What happens if your left arm is bent on the golf swing?
Without this, players with a bent left arm will tend to pick the club up with their arms, without rotating their body as well, which will lead to inconsistent and less powerful ball striking. It’s clear PGA superstar Rory McIlroy has a slight degree of elbow bend during his golf swing.
Should your left arm be straight or bent at impact?
What many outstanding golf swing instructors have taught is, for right-handed golfers, to keep the left arm straight at impact. Most pros on the PGA Tour do that while their right arm is usually bent slightly at impact.
Why does my left arm bend when I bend it?
Holding onto the right elbow bend, instead of releasing it, occurs when you overuse your upper body, especially your shoulders. A bent left arm after impact stems from a flippy release, caused by overactive hands. Loss of direction is the result.
How much should your left arm bend in the golf backswing?
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 of bend at impact.
Why does my left arm bend in the golf swing?
If you find your left arm is bending at the top of your swing it is most likely because your body has stopped rotating and you are trying to generate more reach and power with your arms. This only serves to make it harder for you to make a well timed and connected swing down to the ball.
How do you fix a bent left arm in golf?
3:468:18WHY You Bend The Left Arm In The Golf Swing - And how to ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo hands nicely stretched away from us let's make sure we maintain that width all the way throughMoreSo hands nicely stretched away from us let's make sure we maintain that width all the way through feeling that same stretched. Feel. And that's how we'll be able to naturally.
How do you keep your left arm straight after impact?
4:517:48How To Keep The Left Arm Straight In The Golf Swing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf my shoulders keep on going my arm is gonna stay straight so the chest leads away in the downswingMoreIf my shoulders keep on going my arm is gonna stay straight so the chest leads away in the downswing. We just turn it the other direction visualize.
Why can't I keep my left arm straight in golf swing?
Your grip may be too much in the palms therefore the wrists aren't hinging or setting the club properly in the first place. This causes forces you into bending that lead elbow to complete your backswing. From there you are forced into casting the golf club by releasing the angle in the lead arm during the downswing.
How do you fix a bent arm?
0:251:51Fixing an Early Arm Bend with Dan Bailey - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAll right so I want you to be able to not pull early and really just focus on keeping those armsMoreAll right so I want you to be able to not pull early and really just focus on keeping those arms straight. So what we're going to do to that is just due to power shrugs. And then one power clean.
Which arm is dominant in golf swing?
Don't get me wrong, they both need to work together. But in general, the hand opposite your swing is the dominant hand in the golf swing. That's why you will see a lot of guys warming up sometimes with just their left arm.
How do I keep my wrist straight in the golf swing?
1:583:38GOLF: How To Get A Flat Left Wrist In The Golf Swing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe lead wrist will still be in a slight cup or extension during the takeaway gradually from theMoreThe lead wrist will still be in a slight cup or extension during the takeaway gradually from the takeaway. Into about left arm parallel is where you'll start to get that lead wrist closer to flat.
What does the left arm do in the downswing?
0:563:17LEFT ARM MOVEMENTS IN THE GOLF DOWNSWING | Danford GolfYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo as we get to the top the first small move is that if our hands too shallow the club the wristsMoreSo as we get to the top the first small move is that if our hands too shallow the club the wrists start to kind of bow just a little bit okay that's the first thing that the left arm does.
What is golf chicken wing?
Chicken Winging is a term used to describe the appearance of the lead arm on players who bend their lead elbow and cup their lead wrist through impact. The lead arm resembles the wing of a chicken, hence the name. Normally, the lead arm is extended through impact to create as much width as possible.
Do you bend your elbow in golf?
2:486:29Golf Swing / Bent Left Arm? How bent arms might help your golf swing.YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what's happening here is you've struck a golf ball this arm is bent this arm straightens look atMoreSo what's happening here is you've struck a golf ball this arm is bent this arm straightens look at happening there this arm goes through a rotation.
How do you stop chicken wings in a golf swing?
2:117:15HOW TO STOP YOUR CHICKEN WING FOLLOW THROUGHYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut initially what I'd love you to do is actually just with a little bit of a body pivot. Just startMoreBut initially what I'd love you to do is actually just with a little bit of a body pivot. Just start to let the club. Head travel around your body with some freedom.
What happens when your left arm over bends?
When the left arm over-bends that much during the back swing it tends to create a very steep back and down swing. With a steep swing you may hit your nine iron a little further than you should, but the longer irons and woods will be very difficult for you to hit consistently.
What is the role of the left arm in golf?
