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An armlock putter is a change of putting method as well as equipment. The extended grip rests against the lead forearm, which changes the relationship between the hands, shaft and face. If you are considering the technique, begin with a supervised trial of the setup and a correctly specified putter. A shaft extension alone does not establish the right loft, lie or comfortable forearm contact.
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Guide checked: 8 September 2026. This guide uses the linked manufacturer and retailer information. We have not carried out hands-on product testing. Specifications describe the identified models; confirm the selected variant before ordering.
| Decision | Why it matters | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Forearm contact | Defines the method and comfortable hold | Contact below the elbow with a suitable setup |
| Length | Must suit posture and contact point | Measure while using the intended technique |
| Loft and shaft lean | Work together at impact | Assess roll with the actual hold |
| Grip and lie | Affect comfort and how the head sits | Try the complete build on a putting surface |
Table of Contents
Understand what the forearm hold changes
The aim is to use a consistent connection between the putter grip and lead forearm during the stroke. Bettinardi's archived armlock guidance illustrates that setup and shows why additional shaft lean and a longer build need consideration together. The page describes older models, so its fitting discussion is useful background rather than evidence of current UK availability.
Try the method slowly before judging results. The grip should meet the forearm in a position you can reproduce without squeezing hard or twisting into an uncomfortable posture. A coach can help you distinguish unfamiliarity from a poor setup. Armlock is an option to learn, not a promise to cure anxiety, involuntary movement or every cause of missed putts.
Know the distinction from prohibited anchoring
R&A Rule 10.1b permits holding the club or a gripping hand against a hand or forearm. It prohibits direct anchoring against other parts of the body and using a forearm held against the body to create an anchor point. For this rule, the forearm is below the elbow and includes the wrist. The way you make the stroke matters, not just the product label.
Have a professional check your intended hold if the distinction is unclear, particularly if the upper grip reaches near the elbow or the forearm rests against the torso. A shop demonstration should show a workable method within the rule, rather than merely selling a long club. Keep that same setup during your practice so the permitted contact becomes natural and consistent.
Fit loft with the actual shaft lean
A conventional putter's loft specification should not simply be copied onto an armlock build. Leaning the shaft changes the loft delivered to the ball, and the amount depends on your setup and stroke. Bettinardi's historical page gives five degrees as its starting recommendation for that technique; it is a manufacturer starting point, not a fitting prescription for every player or modern model.
Watch the initial roll with a fitter and compare several putts, rather than selecting loft from one successful attempt. The purpose is a repeatable launch into a controlled roll with your normal ball. If you change the amount of forward lean during the fitting, revisit the result. A specification only makes sense alongside the technique used when it was selected.
Measure length after finding a comfortable position
Settle the stance, elbow position and forearm contact before choosing a shaft length. Standing height alone cannot describe all of those relationships. Avoid stretching to reach the grip or moving the ball solely to accommodate a stock length. A dedicated fitting should record both the length and how far along the grip your hands and forearm are intended to sit.
Check lie at the same time so the head sits appropriately for that setup. Then repeat several normal addresses without a fitter placing you into position each time. If you can only reproduce the fit with constant instructions, spend more time learning the method before ordering an expensive custom build. The equipment should support a usable routine, not a pose you cannot maintain.
Give the trial enough variety to reveal tradeoffs
Compare short starting-line tasks with longer pace-control putts and a few changes of slope. Armlock may initially feel secure while judging long distances takes adjustment. Keep notes across more than one practice session where possible. The useful question is whether the method becomes easier to repeat and produces manageable misses, rather than whether a few early putts happen to go in.
Use the general putter guide for head-shape and alignment considerations, then confirm the armlock-specific build separately. Before buying, record length, loft, lie, grip and the intended contact point, plus the custom-order return conditions. Choose it because the fitted method works for you; tour use and the length printed on a listing cannot establish that on their own.