for me

[@martyblack9582]

I've been using the armlock for the last two years and have seen steady improvement. I was never a great putter and tried just about every method known; standard putters w/ standard grip, left-hand low, claw, long (like Bernard Langer), belly, side-saddle, etc but this is the best method that I have found. It is easier to have a smooth sweeping stoke with the armlock. I'm 6' tall and use a 40" PING Sigma G. I'm 62 yr and have a 4.2 handicap. Since I only hit my driver about 240 yds I really need to putt well to shoot in the low to mid 70's.

[@seancoxe3577]

I started using armlock putting a couple months ago, It still feels like a kind of crutch, and I can't figure out why the USGA/R&A are ok with this and not other forms of anchoring (which only really helped amateurs and pros in the throes of the yips). But I can't argue with the results. My putting is 100% better. The hardest part was getting a feel for distance on lag putts.

[@8dragonsx]

If you are still interested in this putter you might like to watch the KZbin video on putting by John Schlee. This video is old - Mr Schlee passed away 20 years ago - but what he teaches in the video presages the technique used today by Matt Kuchar with the Armlock putter. You might also look at some KZbin videos on the Bio-Mech AccuLock putter for ideas on how to use such a putter (similar to the PXG prototype tried by Charl Schwartzl)

[@patmonahan1]

I use the reverse arm lock. I steady the club with my forward hand and I lock it in with my trail arm. The trail arm does all the work. I just need a longer putter. Maybe 45 inches with two grips.

[@joncaju]

Watchig DeChambeau winning the 2020 US Open in decisive fashion brought me here

[@francisswift1624]

I normally right hand high and just added arm lock recently as part of my grip and its been awesome!

[@warrendriscoll9220]

Great seeing your lesson because since getting back to golf 10 months ago after my accident I can only use my left arm as my right one is now unusable, I use this system but not as low as your my rests halfway up my arm, will now have a go like yours, thanks Warren

[@paulspencer6338]

Returned to golf four months ago and picked one up to test. Much more accurate target distance and direction.

[@clincher16]

Just bought one Just tried it on the golf range putting green... Like it alot... Tried various grips... Not sure which I'll go with on the course

[@randyunderwood2894]

i think i would love this as it is the style of stroke i use with my 33in putter. not sure how the would translate to the length of this style putter...but anyway... did you ever try the left hand low? or playing the ball more off your left toes?

[@frankhernandez6883]

yes, i would get one. Makes sense to me on having a more steady platform to putt

[@martynmantack4026]

I’m getting measured for a sik armlock Saturday

[@russelllowry1061]

I am a plus 2 handicap, but i fight the yips. i am looking for anything. I will give this a try. Have tried the long putter, hated it. Maybe arm lock is the answer.

[@tommybraaten8827]

How’s it been going. Thinking of switching.

[@russelllowry1061]

@@tommybraaten8827 i tried the arm lock, didn't like it. I am having a bit of success putting cross handed, and have really been working hard on alignment. I found out that I was aiming well right of my correct line and my feet ,shoulders, and hips were all aimed right. Have started placing the line on my ball on the correct line and it is helping , but gonna take awhile to trust the new line.

[@rileysawyer5226]

I'm 5.11 what size putter would you recommend for my height in the arm lock putter

[@beatzzz01]

40". I have the guide in front of me. If your over 6' then 42

[@scottwalker3822]

Tristan where would you recommend a fitting in the 🇬🇧? Based in the Northwest. I

[@CBFREE]

You should try it on a hard floor to see where the optimum point is for squaring the face. I think you had it too far back towards middle. If you try on a wood floor too far back makes the face pop open. Probably just inside left foot the best position. Experiment with distance out from body too ... preferable in front of a mirror. Keep elbows tucked into sides and rotate. Bettinardi putters feel great off the face.

[@dreamjackson5483]

I've tried it and I like it. Feels like it should be illegal though. Anchoring it doesn't feel honourable.

