Table of Contents
Armlock putters are a genius design that helps golfers keep the putter face square and stabilize it through impact. The result is superior accuracy and distance control on the putting green.
This post reviews the best armlock putters 2023 edition to see which are best for low, mid, and high handicappers.
By the end of this article, you will know whether an arm lock putter suits your putting stroke and which length and head type to consider. Finally, I list a guide of factors to consider when acquiring an arm lock putter.
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Check out our time-saving armlock putter comparison table:
Overall Best Armlock Putter
Odyssey Ten 2 Ball Lined Putter
Updated on 2024-04-16
Overall Best
The classic Odyssey 2 Ball Ten Lined construction tops the list of best armlock putters in 2023. It is an incredibly forgiving putter design with a high MOI profile and an advanced face insert for consistent roll and a soft feeling.
Despite its premium features, the Odyssey 2 Ball Ten lined putter is moderately affordable for the average amateur. I find the star feature is the renowned White Hot Face insert, which combines with Microhinge technology to promote a soft feel and immediate forward roll across the clubface.
The mallet head on the Ten 2 Ball allowed Odyssey engineers to stack it with perimeter weighting. As a result, it helps you square the putter face at contact and remains stable to preserve topspin on every strike.
Next, the engineers employed their famed two-ball alignment aid for this putter to ensure you point to the target on each shot.
Finally, this Odyssey arm lock putter contains a shorter than the standard 37-inch shaft. Finally, the grip of choice is the Odyssey Oversized 2022 silver-black design.
Read More: Best Overall Putters for Senior Golfers
Key Specs
- Head Design: Odyssey 2 Ball Ten Mallet
- Shaft Length: 42”
- Face Material: White Hot Insert
PROS
- Provides exceptional forgiveness
- High MOI
- Generates immediate forward roll off the putter face
- Produces a soft feel
- Enhanced alignment aid
CONS
- It is light for some players
- Limited alternative stock grip offerings
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Best Premium Armlock Putter
Bettinardi Studio Stock #28 Putter
est $449.99
Best Premium
The Bettinardi Studio Stock #28 is the best premium armlock putter. It looks and feels incredible, and its class is further cemented by the approval of Matt Kuchar. In addition, this Bettinardi armlock putter carries a classic blade design and superior face milling.
Arguably, the best feature of the putter is the Roll Control Face, which comprises advanced milling and asymmetrical groove design. The structure provided a spectacular roll of the putter face to improve my distance control on the dancefloor.
Next, the experts face-milled the Studio Stock putter #28 from 303 Stainless Steel, leading to a premium feel off the clubface. I felt the touch on the Bettinardi putter was worth the premium price alone.
Adding to its value is a premium Diamond Blast Finish, which leaves it with a traditional look and glare-resistant capabilities. Finally, the Studio Stock #28 putter is available with a 40 to 42 inch shaft length and the choice of a jumbo or standard size grip.
Key Specs
- Head Design: Bettinardi Blade Putter
- Shaft Length: 40” – 42”
- Face Material: Milled 303 Stainless Steel
PROS
- Soft feel
- Superior feedback
- Generates optimal forward roll
- Built for a slightly arched stroke
- Premium Diamond Blast finish
CONS
- Not suited to straight strokes
- Reduced forgiveness
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Best Cheap Armlock Putter
Cobra King 3D Printed Agera Putter
Updated on 2024-04-16
Best Cheap Option
The unique construction of the armlock putter renders them more expensive than your standard design. However, you still find affordable options which are more friendly on your wallet. The Cobra King 3D Printed Agera Putter is almost half the cost of a Bettinardi or Evnroll.
Despite its affordable price, it contains a wealth of game improvement features to help the average golfer. Firstly, it boasts an impressive MOI profile to stabilize the clubface at contact for consistent ball speeds and forward roll.
I appreciated the consistency offered by the SIK Face Insert and Descending Loft Technology (DLT) combination. The technology applies four descending lofts which help you create sufficient friction and topspin from any attack angle. As a result, you notice a remarkable difference in your distance control performance.
