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. Maintaining rotation is important because it helps get your right shoulder down and through the ball, driving your arms through impact.
Should you bend your left arm in the golf swing?
There is so much advice online about maintaining a straight left arm throughout your golf swing, with the general consensus being that some bend is fine as long as it is combined with the right amount of shoulder and hip turn.
What happens to your arm when you follow through in golf?
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. Maintaining rotation is important because it helps get your right shoulder down and through the ball, driving your arms through impact.
Should your left arm be straight or bending at impact?
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, your left arm should be as straight as possible at impact. Bend in your left arm at impact means that you are holding onto the club, preventing a full release that maintains your club speed. Bending your left arm at impact is commonly referred to as the dreaded chicken wing.
What happens when your left arm overbends during the back swing?
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.
How do you keep your left arm straight in follow through?
0:578:04How to Keep Your LEFT ARM STRAIGHT - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo keeping the left arm. Straight throughout the back swing into the downswing. And the followMoreSo keeping the left arm. Straight throughout the back swing into the downswing. And the follow through can really help you with your overall consistency and ball striking.
Does left arm stay straight in golf swing?
Golfers 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.
How does the left arm work in the golf swing?
9:5019:12GOLF: Left Arm In The Golf Swing | LIFT AND SQUEEZE! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd your shoulders. Forearms hold the club but don't worry about those body parts just swing theMoreAnd your shoulders. Forearms hold the club but don't worry about those body parts just swing the damn golf club.
Why is my left arm bent at impact?
The straightening of the left arm is the response to a proper release of the golf club, not something you will need to try to do at the moment of impact. If the right arm is pushing too much or the left arm is too tight through impact, this will cause the left arm to bend.
How do I stop my left arm from bending in golf?
3:047:29The Trick To Keeping The Left Arm Straight In The Golf Swing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStraight chest up towards the sky on the way. Back and that would be the first piece if we look atMoreStraight chest up towards the sky on the way. Back and that would be the first piece if we look at that my lead arm should be pretty darn. Straight during the backswing.
How do pro golfers keep their left arm so straight?
0:506:16Little Known SECRET Keeps the Left Arm Straight in Your Golf Swing!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo number one reason i see when i give golf lessons white people don't keep this lead arm. StraightMoreSo number one reason i see when i give golf lessons white people don't keep this lead arm. Straight lack of mobility with the wrists often related to the grip we'll touch on that when the wrists don't
Which arm is dominant in the 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.
Where does left elbow point in downswing?
Instead, rotate your left forearm counterclockwise on the downswing. A great thought is to keep your left elbow pointing at your left hip as you swing down (above). If the elbow points at the target, you're pulling, not rotating. Get used to this left-arm rotation with half shots.
What arm controls the downswing?
12:2716:17The Role Of The Right Arm In The Golf Swing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDuring the downswing. Number one is keeping your right arm more externally rotated that meansMoreDuring the downswing. Number one is keeping your right arm more externally rotated that means keeping your elbow. More towards the target than your wrist bone.
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 extend my arms in golf follow through?
1:097:18GREAT EXTENSION THROUGH IMPACT - THE GOLF RELEASEYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo it's rotating your body towards the target. And extending the arms what i see too much is bodyMoreSo it's rotating your body towards the target. And extending the arms what i see too much is body staying down static almost looking at the ball too long and then the arms will tend to fold.
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.
Does left arm rotate in backswing?
2:493:57Golf Swing Left Arm Rotation and Lift - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd gradually rotates this way as the backswing goes through. So important thing it is not pushingMoreAnd gradually rotates this way as the backswing goes through. So important thing it is not pushing the club away see no left arm rotation. It's not whipping the club low into the inside.
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.
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.
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.
What does it mean to bend your left arm at impact?
Bend in your left arm at impact means that you are holding onto the club, preventing a full release that maintains your club speed. Bending your left arm at impact is commonly referred to as the dreaded chicken wing.
Why Keep Your Left Arm Straight?
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.
How to keep your left arm straight during a golf takeaway?
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). This will help you keep your left arm straight and close to your body which starts your takeaway on the proper swing plane.
How does swing alignment work?