The other major contribution the left or front arm makes is what I call golf’s dirty little secret. 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.
How to hit a golf ball straight?
Remember, your arms hook the ball and your body slices the ball. 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. If your arms work correctly and your hips are square to the ball at impact you should hook the ball. 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 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.
How far does the left arm stay in the ball striker?
The left arm will stay at or around a 30 degree angle across the chest from the half way down position of the down swing and not move forward until after impact and not until the hands get around chest high on the follow through. This means that your front elbow will stay closer to your belly button than your front hip at impact and stay there until your hands reach about shoulder height. This may sound odd but this is what most of the best ball strikers in the world do.
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 many golfers do proper front arm motion?
I would estimate that only about 3 to 5 percent of golfers accomplish proper front or left arm motion which is also in line with the percentage of players that break 80. The biggest problem with this is that it feels powerless and all “bunched up” through impact. If you were to see this on video you would notice the exact opposite is the case. By keeping the left arm firmly against the chest, (tricep pressing against the center of the left peck or chest) this allows your right arm to become fully extended through impact. This motion also allows your arms to extend and rotate properly.
What does it mean when your left arm is bent?
The bent left arm is very commonly seen in young golfers who lack proper equipment, coordination or are attempting to swing much too far back. Once given lighter, age-appropriate clubs and quick example of where to stop the backswing the issue goes away.
Why is my lead arm hanging straight?
Your lead arm is now hanging straight. Locking your arm at the elbow is a hyperextended condition . Before even beginning to work on your left arm, first consult with your instructor to verify the arm is bent to a degree that is actually causing a problem. Different degrees of straight can be seen even among golf’s professional players.
What is the fix for more mature golfers?
The fix for more mature golfers is in what we will identify as e xtensor action. This term can be found in Mr. Homer Kelly’s book “The Golfing Machine”, chapter 6-B-1-D.
What muscle is the picture on the left?
The picture on the left is an example of activating the triceps muscle to keep myself from touching the chair. This triceps condition will give structure to my left arm when performing a golf swing. The picture on the right picture is an example of my biceps being contracting, which would cause my left arm to bend at the top of my swing.
How to give a belt structure?
Make a backswing and keep the belt stretched tight. You will find that the only way to give the belt structure is with a constant pushing from the right triceps. Begin working with a club, swinging to the top with your new right arm sensations. This is extensor action, and the structure that you seek.
How does a lower handicap player benefit from these drills?
Lower handicap players can also benefit from these drills by sensing extensor action during the downstroke. Better players sometimes need to feel more width through the ball, and an earlier straightening of the right arm. The same drills apply.
How to swing golf without a club?
Adopt your golf set up without a club, with your arms hanging completely relaxed and left arm straight (not rigid or hyperextended). Close your left hand into a fist and then extend your left thumb. With your right hand, reach across your chest and grip your left thumb as if gripping a golf club. Now, swing to the top and feel how the pushing of your right arm keeps the left arm structured. Also notice where your shoulder turn stops and your left arm is straight. This is the true top of your golf swing. To swing beyond this point will require a breaking down of your lead arm or loss of posture and spine angle.
Why is my left arm bent?
A bent left arm after impact stems from a flippy release, caused by overactive hands. Loss of direction is the result. Furthermore, when the left arm collapses, it forces a narrow swing arc, with the clubhead too close to the body. This is a tremendously weak position that indicates a major power leak.
What happens when you bend your elbow?
A bent right elbow just after impact robs your swing of the explosive force generated by the straightening of one of the most powerful levers in the human body—the 90-degree angle formed at your right elbow during the backswing. Holding onto the right elbow bend, instead of releasing it, occurs when you overuse your upper body, ...
How many times can you swing with both arms straight?
There's only one time during the swing when both arms are straight, and that's just after impact. It's a key checkpoint that you can use to determine the quality of your swing, since fully extended arms following contact signify that your arms and body are in sync. Unfortunately, most golfers allow one arm to collapse at some point before impact, ...
Is double bend a problem?
If you're a going low type of player, the chances are that the double-bend isn't your problem, but even the good player is troubled from time to time by the single bend, so it's a good idea to troubleshoot your swing if you're losing distance or having accuracy problems. Skilled golfers build swings that have maximum width just after impact, ...
Do elbows need to be the same distance apart after impact?
Remember, bursts lead to busts. An overlooked yet critical swing key is that your elbows should be the same distance apart just after impact as they were at address. A great way to feel this is to fashion a piece of surgical tubing that holds your elbows together at address.
