Okay, so I’ve been messing around with this “arm locking” putting thing, and let me tell you, it’s been a journey. I saw some pros doing it and thought, “Hey, that looks… different. Maybe it’ll help my terrible putting?” So, I decided to give it a shot.
The Experiment Begins
First things first, I grabbed my putter – you know, the one that’s been letting me down for years. I positioned the grip up my left forearm (I’m a righty, by the way). It felt super weird at first, like I was trying to putt with a foreign object attached to my arm. I honestly wasn’t sure how this was supposed to work.
The Awkward Phase
I started with some short putts, like three-footers. My initial attempts? Let’s just say they weren’t pretty. I felt like a robot trying to learn how to move. The ball was going everywhere except the hole. I was pushing some, pulling others, and generally making a mess of things. My practice green buddies were probably getting a good laugh, but hey, you gotta start somewhere, right?
Little Tweaks
- I adjusted my grip a few times, trying to find a comfortable spot on my forearm.
- I experimented with my stance, moving my feet a little closer together and then a little farther apart.
- I focused on keeping my wrists really, really still. The whole point is to take them out of the equation, right?
The “Aha!” Moment (Sort Of)
After a while, I started to get a slightly better feel for it. I realized that the stroke is more about rocking your shoulders, kind of like a pendulum. The arm lock creates this stable connection, and you just let your shoulders do the work. It still felt awkward, but I started to see some improvement in my consistency. I wasn’t draining every putt, but I wasn’t sending them five feet past the hole either.
Still a Work in Progress
I’m definitely not a convert yet. This arm locking thing is tough! It requires a lot of practice, and I’m still in the “ugly duckling” phase. But I’m stubborn, so I’m going to keep at it. Maybe, just maybe, it’ll eventually help me stop three-putting every other hole. Who knows? I’ll keep you posted on my progress, or lack thereof!
