It is your arms that actually do the swinging of the club, so they need to be as relaxed as possible as you stand in the address position. Tension in your arms will only serve to slow your swing down, and you will also have difficulty making solid contact through the hitting area.
Why is it so hard to relax arms in the golf swing?
Tension in the body will kill tempo and coordination throughout the swing. This is especially important on the down swing as the arms travel through impact. However, many golfers find it difficult to relax arms during a period of the swing where the club could be traveling upward of 100mph.
Should your left arm be straight in a golf swing?
The reason players are encouraged to keep their left arm as straight as possible through their golf swing is to create as much width as possible during the takeaway and backswing. You should try and make the biggest arc possible with your club, as this will generate the most speed and consistency in your golf swing.
Are your arms just along for the ride during the swing?
You have read in many of my past newsletters the concept of letting the arms just go along for the ride during the golf swing. What this means is that you want your arms to be relaxed and free of any tension throughout the entire swing motion – they should simply transfer the power generated by the rotation of your torso.
Why is it important to relax in the golf swing?
First, a relaxed feeling throughout your body will make it easier to generate speed as your body will be free to turn rapidly toward the target. Also, your swing will become more repeatable when you are relaxed, enabling you to hit consistent shots from the first hole to the last.
Should arms be tight in golf swing?
5:269:16Stop Connecting Your Arms And Body In The Golf Swing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPosition i've got pretty much a full shoulder. Turn and then from here i'm just allowing those armsMorePosition i've got pretty much a full shoulder. Turn and then from here i'm just allowing those arms to elevate. And that's how i'm completing a fuller swing the wrists have suppleness.
What tense should arms be in golf swing?
0:474:49How Relaxed Should My Arms Be? - Golf Swing Basics - IMPACT SNAPYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGets you know just above knee high close to waist. High. So if i can feel the weight right thereMoreGets you know just above knee high close to waist. High. So if i can feel the weight right there from there as i continue to turn. This is when one arm will lift the other.
Should shoulders be relaxed in golf swing?
3:385:38Shoulder tension and your golf swing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo let's go now to the top of the swing. And again relax your shoulders. In fact when you get to theMoreSo let's go now to the top of the swing. And again relax your shoulders. In fact when you get to the top of the back swing as the club starts down if you deliberately relax the shoulders. And you see
Should you bend your arms when swinging a golf club?
3:536:29Golf Swing / Bent Left Arm? How bent arms might help your golf swing.YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBecause when it bends it. Allows this to stay stable.MoreBecause when it bends it. Allows this to stay stable.
How hard should you swing the golf club?
In golf, you should swing as hard as you can without losing your balance and posture. The longer you can hit the ball off the tee, the easier scoring becomes as you'll leave yourself less distance into the green.
How do you swing a golf club without tension?
4:436:013 Golf Drills To Reduce Tension (NEW DRILLS!) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can just just balance it a little bit there you see how light that is turn it upside down make aMoreYou can just just balance it a little bit there you see how light that is turn it upside down make a few swings.
Should your wrists be loose in the golf swing?
1:1311:42BEST DRILL TO LOOSEN YOUR WRISTS (Get More Clubhead Speed)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo I need your wrists really loose to do that now don't get me wrong this isn't you letting go okayMoreSo I need your wrists really loose to do that now don't get me wrong this isn't you letting go okay that's where a lot of people go wrong they let go because that gives them a false sense of loose.
Should the shoulders be rounded at address in golf?
If you let your shoulders round forward, you will put your back into flexion. This might feel comfortable and it might even feel athletic. But it will be wrong. It will destroy the base of your upper body (the shoulders), limit your flexibility on the backswing and cause other things to fall apart in the swing.
How tight should I grip a golf club?
You should be holding the golf club with the same pressure you would hold a small bird: tight enough so it doesn't fly away, but soft enough so you don't crush it. You don't want to choke your club to death.
How loose should your arms be in golf swing?
Arm Slot. Teaching professional Shawn Clement agrees that the player's arms should drop to begin the downswing, but he says they must drop into the right position. Clement advises players to focus on dropping their arms in front of the body, while keeping their hands on the proper swing plane.
Can you turn too much in golf swing?
Ideally, you want your hips to be around 45 degrees open in the backswing, and 40 degrees open at impact. Too much hip turn in the takeaway will make it difficult to get your hips open enough when it comes to striking the ball, which can hurt your swing.
How do I keep my arm straight in the golf swing?
3:547:44The TRICK To Keeping The LEFT ARM STRAIGHT In The Golf SwingYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSlide your right hand further down the grip. So you're gripping. It nice and wide apart like that inMoreSlide your right hand further down the grip. So you're gripping. It nice and wide apart like that in like a hockey style sort of grip. And what you can do is make your back swing and what you'll.
How do I keep my arms soft in the golf swing?
