Should your lead arm be straight in a golf swing?
As amateur golfers, one of the most common pieces of advice you’ll likely receive from other players – especially when you’re new to the game – is that in order to make a good swing, you must keep your lead arm straight at all costs.
What does keep left arm straight mean in golf?
Keep Left Arm Straight. Also Known As: “Don’t bend the left elbow”. This swing thought reminds you to keep your left arm stiff during your swing, including at the top of the backswing. This is in contrast to letting your left elbow bend, which some golfers tend to do as they proceed to the later stages of the backswing.
Why is it important to straighten your lead arm?
Starting with your lead arm straight is going to make it dramatically easier to keep it straight once the swing gets going. If that lead arm is bent at address, you’ll struggle to straighten it out at any point during the swing, even if the rest of your technique is spot on.
Which elbow should be straight in the golf swing?
This starts with the left elbow, as it is the hinge in your arm that controls its bend throughout the golf swing. The left elbow should be kept as straight as possible during the golf swing before hinging after impact in your follow-through.
Does lead arm need to be straight golf?
During your swing, you don't need to feel as though your left arm is rigidly locked into place, but it needs to be relatively straight. This starts with the left elbow, as it is the hinge in your arm that controls its bend throughout the golf swing.
How do you keep your lead arm straight in golf?
0:027:29The 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.
Which arm do you keep straight when golfing?
left armGolfers are often taught to keep their left arm straight on the backswing, but Bryson focuses on maintaining that straight left arm structure all the way throug his swing. It's only when that left elbow and arm breaks down through the ball that golfers start hitting shots left.
Should left arm be straight at address?
When you address the golf ball your left arm should be straight. You do not want to lock it tightly and tensely, but you do want to achieve a fully extended position with your left arm. Your address position is basically the position that you are wanting to get back into when you strike the ball.
Should right arm be straight at impact?
The final stage is impact and the followthrough. In a perfect world, both arms should be connected, forming a triangle with the golf ball. Additionally, the right arm should be just in front of your hip. The right arm should not straighten before impact.
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.
Do you pull with left arm in golf swing?
You should pull the butt of the club toward the ball. Remember, this pulling down is done by the left arm. It's the controlling agent, and if you let it be you will escape the many troubles that result from trying to push the club down from the top with the right hand and the right shoulder.
Does left arm lead golf swing?
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.
Should both arms be straight at address golf?
0:012:52Arms set at address - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOne of the things that's most often thought about being a principle of golf swing is that the leftMoreOne of the things that's most often thought about being a principle of golf swing is that the left arm needs to stay. Straight. If we deal with that for a minute if I have a ball on a piece of string.
Do you pull or push a golf club?
Many golfers believe that you use pull forces to take the club back on the backswing and then push forces to deliver the club on the downswing. When focusing on the left side your body when swinging the club, focus on the opposite — push the club back and pull the club through.
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.
How do I strengthen my left arm in my golf swing?
1:072:25Improve Your Golf Swing with the 'left arm only' drill - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYour lead arm only. Another good way would be to back up against something if you've got to fly toMoreYour lead arm only. Another good way would be to back up against something if you've got to fly to take away back up against a wall or maybe a net that's in your winter academy.
How to keep your left arm straight in golf?
Proper Left Arm Positioning. There are several key positions worth noting — takeaway, left arm parallel to the ground, the top of your backswing, downswing, and impact — that you can focus on to keep your left arm straight through your golf swing. First, as you start your backswing, keep your left arm straight and close to your body ...
What is the role of the left arm in golf?
Every part of the body has to be insync for a golf swing to work, but the role of the left arm in golf swing is one of the most crucial and easy to check components. This article will discuss proper positioning for your left arm in a golf swing, when to think about it, and how it should move throughout your swing. An important note, this page will discuss the importance of the left arm in the golf swing as most golfers are right-handed, but what we really mean is the lead arm in the golf swing. So if you’re a left-handed player, this article will be about your right arm.
