Arm-Lock grip
Ed Klein, a stockbroker from Aberdeen, Wash., and his club professional Ronnie Espedal, who both regularly used a belly putter, believe they have come up with an answer for some golfers.
Getting the inspiration from putting guru Dave Pelz, who expressed one alternative was to switch to the method used by Matt Kuchar where he locks his putter to his forearm–which received the OK from the rulesmakers–they came up with a practical, less expensive solution than buying a new putter.
It’s the Arm-Lock Golf Converter Putter Grip, which can be attached to any putter, standard, “belly” or “broomstick.” It’s 20 inches long and weighs 450 grams—five times the weight of a regular putter grip. It has a bore that is angled so the shaft can be aligned, allowing a player to use the arm-lock stroke.
The angled grip adds two degrees of loft to a putter. “The extra loft is necessary to compensate for the forward press,” Klein said. “If not, the ball would be driven down and hop, affecting the intended line of the putt.”
The grip retails for $29.95 and will be available in round and flat models. “There’s no need to spend $225 to $400 on an arm-lock putter,” Klein indicated.
Klein did add that fitting for length is very important.
For golfers preferring to use a counter-balanced putter, the company will have its “Big Red” model available starting in March for the same $29.95.
