The left arm (RH player)

[APrince]

I was about to comment on some site link dropping poster's post about improving your swing, but it was deleted. Anyway, he was stating and stressing a "perfectly straight" left arm on the back swing, like most ppl do. I've seen many videos of top players with what seems like a locked arm and others with bends. I'm starting to wonder if it matters not either way. I have a slight bend in my left arm. my right arm is squared off, elbow is down and arm basically in.. Im beginning to wonder about that too but let's talk about the left arm for those of you with an opinion on it. what is the theory/function/ur thoughts behind it and ur experience with hitting locked as opposed to not?

[Hacker James]

The left arm is kept "straight" (not locked) all through the swing until just after impact when it begins to fold. as Hogan writes in his book:

"In order for the club to travel its maximum arc, one arm must be extended at all times."  he goes on to say: "In general, then, the left arm should be straight, this doesn't mean that it should be locked at the wrist or elbow or be in any place as the arm of a robot." unnatural straining isn't t at all necessary, or desirable.

Now, that being said.....I find that for me to maintain a straight left arm, I have to consciously "stretch it out" away from the body during take away.  I use Steve Stricker as a model. I am sure though that after it reaches a horizontal position hip high, that there may be a slight bend in my left arm, but it is still fairly straight. My hardest thing is to get that straight left arm up above my shoulder and still keep my right elbow tucked. Maybe I need to work on the shoulder turn, I don't know.

[mvmac]

Left arm shouldn't be "locked" but relatively straight to slightly bent.  We don't want the left arm to excessive bend because that would make solid contact much harder to achieve.  We establish a "radius" at address and if we change that relationship, we have to compensate in other ways, the most common is releasing the wrist angles early.  This might help on how to keep the arms from excessively bending on the backswing.

http://thesandtrap.com/t/62804/steady-head-drill-and-how-painting-mental-pictures-can-help-your-swing

[APrince]

Originally Posted by Hacker James

The left arm is kept "straight" (not locked) all through the swing until just after impact when it begins to fold. as Hogan writes in his book:

"In order for the club to travel its maximum arc, one arm must be extended at all times."  he goes on to say: "In general, then, the left arm should be straight, this doesn't mean that it should be locked at the wrist or elbow or be in any place as the arm of a robot." unnatural straining isn't t at all necessary, or desirable.

Now, that being said.....I find that for me to maintain a straight left arm, I have to consciously "stretch it out" away from the body during take away.  I use Steve Stricker as a model. I am sure though that after it reaches a horizontal position hip high, that there may be a slight bend in my left arm, but it is still fairly straight. My hardest thing is to get that straight left arm up above my shoulder and still keep my right elbow tucked. Maybe I need to work on the shoulder turn, I don't know.

this is basically what ive read too. like a minimal bend of a 3-5 degree bend is acceptable - maybe it was 1-3 i forget however, i keep hearing over and over from ppl to keep it completely straight; theyve read it or some instructor taught them this. perhaps its a translation error in what most ppl think as straight. i mean its confusing when you look at ernie els robot shaft for a left arm - talk about straight. watching hogan though his bend is apparent when he starts his downswing, at least in my eyes it is.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by mvmac

Left arm shouldn't be "locked" but relatively straight to slightly bent.  We don't want the left arm to excessive bend because that would make solid contact much harder to achieve.  We establish a "radius" at address and if we change that relationship, we have to compensate in other ways, the most common is releasing the wrist angles early.  This might help on how to keep the arms from excessively bending on the backswing.

http://thesandtrap.com/t/62804/steady-head-drill-and-how-painting-mental-pictures-can-help-your-swing

I agree with Mike.

Put another way:

Bend the arm if you like - it adds another lever to the system and thus is capable of adding power. It does so at the expense of consistency of radius, and thus, consistency of ball-striking.

So often it becomes a question of "Is 5 MPH faster clubhead speed worth mishitting the ball 90% of the time?" Most often the answer is no.

[Mr. Desmond]

^^^^

Final Answer.

I mean, I'd rather hit the ball consistently well, than not.