Which golfer has a bent left arm?
Arnold Palmer was one of the few really great players who sometimes (everybody doesn’t always swing the same way all their lives which I can prove by my hundreds of films) had a bent left arm at impact. But again, Arnold swung closed-to-open or maybe it would be better to say closed-to-block. That’s why he had what most people thought was an odd-looking finish.
Who said a golfer with shorter arms has more leverage and power than a golfer with longer arms?
Schaff cites my friend, TV golf commentator, swing analyst, and former PGA Tour player Brandel Chamblee , about this. I don’t know what Brandel says about this. But Schaff seems to claim Brandel says a golfer with shorter arms has more leverage and power than a golfer with longer arms. I disagree with that as well. Brandel and I have talked about the golf swing before, with him asking me some questions about it.
What does Schaff say about keeping your arms straight?
Second, Schaff posits a straw man argument by saying, “keeping your arms straight is one of the biggest myths in golf,” that is, if he means at impact. What many outstanding golf swing instructors have taught is, ...
What is a closed to open swing?
He has what is called a “shut-to-open swing” or “closed-to-open swing.” That means he closes the club face very noticeably on his backswing and “blocks” the shot on his follow through, thus restricting the club face from rotating as much on the follow through as most players do. If Koepka didn’t block somewhat on his follow through, he’d be hunting for his pellet all day long in the left weeds! That is, blocking is an effort to keep from hooking which is caused by a closed club face in the backswing.
Is it a straw man to keep your arms straight?
Second, Schaff posits a straw man argument by saying, “keeping your arms straight is one of the biggest myths in golf,” that is, if he means at impact. What many outstanding golf swing instructors have taught is, for right-handed golfers, to keep the left arm straight at impact. Most pros on the PGA Tour do that while their right arm is usually bent slightly at impact.
Do boxers have straight arms?
He says tennis players, shot putters, javelin throwers, football quarterbacks, and boxers don’t make their motion “ with straight arms.” Of course not! With some exception with tennis players, they all make their action with ONE ARM, not two!
Does Koepka have a bent left arm?
He swings the opposite of a closed club face on his backswing. Therefore, he should not have a bent left arm at impact. That is causing him to lose it to the right, especially with his driver when he is in the hunt on Sunday.
Why do you have a straight left arm in golf?
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.
Why do golfers lose their arm width?
As a result, they lose the width in their swing – resulting in a loss of speed and consistency – and will also tend to ‘cast’ the club out behind them, leading to slices or pulls.
How do I keep my left arm straight during the golf swing?
The best swing thought to have when trying to keep your left arm straight during your swing is to have soft arms, but a secure grip. The club should be able to move freely during the swing using centrifugal force, as opposed to you forcing it into certain positions. As the saying goes, tension is the biggest killer of every golf swing.
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 ...
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.
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.
How to guard against bending your arm?
The main thing that we want to guard against if we’re bending our arm a little bit in the backswing, is we want to make sure we’re rotating our chest. Some players are going to bend their arm a little bit at the top of the swing, but they’re still going to make that good chest and shoulder rotation, and that’s completely fine. We just need to guard against picking (the club) up with the arms, and not rotating the chest. The main goal is getting that big turn with your core, and that’s going to allow you to get that great swing speed whether the arm is a little bit bent or not.
What is the left arm straight tip?
I much prefer to phrase the “left arm straight” tip as “swing so that your left arm stays relatively straight throughout the swing ” — especially at the takeaway and at impact. This phrasing emphasizes the turn, the release, the lag, and so on, rather than focusing on your left elbow. Who wants to focus on the elbow anyway? You need to focus on the ball — that’s what you’re trying to hit!
Which elbow is bent at the top?
The left elbow is quite bent at the top, and stays so until just before impact. Have a look: Perry, Cabrera, and Watson all bend their left arm on the backswing.
Why is it important to keep your left arm straight?
In a properly-executed swing, the left arm will stay fairly straight, and this is desirable. A bent left arm robs power from the shot, and will return the clubface to the ball inconsistently.
Is it necessary to keep your left elbow rigid?
Indeed, keeping the left elbow rigid throughout the swing is not necessary to hit great golf shots and may in fact be hurting you a lot more than it is helping.
Is Jordan Spieth bent?
You will see it is bent even a bit more than Kenny’s! Jordan Spieth has a beautiful, rhythmic golf swing, and some fairly significant left elbow bend at the top. Jordan’s is a swing that the Occasional Golfer can imitate with success.