Arm-Lock Putting
Also known as: arm lock putting, arm-lock putting, arm lock putter, armlock putting, arm-lock method, putter against the forearm
Arm-lock putting uses a longer putter whose grip is held against the inside of your lead forearm. The shaft and lead arm move as one, which leans the shaft forward and quiets the wrists. It is legal, because Rule 10.1b lets you hold the club against a forearm.
In the arm-lock style, the putter shaft runs up along the lead forearm. The lead hand grips it lower down, and the trail hand sits below. Because the club and forearm are joined, the wrists can't flip and the face stays steady.
The shaft leans toward the target at address, so the putter needs more loft than usual to roll the ball well. It also needs to be longer than a standard putter to reach the forearm. Most players get fitted for both.
Rule 10.1b bans anchoring the club against your body. It allows holding the club or a gripping hand against a hand or forearm. What you can't do is press the forearm itself into your body to make a fixed pivot.
Tips by skill level
Try it with a fitter first. The length and loft must be right for it to work.
Check the ball's roll with a line on it. If it hops or skids, the putter may need more loft for your forward shaft lean.
Example
His short putts keep missing because his wrists flip. He tries an arm-lock putter, keeps the grip pressed to his lead forearm, and his face control improves.
Why it matters
It gives golfers with wristy or nervous strokes a legal way to steady the putter, since anchoring was banned.
Common mistakes
- Using a standard putter that is too short
- Not adding loft to match the shaft lean
- Pressing the forearm into the chest or stomach
- Letting the grip come off the forearm during the stroke
Frequently asked questions
Is arm-lock putting legal?
Yes. Rule 10.1b bans anchoring the club against your body, but it lets you hold the club against a hand or forearm. Just don't press that forearm into your body.
Do I need a special putter for arm-lock?
Usually yes. It must be longer than standard to reach your forearm, and it needs extra loft because the shaft leans forward. A fitter can set both.
Sources
Related terms
- Putting StrokeThe putting stroke is the controlled pendulum motion that rolls the ball along the intended line. Good mechanics include a square face at impact, consistent tempo, and path that matches the putter's arc.
- Putter LengthPutter length is fit to a golfer's height, arm length, and preferred posture. Most standard putters run 33 to 35 inches, but a mismatched length forces a compensating posture that changes lie angle and face position at address.
- YipsThe yips are involuntary twitches or spasms that disrupt the stroke, most often in putting or chipping. They are part neurological, part anxiety-driven, and affect golfers at every level.
- Long Putter and the Anchoring RuleYes, a long putter is legal. The club length limit does not apply to putters. What is banned is anchoring: under Rule 10.1b you may not hold the club or a gripping hand against your body, such as your chest or belly, during a stroke.
- Putter FittingPutter fitting matches a putter's length, lie angle, loft, and balance style to a golfer's actual stroke path, using putting-specific measuring tools.
Related guides & benchmarks
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