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. The fix for more mature golfers is in what we will identify as e xtensor action.
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.
Why is my left arm bent on the left side?
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.
What causes a golf ball to hit left?
Upper Body Rotation. One of the most common causes of hitting a golf ball left is an over-rotation of your upper body. In order to make proper club contact, your upper and lower body should move as a unit through the golf ball.
Why am I hitting behind the ball?
Why am I hitting Behind the Ball? There are many factors which can affect your shot and cause you to hit behind the ball such as; Your position over the ball. Movement during your swing. Improper weight distribution and/or transfer. Some are easier to spot than others. Ball Position. The best place to start is the scene of the crime.
How many degrees should your arm be bent when you wrestle?
What does Ben Hogan mean by "If the average golfer went out and did the opposite of everything they thought to
Is teaching golf an art?
Is it dangerous to have straight arms?
See more
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How do I stop my left arm from bending in golf?
1:362:27How to Stop Bending Left Arm in Golf Swing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipJust keep the pressure of that lifeline of that right hand pushing down onto the thumb. Keep itMoreJust keep the pressure of that lifeline of that right hand pushing down onto the thumb. Keep it pushing away from you all the way into your backswing.
How do you fix bent arm in golf?
1:234:37Golf Tip - Fix Your Bent Lead Arm - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStraight. It's just straight. It doesn't have to be there's no law that says it's gotta be like anMoreStraight. It's just straight. It doesn't have to be there's no law that says it's gotta be like an iron bar. You just gotta get this position where it's comfortable.
Why can't I keep my left arm straight golf?
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.
Should left arm be straight in golf swing?
So, what is the correct way to do it? 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.
How can I make my left arm straight?
5:487:29The Trick To Keeping The Left Arm Straight In The Golf Swing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo draw the circle around your head from face. On feel your chest up right shoulder up and backMoreSo draw the circle around your head from face. On feel your chest up right shoulder up and back until your head stays in it if you've gone toward the target.
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 clipAnd get a feeling for good plane is to swing with your lead arm only in my case my left arm. WhenMoreAnd get a feeling for good plane is to swing with your lead arm only in my case my left arm. When you get to this position here. The club if it's in proper. Position will feel relatively. Light.
Which hand should dominate in the golf swing?
The left-hand dominant golf swing is known to be very powerful, and it will help correct some misses golfers have in their game. If you are a player who wants power and you like the classic methods of pulling the golf club through your swing, then left-hand dominance is the right idea for you.
Which arm is more important in golf swing?
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 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.
How do I keep my arms straight in the backswing?
Some golfers struggle to keep their left arm straight during the 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.
How do I keep my left wrist straight in the golf swing?
3:0913:09Drills to Flatten The Left Wrist - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is what I call kind of a wrist snap. If you take your left wrist. And you bend it back towardsMoreThis is what I call kind of a wrist snap. If you take your left wrist. And you bend it back towards your body where your palm your hands towards your body that's what's called wrist flexion. Now.
How do you swing straight in golf?
5:1912:32HOW TO HIT THE GOLF BALL DEAD STRAIGHT - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe hands at this point on the downswing. If your club is covering the hands at this point on theMoreThe hands at this point on the downswing. If your club is covering the hands at this point on the downswing. And parallel to your target. Line then you're pretty much on planes.
The Key to Keeping Your Lead Arm Straight in the Golf Swing
All of this can be avoided if you do a good job of turning your shoulders throughout the backswing. Rotate fully away from the target while keeping the club in front of your chest until the backswing is complete.
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.
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.
How to make a golf belt?
Straight Through Structure. Make a loop with your belt and slide your left arm into it, including your shoulder. Adopt your golf posture and let the belt hang limp. Reach across and grip in your right hand, wrapping the belt around your index finger and pinching with your thumb.
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.
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 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.
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.
Who is Baden Schaff?
Editor’s Note: Baden Schaff has been a PGA teaching professional for 17 years and is the co-founder of Skillest , a digital platform that connects golf students with golf coaches across the world for online lessons. To learn more about Skillest and to book a lesson of your own, head over to Skillest.com or download the app in the app store.
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.
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.
What does it mean when your back shoulder drops?
Dropping the Back Shoulder. Similarly to a loose leading arm, dipping your back shoulder can give the same issue from the opposite side of your body. Allowing your back shoulder to drop causes you to make a scooping motion towards the ball, rather than hitting right through. The scooping motion causes you to take a divot and lose the shot.
What happens when you hit behind the ball?
