Can you Anchor putter to arm?
Emily Sparks
Published Jan 24, 2026
Arm-locking is, of course, legal under the Rules of Golf. According to Rule 10.1b, a player's putting stroke must not include an “anchor point” on which they plant their forearm — i.e., the technique used with broomstick putters, with the end of the putter (or the player's forearm) anchored against a player's chest.
What is the rule about anchoring a putter?
The club is anchored “directly” when the player intentionally holds the club or a gripping hand in contact with any part of his body, except that the player may hold the club or a gripping hand against a hand or forearm.
Are arm lock putters legal?
Are Arm Lock Putters Legal? The arm lock is a legal putting style because the governing bodies do not feel this creates a “stable anchor point”. At first, you may have to focus on keeping the grip against your forearm, but you will learn the stroke quickly.
Does DeChambeau anchor his putter?
Fast forward to 2021, and there's a new form of anchoring beginning to take hold: so-called “arm-anchoring,” or “arm-lock” putting. Two belly putter refugees — Simpson and Bradley — both use the technique, as does Matt Kuchar, Bryson DeChambeau and Will Zalatoris, among others.
Can you Anchor long putter?
The new rule does not ban the long putters, only the way they commonly are used. Golfers no longer will be able to anchor the club against their bodies to create the effect of a hinge. Masters champion Adam Scott used a long putter he pressed against his chest.
18 related questions foundCan you anchor your putter to your chest?
Today, anchoring of any stroke is banned in golf. Anchoring entered golf in much wider usage beginning in the 1980s with the introduction of long putters, a k a broomstick putters, which were braced against the golfer's chest or chin, creating a stable fulcrum point for the putting stroke.
How do you hold an arm lock putter?
Grasp and hold the putter firmly with your left hand near the bottom of the grip so that the top of your grip does not extend past your elbow joint. “Lock” the putter against your left forearm to secure it in place. Gently grasp the putter with your right hand anywhere on the grip that is comfortable for you.
Are face on putters legal?
The USGA had banned croquet-style putting “between the legs” and also standing on extension of Line of the putt. But if you stand next to the line of your putt it's 100% legal that way. The face on putting style that you see with the GP putter is again 100% legal for any golf tournament in the world.
Are broomstick putters legal?
On the contrary to what some may think, broomstick putters (or long putters) are perfectly legal on the greens. However, what is now illegal on the greens is anchoring; and broomsticks putters are the best alternative.
Is it legal to modify a putter?
The clubhead must be “plain in shape” under the Equipment Rules Part 2/4a, and by adding the halved balls you've rendered the putter nonconforming. Make a stroke with it, and you're disqualified.
Should I switch to arm-lock putting?
If the answer to that question is 'no', Arm Lock putting might just be the best thing that will ever happen to your golf game. There are no guarantees of course, but from our perspective, it's definitely worth a shot. You could start sinking more putts and having more fun on the golf course.
Who uses an arm lock putter?
Other arm-lock putters on tour include Bryson DeChambeau, Matt Kuchar, and Keegan Bradley. DeChambeau tried a variety of putting methods including side-saddle before settling on the arm-lock style. He finished 10th on the PGA Tour in strokes gained putting last season.
Can you anchor your elbow when putting?
An important point: Under Rule 14-1B, golfers are allowed to tuck their forearms or elbows against the body while putting. This will not be considered anchoring.
Is anchored putting legal?
The anchored putter ban “prohibits anchoring a club when making a stroke”. Implemented on January 1, 2016, the rule sent shockwaves through the game, particularly among the professional ranks.
What putter does Bryson Dechambeau using?
Bryson currently uses a SIK Pro C-Series Armlock putter. It's a rare model to be seen on the PGA Tour and it allows Bryson to putt in his very particular way.
What is anchored putting?
Anchoring, as we all know (and as the USGA knows, with the exception of one word) is when the club, or the gripping hand, or a part of the forearm is held against the body, relieving the player from making a free swing by restricting the movement of the club as if it were physically attached to the player's body and ...
Can you legally stand behind the ball to putt?
The USGA and the R&A took notice and, effective January 1, 1968, introduced Rule 35-1L (now Rule16-1e) that stated “The player shall not make a stroke on the putting green from a stance astride, or with either foot touching, the line of the putt or an extension of that line behind the ball.”
Why do golf balls have dimples?
Dimples on a golf ball create a thin turbulent boundary layer of air that clings to the ball's surface. This allows the smoothly flowing air to follow the ball's surface a little farther around the back side of the ball, thereby decreasing the size of the wake.
Why do putters have to be angled?
The proper lie angle allows you comfortably to get into a good posture over the ball and, when coupled with the ideal length, will help ensure your eyes are directly over the target line or slightly to the inside, as some players prefer.
Can you touch the shaft of your putter?
Once a putter has been approved, then you can use it almost any way you want to. The limitations are that you hit, not push, the ball with the head of the putter. You must also have both feet on the same side of the putting line.
Should elbows be tucked in when putting?
To ensure perfect forearm alignment, stand up straight and hold the putter horizontal to the ground, so that it's in line with your forearms. Both elbows should be tucked into your sides.
Are belly putters legal in the PGA?
“I say to [golfers], 'We're not going to take away your long putter. ' All you need to do is this [hold the club away from your body], where you control the whole club with your hands. So long and belly putters are still legal—as long as you don't anchor them.”
Does Langer anchor his putter?
Here is Langer's post-Rule 14-1b putting routine with his long putter: He anchors the putter during his practice strokes before stepping over the ball. Once he steps over the ball, he moves his top hand — the one holding the butt end of his long putter — slightly away from his chest. That's it.
Is Armlock anchoring installed?
Arm-locking is, of course, legal under the Rules of Golf. According to Rule 10.1b, a player's putting stroke must not include an “anchor point” on which they plant their forearm — i.e., the technique used with broomstick putters, with the end of the putter (or the player's forearm) anchored against a player's chest.