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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.