How to Master the Arm Lock Putting Technique

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Short Game Mastery

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Quick Answer

• Lock the putter grip firmly against your lead forearm.
• Ensure a consistent, stable connection between that forearm and the putter throughout your swing.
• Drive your putting stroke using your shoulders in a pendulum motion.

Who This Is For

• Golfers who crave a more stable, repeatable putting stroke, especially on those tricky short putts.
• Players wrestling with the dreaded “yips” or struggling to keep their putter face square through impact.

What to Check First for Arm Lock Putting

• Putter Length is Key: Before you even think about gripping, check your putter’s length. For arm lock, you’re generally looking at putters in the 37-to-40-inch range. Anything too short or too long will make it tough to get that crucial forearm connection right. It’s like trying to use a shovel that’s too short – just awkward.
• Grip Suitability: Does your grip lend itself to arm lock? While you can adapt some standard grips, many arm lock putters come with thicker, flatter grips. These are designed to sit nicely against the forearm and make it easier to maintain that locked feeling.
• Forearm Contact Zone: Get your setup dialed in. The putter grip should rest comfortably and securely against the inside of your lead forearm, usually just below the elbow. It shouldn’t feel like it’s digging in or about to slip off. It’s a sweet spot you’re looking for.
• Putter Face Angle at Address: With the arm lock setup, pay attention to how the putter face sits on the ground. It should ideally be square to your target line. If the grip pressing against your arm causes it to sit open or closed, you might need to adjust your setup or check your putter’s lie angle.

Step-by-Step Plan: How to Arm Lock Putt

1. High Hand Placement: Start by gripping the putter with your lead hand. Slide that hand way up the grip, almost to the butt end. This is the foundation of the arm lock technique.

• What to look for: Your lead hand should be positioned so the grip extends up your forearm when you set up.
• Mistake to avoid: Gripping too low on the shaft. This significantly reduces the stability the arm lock is designed to provide and can lead to unwanted wrist action.

2. Trail Hand Integration: Now, bring your trail hand down to grip the putter below your lead hand. Keep it in a conventional putting grip. The goal here is for your hands to feel connected, like a single unit, but remember, the lead hand’s connection to your forearm is the dominant feature.

• What to look for: Your hands should feel like they’re working together, with the lead hand firmly anchored to your arm.
• Mistake to avoid: Trying to create too much separation between your hands. This can disconnect the intended arm-to-putter connection and lead to a less stable stroke.

3. Secure Forearm Connection: This is the moment of truth. Position the putter grip against the inside of your lead forearm. Aim for a spot just below your elbow. It needs to feel secure, like it’s an extension of your arm, but not so tight that you can’t move freely.

• What to look for: A solid, consistent contact point between the grip and your forearm that doesn’t shift during the stroke.
• Mistake to avoid: Squeezing the grip too hard against your arm. This will restrict the natural pendulum motion and can make your stroke feel tense and jerky.

4. Shoulder-Driven Pendulum: With the putter now locked to your forearm, your primary engine for the stroke should be your shoulders. Think of it as a pendulum swinging from your shoulders. This motion helps keep the putter face square through the impact zone.

• What to look for: A smooth, rocking motion initiated by your upper body, with minimal independent movement from your wrists or arms.
• Mistake to avoid: Trying to manipulate the putter head with your wrists or forearms. The whole point of the arm lock is to minimize that kind of independent hand and wrist action.

5. Consistent Setup and Stroke: Adopt your normal putting stance, but with the arm lock setup in place. Ensure your eyes are positioned over the ball, and your posture is comfortable. Execute your stroke using that shoulder-driven pendulum motion.

• What to look for: A repeatable setup routine and a smooth, consistent stroke that feels natural and controlled.
• Mistake to avoid: Drastically changing your overall stance or posture. The arm lock is an adaptation, not a complete overhaul of your putting fundamentals.

6. Pacing the Stroke: Focus on the rhythm of your stroke. A common tempo is to take the putter back slightly shorter than the follow-through, or a 1:2 ratio (backswing length to downswing length). This helps ensure you’re not decelerating into the ball.

• What to look for: A smooth acceleration through the ball, with the putter head releasing naturally.
• Mistake to avoid: Decelerating on the downswing. This is a killer for distance control and often leads to pushing or pulling putts.

7. Practice Makes Perfect: Like any new technique, the arm lock method requires practice. Spend time on the putting green, working on short, medium, and long putts. Get a feel for how the connection affects your stroke.

• What to look for: Increasing confidence and consistency in your stroke over time.
• Mistake to avoid: Giving up too soon. It takes time to retrain your stroke and build muscle memory.

