Arm Lock Putting has a lot of positives. We know all about the stability, consistency, and overall effectiveness of Arm Lock Putting. However, as with all things in the game of golf, Arm Lock Putting is not exactly a fool proof method. There are some common Arm Lock Putting mistakes that many golfers run into; let’s look at how to fix them.
Grip Pressure Issues
One of the things that makes arm lock putting work is a lighter than average grip pressure.
Keep your grip pressure down so you are not building up tension in your arms. The unnecessary tension just compounds any issues you had in your putting stroke.
Hold the putter with just enough pressure to keep it under control and on the path, nothing more! The texture of the AL-2 ensures that you will have a consistent grip position, and that slightly tacky feel will keep grip pressure down.
Rigidity In The Lead Elbow
For the right handed player, the lead elbow is the left elbow. If you are too worried about keeping that left elbow straight you will sometimes cause it to limit the motion you make in your putting stroke.
A rigid elbow sometimes leads to a less fluid putting stroke. One that can cause additional issues with speed and distance control. Keep your lead arm locked on the club, but don’t be afraid to let it loosen up a bit.
Poor Alignment and Setup
Setting up to make a putt with an Arm Lock putter can feel much different than a traditional length putter. To move beyond the alignment and setup issues, make sure you spend some time practicing clubface alignment at setup.
Use alignment sticks on the putting green and ensure you know exactly what square looks like with your new arm lock setup. The tendency for many players to hold the putter face a bit more open than it should be.
Putter Length Problems
Arm lock putters are longer than standard, which is a good thing. This extra length helps you extend your lead arm down the shaft and get your body into the proper position over the golf ball.
The only issue here is that proper putter length still comes into play. When you have an arm length putter that is too long or too short, your posture and even the mechanics of your stroke can be off.
As a general rule of thumb, the arm lock putter should rest in a position a couple of inches below the elbow joint when you are set to hit your putt. If you are converting your current putter to an arm lock putter, be sure to add the proper amount of length.
Final Thoughts
There is one last common mistake that all golfers who use arm lock putters need to consider, and that is lack of practice. If you want to get great at putting, make sure you are playing with the right equipment and that you are spending some time working with this equipment on the practice green.