Important of left arm (right handed) on backswing.

[SloverUT]

Hey all, quick question here.

When watching videos, tour pros, etc.. I see most players have a straight left arm on the back swing and the right arm breaks down..

My question is: How important is it that the left arm be completely straight?  I often have trouble with this due to flexibility issues and am wondering if a slight bend would cause any issues.  I know it is imperative that the left wrist be flat at impact, so if I am able to achieve that, is there any other effect a bent left arm on the back swing would cause?

[iacas]

In a word: no. Slight bending is fine. But make a video as often times what people think are flexibility issues are really just informative issues: you don't know something.

[mvmac]

Like Erik said, having a little bend in the left arm is fine, especially if you have Key #3.  I don't think it really causes any issues, may get the shaft a little across the line.  The "fix" for an overly bent left arm has more to do with the right arm or the pivot than trying to keep the left arm straight.

[TommyBoy]

Slight being the key word! The guys above are the experts but I will add my opinion.

IF you want/need to bend the left arm a little, that's fine. But if you need to bend your arm more than that...I would shorten my backswing a little. You will get more distance by making solid contact with the ball than you'll get by bending the left arm too much....more often than not.

[SloverUT]

Thanks for all the replies.  When I was using Evolution and getting frequent lessons, getting my elbows closer together was a consistent comment of his.  However, no matter what I seem to do, if my left arm is completely straight my right elbow just goes to far back.  The only way I've found to keep them consistently close is to have a slight bend in my left elbow.