1:238:41EFFORTLESS GOLF SWING DRILL TO RELAX YOUR ARMS (Irons and ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo here we are we've got it upside. Down now what i want you to do is take it back super super slowMoreSo here we are we've got it upside. Down now what i want you to do is take it back super super slow all the way to the top. All right so we're gonna do this three or four times all the way to the top.
How do you hold your arms when swinging a golf club?
0:047:29The Trick To Keeping The Left Arm Straight In The Golf Swing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd start with a split hand grip. So the right hand's down towards the end of the grip. And start toMoreAnd start with a split hand grip. So the right hand's down towards the end of the grip. And start to make some swings where you go back to left arm parallel.
How relaxed Should a golf swing be?
To get an idea of how much relaxation you need, bend forward and let your arms hang until it feels as though your arms are falling out of their sockets. All the muscles around your shoulder joints must be completely relaxed. Now, address the ball and let your shoulders go completely limp.
Should arms touch body golf swing?
On the backswing, keeping the upper arms connected to your chest allows the path of the golf club to move inside and naturally along the proper arc. A great drill to practice the feeling of a connected golf swing is to place a glove, towel, tissue or dollar bills in both armpits as you address the golf ball.
How to keep your arms relaxed in the downswing?
Back to the target. The best way to keep your arms relaxed in the downswing is to put your big muscles in charge of moving the club toward the target. That means rotating aggressively to the left with your lower body and your torso. Of course, you can't turn left without first turning to the right.
Why is my golf swing more repeatable?
Also, your swing will become more repeatable when you are relaxed, enabling you to hit consistent shots from the first hole to the last. If there is tension in your body during your golf swing, you will never reach your potential on the course.
What is downswing in golf?
The downswing is the critical point during which all of your other mechanics come together.
How does grip pressure affect golf?
Grip Pressure. The grip pressure placed on to a golf grip by the player will have a significant effect on the amount of tension which builds up in the arms. To see this in effect, pick up a golf club in one hand and grip down as tightly as possible.
Why is tension important in golf?
Tension in the body will kill tempo and coordination throughout the swing. This is especially important on the down swing as the arms travel through impact. However, many golfers find it difficult to relax arms during a period of the swing where the club could be traveling upward of 100mph.
How to get more speed in golf?
By keeping your arms relaxed , you can use your lower body and torso rotation to gradually accumulate speed until the club slams into the back of the ball with maximum force. Many golfers confuse speed with being in a hurry when it comes to the golf swing.
How to get your ball around the course?
In order to execute the delicate skills that are required to get your ball around the course, you need to be relaxed and in a stable frame of mind. In some ways, keeping your arms relaxed in the downswing is just a small piece of the overall job of staying relaxed throughout the round.
STEP 1
Hinge your right arm at the elbow, with your thumb in a hitchhiker’s position.
STEP 2
Look at your thumb relative to the top of your right shoulder. If it’s even or below your delt (1), you’re a candidate for a flatter backswing. If it’s hovering above (2), start experimenting with a steeper swing.
How to play golf in a relaxed way?
Be explicit. Actually hear the music or the waves. Feel the warm breeze or the water flowing around your body. See the mountains in all their glory. Smell the flowers. Take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Allow your mind and body to come down so that you can be up and ready to play a good round of golf.
How to practice a relaxed swing?
To practice a relaxed swing, take continuous swings back and forth without stopping. Be aware of any tension you might feel during these swings. Try to stay totally relaxed and loose as you swing back and forth. Don't be in a hurry to start or finish the swing.
Why is it important to be quiet when swinging?
A quiet, relaxed mind and body allows you to swing more freely. Simply stated, muscle groups respond more easily to a natural, balanced swing motion. If your mind is tense, your muscles will be too. If you have had a hectic day at work or at home, chances are you will take that tension and anxiety to the first tee.
Why is it important to relax in golf?
Because it is essential for the golf swing to function properly, relaxation of the mind and body should be our first priority.
What happens if your left arm is jammed straight?
If your left arm is jammed straight, tension is created in the shoulders. I've seen some golfers who looked like they were trying to jab their left shoulders into their left ears. The left arm should hang comfortably straight and the shoulders should droop. The legs should also be set in a relaxed starting position.
What muscles do golf swings use?
When that happens, the little muscles (hands and arms) take over the big muscles (shoulders, hips, and legs) throughout the golf swing. The big muscle groups cannot move as fast as the little muscles. All body parts must be given time to do their jobs efficiently and in harmony.
What should the hand pressure be on a golf club?
The hand pressure on the club should be light. If it is too tight, your takeaway will tend to be jerky and too fast. If your are not sure of the amount of pressure, let your hands feel the difference by squeezing tightly and then releasing to a very light grip.
Why is it important to keep your left arm straight in golf?
How important is keeping a straight left arm in golf? The reason players are encouraged to keep their left arm as straight as possible through their golf swing is to create as much width as possible during the takeaway and backswing.
