arms, twisting and elbows

[kingmancruiser]

I saw a video of myself swinging on the tee box the other day, and was pretty shocked.

The only thing I was interested in was in keeping my left arm straight.

In the video I'd gotten my left arm as far back as parallel to the ground, and my club was at a right angle to the ground.

No wonder I'm driving just 200 yards!  Could be my age (77) could figure into it.

Anyhow, what would be more important?  Bringing the club back to where it's about parallel to the ground at the max point of the backswing, or keeping a straight left arm and not getting the club shaft anywhere near parallel?

I'd appreciate any serious suggestions (other than quitting the game)

[mvmac]

I would say it's more important to make a full turn, meaning the shoulders turn about 90* while keeping the head relatively steady.  Having some bend in the left arm isn't the end of the world.  Check out the thread below.

http://thesandtrap.com/t/54540/a-centered-pivot

[kingmancruiser]

Thanks, mvmac.  I'll concentrate on shoulder turn.  I expect there'll be a pretty significant bend to my left arm.

Why is there so much emphasis put on the 'straight left arm'?

[mvmac]

Originally Posted by kingmancruiser

Thanks, mvmac.  I'll concentrate on shoulder turn.  I expect there'll be a pretty significant bend to my left arm.

Why is there so much emphasis put on the 'straight left arm'?

There's a lot of emphasis because the thinking is that it helps maintain the radius of the swing.  I agree we don't want to bend it too much, it's definitely not locked either.  Best way to keep the left arm from breaking down is to push the right hand into the left hand on the back swing.  A "wider" right arm (one that doesn't flex past 90*) with a decent pivot takes care of the left arm radius.

There are priorities, like you said, you're 77 and the handicap you've listed is 23, I'm guessing fixing the left arm isn't going to make the biggest difference.  Give yourself the best chance to make a dynamic pivot, turn both feet out, allow the right knee to lose flex on the backswing so the hips can turn.  Also understand this is easier to analyze if you were able to share a video of your swing