These robust mallet putters are a reliable companion for mid and high-handicappers, unwilling to part with leniency. Finally, the Agera arm lock style putter reaches 41-inches, and each unit is fitted with a Lamkin Smart Grip, enabling you to track your putting stats.
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Key Specs
- Head Design: Cobra King Mallet Putter
- Shaft Length: 41”
- Face Material: SIK Face Insert
PROS
- Affordable, budget-friendly armlock putter
- Maximum Forgiveness
- Promotes clean roll
- Glare resistant finish
- Optimizes stability at contact
- Cobra Grips: Lamkin Sinkfit Armlock Connect
- Descending Putter Loft Technology
CONS
- A superior golfer may detest the oversize design
- Not the softest feeling putter
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Best Armlock Putter for Low Handicappers
Bettinardi BB28 Armlock Putter
est $429.99
Low Handicappers
Lower handicappers demand a soft-feeling putter, which optimizes feedback and delivers a premium experience on the green. The Bettinardi BB28 responded wonderfully during testing thanks to its durable, responsive, and soft feeling 303 stainless steel face.
Bettinardi showcased their expertise by crafting an Aggressive FlyMill face with a flat contact area for increased friction. In my experience, it helps propel the ball off the clubface with an immediate forward roll to promote greater distance control.
Another feature that better players will welcome is the premium Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) finish. It not only adds to the attractiveness of this Bettinardi but also works to reduce glare at address.
The Bettinardi BB28 features ¼ toe hang, setting it up to perform for players with a slight arch stroke. Lastly, it is fitted with a Bettinardi Arm Lock putter grip, which does well to limit wrist and hand action during your stroke.
Key Specs
- Head Design: Bettinardi Wide Body Blade Putter
- Shaft Length: 40” – 42”
- Face Material: Flymill Face
PROS
- Sensational feel
- Optimal feedback
- Enhances friction
- Premium finish
- Built for players with slightly arched strokes
CONS
- Less forgiving than mallet putters
- Priced at a premium
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Best For Armlock Putter for Mid Handicappers
Evnroll EV5.2 MidLock Putter
est $429.99
Mid Handicappers
I have written about golf for longer than Evnroll has manufactured putters, yet they are making a name for themselves one flat stick at a time. The Evnroll EV5.2 MidLock Putter proved the best for mid-handicappers this year, thanks to its roll, stability, forgiveness, and feel.
Granted, it carries a high price tag, which may deter some players. However, this premium putter is worth the investment, and you can still stroke it as you lower your handicap. The mallet design boosts MOI for incredible stability to preserve topspin and speed across the clubface.
Despite its forgiveness, the EV5.2 produced an impeccable feel for a mallet putter and surprising feedback. This allowed me to better judge the power required for each stroke to improve my distance control.
Next, the durable, CNC-milled stainless steel face delivered greater friction at contact for consistent forward roll. Finally, these Evnroll putters carry the TourTac grip, which restricts wrist and hand action. Plus, the stock shaft creates a slight toe hang to help minor arched strokes excel.
Key Specs
- Head Design: EV5.2 Mallet Style Putter
- Shaft Length: 39” – 41”
- Face Material: CNC Milled
PROS
- High MOI
- Exceptional feedback
- Produces clean roll off the clubface
- The stock grip restricts wrist action
- Durable putter face
CONS
- Premium price tag
- Not ideal for players with a high arch in your stroke
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Best Putter for Beginners
Ping Hardwood Armlock Putter
est $399.99
Best Beginners
I conclude our best armlock putters guide with the Ping Hardwood, which offers feel, forgiveness, and consistency. In addition, it produces optimal feedback on long and short putts to enhance your distance control.
This mallet Ping armlock putter contains ample MOI from the multi-material of 17-4 stainless steel, tungsten, and aluminum. I felt the MOI did well to stabilize my putter during the stroke, and it expanded the sweet spot for a more consistent putting stroke.
The star feature was the Dual-Durometer insert, which possesses a soft front Pebax layer and a firmer back layer. The softer layer promotes a delicate touch on shorter putts for improved precision. Conversely, the sturdier back layer enhances feedback to better judge the force of your strike on longer putts.
