Armlock Putting: Should you give it a try?

Do you want extra confidence on the greens? If that’s the case, you would possibly need to check out arm lock placing – a special sort of grip and magnificence than you’re probably used to seeing on the golf course.

Golf is a difficult sport however one facet that’s not like the complete swing is placing. As Ben Hogan as soon as mentioned, “There is no such thing as a similarity between golf and placing; they’re two totally different video games, one performed within the air, and the opposite on the bottom.”  

Ben Hogan appeared to nearly despise how arduous placing was – nearly prefer it was beneath him. As a result of as you understand, it’s potential to be an awesome ball striker and never such a superb putter. 

So if you happen to need assistance with the flat stick, we need to current a brand new different with arm lock placing. 

Arm Lock Placing 101

So, what’s arm lock placing? Is it like anchoring to your lead forearm? 

Type of… however it’s really authorized in golf (not like anchoring a stomach putter). 

Right here’s how a fitter from 2nd Swing Golf described this methodology. “Basically your arm is type of locked up on the membership. So long as it’s under your elbow and never pushed up towards your stomach it’s authorized.” 

The fitter from 2nd Swing Golf additionally mentions that one of many greatest advantages is that it’s simpler to make use of for consistency vs. a standard putter. He famous that even when he doesn’t play for a month or two, he has a greater really feel from the longer, arm lock fashion.

It’s fairly easy in that the putter rests on the decrease a part of your left forearm. There isn’t some other large change it is advisable to make when it comes to setup to make use of an arm lock however as we’ll focus on, it may possibly change your placing movement. 

Key Takeaways

• Arm lock placing is drastically totally different from a traditional placing movement because the membership is longer and touching your arm. 
• Whereas anchoring is banned in golf – arm lock placing is comparable and a few folks within the recreation suppose it ought to be banned. 
• Arm lock placing requires you to purchase a brand new putter/and or grip and would possibly change your placing movement totally.

Hold studying to be taught extra about this distinctive placing fashion and see if it’s well worth the change. 

Arm Lock Putter

The largest distinction between a typical putter and arm lock is the putter size.

Clearly most putters are held in your palms and don’t contact your left arm in any respect. Conventional putters are sometimes 33–36 inches (normally 34 or 35) for males. 

However arm lock putters are for much longer and normally nearer to 40–42 inches relying on the make and mannequin. These putters require an extended shaft, extra offset, and much more putter loft. In reality, most putters have 2-4 levels of loft whereas most of these putters have practically twice as a lot loft.

Arm lock putters are additionally a lot heavier than a standard putter head too. They’re sometimes about 400 grams whole which is able to really feel like a brick for some sort of golfers who’ve used a lighter putter earlier than.

Evidently, you may’t simply simply convert your present putter into an arm lock putter. For those who’re able to go all in on this placing fashion it may be a good suggestion to do a customized putter becoming. This will make sure the specs of the putter – head, loft, grip – all set you up for achievement on the greens. 

We’ll focus on just a few of our favourite arm lock putters under if you happen to determine it’s best for you. 

How Arm Lock Placing Fashion Adjustments Your Placing

Since an arm lock putter is longer it’s going to change your stroke – which is why we recommend pondering it out earlier than making the change. For the reason that putter is held towards your arm, it makes your shoulders play an even bigger position and have a extra pendulum like movement. For this reason some golf coaches counsel this placing fashion because it nearly eliminates the wrist totally. 

Bryson DeChambeau is the right instance of this as he’s very upright with straight arms all through his placing movement. Paired along with his single size irons, he’s removed from conventional relating to gear. 

One other good thing about the arm lock placing fashion is that individuals who have switched love the accuracy issue. To make putts you solely want two issues – correct pace and intention. However numerous on a regular basis beginner golfers battle with quick putts, particularly getting the ball began on the proper line.

Arm lock placing makes it simpler to get putts began on the proper line as a result of heavy design. For brief putts inside 5–6 toes, this can be a big win since you don’t want a lot break on these putts.

Sadly numerous golfers battle from quick vary from overly energetic wrists in thier placing stroke. This shouldn’t be a problem with an arm lock putter.

Ahead press 

One of many greatest parts of placing is a ahead press movement. We’ve talked about it extensively (learn the complete article right here) as so many golfers – each execs and amateurs – use this methodology. 

The ahead press is straightforward – your palms begin barely forward of the putter face to start the putter stroke. It’s useful for lots of golfers (together with Phil Mickelson and Jordan Speith) to provoke the beginning of the stroke. 

However how does it consider with arm lock fashion? Can (or ought to) you ahead press? 

In the end, it is determined by the kind of putter you select. As talked about, some have numerous loft and would require ahead press because the ball will bounce an excessive amount of if the dynamic loft is used. 

