Pacific Northwest golfers offers help for putters when anchored ban hits in 2016

When the ban comes in 2016 of anchored putters, a couple of Pacific Northwest golfers might have a hand in keeping the strokes alive of those golfers who like the long putters.

Businessman Ed Klein and Ocean Shores professional Ronnie Espedal have teamed up on the Armlock Converter Grip, a device that will allow golfers who use long and belly putters to legally stabilize the putter on their leading forearm during the stroke.

Klein said their new device turns any putter – cut to the correct length – into an armlock putter. Their new putting grip allows golfers who use a longer putter to be used legally against their forearm. The grips will be 20 inches long and 1 3/4 inches in diameter at the top and 1 1/4 inches at the bottom of the grip. Both Klein and Espedal used anchored putters and knew they needed to get answers for a new putting technique before the anchoring ban set in 2016. Espedal gave the new Armlock Converter Grip some good PR when he used it during the first round of the Washington State Open when he shot a 67.

Both have said the new device has improved their putting – and it’s legal according to the USGA because it’s not anchored. And the grip has also been patented. The anchored putting ban will hit in 2016 as set down by the USGA and Royal and Ancient Golf Club and the two Grays Harbor golfers hope to have their product ready to roll for golfers who want to simulate their strokes with the long and belly putters.

The two experimented with various methods of complying with the new rule banning anchored putters before finally settling on the Armlock Converter Grip. Espedal built prototypes in his garage to get a feel of what the finished product would eventually look like.

The two hope to have the grips on the market for sale as soon as possible but realize they might not make a big splash until 2015 and then for sure in 2016 when the anchored ban hits.