Hi Jon,

Without seeing your swing it is difficult to understand the problem. Are you collapsing your left elbow on the backswing? This creates a narrow swing that is a big power-leak.

If this is the case, to assist with a wider takeaway try this drill:

Place a second ball on the ground around 1 foot behind the ball at address. In your takeaway feel as though you will push the second ball away with the back of the club. This will create a wider takeaway that will assist in keeping your left arm straighter.