Mastering the AimPoint Express Arm Bend: Fine-Tuning Your Speed Control

The AimPoint Express method is renowned for its speed and simplicity, making it a favorite for many golfers looking for a quick, accurate green read. While the core principle of feeling the slope and using your fingers remains, there’s a subtle yet powerful nuance that can truly elevate your Express reads: mastering the arm bend for fine-tuning speed control. Oakville’s PGA Certified Golf Instructor and AimPoint Putting Coach, Sean Carlino, delves into this advanced aspect.

“Many golfers learn AimPoint Express as a ‘set-and-forget’ system for the arm,” explains Coach Carlino. “They extend their arm straight out, hold up the fingers, and that’s the read. While effective, there’s a deeper layer to Express that allows for incredible precision, particularly when factoring in desired putt speed.”

The conventional AimPoint Express assumes a “dying putt” speed – one that would just trickle into the hole or go about 12-18 inches past if missed. This is the optimal speed for the maximum break to occur. However, what if you want to hit a putt firmer to take out some break, or softer if it’s severely downhill? This is where the subtle arm bend comes in.

“Think of your arm’s extension as a variable in the equation,” Carlino advises. “When you hold your arm straight, it’s calibrated for that dying putt speed. If you want to hit the putt firmer, effectively reducing the break, you can subtly bend your arm more at the elbow. This brings your fingers slightly closer to your eyes, making the projected aim point appear closer to the hole.”

Conversely, “if you want to hit the putt softer or account for a very slick downhill putt where you expect more break, you can slightly extend your arm further,” Carlino continues. “This moves your fingers further from your eyes, making the projected aim point appear slightly wider.”

Carlino emphasizes that this is a nuanced adjustment, not a drastic change. “It’s not about making huge arm movements, but tiny, almost imperceptible shifts that correspond to your desired pace,” he says. “This requires practice and a keen awareness of how speed impacts break, but it gives you an incredible level of control within the Express system.”

“Mastering the AimPoint Express arm bend allows you to truly integrate your intended speed with your line, turning a great green-reading tool into a perfect one,” Carlino concludes. “It’s a more advanced layer for golfers in Oakville who are ready to fine-tune their putting to an expert level.”