How do I keep my left arm straight?

[manwithaplan]

Hi,

Newbie here, was hoping someone could point me in the right direction. Been playing for about 2 years. I have a couple of problems, but one of the biggest is my lack of distance. While I'm not expecting to fizz a drive 300 yards down the fairway every time, I'd like to hit it consistently over 200 yards if possible. I noticed that I can't keep my left arm straight. Is there a certain point in my back swing that I should expect to keep my left arm straight?  For me, the best I can do is keep it straight till the arm is just about parallel to the ground. Should my arm be straight beyond this point, in my backswing?

Any help much appreciated:-)

[iacas]

Hi,

Newbie here, was hoping someone could point me in the right direction. Been playing for about 2 years. I have a couple of problems, but one of the biggest is my lack of distance. While I'm not expecting to fizz a drive 300 yards down the fairway every time, I'd like to hit it consistently over 200 yards if possible. I noticed that I can't keep my left arm straight. Is there a certain point in my back swing that I should expect to keep my left arm straight?  For me, the best I can do is keep it straight till the arm is just about parallel to the ground. Should my arm be straight beyond this point, in my backswing?

Any help much appreciated:-)

Are you turning properly? Many people will bend their lead arm when they feel they can't complete a backswing normally.

[LocoPatrick]

I've been fighting the same issue this year. What I have found is that I have to make a conscious effort to keep my left arm straight. If I don't, I either hit thin shots, or if I pure the shot, everything is a push-fade/slice. When I focus on keeping my left arm straight throughout the backswing and during the downswing, I have seen immediate results in distance and aim. I don't make it stiff, but I do have a to keep a conscious "left arm straight!" in my head.

It forced me to learn to make a proper shoulder turn. I was doing it all wrong and bending my left arm to compensate. I found this website to be very helpful as to how to make a proper shoulder turn: http://www.golfloopy.com/drill-backswing-making-full-shoulder-turn/. I didn't thin I was flexible enough, but I really surprised myself after trying some of these exercises.

I don't know if this will help you, but it has been working for me. I don't have it down pat yet, but it is helping. Good luck!