The back arms job in the golf swing.

[inthecup]

The back arm is a major source of power in the golf swing yet I rarely see it talked about.  I recently did a PGA golf school and learned what a great source of power it is.

The concept is to push out and down with the right arm coming into impact.  It might be called release but to release is to let go.  This is not letting go but pushing hard.  Maybe it was finally described in a way I could understand.  This action can plainly be seen in slow motion driver swings where the club goes from parallel to the  ground through the ball with the right arm pushing it through.

Is it me, am I just so thick that I was not getting it?  I have reduced my swing motion and kept the yardage.  It feels like a half swing to get the same distance.  Very controllable, a slower swing.

Thoughts?

[saevel25]

I think it naturally happens for the Pro's. If you look at there contact, there at full extension after hitting the golf ball. For this to happen there right arm has to become straight. so it goes from bent to straight. This is a pushing action of the muscles and does generate power. But this is a natural occurence for the Pro's, so i would say is not what seperates the longest hitters with the shorter hitters on the tour. But if you look at non-Pro's the average Joes of golfing. There is a major issue with releasing, early, casting at the ball. This is a huge power loss there.

[JackLee]

Conscious action with the trailing arm may work for some.  For others, it may be a disaster.  My trailing arm and hand do exactly what they are supposed to do, but I never think about them.  It is subconscious, just as my lower body movements are subconscious.

[inthecup]

Originally Posted by JackLee

Conscious action with the trailing arm may work for some.  For others, it may be a disaster.  My trailing arm and hand do exactly what they are supposed to do, but I never think about them.  It is subconscious, just as my lower body movements are subconscious.

After you have mastered a swing or part of it, it becomes subconscious.  When learning it it is definitely conscience.  Do you agree that much of the power in a swing comes from the right arm.  The snap of acceleration of the club head into the impact zone is from the right arm.

What this did for me was enable me to shrink my motion, let me swing easier and produce the same distance.  The effect more consistency.   I believe once I become more comfortable I will gain distance.

Thanks for your comments.