Bending the left arm

[Tomputt]

For years I have been following the advice that you have to have a straight left arm going back.  Just found a new swing coach.  Had me bending the left arm going back with a loose grip.  Holy S*&%....couldn't believe it was me hitting the ball.  Tried it on the golf course and was ball striking like I never did before in 23 years of golf.  Looked into it a little more and  names like Calvin Peete, Curtis Strange, Bill Vardon all had bent arms going back.  One thing a straight left arm introduces is tension.  Letting the left arm bend is a more natural feeling and the golfer has less tendencey in overgripping the club during the downswing. It feels like a more natural easy flow then the straight arm.  Found out that a lot of golf schools in Europe are now introducing this model as a new approach in swinging the club...I'm sold.!

[StefanUrkel]

I think it is all about the connection with the two arms.  What is your right arm doing?  When do you hinge the wrists?

[Tomputt]

Right arm is just there for the ride.  Hinging happens a little earlier than with a straight arm.  I noticed that the club head goes back futher than with the straight arm. I beleive I am getting more club head by having the club futher back in my backswing...I make no extra effort to increase the down swing...easy back, easy forward.

[Lihu]

There's similar threads. This one seems like the best one, though.

http://thesandtrap.com/t/35195/shorter-probably-better-swing-keep-the-right-arm-straight

[Ernest Jones]

I also never focus on the left arm and agree about the tension it can create. A good feel from Manuel de la Torre is to keep your hands as far from your head as you can throughout the swing. This will promote a straighter left (and right) arm without introducing tension as you are focused on your hands not your arm or elbow. The thread @Lihu just posted is a great one. Doesn't work for everyone, but when I'm executing those feels properly I get great results. It always feels like I won't get as much distance but the opposite is true, I actually gain a LOT more distance with that feel.

[Brakkus]

Some big hitters come to mind who have a slight bend Cabrera,and JB Holmes to name two. I am one of those who can hyper-extend my elbows so always careful not to force it straight. I have a mild bend going back but it straightens on the way down.