After anchoring was banned in 2016, Left Handed Arm Lock Putters became the only method for surviving putter stabilization. Since then, it has gained a lot of popularity in the golfing world as it can save you some good strokes.
USGA and R&A have declared that resting the grip against the forearm is within the rule and that started the trend of arm putters. By pressing the putter grip against the lead forearm, you can use larger shoulder muscles to make the putting stroke. It eliminates the influence of any unwanted hand or wrist movements. This will result in a more consistent putt that hits the target line.
What are Left Handed Arm Lock Putters?
Before you start using Left Handed Arm Lock Putters, you must know about them. They are generally 40-42 inches long with 5-7 degrees of loft. The standard putters are quite small with their length being 33-36 inches and about 3 degrees of loft.
The arm lock putters need different specifications because of the setup. After a significant forward press, the grip of the putter will lean against your left arm. Irrespective of the struggle, de-lofting a 3-degree putter is not a solution. This is the reason behind the added loft on the putter.
The length of the arm lock putter is much bigger than the standard ones for obvious reasons. Herein, you will still grip the putter in the same posture but you will have enough grip left for your forearm. This is about two inches below your elbow which calls for a longer shaft.
If you want to get the best benefits of Left Handed Arm Lock Putter, ensure it has proper fitting. You can get it properly fitted by the manufacturer from whom you make the purchase. You can choose from different grips available like club down, modified cross-handed, etc. The latter will let you use your left hand to keep the grip pressed against your forearm.
Arm Lock Grip
This will make your dominant arm an extension of the golf club. You can use a more bent-over stance along with a longer shaft & grip. You can start by lengthening your dominant arm toward the heel of the putter head. This is while positioning the grip end to around 1-1.5” below your elbow level. You can now wrap your fingers around both the grip and arm to hold the club in place. The club then moves with your arm.
How does an arm lock grip help with putting?
It will mostly benefit the players who find their wrists overreacting during the putt. As you keep your forearm in full contact with the club, there will be very little chance of any wrist movement. The golf putting will also be more aligned with your shoulder’s rotation. As oversized grips minimize hand pressure during the swing, the arm lock grip reduces wrist pressure. Using this, you will do putting with your full arm and not just your hand.
However, for some players having a more bent-over stance or keeping the arm connected to the club can cause more discomfort. Also, it will lead the shaft to naturally lean more towards the target. This requires the putter head to have a few degrees higher loft than the standard ones. You might want to ideally have a putter head with 6 or 8 degrees of loft.
Do I need an arm lock grip and a special shaft?
To effectively use an arm lock grip, you will need both a longer shaft and grip. The length will depend on your height and you should take help from professionals to get the right fittings. In general, players would require a grip that ranges between 17”-21” in length.
Before you decide to purchase an arm lock putter grip, it is important to know whether it is the right thing for you. See if it is letting your body move more uniformly or if you are feeling more discomfort using it. The right arm locks putter and grip can make a lot of difference. You can contact renowned manufacturers and see if this will be a comfortable & effective purchase for you.
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