Armlock...where to start?

[alj92]

Well, it is a last ditch effort for me. After hitting 14 greens in regulation and shooting 85 last weekend, I went into the store and bought the only left handed armlock in stock (rational decision). I have just had enough. I spend so much time working on my game, strike it so well and then am as inconsistent as a first timer on the greens. What makes matters worse is growing up it was by far the strength of my game. I have completely lost it. 

 

So with that, I ask for advice. Where do I start? What is going to be the biggest learning hurdle? What do I start working on? 

 

The only meaningful video I have found online is with Bryson and Berkshire. Has anyone made the transition on here out of frustration? Is there light at the end of the tunnel? 

[skraly]

I can’t believe you found a LH armlock putter at a store.  I’ve only seen lefty ones for sale on line.  As to where to start, I don’t think anyone can really say for sure.  Probably the best start is to try and find a comfortable putting grip and stance.  That’s something I never accomplished with an armlock putter.  Once you achieve that,  just practice.

[Sfd732]

I have been struggling terribly as well. I went armlock last year, putted quite well. This year is just bad. I have tried going back to traditional and that has not been any better. Last year I was putting armlock with a claw bottom hand, it was automatic within 10 feet. This year I have been missing 3 footers. 
 

So tonight I went and searched for Bryson putting info and ended up the same place you did with the Berkshire video. I feel like there is some good info in there. However there are a couple things that may be different for you, they def are for me. Firstly Bryson uses a very steep shaft lie angle 78*. Most off the rack arm locks unless you have a sik have a much flatter lie angle (betti 71, oddy 72, sik 78). I feel like due to this it is harder to get that straight back straight thru like they show along the board. 
 

I however did pay close attention to how he grips his putter and his talk about being on both sides of the life line. I also started pre gripping with both hands in a traditional overlap to force consistency and then did the push pull to force the putter into armlock once I was setup in the correct position like they show in the video. I was putting decent on my mat, but we will see what tomorrow brings to the course.

 

I have found my biggest issues with arm lock are long putts like greater than 30ft, steep uphill putts, and anything from the fringe. For some reason when I am trying to make a putt that requires a longer back swing I have a tendency to hit the ground behind the ball, which obviously leaves the putt quite short. 
 

Good luck in your quest, I am right there with ya.

 

 

[Santiago Golf]

I no longer arm lock but I did for 3 years 

 

When I switched to arm lock ... I was already putting better than my skill level (somewhere between an 8 and 12 handicap) 

 

It made me a better putter for a period 

 

I say start by playing around with ball position 

 

find a straight and flat putt from about 4 to 6 feet ... hit putts from middle, mid front, and front ball positions 

 

figure out which is best 

 

I never found super long putts to be difficult ... partly because I was very confident and relaxed while putting with the armlock 

 

 

[jpbova]

I made the switch recently.  OP, I was in the same boat as you. Hitting 11 fairways and 12 greens. Shooting mid 80s with 38 putts. I was a terrible lag putter anyways so I bought a cheap big 7 and put a flatso on it. With armlock, it took a long time to find an arm position and shoulder position I liked. I settled on something between Bryson and Bradley. I developed my own grip.  So far, I love it.  When I go back to a normal putter, it feels like a limp noodle. It’s so easy to deliver the club face square every time with armlock. 
 

@Santiago Golf makes a really good point. You have to play with ball position.  Changes in ball position drastically effect the way the ball comes off the face

[Alan_Tom]

If you have an old putter preferably one with a heavier head weight around 375-400g you could convert it into an armlock putter. I have concerted 2 putters now into armlocks. I kind of have an illness it’s my new hobby. You could also go to your local play it again sports and find an old belly putter or long putter to convert. Just take the putter to your local shop ask for the loft and lie to be adjusted. 
 

As far as the 2 different styles of armlock putting IE the Bryson style super upright and locked out and the kuchar more of the standard setup. I have found the kuchar suits me best. I went and got fit for a sik armlock putter with a lie angle of 80. No matter how much I practiced I couldn’t get used to it. I naturally have a moderate to strong arcing putting stroke. Being so upright calls for a straight back and through stroke which felt uncomfortable to me. 
 

Once you start rolling the ball end over end consistently on your start line your confidence will build. The only thing you’ll need to get used too is is never having your eyes directly over the ball again due to the severe forward press in the putter shaft resting against your front forearm. Armlock putting in my eyes is a game changer. I will never go back to conventional unless they ban it lol. 

[shaolingolfer]

I just purchased Odyssey 2 balls armlock but it was fitted at the PGA Superstore.  He made it more upright and 1 degree less loft and help me to determine the ball position more to the front foot. 

 

One thing it is really important is to after you set up, make sure you lean your grip firmly into your lead arm.  That really help me.

[Belltower]

On 5/3/2021 at 8:14 PM, alj92 said:

Well, it is a last ditch effort for me. After hitting 14 greens in regulation and shooting 85 last weekend, I went into the store and bought the only left handed armlock in stock (rational decision). I have just had enough. I spend so much time working on my game, strike it so well and then am as inconsistent as a first timer on the greens. What makes matters worse is growing up it was by far the strength of my game. I have completely lost it. 

 

So with that, I ask for advice. Where do I start? What is going to be the biggest learning hurdle? What do I start working on? 

 

The only meaningful video I have found online is with Bryson and Berkshire. Has anyone made the transition on here out of frustration? Is there light at the end of the tunnel? 

 

What are your biggest issues on the greens? Unreliable speed? Hitting them offline? Misreading? All of the above?