Keeping Lead Arm Close to the Body on Backswing

[Old1964]

Feeling a little stoked. Having had to take a break from golf for nearly 7 years, I bought some new sticks and fumbled my way around many courses and had a great time of it. 

Tonight, I got to the outside range for the first time (65 degrees and wind = a good spring day in Michigan).

Hit crisp wedges and short irons.

Struggled with the 4 & 5 irons - tucked a towel under my left arm and shazam - I found my swing. Nice ball flight. Good direction and distance.  Didn't feel like I was fighting the club. 

I know that this has been a drill for a long time. Never tried it until today. Was stunned that I couldn't keep it there once the club was almost parallel. I am guessing this is helping me fight my natural urge to come over the top by getting the club a little further back (?) or behind(?) me. Can anyone clarify the connection for me - maybe a link to another post?

[iacas]

1 hour ago, Old1964 said:

I know that this has been a drill for a long time. Never tried it until today. Was stunned that I couldn't keep it there once the club was almost parallel. I am guessing this is helping me fight my natural urge to come over the top by getting the club a little further back (?) or behind(?) me. Can anyone clarify the connection for me - maybe a link to another post?

So…

• Generally not a big fan of this drill. I like the arms to work up a little in the backswing, and this tends to work the arms around a bit.
• But, if it "works" for you, maybe it's a good thing. I say maybe only because… it could have just distracted you, or all kinds of other things, without affecting real change.
• To that… did you record any before/after swings to see what actually changed?

[Old1964]

Thanks for your input. I did not think about recording anything as I didn't expect anything to truly happen. Someday I'll get a couple swings uploaded to the members forum. 

[Guest]

I don't like that drill at all but can see why you might have better results with it but the reason why isn't what you think. I think it's going to emphasize some common misconceptions that are taught in the backswing. How many times have you heard taking the club straight back in a one piece takeaway? That's a pretty commonly taught idea but I think it isn't correct. Yes, you want the club to go straight back on plane but in order to do that you can't take the club straight back. This will lead to your arms getting too far behind you and this is part of the reason why 99% of golfers slice the ball.  

Take your normal setup and then if you were to move just your arms the way they should move then you should move your arms straight up towards your right shoulder. When you make your normal swing, blend that motion with the turning of your shoulders and the club is going to be on plane. 

So the towel drill I feel on the backswing is one of the worst things that you can do but I think it can help you on the downswing. It will also help to keep you from moving too much and the less you move in the swing the better you'll hit the ball. I don't think it's a good tradeoff for the bad position and habits it would create in the backswing.