The left arm has an equally important role to perform in the golf swing, perhaps even more so in that it directly controls the club face through impact. The right arm's job is primarily speed and support of the left arm; whereas, the left arm controls trajectory and direction.
How to keep left arm straight during golf swing?
What I’d like to see
- The left arm is straight.
- The right arm angle is 90 degrees.
- The hands are “away” from the head.
- The wrists are fully hinged.
- The shoulders are fully turned over the top of a controlled lower body.
- The backswing is parallel, with maximum width at this point.
How does the left arm move in the golf swing?
LEFT ARM GIVES WAY ON THE DOWNSWING. Left arm moves down chest making way for right arm. Once at the top of the swing and after a fully completed backswing, the hips initiate the down swing allowing the left and right arm to fall down the chest and the hinged wrists to naturally unhinge. Through the tension free right arm, it straightens from ...
What does the left arm do in the golf downswing?
Golf Tips: Left Arm. For right-handed golfers, the left arm is one of the most important aspects of the golf swing. The left arm determines the swing arc for a shot and helps release and rotate the wrists and club on the downswing. Understanding the purpose of the left arm in the golf swing and how to properly utilize it are critical factors in shooting low scores.
Which arm should power the golf swing?
The role of right arm in golf swing should be mostly to guide the club into position and get it ready for an aggressive downswing. Once set properly at the top of the swing, the lower body and left arm should take over and do the rest of the work. Think of it as a transfer of power – the right arm in golf swing takeaway does most of the work, and the left arm regains control when you transition into the downswing.
How does the left arm work in golf swing?
5:049:14My Favorite Swing Feel | How The Left Arm Works In The DownswingYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd it could be as simple as that for you how the left arm works is really how the left wrist worksMoreAnd it could be as simple as that for you how the left arm works is really how the left wrist works you're going from wherever you are towards flexion of the wrist knuckles farther from forearm.
How much does the left arm move in the golf swing?
All we need to do is, as we're going back, that left arm rotates a little bit and now I'm on plane. That arm has basically rotated from just outside of neutral - it's slightly internally rotated - then as it goes back it rotates about 50-60-70 degrees. It just depends on the swing and your build.
How important is it to keep the left arm straight in the golf swing?
Keeping a straight left arm during your golf swing is critical for creating width, speed and consistency, but it should be done so without tension. If you're someone who has a tight, locked left arm, then it's likely doing your swing far more harm than good.
Is the left arm dominant in the golf swing?
4:425:39Should You Hit With Your Left Hand or Right Hand in the Golf Swing ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLast note if you have been playing with switched arms. Like let's say I'm playing golf right-handedMoreLast note if you have been playing with switched arms. Like let's say I'm playing golf right-handed but my left arm is dominant.
Which arm is most important in golf?
Overview. For right-handed golfers, the left arm is one of the most important aspects of the golf swing. The left arm determines the swing arc for a shot and helps release and rotate the wrists and club on the downswing.
Which arm is the power arm in a golf swing?
On your down swing the right arm becomes the power and the left arm becomes the guide.
Do any pro golfers bend their left arm?
Peete's tee shots were a lot straighter than his left arm, that's for sure. Peete was one of the top players of his era – he won 12 times, including the Players Championship in 1985 — despite a left arm left permanently bent by a childhood tree-climbing accident.
Should left elbow Point golf swing?
The lead elbow, for those of you who are right-handed this would be your left elbow, should point down the line in the direction in which you are hitting. In other words, have the target side elbow (photo 1) point in the direction you want to hit your golf ball.
Does left arm rotate in backswing?
The left arm or lead arm stays connected to your upper body and rotates along with the shoulders. The left elbow does not bend, and stays straight throughout the entire backswing. At the top of the backswing, the left arm should match the angle of the player's shoulders which should be parallel to the swing plane.
Which hand controls the clubface?
The left hand (the right for southpaws), is responsible for the rotational movement of the golf club, which, in turn, controls the direction of the clubface.
Does the left side control the golf swing?
1:097:52Is the Golf Swing Right Sided or Left Sided? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd I turn this side so parts of the body or active at certain areas throughout this dynamic motionMoreAnd I turn this side so parts of the body or active at certain areas throughout this dynamic motion of backswing stabilization. And through swing.
What does the left hand do on the downswing?
1:598:38Golf Follow Through | The Left Hand Fold - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then what that's going to do is set me up in a position now to where this left wrist can beMoreAnd then what that's going to do is set me up in a position now to where this left wrist can be releasing I actually want the left wrist to be releasing through impact.
Which arm controls the path of a golf club?
Golf Instruction. The left arm is the one that primarily controls the path that the club will travel on. For this reason we need to try to keep the path from changing during the swing to produce consistent results. That means you will need to feel as if you keep the arm straight from the set up position until impact.
What does it mean when your left arm moves back in the back swing?
Obviously this means your body must move in an athletic manner with the hips moving towards the target to start the downswing.
How to swing your arms?
Stand in front of a mirror and make small swings watching how your arms work. Keep the back of the front or left arm firmly against the chest on the down swing . Notice that your arms can rotate easier before, at and after impact.
What is the most counter intuitive motion that most golfers ever have to make and feels powerless and uncomfortable at first?
The way the left arm moves and rotates after impact is one of the key contributors to a great golf swing. This is the most counter intuitive motion that most golfers ever have to make and feels powerless and uncomfortable at first. Most good players do not keep their left arms completely straight during the back swing.
How to get hips to move after a ball flight?
After accomplishing a ball flight that curves left next try to get your hips to move laterally from the top of the swing and then try to get the hips 20 to 40 degrees open at impact. This may take a little time but it is well worth it. This is how a good athletic motion produces extremely long consistent shots.
How to hit a ball relatively straight?
