Putting conventionally with an Arm Lock putter

[JermWRX]

I've tried everything. Conventional, long putters, counterbalance putters, lessons, grips, etc...

 

Putting is by far the worst part of my game. It's at the point where I'm getting relieved if I just miss a green. I have a much better chance of chipping it close from 25 feet, than I do of two putting. I'm sure this experiment will fail, but what have I got to lose? I'm picking up an AI One Armlock 7 putter this morning. It has 5 degrees of loft. I'm going to try using it conventionally. No chance this works, right? I imagine I should probably expect the ball to bounce before it rolls. Anyway, when putting makes you think about quitting the game, any change is worth a shot. I'm pretty sure I know the answer, but has anyone else tried this? Or is anyone putting with a non-conventional lofted putter? 
 

Thanks!,

-Worst Putter On The Planet
 

[MattM97]

Have you considered a putting lesson or just going to try new putters every month or so? 

[JermWRX]

27 minutes ago, MattM97 said:

Have you considered a putting lesson or just going to try new putters every month or so? 

I've gotten lessons and I've probably owned 25 putters over the last few years. Heck, I went through five different LAB putters last year alone. Different lengths, lies, etc. 

[jda]

Unless you press that club forward, 5 degrees of loft is going to likely do what you think.. inconsistent roll.  I cannot remember a single person who prefers this and the reason why.  "No chance" is too strong, but it seems like a reach... there is always a Lloyd Christmas chance.

 

We get HS kids to be competent putters in a week or two by just squaring the face and using a lighter putter (330g, or so) so that they can get feedback and feel (and green reading instruction.)  We don't care about wobbly strokes, arc, path, AOA or anything else at first and they can be around 36 putts per round quickly - we do care about these things once they are competent, but many of these things resolve themselves as they work at it.  If you want more info, let me know.  Nobody has to make this any harder, but we are on WRX where such things happen.  🙂  Think, square face, square face, square face, square face and then firm feel for feedback/touch - firm is not negative and does not feel hard, harsh or bad.

 

Even the absolutely worst putter for you should not consistently yield three putts from 25 feet.  This is you.

[MattM97]

6 hours ago, JermWRX said:

I've gotten lessons and I've probably owned 25 putters over the last few years. Heck, I went through five different LAB putters last year alone. Different lengths, lies, etc. 

 

Something has to stick or work. 

 

This experiment could or it couldn't and 5° of loft isn't crazy, my gamer has 4° on it cause of how much I forward press. 

[Maximilian]

You don’t sound very confident this will work for you, but there must be some reasoning why you’re giving this a go, right? Putters are easy to extend or cut down, and often times easy to change the weight as well. I don’t see any reason for not using the amount of loft that makes you roll the ball as smoothly as possible though. 5* loft isn’t that crazy in itself, but if you putt better with say 2*, then 5* is super crazy.
 

Good luck though, hope it’s just what you have been missing all this time!
 

 

[Ben B]

Unless the greens are abnormally long or you have a lot of forward press, I can't imagine this helping much.

 

Unfortunately, until you change your mentality, I doubt much will improve your putting. If you think you are the "worlds worse putter", you will be the worlds worse putter. 

 

IMHO, outside of changing your mentality, the best way to improve your putting is working on speed control. If you always have great speed, eventually the hole gets in the way. In fact, the hole seemingly gets larger. Once you start making putts, the confidence goes up. Next thing you know, you're a great putter. 

 

Good luck and change your mentality. Start telling yourself that you are a great putter right before you hit your putt. 

[is1ander]

15 hours ago, JermWRX said:

I've tried everything. Conventional, long putters, counterbalance putters, lessons, grips, etc...

 

Putting is by far the worst part of my game. It's at the point where I'm getting relieved if I just miss a green. I have a much better chance of chipping it close from 25 feet, than I do of two putting. I'm sure this experiment will fail, but what have I got to lose? I'm picking up an AI One Armlock 7 putter this morning. It has 5 degrees of loft. I'm going to try using it conventionally. No chance this works, right? I imagine I should probably expect the ball to bounce before it rolls. Anyway, when putting makes you think about quitting the game, any change is worth a shot. I'm pretty sure I know the answer, but has anyone else tried this? Or is anyone putting with a non-conventional lofted putter? 
 

Thanks!,

-Worst Putter On The Planet
 

 

How about putting left-handed? Yani Tseng did that and qualified for the 2025 Women's US Open after many years off. What's your favorite mid mallet? Get it in your specs and rebuild your putting neural network.

