Arm Lock Putting Technique – A New Secret Weapon on the Greens?

By Coach Erik Schjolberg – Jul 17, 2023

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When you think of the arm lock putting stroke, chances are Bryson Dechambeau comes to mind. Not only does Bryson use the Arm Lock stroke, he almost exaggerates it, making it really easy for us to see how an arm lock putter should work.

I recently gave the arm lock putting technique a try (which is not always easy to do, I’ll explain). Here is a recap of what I thought about it, the pros and cons, and who the arm lock grip is for.

What is Arm Lock Putting?

Arm lock putting is when your left arm is extended straight down the putter shaft, and your right arm grips the putter in a comfortable position but not typically connected with the left hand. The right hand is just along for the ride.

With arm lock putting, the concept is really about stabilization. The arm lock putters allow you to do this naturally and ensure your club has no movement at impact.

Who Is The Arm Lock Putting Technique For?

Do you remember years ago when the belly putter concept and anchoring were quite popular? Golfers were eventually told that this would not be allowed, and many of them found that the arm lock style was similar enough to be helpful.

Most players that use the arm lock putting grip find that they have an easier time controlling the putter head because of the way the club is pressed up against the left arm during the stroke.

How Do You Use Arm-Lock Putting?

The arm lock putter grip is not difficult to learn, but there is one problem…

You can’t really practice this until you have the proper length putter, with the arm-lock putting style grip in place. Of course, you may be able to get a general idea of the feel, but it’s hard to really know what this is like until you give it a try for yourself.

Step 1: Put The Left Arm In Place

The left arm is the most important part of the arm lock stroke. Run your left arm down the left side of the putter grip so that your hand grasps the putter closer to the bottom of the grip. You won’t want the butt end of the putter to come higher than your elbow; if it does, it could impact distance control on longer lag putts (what’s that?).

Step 2: Right Arm Positioning

The right hand should not grip the club with much pressure at all. When putting, experiment with different hand positions to find what works best for you.

Step 3: The Putting Stroke

The putting stroke is really similar to the way it would be with other golf strokes. You will want the left arm to be dominant and lead the club (for a right-handed player). One common mistake that players make is they use the right hand to pull the club back instead of letting the left hand do more pushing.

Remember that the push with the left is almost always more consistent than a pull with the right. 

Most of the time, golfers will have just a very slight forward press with the arm-lock putting stroke (which is good, in fact it’s one of my top putting tips if you want to check that out here). With your left hand being on the side of your putter, most of the need for the extreme forward press is eliminated.

Pros/cons of ArmLock Putting

As with all of the different putting grip styles we have tested, there are both pros and cons. Without spoiling too much of the surprise, I can tell you that the armlock putters really are stable at impact.

Pros

• A putting technique that works for both low and high-handicap players
• Armlock putting ensures the putter remains stable on short putts (similar to putting cross handed)
• The golfer’s lead forearm controls the stroke the entire time
• Better topspin and higher MOI when hit with a stable face
• Professionals use an arm lock method when looking for consistency
• Works well for straight back straight through putting strokes

Cons

• The tendency is to use the right hand to control the club face
• You will need an extended putter and grip to make sure you can grip the club correctly
• The arm lock method can be tough for golfers on some longer putts
• If the putter comes above the elbow on the left forearm, it’s hard to get the ball to roll smoothly
• Takes a lot of practice to get used to (you may need to extend your putting practice to a home or office putting set)

Professionals Using Arm Lock Putting Technique

Many professional golfers, including Bryson Dechambeau, use the armlock putting technique. Keegan Bradley, Matt Kuchar, Webb Simpson, and Adam Scott also use arm lock putters with extended grips.

Some professional golfers like Keegan Bradley, Matt Kuchar, Webb Simpson, and Adam Scott use arm lock putters with extended grips for putting.

How to arm lock https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlRjJFU-ZkM&pp=ygUaQXJtIExvY2sgUHV0dGluZyBUZWNobmlxdWU%3D

FAQ

Here are a few of the most common questions about the arm lock putting style.

Final Thoughts

The arm lock putting style effectively stabilizes the left arm and prevents impact, making it a recommended option for those struggling with consistency in their straight back straight-through style.

You could even try switching to one of many different golf putter types out there on the market.