Arm rotation and plane

[birlyshirly]

Would be interested in people's thoughts/explanations as to how these relate on the backswing.

Until very recently, I had always assumed that clockwise rotation of the left arm on the backswing would tend to flatten the arm swing on the backswing.

However, I've been working with my teacher on a more upright backswing - and the single most helpful concept I've come across came from none other than Hank Haney (who is NOT my teacher btw!), who wrote this:

"...upright arm swing will tend to put the shaft in a laid off position. ...Signs to look for are a left arm that is too high and rotated too much and a right elbow that is tucked in too close to your side."

"If your clubshaft is across the line [at top of BS], your left arm is likely too low and too much across your chest, with your right hand too much on top of your left hand."

Remedy for being across the line and deep with the arms - "lift your arms out in front of you - feel more lifting and more rotation and keep your right elbow down."

In my case, trying to steepen my backswing, the arm lift is obvious - but the rotation much less so. The improvement in ball-striking dramatic.

Would be grateful if anyone could shed any light on why this seems to work.