Left arm collapse in backswing

[BirdieNumNums]

So, lately I've played rather well, for myself. Scoring more often than I ever have mostly because of my driver/putter(sometimes wedge play). What's failing me is my iron play.

Today for example, at the course I play frequently I hit my first iron(Wedge or hybrid approaches up to that point) on the tee of the par 3, #5. I felt comfortable, but near the top of my backswing(maybe 85% complete) I could feel my left arm(I am right handed) fold/collapse slightly and I proceeded to flair it out to the right. Then did this again on the par 3, #13.

Is there anyone else that experiences something similar? Is there anything you do to prohibit this or a drill to ingrain the proper feeling? Maybe something I can make as my pre-shot routine because I honestly don't have much of a pre-shot routine.

[Stumpy]

My first thought would be to try a shorter swing.  I know for me its a flexibility thing, and if my left arm is breaking down, its because I'm swinging past the point of my flexibility.

[RayG]

You would be in the large minority who doesn't have some kind of kink in the left elbow. I won't say "collapse" because that would denote a 'bad' thing. If it's under control and not strangling yourself by wrapping around your neck or something, work with it. True, it could mean you need a bit more flexibility to maintain the arm, but look around.... Who is really THAT flexible? Plenty of "teachers" and instructors just want the club to be at the right position at impact. that 30th of a second or less when the ball actually is in contact with the club. I worked on my swing over the winter to fix that exact problem that I THOUGHT I had to fix. My 'collapse' wasn't that bad, but I thought I could do better. I just kind of concentrated more on it, I guess and it was better but never really went away. If I kept it peg straight, I felt I was losing power and distance because I wasn't getting around enough. If I swung the club while THINKING about it and trying to keep it straight, I couldn't do it. It always broke down a little, but less than before so I maintained the power. It felt like it was but it never stayed that way. It also helps to keep the wrists loose as well (in the right position, natch), this can give added swing arc without having the arm break down as much if you can't get the flexibility to keep the elbow firm. If you have you heart set on a peg straight left arm, you could try using a tube or similar device to keep the elbow straight to get the feeling what it should be like. Then repeat it without the tube until you match.

[colin007]

Work on keeping your right arm as straight as you can. Yes, I said right arm. Try it. You'll see how it helps.

[LI Hacker]

Originally Posted by colin007

Work on keeping your right arm as straight as you can. Yes, I said right arm. Try it. You'll see how it helps.

Agree completely, I actually stumbled upon an old thread started solely around the premise around keeping the right arm "straight".

I've recently been working on this and the change in the right arm angle will yield a straight (er) left arm. Has really improved my contact.

[BirdieNumNums]

Yes, the right arm has been the key.  Figured this out a few days ago messing around at the range. Had a terrible session at the start and realized I wasn't going to get any different result trying the same thing over and over.  So at address with about 5-6 balls to go I felt my right arm solid and I felt my swing again. Went out and played a local muni 2 over.  Had 4 early bogeys due to not committing to swinging through the ball and ending up short. However, my left arm felt good throughout the swing.  Came back with 3 birdies in a 4 hole stretch.

Hopefully, these 2 swing thoughts stick with me Monday(tournament)!