Remember that body rotation is critical to maintaining a straight left arm and Swing Align helps you see how much you turn. Visit Swing Align’s full collection of products to drop strokes off your game and achieve proper positioning throughout your golf swing!
How to use swing alignment?
Start by taking some small swings, rotating back only so that your left arm is parallel to the ground. Keep your left arm close to your body and rotate the alignment rod back and through using your body.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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 ...
How to get a feel for the left arm in golf swing?
To get a feel for what the left arm does during the swing, grip an 8-iron with just the left hand. Place the right hand behind the left arm, just above the left elbow.
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.
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. ...
What arm does the golfer use to hit a shot?
Once golfers become comfortable with this drill, they should be able to tee up a ball and hit shots with just their left arm on the club.
What does it mean when your hands are in front of the club?
If the hands are in front of the club, this likely means you’re hitting shots higher than normal. Focus on timing and try not to release the left arm too quickly or slowly.
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, ...
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 the position of the left arm when hitting the golf club?
These dynamics also affect the position of the left arm at impact. When we look at impact, we often check the position of the back of the left hand or wrist as it is primarily controlling the club face through the hitting area. Because the left arm must be pulled across the body in the golf swing in order to get into a leveraged position at the top of all swings, there is some rotation that occurs.
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 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.
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 many degrees does the golf swing go back?
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. As we get to the top, now my arm is in this position, versus neutral.
What arm controls the club face in golf?
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 the club face through impact.
How important is a straight left arm in golf?
In conclusion, I think it’s safe to say that a straight left arm is not crucial to a good good swing. Having looked at the swings of top tour players, it’s clear that many of them play with a bent left arm.
What arm move is best for golf?
I think his left arm move is well suited to the vast majority of golfers. But rather than copying his left arm exactly, I would recommend using the amount of left arm bend that is natural and comfortable for you. Just don’t worry about your left arm bend!
How do I extend my arms in the follow through?
In general, the arms should extend in the follow through as a result of the golfer swinging the weight of the club. The centripetal force created by the rotation of the body pulls the arms into the follow through.
Why do golfers limit their swing length?
Other golfers try to limit the length of their swing in order to maintain the straight left arm. While this may be a better option, it is likely robbing them of power and distance.
How does a golf swing work?
Our arm bends as we turn our body and take the ball back, and straightens as we turn our body on the way through. The golf swing works by the same principal.
What happens if you keep your golf balls straight?
Trying to keep them straight at this point will likely lead to tenison and discomfort. At best this will probably lead to slight inefficiencies in the swing and at worst, it could lead to huge inefficiencies and a complete lack of consistency.
Why is it important to focus on your swing?
Focusing on swing to a relaxed finish can help to achieve a more flowing follow through – and a better golf shot!
How to keep your left arm straight in golf?
Keeping your left arm straight during the swing requires the proper grip, arm swing, downswing path and body turn. Learn these fundamentals and you will consistently be able to create a powerful swing.
How to swing a golf club backwards?
Swing the club back with your shoulders and begin hinging your wrists. Keep your left arm extended as you turn your shoulders and hinge your wrists. Stop your backswing when your left shoulder is under your chin and your arms are slightly higher than your shoulders .
How to follow through on golf swing?
Follow Through. Keep turning your hips as you swing through impact and strike the ball. Let the club rotate over as your arms extend out to the target. Halfway through the follow-through the left arm should finally bend as you fold both arms to a finish position. Your shoulders and hips should face the target at your finish.
How to get a golf club to swing down?
Downswing. Start your downswing by moving your lower body to the target. This will help you bring the club down along a proper inside-out path. Turn your hips toward the target and keep your left arm extended as you continue swinging down to impact. Turn your hips through the impact position and hold onto your wrist hinge until just before ...
What arm should be straight at the top of the backswing?
By John Wagner. The left arm should be straight at the top of the backswing. One common phrase heard around driving ranges and golf courses is "keep your left arm straight.". This advice can help right-handed golfers create power in their swings.
Where should the V point on a golf club?
The "v" formed by your left thumb and index finger should point toward your right shoulder. Grip the club in the fingers of your right hand with the right pinky finger overlapping the index and middle finger of the left hand. This grip will give you leverage to hinge your wrists while keeping your left arm straight.
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.