Hitting fat, hitting heavy, chunking the ball, grounding the club, whatever you call it, hitting behind the ball can cause huge issues in your game. Hitting behind the ball causes a divot to get between your club and the ball, resulting in an ugly mis-hit which tends only to jump 5 or 10 yards forwards. Hitting behind the ball can happen ...
Why does my head move forward in golf?
Moving your head forward causes your weight to shift incorrectly, changing your position over the ball before the club makes contact, causing it to hit the ground.
How to get weight transfer locked in?
Once your weight transfer is locked in, you should turn your attention to how your body is moving during your shot. A common issue is allowing your upper body to slide with your swing. Instead, aim to rotate around the center of your body, while keeping your chest facing down at the ball in the same spot.
Why release the club early?
Releasing the Club Early. Also known as ‘casting’, releasing the club too early disrupts your swing plane, causing you to hit across the ball rather than through it . Not only is this an issue by itself, but it also promotes the hip movement we spoke about earlier.
How to avoid hitting the ball?
To avoid this, focus on your movement after striking the ball and ensure you are doing the following: Follow your swing and allow the momentum to turn your body towards your target. Keep your front foot planted and pivot your back foot to aid proper rotation.
How to keep your lead arm straight?
Your lead arm should be kept straight throughout your swing as if it is bent at the point of impact. Bending the lead arm will shorten your swing and cause you to miss the ball and hit the ground instead. Concentrate on keeping your arm straight, but not tense, at the point of impact.
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).
Why does my golf ball curve left?
Even if your body is in proper alignment at the point of impact, your ball may curve to the left after you hit it. Known as a hook, this is due to a closed club face. A closed club face is one in which the toe of the golf club, or the point furthest away from you, reaches the ball before the inner half of your club. This will impart a right-to-left spin to the ball, causing it to curve towards the left as it heads away from you.
What does it mean when your golf ball flies in a straight line to the left?
If your ball flies in a straight line to the left, then your club face is striking the ball squarely.
What direction should your feet point when hitting a golf ball?
When you line up to hit your golf ball, your feet should point in a perpendicular line to where you want the ball to go. If your alignment at address is to the left, a correct golf swing will send the golf ball to the left as well.
What causes a bad golf shot?
Club Face Contact. Regardless of the swing mechanics that may cause a poor golf swing, the ultimate cause of any bad golf shot lies in the way the club face hits the golf ball. Any correction you make to your golf swing should have proper club fact contact as its ultimate objective.
What is the objective of golf?
By: John Csiszar. Published: 08 July, 2011. The objective of golf is generally to hit the ball in a straight line in an effort to achieve a low score. Hitting the ball right or left of the intended target is one of the fundamental causes of bad golf scores.
How to make proper club contact?
In order to make proper club contact, your upper and lower body should move as a unit through the golf ball. If your upper body rotates out of your backswing before your lower body, your angle of attack will be aimed to the left at the point of impact. As you finish your swing, the ball will fly in the direction you are now pointing, ...
Why do golf balls shoot left?
The reason they do is because the sidehill will promote a flatter swing that will leads to a more aggressive release of the hands. This will naturally close the clubface and send the ball to the left of the target.
Why is the ball aiming left of the target?
And because the ball shoots left of the target, it means the clubface was closed at impact and was also aiming left of the target. But it also means the swing path was outside-to-in, resulting in a clubface that is square to the club path and ultimately a pulled shot. Likely Reason #1:
How to avoid over the top swing path?
In order to avoid an over the top swing path you will need to focus on the downswing. Rather than pushing the club outside of the target line as you begin the downswing you will need to focus on bringing the club down from inside of the target line as it should, rotating around your body in the process.
What does it mean when the clubface is closed at impact?
Clubface Closed at Impact, But Square to the Club Path. For a shot to produce no side spin, the clubface must hit the ball with an angle that is square to the club path. In effect, the path the club takes must match the direction of the clubface. And because the ball shoots left of the target, it means the clubface was closed at impact ...
What is a pull shot in golf?
In golf a pull – or a pulled shot – is one that sees the ball starting left of the target initially and continuing on straight that line, without lateral spin. It is in effect a straight shot that misses left of the target. Because it ultimately misses the target it constitutes a golf shot error and should be avoided.
Why is my golf club not flat?
If the lies of your clubs – the angle between your shaft and ground at address – are too high then your club will not be flat as it will penetrate the ground. Instead, the toes will stay off the ground, which may ultimately contribute to sending the ball to the left.
Should you aim right of the target when setting up for a shot?
If you find it too difficult to alter your swing and club path – or if you’d rather keep it as is – then you can opt to simply aim right of the target when setting up for a shot.
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.