What Is An Armlock Putter?

← Golf Equipment | Golf Clubs

BLOCKQUOTE_0

Quick Answer

• An armlock putter is a golf club designed to be anchored against your forearm, not just your wrists.
• This setup stabilizes your stroke, making it more repeatable and reducing unwanted wrist action.
• Expect a longer shaft and a specialized grip to facilitate this anchoring technique.

If you’re curious about this technique, an armlock putter is specifically designed for this purpose, featuring a longer shaft and a specialized grip to facilitate anchoring against your forearm.

No products found.

Who This Is For

• Golfers who struggle with inconsistent putting strokes due to excessive wrist movement or a lack of stability.
• Players looking for a more repeatable and confident putting motion, especially on those tricky short putts.

What to Check First for Armlock Putters

• Shaft Length: This is critical. It needs to be long enough for the grip to rest comfortably 1-2 inches below your lead elbow when you’re set up. Too short, and it won’t anchor right. Too long, and it feels awkward.
• Grip Design: Armlock putters use a specific, often thicker, grip. Ensure it’s designed for this purpose and feels good against your forearm. A standard grip just won’t cut it.
• Lie Angle: This is huge. When you set up, the sole of the putter needs to sit flush on the ground. If it’s too upright or too flat, you’ll be aiming incorrectly. Get this checked and adjusted.
• Putter Head Weight: Many armlock putters have slightly heavier heads. This can help provide a more stable pendulum motion, but it’s a feel thing. What feels right for you?

Understanding Armlock Putters for a Better Stroke

Alright, let’s talk armlock putters. If you’ve ever watched a pro and thought, “Man, their stroke looks so smooth,” there’s a good chance they’ve dialed in something that eliminates the jerky wrist action. That’s where the armlock comes in. It’s not just a gimmick; it’s a smart piece of equipment designed to give you a more stable, pendulum-like stroke. Think of it as building a more solid foundation for your putting. Instead of relying on just your hands, which can get a little wild under pressure, you’re using your larger arm and shoulder muscles more. This makes your stroke feel more connected and repeatable. It’s like the difference between trying to balance on one foot versus two. Much more stable.

Step-by-Step Plan for Using an Armlock Putter

1. Address the Ball with the Armlock Putter.

• Action: Stand over the ball as you normally would, but position the putter so the butt end of the grip makes contact with your lead forearm.
• What to look for: The grip should rest firmly against your forearm, about 1 to 2 inches below your lead elbow. It should feel secure, like it’s locked in place, but not so tight that it’s uncomfortable.
• Mistake to avoid: Letting the grip slide too high, almost touching your elbow, or too low, leaving a significant gap. This position is key to the stability armlock provides.

2. Establish Your Hand Grip.

• Action: Place your hands on the putter grip below the point where it contacts your forearm.
• What to look for: Your hands should feel connected to the anchored forearm. Grip pressure should be light and relaxed, almost like you’re holding a small bird – firm enough so it doesn’t fly away, but not so tight you crush it.
• Mistake to avoid: Squeezing the grip too hard. This restricts the natural pendulum motion and kills your feel for the clubhead and the greens.

3. Initiate the Backswing.

• Action: Begin moving the putter back away from the ball.
• What to look for: The entire unit – putter, hands, and forearm – should move together as a single, connected piece. Think of your shoulders initiating the movement, like a pendulum on a clock.
• Mistake to avoid: Any independent wrist hinge or breaking the connection between your forearm and the putter grip. This is the biggest thing armlock is designed to prevent.

4. Control the Downswing and Impact.

• Action: Move the putter head back towards the ball, aiming for solid contact.
• What to look for: Maintain that solid connection and the smooth pendulum motion. The putter face should remain square to your intended line through impact. Focus on letting the putter head release naturally.
• Mistake to avoid: Trying to “help” the ball into the hole with your hands or wrists. Avoid flicking your wrists or trying to guide the putter head. Let the momentum do the work.

5. Execute a Full Follow-Through.

• Action: Allow the putter to swing through the ball naturally after impact.
• What to look for: The pendulum motion should continue, with your shoulders guiding the stroke. The putter should finish in front of you, indicating a complete and balanced stroke.
• Mistake to avoid: Stopping the stroke abruptly right after hitting the ball or trying to lift the putter upwards. A complete follow-through is essential for a repeatable stroke.