To hit a ball relatively straight the arms and body sequence and speed must match up. Once you learn to curve the ball left with proper arm rotation you will then need to change the sequence of your body motion. Most amateurs have their hips facing the ball at impact.
How long does it take to learn to hit a ball curving left?
A person who slices can learn to hit a ball curving left within 40 minutes after learning proper use of the left arm. The typical comment during the change is how unnatural or uncomfortable it is to move your left arm correctly after impact. The key is how the left arm moves very little forward in the down swing.
What is the left arm in golf?
Overview. For right-handed golfers, the left arm is one of the most important aspects of the golf swing. The left arm determines the swing arc for a shot and helps release and rotate the wrists and club on the downswing. Understanding the purpose of the left arm in the golf swing and how to properly utilize it are critical factors in shooting low ...
What arm is the best for golf?
Golf Tips: Left Arm. By David Green. Keeping the left arm relatively straight during the takeaway is important for right-handed golfers. For right-handed golfers, the left arm is one of the most important aspects of the golf swing. The left arm determines the swing arc for a shot and helps release and rotate the wrists and club on the downswing. ...
How to keep your arm straight?
One drill to practice keeping the arm relatively straight is to grip the club with the left hand, then hold the left wrist with the right hand. Begin the takeaway and extend the left arm to the top of the takeaway. Begin the downswing and physically rotate the left arm with the right hand.
How to tee up a golf ball?
Place the right hand behind the left arm, just above the left elbow. Make a couple of swings with the left arm, guiding the club with the right hand staying behind the left elbow. This should provide an idea of the work the left arm does during the swing. Once golfers become comfortable with this drill, they should be able to tee up a ball ...
Is it ok to keep your left arm straight?
Straight Left Arm. One common misconception about the left arm is that it must stay completely straight on the takeaway. While the arm should be relatively straight, it’s not advisable to lock the elbow or hyperextend the arm to keep it straight. One drill to practice keeping the arm relatively straight is to grip the club with the left hand, ...
What is the left arm in golf swing?
When it comes to the left arm in the golf swing, two main areas to focus on. The first is the back of the left hand or left wrist, and the second is the elbow on the left arm.
How does the left arm work in golf?
From here, down into impact you want to check that the elbow is at about 90 degrees, the wrist is 90 degrees, they're nice and flat and working into the solid strike position where everything is in alignment over the left foot.
What is a left arm downswing drill?
The Left Arm Downswing Drill (LADD) is also covered in two phases, both without a golf club and with a golf club, allowing you to master these impact positions that are so vital for directional control.
How to rotate your wrist in golf?
As you go to the top, start working on keeping your shoulder shut and pulling your left arm down so that your elbow is pointing down the target line and you're rotating your wrist.
What arm is used in golf swing?
A lot of golfers don't understand how the arms work in the golf swing. That's why I have spent a great deal of time talking about the right arm to this point but not as much talking about the left arm. The left arm has an equally important role to perform in the golf swing, perhaps even more so in that it directly controls ...
How to do a left shoulder drill?
For the drill, keep the left shoulder shut, elbow pointing down the line, and rotate the wrist through the entire downswing. Practice with arms only, then add a club & impact bag - stop and check form at impact. The goal is to have everything aligned at impact - left shoulder over left hip, knee & ankle.
What arm do you use to hit a golf club?
This is how we typically do it. As you go to the top of the swing, what I would want you to do is put the golf club down and just use your left arm.
What part of the body does the swing go down?
Once at the top of the swing and after a fully completed backswing, the hips initiate the down swing allowing the left and right arm to fall down the chest and the hinged wrists to naturally unhinge.
Which arm creates the width?
Left arm creating turn and generating width. From your address position, both arms hang naturally, initial take away is generated by the left arm pulling straight back from where it hangs (there should be no feeling of rotation from here) as the left hand gets to waist high, this is where rotation starts to occur but the rotation occurs more ...
What is the elbow pointing down after a follow through?
Left elbow pointing down after the follow through. After the swing has been completed, you should find the left elbow pretty much pointing down at the ground. If you find the elbow pointing away from the ground, there is a good chance the left arm has tried to overpower the swing.
What arm is the controller of the club face?
In a way, the left arm is the controller of the club face. Try pick the club up with just your left arm and as you swing the club back, feel like the left elbow points to the ground going back and through. You will find that the club naturally doesn’t move around too much. Now try and get your left elbow to move around a bit ...
Which shoulder does rotation occur in?
Again, rotation is created more through thoracic spine as opposed the left shoulder . I think that if someone feels like the left shoulder has to do all the rotating, it can cause a very flat swing on the way back, causing many plane problems!
Which arm moves up the chest?
The left arm continues up your chest, the left wrist naturally hinges (not rolls) and the right arm naturally hinges (tucks in to the right side) as the left arm continues further up the chest. The higher the left arm moves up, the more room you are giving your right arm to push down your chest.
Which arm stays connected to the chest?
3. LEFT ARM ALWAYS STAYS CLOSE TO CHEST. Left arms stays connected and rotates out of the way as right arm drives through. There should always be a feeling that the left arm stays connected to the chest, any movement away affects the plane of the swing. In a way, the left arm is the controller of the club face.
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).
Where should the left arm be in golf swing?
And unfortunately, for the left arm to work the way it needs to in the golf swing, it needs to be in front of, or you might say on top of your left breast. That’s the only real way to get your clubface to square up with your body turn, without a ton of wrist manipulation, which adds a lot of timing (read: inconsistency) to your swing.
Where is the towel on Jimmy Ballard?
Please try again later. So, as the master of connection, Jimmy Ballard always used the towel or golf glove under the left arm at the armpit. But here’s the key—he was not saying to be connected at the side of your chest, but connected on top of your left breast.
