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Is it ever ok to slightly bend my left arm during my backswing?

Sheekamoo

By Sheekamoo,
in Instruction and Playing Tips

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Sheekamoo Established Member

Sheekamoo

I've been watching a bunch of videos (SwingVision) of pro's and they have such great flexibility. Their arms go back and up so high that their club shaft is parallel to the ground.

I'm not as flexible as them and my shaft doesn't reach parallel. However, if I bend my left arm (my leading arm) at the elbow I can get the shaft parallel to the ground.

So... is it ok to slightly bend my left arm on the back swing to get my club positioned optimally? Or is it best to keep the left arm straight through the back swing and I'll just have to deal with my lack of flexibility with a less powerful and slightly less fluid swing?

I was thinking that by not having my back swing go all the way back, I could be messing up the rhythm of my swing. But at the same time, I can see bending my elbow leading to inconsistent shots.
Irons Callaway X-22 4-9
Wedges Callaway X-22 PW, GW, SW
3 Hybrid Adam's A4 19*
3 Wood Nike Sumo SQ
Putter Odyssey SabertoothBag Ogio Grom
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jambalaya Dedicated Member

jambalaya

Yes but I don't think slightly bending the left arm is going to get the club much further back for you. The more you bend it the more you sacrifice control and decrease the width of your arc and in a way you lose any power you were trying to gain. Try to keep it straight but if it bends just a little no big deal.

My Clubs
Nicklaus Progressive XC Irons: 3H,4H, 5-GW
Ray Cook SW & Gyro 1 Putter
Taylor Made Burner Driver 10.5
Taylor Made V-Steel 3 & 5 MetalsMy Home Course: Indian RiverMy Blog: Rant-o-Rama-Ding-Dong

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ks8829 Great Member

ks8829

I have recently found that a shorter backswing will allow you to make solid contact and become more consistent with your shots. I am right handed and I keep my left arm straight on the backswing and do not break my arm and let the club go as far as the straight arm allows and I more accurate and getting my approach shot closer than ever and making more birdies.

My current back swing is about 3/4 now.

Titleist 910 D2 9.5 Driver
Titleist 910 F15 & 21 degree fairway wood
Titleist 910 hybrid 24 degree
Mizuno Mp33 5 - PW
52/1056/1160/5

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Elvisliveson Great Member

Elvisliveson

While it's okay that your left arm is not completely straight, you should never intentionly bend it as part of your backswing to get more parallel. Distance is controlled by backswing width, not length and the straighter your left arm is the wider your backswing arc will be.

My Tools of Ignorance:

Driver: Ping I20 9.5*
Woods/Hybrids: Cobra AMP 3W and 3 HY

Irons: Cobra AMP 4-GW

Wedges: Callaway Forged Copper 56* and 60*

Putters: Scotty Cameron  35" (Several of the flow neck blade variety)

Ball: Bridgestone B330-RX and Srixon Z-Star

Bag: Nike Performance Carry

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Note: This thread is 5585 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

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