[@FratterKnox]

I agree that body anchoring changes the dynamics of putting to a degree that feels wrong. That said, I tried this a couple of times and agree that I do like it, we shall see if I still feel good about it a month or so from now. While I personally have always thought belly/chest (even brooms) putters changed the “natural stroke” too drastically for me personally, however I don’t feel the same way about this style of stroke as it doesn’t completely change the putting dynamics. It also doesn’t provide quite the same raw advantage as belly putters imo.

[@MarkBTWOSRS]

you can't "anchor" to a moving body part

[@8dragonsx]

Loved this video. If you are still interested in this putter I suggest that you watch the KZbin putting video by John Schlee. This video is old - Mr Schlee passed away 20 years ago - yet what he shows in this video presages Kuchar’s technique for the armlock putter

[@dbvfx8628]

This is a great method for using a dual balance putter. I've never putted better and true to my line.

[@ronramos6819]

I saw Johnny Miller using one of these in 1985.

[@georgetingley]

Can’t even brush teeth with my left hand; right hand thumb and forefinger for touch to get speed right. This is too mechanical; but if you have the yips, this might work for you.

[@MARCELO2756]

I might try this style, since I do have problems in putting.

[@aartvdmolen]

Any Bettinardi advice how to use it ?

[@MP60]

The grass on that green looks like it belongs on the fairway!

[@muffin0079]

Will help on the short putts for sure I think. Just not many places to get fit for this type of putter and not many manufacturers offering armlock putters at present

[@Sansfaim]

I wanted to try this method 12 months ago, and in spite of several manufacturers making the putters, I couldn’t find one single stockiest in the Uk. I finished giving up and went to the claw.

[@johnkraus5454]

I wonder why they don't design an arm lock putter to be "locked' or "braced" with your dominant hand or trail hand?

[@RecklessRusty]

Good call Kuchar switched to right arm lock this season!

[@TheGrouchDnD]

Those are all in gimme range? You've got some generous buddies.

[@SurfinCowboy5615]

“All gimme range” then he proceeds to miss 4 out of the 5 from “gimme” range 🤷‍♂️

[@BenChoe-kx6wj]

more comfortable grip method: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWW9i5WogrCUa6M

[@aartvdmolen]

Why not use the right hand high to stabilize the butt of grip to forearm relation ?

[@davebuck3944]

Webb Simpson used his right high at the top of grip to clamp it against his forearm for a while. He abandoned that method and moved his right hand beneath his left using a pencil grip. That's the way he now putts.

[@macklangen9000]

arm lock is for people who cant putt ! LOL

[@darrenfowler3346]

Have you thought of using a left hand putter which would mean you are using your dominant arm?

[@muffin0079]

Maybe a left handed armlock putter would be better for a right handed golfer if the trail hand doesn’t do much 🤔

[@vstabill36]

Speaking of anchoring...

[@markhuru]

The arm lock is bracing.

[@kevinmochan3607]

Controversial, I cant see the difference between anchoring from the tummy or the arm

[@TheZombieeeeeee]

you're right but the difference is arm locking isn't illegal.....yet. who knows if it'll be banned lol. right now it isn't and the tummy anchor putts are.

[@ronfreeman9385]

All clubs should only be held in your hands, golf it's a pugilist sport let's keep it that way

[@swingeasyguy]

different strokes...as they say. I believe this will be a fad. I see lack of freedom in the natural stroke...but as I said whatever works...It's not for me, I'm old school and a great putter.

[@billmalec]

So anchoring on the arm ok but barely touching the end of the grip to your chest is bad. 🙄🤷🤦 Even the name is 'arm.lock.'

[@markhuru]

This should be all golfers new protest, once and for all ban any putter longer than a mans waist. I’ve experienced this for years, guys show up and beat me by a few strokes who clearly make more putts, my old golf partner putted like a god using a broom, went to short became useless, my best putting ever was using a belly putter, hated the extra weight got rid of it. I’m sorry but the facts are clear. This is the real problem, it forces all golfers who see this who want an advantage on the greens to copy these cheats...

[@ronfreeman9385]

Anchoring the putter on your forearm its cheating there is no other word for it

[@PedanticHunt]

Only for people who cannot putt and have no ability to take a lesson.

[@Seve007]

Like the tour pros?

[@iannonhebel677]

Let's see you use your own method in comparison - this is stupid.