If you've noticed golfers on TV or at your local course using a strange-looking putting style where the club seems attached to their forearm, you’ve seen arm lock putting. This article breaks down exactly what the arm lock method is, why it's become a popular choice for amateurs and pros alike, and how you can try it yourself to bring more stability and confidence to your game on the greens.
At its core, arm lock putting is a technique designed to take the small, twitchy muscles of your wrists and hands out of the putting stroke. Instead of a traditional grip where your hands and wrists can hinge and manipulate the putter face, the arm lock method involves “locking” the top portion of the putter’s grip against the inside of your lead forearm (the left arm for a right-handed golfer).
By bracing the club against your forearm, the putter, your hands, arms, and shoulders all move together as a single, solid unit. This essentially forces you to use the big muscles of your back and shoulders to rock the putter back and forth, creating a very stable, repeatable pendulum motion. Think of it as creating a triangle between your shoulders and hands that stays intact throughout the entire stroke. This connection removes unwanted wrist breakdown, which is a common cause of pushed and pulled putts, especially under pressure.
This is completely different from the now-banned “anchoring” technique you might remember, where players would brace the handle of the putter against their chest or stomach. We'll get into the specific rules later, but the important distinction is that with the arm lock, the club is braced against a moving part (your forearm), not a fixed point on your torso.
Players like Webb Simpson, Matt Kuchar, and Bryson DeChambeau didn't switch to this unconventional style just for looks. The arm lock method offers some powerful advantages that target the most common putting fears and faults.
This is one of the most common questions, and the answer is a definitive yes, arm lock putting is 100% legal under the Rules of Golf.
The confusion comes from the 2016 ban on "anchoring." Rule 10.1b, “Anchoring the Club,” states that a player must not “anchor” the club, either directly or by using an “anchor point.” The rule defines anchoring as holding the end of the club against any part of your body (like your stomach or chest) to create a fixed pivot point.
The arm lock method does not violate this rule. Here’s why:
When you arm lock, the grip rests against your forearm, but your hands are still separated from your body and your forearm is not a "fixed" point. Your arms and shoulders are free to swing independently of your torso. With old-school belly or chest anchoring, the top of the grip was physically pressed into the player's body, creating a fixed anchor hinge. The entire club was essentially pinned to the body.
So, you can rest easy. As long as the grip is only touching your forearm and the end of the club handle doesn't extend beyond your elbow, you are well within the rules established by the USGA and R&A.
You can't just take your standard-length putter and start arm-locking. It won't work effectively. The technique requires a specialized putter with a few key design differences.
Ready to give it a shot? Remember, this will feel very strange at first. It’s a completely different way to putt, so be patient and give yourself time to adapt.
Before you do anything, you need an V putter.Trying to force a standard putter to work will only lead to frustration. Beg, borrow, or buy a dedicated arm lock model to give yourself a real chance at success.
Take your normal putting grip, but position it lower down on the putter’s long grip. With your putter in front of you, press the top part of the grip so it rests flat against the inside of your lead forearm. Make sure the shaft is leaning forward, towards the target. The pressure a great here shouldn’t be a death grip - just a firm, constant connection.
For your trailing hand (the right hand for a righty), you can use any style you like: reverse overlap, claw, prayer style, etc. The job of the right hand is simply to add stability and help guide the club, it does not provide any power.
This is where it feels different. Your setup dictates the entire stroke.
Now for the motion itself. The feeling you are trying to create is that of a rocking chair.
The entire stroke is powered by your shoulders and upper torso. Simply rock your shoulders back and rock them through. That is it. Your arms, hands, and the putter simply go along for the ride. There is zero wrist hinge or hand action required. It’s a pure, body-driven motion.
Start with short putts to get the feel of the ball coming off the face. Distance control will come from the length of your rocking motion, not from hitting the ball harder with your hands. A longer rock equals a longer putt. A shorter rock equals a shorter putt. Trust the pendulum.
Arm lock putting isn't for everyone, but it can be a fantastic solution for a specific type of player. If you answer "yes" to any of the following, it might be worth exploring:
If you're already a great "feel" putter with a confident, traditional stroke, there's probably no need to change. But for those constantly battling the putter, the stability and simplicity of the arm lock method could be the answer you've been looking for to finally make putting a strength instead of a weakness.
The arm lock putting is a legal, proven method for simplifying the putting stroke by removing unstable wrist action and promoting a consistent, shoulder-driven pendulum. While it requires specific equipment and a patient learning process, it can deliver newfound stability and confidence for many golfers on the green.
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