One of the defining elements, the hallmark of a great golf swing, is a straight left arm. There is a direct relationship between a straight left arm and how well one plays our game. A straight left arm provides a wider arc which provides more power and consistency.
Think of an accordion door that can collapse. It can never consistently close properly. Think of a porch swing. How smooth do you suppose the swing would "swing" if the chain didn't stay straight?
A straight left arm not only has many positive functions, but it looks cool. A bent left arm is a sign of a beginner or a golfer who never took having a nice swing seriously. Besides it looks crappy.
Here is THE secret trick between you and me. If you tell your buddies how you suddenly over came the aggravating bent left arm, they will continue to whup your butt. Promise not to tell? Scout's Honor? Sign here___________ and proceed below.
1). Take a comfortable address position with your left arm comfortably straight. There should be no tension and the left arm should be straight (not stiff) but loose and relaxed . . . but (again) STRAIGHT.
2). Swing the club straight up, in front of your face, and directly over the top of your head.
3). Look up and notice that your left arm has remained straight. You are looking between your elbows, your hands are directly over your head, your left arm relaxed but straight.
4). Turn your left shoulder to the right . . . & point it slightly behind the ball. Make sure you let your hips turn, your left heel comes off the ground and there is no tension in your swing. If you feel tension, turn more.
5). You will notice that you have no problem keeping your left arm straight. Repeat this drill until it is very natural to keep your left arm straight.
6). Take you normal swing. If the left arm bends, repeat the steps above until it doesn't.
Keeping the left arm straight is easy and you should have it licked in a very short period of time.
I trust you to honor our agreement. Tell no one!
Jim McLellan
The Anti-Pro/The Maverick
Think of an accordion door that can collapse. It can never consistently close properly. Think of a porch swing. How smooth do you suppose the swing would "swing" if the chain didn't stay straight?
A straight left arm not only has many positive functions, but it looks cool. A bent left arm is a sign of a beginner or a golfer who never took having a nice swing seriously. Besides it looks crappy.
Here is THE secret trick between you and me. If you tell your buddies how you suddenly over came the aggravating bent left arm, they will continue to whup your butt. Promise not to tell? Scout's Honor? Sign here___________ and proceed below.
1). Take a comfortable address position with your left arm comfortably straight. There should be no tension and the left arm should be straight (not stiff) but loose and relaxed . . . but (again) STRAIGHT.
2). Swing the club straight up, in front of your face, and directly over the top of your head.
3). Look up and notice that your left arm has remained straight. You are looking between your elbows, your hands are directly over your head, your left arm relaxed but straight.
4). Turn your left shoulder to the right . . . & point it slightly behind the ball. Make sure you let your hips turn, your left heel comes off the ground and there is no tension in your swing. If you feel tension, turn more.
5). You will notice that you have no problem keeping your left arm straight. Repeat this drill until it is very natural to keep your left arm straight.
6). Take you normal swing. If the left arm bends, repeat the steps above until it doesn't.
Keeping the left arm straight is easy and you should have it licked in a very short period of time.
I trust you to honor our agreement. Tell no one!
Jim McLellan
The Anti-Pro/The Maverick
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4 comments:
Quite a strectch for me,i have a slight bend at the elbow but i can see where this has been a major power leak for me.
Jim if i have trouble doing this exercise and feel lots of tension from my lower back, how many reps a day should i do or we do untill it feels natural?
By the way thanks for the exercise it was a real eye opener for me.
Fred
Thanks for the drill. It helped immensely.
Your drill Jim shows what happens if you "load up" by just turning with the arms following naturally. The left arm now has built up a natural "tension" and is not the product of a contrived straightening. I have a slight bend too, but it is not slack and floppy, nor is it locked intentionally. Jim's drill let's you feel what good player's feel at the top.
Hate to admit I'm not smart enough to figure out one aspect of this exercise...
Do I keep my hands straight above my head when I point my left shoulder at the ball?
Or do I lower my arms and take up my normal stance first... and then point my left shoulder at the ball?
Sorry for being so thick.
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