My Sik Armlock review (Bryson putter)

[grantc79]

So my putting has been so horrible as of late (played a local shamble and literally missed 4 putts inside 3 feet). Putting is by far the weakest point of my game as a 3.7 handicap that wants to reach scratch or better it has to improve.

 

I suffer from neck issues and lower back issues so for me practicing putting for an extended period of time is tough. I decided to take drastic action and I bought a Bryson style super upright Sik putter with the high end LAGP shaft to see if it would help.

 

I ordered the Flo after talking to the rep he said it was by far the best head especially if you are going with a longer length putter (I'm 6'4 so wanted something longer and heavier). The Flo is the radical shaped head that is a lot heavier than the head Bryson plays. The putter is 45 inches long, 80 degree lie (max upright basically), and 7 degrees of loft. 

 

The idea for me was to stand as upright as possible and have as minimal of an ARC as possible in my stroke. I figured if I was going to experiment with his style I would take it all the way and experiment with locking out my arms (max rotation both ways for right and left arm) and max uncocking of wrist at setup to get rid of as many variables as I could (video for how I learned to do this below). 

 

Off the start it feels very weird and stiff but very stable. I feel like it would be hard to mess it up as I just have less to do and much less to monitor. I have a tendency to take the putter head outside and come inside with the stroke and pull it but I believe that is not due to the setup or putter but due to my old habits I need to work out. I thought it would take a while to get used to it but it was literally less than 5 minutes to feel I could put it in play. 

I had back to back two of my best putting days ever making long par and birdie putts with a scramble I played with my son yesterday and just a general round of golf with friends today. The awesome part was I had a horrible ball striking round, bad chipping, bad everything, but I felt like I was going to make putts which is very uncommon for me. Typically I hit it well but cant make putts and when I hit it bad I putt even worse because it puts more pressure on my putting.

 

I was literally scared to death over 3 footers a couple days ago and now I feel like I'm going to start every putt on my intended line and I'm shocked when I don't. 

 

According to the rep the philosophy is to have as minimal of an arc as possible and be as much over the ball and as upright as possible. This makes shorter putters where the putter doesn't have to travel as far a lot more makeable. Logic would dictate that longer putts should be harder but honestly I feel like I start it on the appropriate line a lot more often with this stroke and heavier head so its tightening up the lag putts and those have so far improved dramatically as well. 

 

Overall I wish I would have bought this months ago and while it was a HUGE investment I have ZERO regrets on my purchase. If you have neck or back issues that prevent you from practicing or if you are a crappy putter (or both like me) I would highly recommend you give this method a shot. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bward]

I recently got a Sik armlock myself and am really pleased with it. Lag putting is still taking some adjustment, but my confidence from 15' and in is as high as it has ever been. 

[KodakkuSensei]

I'm considering getting a sik armlock, but with the LAGP shaft the price of this putter is way beyond my budget ╮(╯﹏╰）╭...Not sure how this putter feels with a kbs steel shaft and this is something that keeps me from actually pruchasing the putter (；´д｀)ゞ

[getitdaily]

What's the loft on it? How long did it take you to be "natural" and not forced with the takeaway?

[TheMoneyShot]

I have always been intrigued by this putter but I am not buying it blind without trying it first.  Definitely interested in the one with the LA golf shaft. 

[getitdaily]

1 hour ago, TheMoneyShot said:

I have always been intrigued by this putter but I am not buying it blind without trying it first.  Definitely interested in the one with the LA golf shaft. 

I may have to toy with it. I didn't even know it, but the place I get lessons AND the place I practice are both sik fitting locations...

[TheMoneyShot]

1 hour ago, getitdaily said:

I may have to toy with it. I didn't even know it, but the place I get lessons AND the place I practice are both sik fitting locations...

I’m kind of surprised that Club Champion does not have a Sik account. 

[getitdaily]

9 minutes ago, TheMoneyShot said:

I’m kind of surprised that Club Champion does not have a Sik account. 

Most of them do. 

[prouse25]

The SIK Flo has been on my radar. I have had a couple of other armlock putters over the years with relatively normal lie angles - loft in the 8 deg range. After a while , the extreme forward press caused issues for me. 
 

What is the “loft” of yours?  I know sik has the carina loft face. With the ultra upright setup, is the shaft lean more normal?

 

 

[BeyondVision]

i just got a sik flo with lagolf shaft but not the armlock.  Been intriqued about the flo for awhile so finally pulled the trigger and decided to go all out.  Figured I could always use the lagolf shaft in another putter if I wanted to.  

 

I really like the heft to it and certainly makes my putter swing smoother, particularly the take back.  Slows everything down for me.  I also got it with the jumbo max 1.2 to try and really like the grip as well.  Majority of my other putter grips are Super Stroke GTs.  

 

Messing around with it alot on the indoor putting mat and with the weight, it seems like i don't need as big of a stroke.  Want to try it out on the course but it is freezing here in Michigan...

[Kedde84]

How is it going with SIK armlock? Still just as great?

[Viper4225]

i dont have the armlock version, but the sik flo is a great head. very stable! 

[doc52]

4 hours ago, Kedde84 said:

How is it going with SIK armlock? Still just as great?

 

I'm making the switch here in the next few weeks. Will be sure to update my thoughts.

[Kedde84]

Just put in my order for a FLO armlock with LAPG shaft. Looking forward rocking the greens.

[doc52]

On 10/7/2021 at 5:48 AM, Kedde84 said:

Just put in my order for a FLO armlock with LAPG shaft. Looking forward rocking the greens.

 

What color LAGP did you go with?

[Kedde84]

Black. 
Found a sligthly used on 2swing for a steal, that where my specs.

Rated 9.5, so like new.

[TheDominator273]

37 minutes ago, Kedde84 said:

Black. 
Found a sligthly used on 2swing for a steal, that where my specs.

Rated 9.5, so like new.

FYI 9.5 rating is a new club that was traded in for one reason or another, if it's a Ping club the same goes for 9.0 rating (can't sell as new due to Ping's online selling policy)

[doc52]

1 hour ago, Kedde84 said:

Black. 
Found a sligthly used on 2swing for a steal, that where my specs.

Rated 9.5, so like new.

 

That's awesome, can't wait to hear your feedback.

[Wasmundson]

On 10/7/2021 at 8:48 AM, Kedde84 said:

Just put in my order for a FLO armlock with LAPG shaft. Looking forward rocking the greens.

How is this going? Any updated thoughts or do you still have it in the bag? 
 

thinking about taking the plunge (with your exact set up) but have never really had the chance to experience one so would be buying blind which makes me nervous for such an expensive putter. What did you find your miss was and how long until you got comfortable 

[Kedde84]

It is going really good.

Just bought it of the rack, but end of this month i am going to have it fitted - loft, lie and length.

 

Initial testing shows me, that i am never going back to a conventional putter. This ahs completely taken my shaky wrist out, so a lot more mechanic, and i like that.

[doc52]

I made the switch and I will be sticking with armlock until it gets banned. Anything 10 ft and in are money. 

 

I was fitted for my SIK, but even my fitter says I will most likely need to come in periodically and get better dialed in as I learn what works and what doesn't in my approach.