Left arm

[Sneaky Short]

I have been hitting my irons with an in to out swing (I think), but the marks on the bottom of my driver, left by the tee, show a bad outside in swing with my driver. as well as an erratic contact point.(marks on the driver from toe to heal. Just yesterday, I concentrated on a straight left arm through out the swing (as well s keeping it closer to my body), and was hitting the ball much farther, and the tee marks were dead straight and more around the sweet spot. I was not hitting the ball any straighter (I have always hit it straight), but farther. Would a straight left arm have this much effect, or was I just "in the grove" yesterday. I was also hitting my irons much farther.

[NCGolfer]

Would a straight left arm have this much effect, or was I just "in the grove" yesterday. I was also hitting my irons much farther.

I think that it may be a combination of both. Any time you reduce the number of moving parts on your swing, good thing are going to happen. Keeping that left arm stiff also may have helped you make a fuller turn as well. This is probably why you were hitting it further.

It is good you are recognizing these things. If I have any advice it is to simplify your swing and don't make any unnecessary movements...you're on the right track. Good luck!

[Sneaky Short]

I think that it may be a combination of both. Any time you reduce the number of moving parts on your swing, good thing are going to happen. Keeping that left arm stiff also may have helped you make a fuller turn as well. This is probably why you were hitting it further.

Thanks for the reply and incourgment. I was playing yesterday with one of the local high school golf coaches and we were talking about the shoulder turn. He made the same statement about the straight left arm allowing more shoulder turn ( I still do not understand whey it would). He stated that just a few degrees more in turn made a lot of difference. The pros say straight not stiff, but on TV, they look like the elbow is LOCKED. Anyway, When I do not go brain dead over the ball and keep a straight left arm, I do hit it further. I have a hard time feeling "relaxed" though.

[NCGolfer]

He made the same statement about the straight left arm allowing more shoulder turn ( I still do not understand whey it would).

You can get the club to the top without turning your shoulders fully by 'breaking' the left arm. By keeping it straight, the only way to get it to the top and parallel with the ground is by making a full shoulder turn. Try it and you'll see what I mean. This produces a lot more clubhead speed and distance...