ONE OF THE MOST COMMON
swing thoughts in golf is to keep your left arm
straight (for a right-handed golfer). This popular
theory is a guideline for many golfers when thinking
about their backswing, downswing and even the follow-through.
Although it would be nice to consciously keep your
left arm straight during the backswing and especially
into impact, it is important to first understand
the truth about the left arm.
The function of the left arm is to maintain the
radius of the swing arc. If you bend the left
arm at the wrist or elbow, you essentially shorten
the swing arc at impact, resulting in thin shots
or even topping the ball. It is not mandatory
that the left arm stay straight during the backswing.
However, it is highly recommended that the left
arm be straight at impact and beyond the "low
point." The low point represents the lowest point
of the swing arc. This is just beyond the point
of impact to the outside of the left shoulder.
If the left arm is straight at the low point,
then you most likely have taken a divot and put
full compression on the ball. Delivering the clubhead
on a downward angle past the ball is a key element
to playing consistent golf. The real question
is how do you guarantee this type of result consistently?
The answer involves the right arm, not the left.
If you study the golf swing and all of its components,
you'll discover that the right arm is the fundamental
key to a consistent swing, not the straight left
arm. Indeed, Ben Hogan once said, "I wish I had
three right arms." Therefore, to keep your left
arm straight at impact and beyond, your right
arm has to be doing the correct things.
Assuming you're in a decent position at the top
of the swing, with your body turned around a flexed
right knee, your right wrist bent and your right
elbow folded, you must then put your focus on
straightening out your right arm on a "down" and
"out" angle toward the ball.
"Down" represents the feeling of the right arm
driving down while maintaining bend in the right
wrist. The right wrist must stay bent during this
process all the way past the ball. This means
the focus of the right arm is not only to the
ball, but rather through the ball to the low point
(outside of the left shoulder).
"Out" signifies the feeling of hitting the inside
of the ball. Remember that the swing arc should
be delivered from slightly inside the target line,
not outside the target line. You should feel as
if the right arm is straightening out away from
the body similar to extending your arm to throw
a punch.
If you straighten your right arm on a "down"
and "out" angle while maintaining bend in your
right wrist, your left arm will be straight. It
is impossible for your left arm to break down
if your right arm is pushing down on it and pulling
it into full extension all the way down to the
low point of the swing.
If your right arm doesn't fully extend down or
your right wrist arches (scoops) before the low
point, then your left wrist will bend (cup) and
your left elbow will fold, thus shortening the
swing arc. This common flaw is one of the most
consistent patterns of poor ball-striking.
So try thinking more about what your right arm
is doing, instead of what is happening with your
left arm. If you do, you'll find that your left
arm will straighten itself out.