Common Mistakes in Arm Lock Putting

• Gripping Too Low on the Putter — Why it matters: This is probably the most common error. If your lead hand isn’t high enough on the grip, you don’t get the full benefit of the stability the arm lock provides. It makes the connection less secure and can lead to wrist breakdown. — Fix: Slide your lead hand higher up the grip, ensuring it extends comfortably up your forearm.
• Excessive Wrist Action — Why it matters: This completely defeats the purpose of the arm lock grip. The technique is designed to minimize wrist hinge and promote a shoulder-driven stroke. If you’re still flicking your wrists, you’re likely to get the yips back. — Fix: Consciously focus on keeping your wrists firm and allowing your shoulders to lead the pendulum motion. Imagine your wrists are glued together.
• Pressing Too Hard Against the Forearm — Why it matters: While you need a secure connection, jamming the grip into your forearm too tightly will restrict the natural pendulum motion. This can lead to a jerky stroke and loss of feel. — Fix: Maintain a firm but not tense connection. It should feel stable, like an extension of your arm, but allow for smooth rotation.
• Using the Wrong Putter Length — Why it matters: A putter that’s too short won’t allow for proper forearm contact, and one that’s too long can feel unwieldy. The correct length is crucial for achieving the intended stable setup and stroke. — Fix: Verify your putter length. If it’s not suited for arm lock, consider getting it extended or looking for a dedicated arm lock putter, typically in the 37-40 inch range.
• Ignoring the Grip’s Role — Why it matters: A grip that’s too thin or slippery can make it difficult to maintain that crucial connection with your forearm. It can lead to slippage or require you to grip tighter, causing tension. — Fix: Consider using a thicker, flatter grip designed for arm lock putting. These grips offer a more stable platform against your arm.
• Inconsistent Setup Routine — Why it matters: If your setup changes from putt to putt, your stroke will inevitably be inconsistent. The arm lock method relies on a repeatable position to deliver a repeatable stroke. — Fix: Develop a clear and consistent pre-putt routine that ensures the putter grip is always in the same place on your lead forearm and your body is aligned correctly.
• Over-Reliance on the Connection — Why it matters: While the connection is key, you still need to feel the putter head. Relying only on the locked forearm without any sense of the clubhead can lead to a disconnected feel and poor distance control. — Fix: Focus on the pendulum motion, but also maintain a subtle awareness of the putter head’s movement through the stroke. It’s a balance between stability and feel.

FAQ

• What is the ideal putter length for arm lock putting?

Generally, arm lock putters range from 37 to 40 inches. The exact length depends on your height and how you position the grip on your forearm. A longer shaft allows the grip to rest higher on your lead forearm, which is the core of the technique.

• How do I ensure I’m not illegally anchoring the putter?

The key rule is that the putter grip must remain in contact with your lead forearm throughout the entire stroke, from takeaway to follow-through. You cannot press it against your body and hold it immobile without movement. The stroke motion should come from your shoulders and upper body, not by anchoring the club.

• Can the arm lock putting technique help with the yips?

Absolutely. Many golfers find that the arm lock method is a fantastic way to combat the yips. By reducing the reliance on hands and wrists, and promoting a more stable, shoulder-driven pendulum stroke, it minimizes the opportunities for those twitchy, inconsistent movements to occur.

• Do I need a special arm lock putter, or can I modify my current one?

You don’t necessarily need a brand-new arm lock putter. Many golfers successfully modify their existing putters by extending the shaft and using a thicker grip. However, dedicated arm lock putters are designed specifically for this technique and often offer a more optimal setup right out of the box.

• How should my lead forearm feel during the arm lock stroke?

It should feel connected and stable, almost like an extension of the putter itself. It’s a firm connection, but it shouldn’t be tense or rigid. You want enough stability to prevent unwanted wrist action, but enough freedom to allow for a smooth, pendulum motion driven by your shoulders.

• What’s the difference between arm lock and other “stabilizing” putting techniques like the claw grip or broomstick putter?

While all these methods aim for more stability, they achieve it differently. The claw grip reduces wrist action by altering hand placement. A broomstick putter (long putter anchored under the chin or chest) uses a different anchoring point. Arm lock specifically uses the lead forearm as the anchor point, promoting a shoulder-driven pendulum and significantly reducing independent hand and wrist movement.

• Is there a specific arc or path the putter should take with the arm lock technique?

With the arm lock, the goal is generally a more neutral or slightly arcing path, driven by the shoulders. Because the club is essentially locked to your forearm, the path tends to be more consistent. Focus on a smooth pendulum motion, and the path will naturally become more repeatable. Avoid trying to force an overly in-to-out or out-to-in stroke.