Why is the left arm of the golf club important?
It largely determines the spacing and arc of your golf swing, it helps control the clubface and ensures power through impact. Too much bend in your left arm can throw off the timing of the rest of your body, costing you power and making it more difficult to square the club at impact and start the ball on-line.
What arm does the follow through do?
It also teaches you to make a full swing instead of decelerating at impact. During the follow through your left arm will remain straight after hitting the ball, but will bend as you rotate through to face your target and your arms come up to your finishing position.
How to swing backswing golf?
First, as you start your backswing, keep your left arm straight and close to your body until it approaches parallel to the ground and your wrists start to hinge. You’ll want to make sure that your arms and body are “connected” and your body is driving your turn away from the ball, not your arms. Remember that golf is a rotational game ...
How to push your arm away from a golf ball?
A good thought is to push your left arm away from the ball by rotating your shoulders and trunk with your left shoulder working down and under your chin. If you are using a Swing Align device the front of the rod will move down first (not out and around).
Why does my left arm bend when I 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.
Why can't I keep my lead arm straight?
There are a lot of reasons why you might not be able to keep your lead arm straight as you move into the top of your backswing. Some of the reasons can be mental but there are numerous physical reasons that can cause the “breakdown” of the left arm (for right-handed golfers). Surprisingly a lot of the physical reasons have nothing to do ...
Where does the breakdown start in golf?
The breakdown can start from the feet and make its way on up to the arm. Most golfers want to get the “biggest” backswing as possible and think that getting the club shaft parallel at the top is the holy grail of creating a full turn.
Why does my left elbow bend when I play golf?
The lat attaches to the arm and when it is tight will limit the left shoulder’s ability to move thus causing the elbow to bend and give the feeling to the golfer that they are achieving their desired parallel position. Poor posture can affect the quality and quantity of the upper torso turn and also affects lat length.
How does poor posture affect golf?
Poor posture can affect the quality and quantity of the upper torso turn and also affects lat length. There is an epidemic of poor posture that makes it difficult to cleanly get a nice turn on the golf ball. That leads us on up to the left shoulder.
What joint is needed to make a full turn?
The right hip joint needs to be able to move (mobility) into internal rotation in order for the trunk to make a full turn. If the right hip joint range of motion is limited in this direction (very common) it is going to be difficult for the golfer to maintain his/her address spinal posture.
Which shoulder is the back side?
That leads us on up to the left shoulder . The back side of the left shoulder needs good mobility in order to create a solid turn and to keep the elbow straight. There are upper arm muscles that span the distance from above the shoulder joint, around the back and to below the elbow joint.
Is the back connected to the shoulder?
Thus the back is connected to the shoulder is connected to the elbow and restriction or tightness in one can affect the others. Again, if the body parts above the shoulder and elbow are not moving properly the breakdown of the left elbow can be imminent in the quest for parallel.
How many degrees should your arm be bent when you wrestle?
As we always say…. You don’t arm wrestle with a straight right arm and at impact your right arm should feel exactly the same way, bent at almost 45 degrees.
What does Ben Hogan mean by "If the average golfer went out and did the opposite of everything they thought to
As Ben Hogan said, “If the average golfer went out and did the opposite of everything they thought to be true they would hit it much better.”. It’s a counterintuitive and contradictory game.
Is teaching golf an art?
Teaching golf is an interesting art. For a relationship between coach and student to become a successful one many things have to go right. It’s a lot more complex than most could ever imagine. One of the most important aspects of fixing a student’s golf swing is understanding their concepts.
Is it dangerous to have straight arms?
One of the most common concepts I hear and see is “make sure you keep your arms straight!”. But this can actually be quite a dangerous concept: Straight arms can often lead to loss of power, over-active wrists and an over-active body. Straight arms are almost never seen in any other sport.
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.
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 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.
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.