6. Focus on Tempo and Rhythm.

• Action: Practice your stroke with a consistent tempo.
• What to look for: A smooth, unhurried backswing and downswing. The time it takes to swing back should be roughly equal to the time it takes to swing forward. This consistent rhythm is crucial for speed control.
• Mistake to avoid: Rushing the stroke or having a jerky, inconsistent tempo. This often leads to poor distance control and misread putts.

7. Practice Alignment and Feel.

• Action: Use alignment aids and practice putts of varying lengths.
• What to look for: Ensure you are setting up consistently and that the putter face is square to your target line. Develop a feel for how much you need to swing to get the ball to a certain distance.
• Mistake to avoid: Neglecting alignment practice or relying solely on the anchoring mechanism without developing proper feel for distance control.

Common Mistakes with Armlock Putters

• Grip Too High on the Forearm — Why it matters: If the grip rides too close to your elbow, it can actually encourage more wrist hinge, defeating the purpose of the armlock setup and leading to inconsistency. — Fix: Ensure the butt of the grip sits about 1-2 inches below your lead elbow. This is the sweet spot for stability.
• Gripping Too Tightly — Why it matters: A death grip kills the natural pendulum motion and robs you of feel. You need the club to swing freely. — Fix: Relax your hands. Think about holding the putter like you’re holding a baby bird – firm enough to hold on, but gentle enough not to hurt it.
• Wrist Hinge During the Stroke — Why it matters: This is the cardinal sin of armlock putting. If your wrists are breaking independently, you’re not getting the stability benefit. — Fix: Focus on keeping your wrists locked in relation to your forearm. Let your shoulders and arms drive the stroke.
• Incorrect Lie Angle — Why it matters: A putter that sits too upright or too flat will cause you to aim incorrectly. If it’s too upright, you’ll aim left; too flat, and you’ll aim right. This messes with your alignment confidence. — Fix: Take your putter to a club fitter or pro shop. They can measure and adjust the lie angle to match your setup perfectly.
• Over-Reliance on the Anchor — Why it matters: While the armlock provides a stable base, you still need to control the speed and distance of your putts. Don’t just let it swing wildly. — Fix: Practice speed drills regularly. Focus on a consistent tempo and feel for how far back to take the putter for different lengths of putts.
• Not Committing to the Stroke — Why it matters: Some players still try to “guide” the ball or manipulate it at the last second. This leads to missed putts and frustration. — Fix: Trust the armlock setup. Commit to a smooth, pendulum stroke and let the putter do its job.

FAQ

• How long is a typical armlock putter shaft?

Armlock putter shafts are generally longer than standard putters, usually ranging from 37 to 42 inches. This extra length is essential to achieve the correct anchoring position against the forearm, typically 1-2 inches below the elbow.

• Can any putter be converted into an armlock putter?

Technically, you can put an armlock grip on any putter shaft. However, for optimal performance, it’s best to use a putter designed with armlock in mind. Factors like head weight, shaft length, and lie angle are crucial and often optimized in dedicated armlock models.

While you can technically add an armlock grip to any golf putter, using a model specifically designed for armlock putting will optimize factors like head weight, shaft length, and lie angle for superior performance.

No products found.

• What is the difference between an armlock and a conventional putter?

The primary difference lies in how the club is anchored. A conventional putter relies solely on hand grip, allowing for wrist action. An armlock putter is anchored against the forearm, significantly reducing wrist movement and promoting a more stable, pendulum-like stroke driven by the shoulders and arms.

• Will an armlock putter improve my speed control?

For many golfers, the increased stability provided by an armlock putter leads to a more consistent tempo and a better feel for distance. By minimizing wrist manipulation, the stroke becomes more repeatable, which is key to controlling the speed of your putts.

• Do I need a special grip for an armlock putter?

Yes, you absolutely do. Armlock putters come with specialized grips that are typically thicker and longer than standard grips. This design helps to create a secure and comfortable anchor point against the forearm and prevents the club from rotating during the stroke.

• Is an armlock putter suitable for all golfers?

While armlock putters can benefit many golfers, they are particularly helpful for those who struggle with wrist breakdown or inconsistency in their putting stroke. It’s always a good idea to try one out and see if the feel and mechanics suit your game.

• How do I ensure proper alignment with an armlock putter?

Proper alignment is still crucial. Ensure the putter head is square to your target line at address. The anchoring against your forearm helps maintain the putter face angle throughout the stroke, but you still need to set up correctly and practice your aim. Many armlock putters have distinct alignment aids to help with this.