Arm lock!!!

[Hotdocta]

Who is using arm lock or tried it and switched back?

 

thanks in advance 

[roundersmitty]

I tried it years ago when the Bettinardi Kuchar model came out.  I didn’t find it very easy.  They have made different setups now with armlock, as well as midlock and wristlock.  I might try a variation one day that seems more user friendly to me. 

[SEP1006]

I'll be watching this thread for sure. I just switched to Armlock because in theory it just seems like it has to be easier. I will say that from 10' and in it is definitely easier for me. I'm still working on my lag putting though. From what I have read most people say this adjustment will take some time, something I am willing to work on for sure.

 

So I will definitely be interested to see why people swapped back.

[Baroo]

having done armlock a couple of suggestions:

 

if possible, get a fitting to ensure the specs match what is comfortable for you.  I have not seen anything of use related to what is the best set up for armlock putting (ie ball position, posture, etc), so i think it really comes down to what is most comfortable to ensure a consistent stroke.  having the right loft and lie angle and clublength can make a huge difference on how effective armlock method is for each individual.  i tend to push the ball a little more forward in my stance so reduce the forward press effect a little, plus i feel like it makes it easier to keep the grip tighter to my forearm during the stroke vs an extreme forward angle, but that is just me.  

 

while i am moving back to traditional, i think armlock is a super effective training tool for those who tend to use too much hands or wrist in their putting stroke.  i from time to time would practice with my armlock to refresh the feeling of keeping everything quiet.  

 

i committed to armlock for a full season, the beginning was not pretty, but by the end, i really fell super confident on anything inside 10', and long putts were not an issue, the focus was really on line and speed, which takes a lot of noise out of the putting process (at least for me).  long, lag putts or anything that required some touch/feel was a bit of a struggle at first, plus i had too little loft at delivery so was leaving a lot of putts short.

 

that said, i am contemplating going back to armlock this season since i did buy a new one (i sold my armlock a while back), thinking i would keep it around for practice, but realizing it's actually a little more fun than my shortstick.

 

 

[Haber]

I picked up an arm lock LAB DF a few months back and have been going back and forth with a couple other traditional putters but I’m committing to the arm lock from here on out. It took some adjustments and time to get comfortable.

 

First and foremost get fit! I tried a standard odyssey #7 armlock a few years ago and at 40” and 70* lie angle it was horrible for me. My virtual fitting had me at 41.5” and 76*. 
 

Tinker with grip and set up. It took me a few weeks of trial and error to get my set up just right. It took a while to get comfortable over the ball but it now feels like second nature. Don’t sleep on ball position either. With the DF I have it set up in line with my big toe on my lead foot…. Waaaay up from my regular putter. Before this I was pushing a ton of putts.

 

When it comes to the stroke it’s going to feel very awkward. With a regular putter I used to sole it and then my trigger move would be a slight lift off before taking it back like Rickie. With the arm lock I’ve settled on a slight forward press or rock forward to preset the press required. Gives me the best results. 
 

Like anything in golf it takes a lot of dedicated practice to master and I’m starting to see results after 4 months or so of dedicated practice. I’ve hit thousands of 4-5 putts on my mat at home into the puttout trainer.

 

[xGameOver]

been pondering the evnroll midlock. Curious to hear some thoughts on that and if anyone had success with the transition. 

[Dan Drake]

I armlock when I play lefty, and my whole goal with my lefty game is making the game as easy as humanly possible.  To that end, fit is extremely important, more so than a traditional putter for sure.  Additionally, making sure that you are fit for aim and not just the static measurements because when this thing is "locked," there isn't going to be nearly as much of an opportunity for your hands to "save" the face at impact.  If you aim it open or closed, that's pretty much where it is going to go.  

 

I love it for "easy" putting when I go lefty.  I read the green with my A.P.E., so no issues there.  I use a ball with a line on it, so no huge worries about aim/alignment, and like I said, its hard to hit it off-line, so that's good too.  I simply have to get speed right and I put almost as well as I do righty without much practice.  I highly recommend anyone who doesn't like putting, or just wants to push the easy button, give it a try.  

[Aucaveman]

I have and went back and forth several times. Originally bought the kuchar and then the odyssey. Never felt comfortable with either. Maybe it was because I was putting more like kuchar, bent over and left elbow bent. Tried a friends sik and he told me to lock the left arm like dechambeau. It just didn’t feel natural but I stuck with it. Eventually I built an armlock just to get comfortable with the “locked in” feel. Putting improved. Purchased a lab 2.1 armlock and I’m not looking back. For me, locking the left arm forced me to use my shoulders and not my arms. It takes the “hit “ out of the stroke. The putt has more of a roll to it. 