Nonetheless, different putters just like the “BEWICK’D” sequence advise towards a ahead press. As famous on their web site, “The grip accounts for the additional enhance within the loft from locking it towards your forearm and negating the “de-lofting” that happens once you lock it towards your forearm. The putter and grip ought to be nearly straight up and down (or barely ahead based mostly on private desire) with you wanting straight down the grip and the shaft.” 

Cons of Arm Lock Placing 

There are actually loads of execs to the sort of placing however don’t go switching simply but. As Luke Kerr-Dineen mentioned in Golf.com, it’s not at all times a straightforward transition.

“My preliminary change to arm-locking was extremely messy. To say I putted awfully is an understatement. It was atrocious. I putted so poorly that I really threw away the primary arm-lock putter I ever had at a fuel station on my means again from the course. True story.”

Switching sure components of the sport – like grip or putter fashion – can take some time to really feel snug. Evidently, it’s not the perfect thought to make this change main right into a member visitor or different sort of aggressive occasion. As a substitute, make it in the course of the off season when you’ve loads of time to grind out placing follow. 

One other situation with this fashion of placing is that it practically removes the wrist totally. Whereas an excessive amount of wrist motion isn’t good within the swing, some is required. Arm lock could make all the placing movement really feel too robotic and never as free flowing for some gamers. 

Lastly, the final draw back is that you’ll want to purchase a brand new putter as effectively. You possibly can’t merely change the grip to make it proper to your new placing movement. 

Greatest Arm Lock Putters

Listed here are a few of our favourite picks if you happen to’re seeking to make the change. 

• TaylorMade Spider GTX: Availalbe in 40 or 42 inches and formed for stability above all else. To not point out a glossy design with excessive MOI development.
• Oyssey Arm Lock Putter -2Ball: A traditional two ball form with an extended shaft (40 or 42 inches) and 7-degrees of loft so it may possibly relaxation in your left arm with ease.

FAQs About Armlock Placing Stroke

Do you’ve extra questions on placing so it can save you strokes each spherical? If that’s the case, maintain studying to be taught extra now.

Do you have to lock your arms when placing?

Perhaps – this fashion of placing has been adopted by various professionals together with Bryson DeChambeau. However not like different developments within the golf world, not as many amateurs have given it a attempt as you want a brand new putter. Another excuse is that it’s a steep studying curve because it does change your total placing movement.

That being mentioned – this fashion will help your recreation however wouldn’t counsel it until you’re needing one thing new. Don’t attempt to repair one thing in your golf recreation that isn’t damaged. 

What’s an armlock in placing?

Arm lock placing is a singular approach to grip the membership in hopes of creating a extra constant placing movement. It’s a giant change from a standard, claw, or cross handed grip. 

It’s just like anchoring however there isn’t any “anchor level” so it doesn’t break any guidelines of golf based on the USGA.

What number of execs use the arm lock putter?

There are a selection of huge names utilizing the sort of putter fashion together with Matt Kuchar, Bryson DeChambeau, and others. 

Can I flip my putter into an armlock?

Generally, no you’ll want to purchase a customized putter as they’re a lot totally different from customary putters. Arm lock putters are longer, heavier, and have extra loft than a typical putter. 

Is wrist lock placing authorized? 

Sure, that is authorized. In reality, SuperStroke (who makes among the finest putter grips) even have their very own “Wrist Lock Putter Grip fashion. 

What’s the finest placing grip?

For those who aren’t prepared for an arm lock placing grip be sure to take a look at placing grip encyclopedia right here.

My Expertise 

Because the Ben Hogan quote above-mentioned – placing is advanced. It’s nothing like the complete swing and confidence will be gained rapidly… however misplaced simply as rapidly. Relating to success on the placing inexperienced, I counsel discovering a way that works for you and keep it up. 

Whether or not that’s cross-hand, conventional, or arm-lock. To not point out don’t change out putters that always both. Discover a inexperienced studying system – just like the Look and Shoot or AimPoint – and keep it up. Solely make a change in gear or routines if you happen to’re in an enormous placing stoop and may’t appear to interrupt out of it.

Personally, I haven’t tried this methodology but however do have a good friend who loves the arm lock placing stroke. Do what works finest for you!  

Remaining Ideas on Armlock Placing

An arm lock grip and putter head will help take away extra wrist motion and hopefully drain extra putts. However the arm lock placing methodology isn’t for each sort of golfer however it may possibly have a big effect in your recreation. Bear in mind, there are numerous methods to “roll the rock” – no standardized methodology. 

Some golfers want fats grips, others want regular dimension. Some golfers want blade putters, whereas others want mallets (and even modern-day mallets). Whereas some golfers use a standard grip, others cross-hand, and others an arm lock methodology.

All with one objective – get the ball within the gap in as few of pictures as potential. However there are some execs together with consistency and higher accuracy which ought to result in extra putts. To not point out it may possibly assist with any placing yips from overly energetic wrists and in the end make you a greater putter.