[JermWRX]

8 hours ago, is1ander said:

 

How about putting left-handed? Yani Tseng did that and qualified for the 2025 Women's US Open after many years off. What's your favorite mid mallet? Get it in your specs and rebuild your putting neural network.

Not gonna lie, I've thought about doing this. Maybe it's time.

[coops]

I am a still recovering utterly hopeless putter..have you tried

 

https://hammyputters.com/product/hammy-putter-milled-face/

 

I haven’t… yet.

 

Edited June 30 by coops

[JermWRX]

18 minutes ago, coops said:

I am a still recovering utterly hopeless putter..have you tried

 

https://hammyputters.com/product/hammy-putter-milled-face/

 

I haven’t… yet.

 

I thought that I've seen every alternative putting equipment there is. Turns out, I haven't!! This looks very interesting!

[coops]

Spencer Levin uses one… and it’s a cheap one to try.

I’d tried this feel with the shaft along right arm like a referse arm lock but this one is designed for it… and i like the way Spencer sets up and uses it

 

 

[TonyRo]

2 hours ago, coops said:

Spencer Levin uses one… and it’s a cheap one to try.

This dude is a legend. Actually looks really natural for him. 😁

[is1ander]

11 hours ago, JermWRX said:

Not gonna lie, I've thought about doing this. Maybe it's time.

 

I think it would be a pretty cool WRX story too. But maybe do it legit by going to an experienced putter fitter. That'll save a lot of time and angst. Also, you will be unstoppable when your ball lands next to a tree trunk, haha.

[MikeW2]

@JermWRX I read this the day you posted and it really piqued my curiosity so I tried it out. It was just one roughly 20 minute session on a putting green with nothing at stake but it worked fantastically for me. How did things go for you?

[stratgolf]

On 6/29/2025 at 9:49 PM, JermWRX said:

I've tried everything. Conventional, long putters, counterbalance putters, lessons, grips, etc...

 

Putting is by far the worst part of my game. It's at the point where I'm getting relieved if I just miss a green. I have a much better chance of chipping it close from 25 feet, than I do of two putting. I'm sure this experiment will fail, but what have I got to lose? I'm picking up an AI One Armlock 7 putter this morning. It has 5 degrees of loft. I'm going to try using it conventionally. No chance this works, right? I imagine I should probably expect the ball to bounce before it rolls. Anyway, when putting makes you think about quitting the game, any change is worth a shot. I'm pretty sure I know the answer, but has anyone else tried this? Or is anyone putting with a non-conventional lofted putter? 
 

Thanks!,

-Worst Putter On The Planet
 

 

Can't imagine this goes well, but good luck.

[JermWRX]

13 hours ago, MikeW2 said:

@JermWRX I read this the day you posted and it really piqued my curiosity so I tried it out. It was just one roughly 20 minute session on a putting green with nothing at stake but it worked fantastically for me. How did things go for you?

The first day I took it to my clubs practice green and putted with it for 2 hours. The results weren't great, but also weren't terrible. It was basically the same results as my other putters. On Tuesday I went back and adjusted a few things. I opened my stance considerably and put my feet a little closer together. This allowed for a little press that feels completely natural. Forward presses have always felt forced and awkward for me. This doesn't. It also seems to let me see the line better. I used it for 18 on Tuesday and putt relatively well (for me). Line was great, distance control was mediocre. 
 

Yesterday I took both weights out. It's a very heavy putter. Overall weight was around 650 grams. Removing the weights reduced it by 30 grams. Played 18 and it felt completely different. Distance control was much better, and direction was excellent. I only had two 3 putts and they were both from 40+ feet. That's really good for me. I'm gonna keep it in the bag and see what the long term results show. But, as of now, it's been a big improvement over my (several) previous putters. One noticeable benefit, is that it's been fantastic from 6 feet and in. That's something I really struggle with. 
 

Hope it goes well for you, and thanks for asking!!!

[coops]

On 6/30/2025 at 9:50 PM, TonyRo said:

This dude is a legend. Actually looks really natural for him. 😁

 

That's it.

It's ordered. I'm heading to Chicago in 5 weeks time, so will pick the Hammy up then. I'll always wonder, otherwise 😉

 

I will also be testing what Lucas Glover was planning to do before the LAB broomstick stepped in... left handed putting - with my old standard fgp a left handed putting stroke feels promising - with a right hand low grip, so like a normal right handed putting grip, lol. (I'm actually left handed but play golf righty).

 

[LoganG663]

Goodluck with it