[Hotdocta]

Thanks so far guys.  I just do not find it comfortable.  It makes a lot of sense to me though

[Sean124]

I tried it briefly when I was struggling with shorter putts. It helped with short putts and I found that I always putted decent, but never had one of those days where the ball just wanted to go in the hole. It was like I set a limit on my potential. 
 

After much tinkering, my solution was standard length and grip, but heavier than normal. 

[Sooner1]

I've armlocked on and off for 10years but have done it more over the last few years and it's been the only way I've putted since Aug. The above posts are 100% accurate, GET FIT. Mess around with lengths until you feel comfortable. There is not a standard for how far the shaft must go up your forearm. Get as comfortable as possible then get the putter bent to fit your stroke, don't fit your stroke to the putter. It's frankly why I would go away from it, I was never fit. The LAB golf iphone camera fit is pretty accurate. There are some different theories on loft and how much you need. Spend some time talking to different putter companies. The guys at Studio B (Bettinardi) are amazing and have access to some incredible data. Most companies have reduced the offset of the putters and not more than ever it feels more normal to armlock than ever before. I have a hardtime seeing myself going back unless the USGA bans it. Best of luck out there. 

[Mudguard]

1 hour ago, Sooner1 said:

I've armlocked on and off for 10years but have done it more over the last few years and it's been the only way I've putted since Aug. The above posts are 100% accurate, GET FIT. Mess around with lengths until you feel comfortable. There is not a standard for how far the shaft must go up your forearm. 

 

There was as a good tip on here I think, get your woods out and see how close you can get to your elbow. It at least gives a good starting point. I initially used the Kuchar Bettinardi and had spectacular success the first couple of rounds but completely lost it.

I then home brewed an old dual balance Scotty Cameron to test out, and that worked ok. 

 

What I learned was that I needed the length so that putter was just shorter than the crease at my elbow. I'm using an Odyssey Arm Lock two ball that I had to buy second hand as it was impossible to get brand new. 

[mtcowdog]

2 years ago I played 1/3 of the season with a Bettinardi armlock putter. I self-fit for length holding a yardstick to my current putter. Took the standard lie angle and went 1 strong from the stock loft. The adjustment period took longer than I expected, and I loved it for short and medium putts. Very consistent. However, I struggled with distance control on longer putts.

 

And I am ready to give armlock a try again this season. I was about to order a SIK armlock, but now that they are lost in the belly of LA Golf, I am looking for other options. I would love to get fit. Getting fitted for amlock is hard enough and nearly impossible here. 

[TheDominator273]

Getting fit for armlock is essential.  Unfortunately most places aren't in a position to really do a proper armlock fitting.  The best place I've found for a fitting is at a PXG store.  Every head can be fit with their armlock hosel, and they have an adjustable length shaft to help find the length, and various weights to help dial in the correct head weight.

 

I'm not saying you need to roll with a PXG putter (although they are solid), but you will be outfitted with the proper length, head weight and putter head style that works for you and can use that in your search for the putter you do want to roll with.

 

In my experience there are two schools of thought when it comes to lie angle, you either go super upright with your lead arm locked a la Bryson, or you go around 3* upright from your traditional length putter and set up exactly as you would with a conventional putter, just with the extra length locked up your forearm.  Both have merits, however I do thing the second option is more ideal because it will actually improve your putting stroke with a conventional length putter after doing it a while because you aren't changing anything about your setup, and you've trained the wristyness out of the stroke.

 

[Hotdocta]

I hit the bullet!  Df here I come!

[zonadub]

Long-time arm lock user. Almost 10 years. Took a while to get comfortable, but finally settled on a claw grip and find that it has made the difference. Have tried going back to standard length, just because I feel that the arm lock is a crutch - and my wife has made comments about how it looks (but I think that is more about the claw grip than the arm lock).

 

I have not had the distance control issues that many bring up and actually find distance control has been one of the best benefits. On top of that, starting the putt on my intended line is much more consistent. Three putt avoidance has been exceptional.
 

Bottom line, for me, is that I keep coming back to the Arm lock method and I should really just stay with it. Full disclosure… I have 3 putters that have been modified, 2 from standard and 1 from belly, and 3 that were built as arm lock. The best results have been the ones that were built as arm lock. Odyssey 1W, Bettinardi Kuchar model and (the current occupant of the bag) Odyssey 2 Ball Arm Lock.

[J_Tizzle]

I tried it several times before I went side saddle, and it was the most awkward thing I've ever tried to do.  The move to side saddle was insanely more natural to me and I've done it for the last 7-8 years and I've never thought of going back to anything else.