Added to your distance control are uniformed shallow grooves that catch your ball at contact and boost friction. As a result, it prompts your golf ball to roll cleanly off the putter face for precise yardage control. Lastly, the Ping AVS Black is your stock grip of choice, and it carries a 41.5-inch shaft.
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Key Specs
- Head Design: Ping Mallet
- Shaft Length: 41.5”
- Face Material: Dual-Durometer Insert
PROS
- Superb forgiveness
- Increases feedback on long putts
- Softens the touch on short puts
- Glare resistant
- Produces clean roll across the putter face
CONS
- Still relatively expensive
- Not suited to players with heavily arched strokes.
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Armlock Putters Buyers Guide
If you’re looking to purchase an armlock putter, here’s some helpful tips before you purchase.
Who Should Use an Armlock Putter
An armlock putter is best suited to players who produce excess hand and wrist movement during your stroke. The arm lock putting technique helps you stabilize the golf club and generate a fluid stroke to square the putter at impact and start it on the desired line.
Armlock Putter Head Style
Like standard structures, an armlock putter is available in a mallet or blade head. The latter offers multiple variations ranging from complete to mid-mallet putters. These flat sticks are often better for golfers struggling to stabilize the putter face at contact, to preserve ball speed and topspin.
Often mid and high-handicap amateurs feel more comfortable with the perimeter weighting and wider sweet spot on mallets rather than blades. However, despite earning the tag for being less forgiving than mallets, you have double-wide blades that contain greater MOI than traditional designs.
In addition, a blade putter is built to offer a soft feel off the clubface and enhanced feedback, which experienced golfers prefer. The added feedback helps determine how hard to strike the golf ball for improved distance control.
Best Armlock Putter Length
Bettinardi suggests that the best armlock putter shaft length is 40 inches and recommends the average golfer start at this point.
However, if you desire a lengthier design, the average putter length on an armlock design extends up to 42 inches.
ArmLock Putter Grip
Armlock putters typically contain a thicker grip design to stabilize your hands and wrists and reduce grip pressure. I find amateurs perform better when utilizing a broader grip, as they stand a higher chance of keeping the putter square through impact.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a armlock putter?
An armlock putter is known for having a longer shaft that rests snuggly against your leading forearm. The longer shaft and golf grip allows you to move more fluidly. An armlock putter is best suited to players who produce excess hand and wrist movement during your stroke.
What is the armlock putting technique?
The armlock putting technique helps you stabilize the putter and generate a fluid stroke to square the putter at impact and start it on the desired line. The “lock” occurs with the putter resting snuggly against your leading forearm.
Which professional golfers use armlock putters?
Bryson DeChambeau, Matt Kuchar, Xander Schauffele, and Bubba Watson are four professional golfers on the PGA Tour who use armlock putters. With its consistent stroke and stability, it’s no wonder why armlock putting is popular among PGA Tour players.
Are armlock putters better?
Armlock putters are better for helping golfers stabilize the club during the stroke and through impact. This simplifies squaring your putter face at contact to start your ball on the intended line.
Why use an armlock putter?
Players use an armlock putter to reduce wrist and hand action in the stroke, promoting a square clubface at impact. Keeping your clubface square at contact increases your chances of keeping your ball on the intended line to the cup.
Are arm lock putters legal?
The USGA deems arm lock putters legal because they do not anchor against any part of your torso. Instead, as the name suggests, arm lock putters rest against your limb and swing freely without being anchored against your torso. As a result, the action of the stroke renders it legal.
Is armlock putting worth it?
Armlock putters are definitely worth it if you need greater stability on the green. They are an excellent choice for players who struggle with the yips since they simplify the need to move your hands when putting.
Final Thoughts on the Best Arm Lock Putters
The best armlock putters 2023 edition reveals the flat stick’s forgiveness, consistency, and accuracy. They prove valuable to golfers who generate excess hand and wrist action in the stroke and require assistance to balance the putter face leading into impact.
Although every item on this list works for different handicaps and budgets, one was far superior in testing. If you desire a forgiving mallet arm lock putter with increased MOI and a pure roll, consider the Odyssey 2 Ball Ten Lined.
Now that you have found the top armlock putter for your game, you’ll want to make sure you practice on the course or at home on the putting green.
