Adjustments for short arms

[JackieTreehorn]

What swing adjustments are needed for short arms (but not short body)? I have heard "swing with your chin up" but I don't know how that will help. I have also heard more obvious tips like "more knee bend" "round your shoulders" but I am not sure if those cause other problems.

I think Raymond Floyd and Notah Begay fell into that category and both had odd swings. I think they had very upright clubs though.

[Petden]

Couldn't you get your clubs cut down to the size you need?

[JackieTreehorn]

Couldn't you get your clubs cut down to the size you need?

I actually need longer clubs. I use +1/2" because my arms "relatively short" so that my hands are very high off the ground.

But other than fitting, I am wondering if there are aspects of the pivot motion that need to be adjusted for short arms. For example, I feel that I can't easily setup with my arms in front of me (more to the sides), and therefore tend to have a flat backswing and sometimes cannot easily keep my R elbow from getting behind me.

[loopy]

Wow, I've been wondering the same thing now for a while. I know what you're talking about as far as the right elbow getting behind you. I really have to make a concsious effort not to let it slip. I've been studying Hogan's Five Fundamentals and it seems a little uncomfortable at times to get my arms in those positions; always wondered if Hogan had longer arms. Sorry if this looks like a hijack, but I'd be really interested in others opinions as well.

[JackLee]

I have a 37" wrist-to-floor measurement, and I swing fairly upright. To make my clubs fit, they are +1" and 3 degrees upright. Still, I have to guard against swinging too upright with my shortest irons. The only thing that may be different about my pivot is that I control it with my left shoulder, as taught in "The Golf Swing and Its Master Key Explained".

[Petden]

I actually need longer clubs. I use +1/2" because my arms "relatively short" so that my hands are very high off the ground.

Oops, my bad, hadn't fully thought about it I guess. And While I dont have short arms, my legs are very long, and my wrist is 37 and 1/4" from the ground, so I am in a similar boat to you. Eventually I guess you get used to it. Im sure if Furyk can get used to swing as horrid as his, we can adjust our bend a little.

[JackieTreehorn]

I have a 37" wrist-to-floor measurement...The only thing that may be different about my pivot is that I control it with my left shoulder, as taught in "The Golf Swing and Its Master Key Explained".

my wrist is 37 and 1/4" from the ground, so I am in a similar boat to you.

Yes, mine is 37.5" and I think that puts me into 4* upright for standard fitting...but the club lie angle affects the pivot and swing plane....I use more knee bend than normal and I am trying to swing more rotary, but I think it may be more difficult with hands so high off the ball. I kind of feel that my natural swing should be the Hardy 1-plane (R elbow is supposed to fly behind) but for some reason that flying elbow scares me (probably because it has been my biggest enemy for awhile).

[JackieTreehorn]

Wow, I've been wondering the same thing now for a while. I know what you're talking about as far as the right elbow getting behind you. I really have to make a concsious effort not to let it slip. I've been studying Hogan's Five Fundamentals and it seems a little uncomfortable at times to get my arms in those positions; always wondered if Hogan had longer arms. Sorry if this looks like a hijack, but I'd be really interested in others opinions as well.

Just by looking at pics, I think Hogan had long arms for his body size...but that may be skewed by the fact he wore his belt so high!

I have been in a debate about Hogan-arms (elbows together, arms more in front of pecs) or military arms (shoulders back, arms to your side) for awhile. I can swing well both ways but neither is consistent or feels that good. Hogan arms just feels unnatural at address with a little too much tension. Military arms feels like almost the entire length of each arm is blocked by my ribcage and the R elbow can easily gets behind me. But just letting my arms hang gives almost the same feeling. A pro recently told me to try L arm military and R arm Hogan so I need to see where that leads...