How many degrees should a golfer's left arm be?
Golfers should try and keep their left arm as straight as possible without it being rigid, or locked, but some bend is fine. Most professional players start with a straight left arm at address, which bends to around five degrees at top of their backswing. Their left arm continues to flex slightly in the downswing and will have around eight degrees ...
What causes a player to turn their body and shoulders too far inside the swing plane?
Complete locking of the left arm causes many players to turn their whole body and shoulders too far inside the swing plane. The only way they can then get any height in their arms at the top of the backswing is to lift them up, which in turn can create some poor movements – such as an over-the-top slice – during the downswing.
What is the biggest killer of golf swings?
As the common saying goes, tension is the biggest killer of every golf swing. Below is a video demonstrating a great drill to release tension in your arms, wrists and hands while maintaining a straight left arm throughout your swing.
What happens if you lock your lead arm?
The arms and shoulders need to be relaxed to get the club going fast. But at address, if you lock up your lead arm then your body gets really tight … and can lead to some really poor (backswing) and downswing motions. If we don’t (keep the arm straight) it actually acts as another lever, if you bend your arm.
Should you bend your left arm in golf?
It (your left arm) is allowed to bend. It shouldn’t be ram-rod straight unless you have ultimate, super flexibility. But if there’s a little bit of bend in it, then it’s generally OK.
Does Rick Shiels golf have to be straight?
Rick Shiels from Rick Shiels Golf: It doesn’t have to be perfectly straight, it’s not absolutely crucial. The more we can keep it straight, the better but there’s many golfers out there who keep it as straight as they can (but still have it a little bent at the top).
How to get your wrists to cock when you swing?
Bend your right elbow as you reach the top of your backswing. This will cause your wrists to cock if your forearms are relaxed. Just let the swing happen as it did in your practice swing. Your hips may turn a bit more than usual and your left heel may leave the ground slightly; that's OK.
How to make a good golf swing?
Take some relaxed practice swings. Most players make very rhythmic, balanced swings when they aren't thinking about hitting a ball. Focus on making long, smooth, flowing swings. Imagine you are the "ideal" golfer from the first step. Take several easy, making each faster than the last without tensing up.
What happens if you can't keep your elbows straight?
If you can't keep both elbows straight and relaxed until your hands are waist high, you aren't turning your shoulders enough. Your left hand and arm should feel as if they're controlling your swing, taking the club back as if you were going to throw a child's plastic flying disk.
What side should I start my downswing on?
Start your downswing with your left side . You've probably been told how to move your legs, hips and shoulders as you start down, but you probably didn't think about any of those things during your practice swing. Don't think about them now.
How to address golf ball?
Address the ball as you usually do, but stay relaxed. You can help eliminate tension in several ways. Open your mouth as wide as possible, then close it and let your jaw go slack. Tighten your grip on the club as firmly as you can, hold it for two or three seconds, then relax your forearms. Tense your entire body – straighten your knees and elbows – then relax back into your address position.
Who is the best example of a swinging mindset?
Watch some footage of him and imagine how he feels when he swings. Since swinging is a mindset as much as a technique, a clear mental image is essential. Sam Snead is a good example, as are players such as Ernie Els and Martin Kaymer.
Do swings require less strength?
It's true that classic swings often require less strength to gain the same results . The key to using less strength is relaxed body movement and smooth rhythm. Teachers such as Bob Toski, Jim Flick and Manuel de la Torre have taught these "swinging" techniques for a long time, and you can easily learn to use them in your own swing.
Why is my backswing so slow?
Tension in the swing makes for slower-moving muscles—and that makes for slower clubhead speed! Too much tension, especially in the upper body, also adversely affects your balance and flexibility, limiting the amount of turn and torque you can create in the backswing.
How to get your backswing to work?
Then press your tongue lightly against the roof of your mouth. This will effectively pull your chin away from your chest and relax your jaw and upper body, which frees your shoulders to make a deeper, more powerful backswing.
How to get rid of tension in arms and chest?
Another way to remove tension in your arms and chest is to hover the clubhead behind the ball and waggle it several times before pulling the trigger. Adding some movement to the club— such as rehearsing the speed or correct plane of the backswing—makes you less likely to tense up during the early part of the swing. [image:13856302]
What happens when you tense your muscles?
When you tense your muscles, you interfere with their natural movements. Relaxed wrists cock and uncock more readily and at the right moment. Relaxed legs and arms don't jerk the club from its natural plane of movement. A relaxed torso will make a fuller turn with less effort.
Is the downswing faster than the backswing?
The downswing is slightly faster than the backswing, but relaxed muscles automatically dictate this rhythm. If you try to swing too fast, you'll have to tighten your forearm muscles a lot at the change of direction. If you try to swing too slowly, your swing will be jerky rather than smooth.