Does the left arm have to be straight

[iWALK18]

Nope, It does not HAVE to be straight. The proof is the number of pros who don't keep it straight.

I think a lot of it comes down to your body, and your swing though. I know personally that I have a slight bend in my elbow (see my picture) at the top but it always returns to straight at impact. Forcing my elbow to stay locked actually kinda hurts my elbow for some reason, and I think it just causes a lot of tension for me.

Just my opinion.

[pjsnyc]

I try to keep it straight throughout the entire swing.

Though as others have said, its not necessary. A proper golf swing will straighten that left arm out on the downswing anyway (centripetal force/acceleration/whatever).

[ANTC]

thanks for all the advice guys, i'll stick with the stright arm
btw, pjsnyc we play the same golf courses but i haven't played vancort yet

[Pinseeker81]

I keep it as straight as I can without locking it out entirely. If I let it bend too much (like at all) I'll get steep and hit it fat every time.

[mdvaldosta]

Keeping it straight just makes it more repeatable, and that's what we're all after isn't it? So long as it starts off straight and ends straight that takes care of 99% of it, the real problem lies when you don't strike the ball with a straight arm or when you start off bent and strike the ball straight... you'll then have to manipulate your body and posture during the swing to hit the ball properly.

[DavidFehertysBike]

It doesnt have to be dead strait. Matter of fact, i think alot of high and mid handciaps tighten their swing by trying to do that. My lead arm has a bit of bend in from address to the top of the backswing. It keeps me loose so i can make as much as a tension free swing as possible. Im sure it straightens at impact, but its not something that i think about.

[halcon]

The straight left arm has little to do with power. It has everything to do with the club head contacting the ball at exactly the right level.

A straight arm creates a wider swing, increasing the club head speed (assuming same swing tempo), so it actually increases your power. To maintain the tempo, your arms (with the rest of the body) need to be relaxed, not rigid.

[JOSEPHLB]

Ask Kenny Perry.

[tmf9]

Guys if your left arm bends in the backswing, would that cause you to cross the line?

[wrx_junki]

Today I witnessed a kid 5'8" bomb his drives with a slight draw carrying about 260-300. He had a bend at the top of his backswing. He was not too shabby with his irons as well. Too bad his putting was so shaky. So it does NOT have to be STRAIGHT for you to hit it well.