Bending left arm in backswing...

Ah, so you forward press. Me too . I'm not sure you're not me .

I do stay with a routine as well, but I'm afraid I'm not meticulous enough sometimes. A habit that I think would be good for me to get into..

Check out my "one plane vs two plane" thread, especially my last post on going to a two plane swing after being a one planer all this time. Let me know what you think.

Hi,

A slight bending of the left arm at the top of the backswing is not a bad thing, actually a crescent type shape from the left shoulder to the wrist is a very good and powerful position.

Where bending becomes a problem and a big power leak is when the elbows collapse resulting in a narrow back and downswing.

Here is a link to a video lesson that explains:

http://www.ritson-sole.com/golf-tips...ng-your-power/

Bending left arm in backswing .. dont do it . Or at least try and feel like you arent

Have a look at the extensor action thread espeically the drill with the string/rope. http://www.golf-tuition-online.com/g...wrist-cup.html (Extensor Action and left wrist cup)

The left arm should maintain the radius between the club and your left shoulder. Its all physcis. The wider and more extended the left arm, the more this radius is maintained and the faster you will swing

I like to feel like my left arm is almost pulling my left shoulder out of its socket. Similar to the work Greg did with a pupil in that thread. This to me is maximum width and from there you can really climb into the ball. This also keeps you from overswinging since that left arm and wrist cant collapse. Tight and Wide

http://www.iseekgolf.com/golfschool/...es.php?gs_id=4

Hi Paul,

Yes that is correct but many people don't have the flexibility to achieve this on the backswing, A slight bending of the arm is not a bad thing, what is important is that the arm straightens on the downswing.

Good point Brian, but it would be interesting for those who arent fully flexible to see which gave them more clubhead speed

1. A half to 3/4 swing with full extension of the left arm

2. A full swing with a bend in the left arm

I believe the former would give the most power but I guess everyone needs to experiment a little

Paul,
I think it is more important that the arm is relaxed than forced into an unnatural position. I have studied many theories on this subject and am of the opinion that a relaxed arm even with a slight bend is desirable (Not a collapsed arm though).
Here is an article from the Bio-mechanics site:
"The left arm forms the radius of your swing arc. If the left arm bends during the swing it will force the clubhead to move out of position forcing you to make adjustments during the swing to bring the club back to square at impact. The goal is to have the the left arm in the same position at impact as it was when you addressed the ball. To make sure this happens start with the left arm straight at address and concentrate on getting it square again at impact. It's almost impossible to not bend the left arm at all during the swing. Some bending will occur naturally. This natural bend of the arm will correct itself on the downswing due to the centrifugal force created during the swing. The key is to not let the arm bend any more than it naturally would during the swing."

__________________
Best Regards
Brian

________________________________
Funny o'l game!

Brian

I hear what youre saying. The key piece in that paragraph for me is the following

Extensor action helps me get to the correct position for the top by keeping me from overswinging and having my left arm move in a straight line along the plane. With too much bend my hands will get to different top of backswing positions dependent on the amount of bend used. Too much bend also means my hands/elbow having to be thrown out at the start of the downswing to straighten my left arm before the forearm can rotate. I also get a late set of the wrists this way which gives me more power with the longer clubs for some reason. On the DS my left forearm can rotate straight from the top, i dont have to straighten it first

BUT I can see how it isnt mandatory and how many people can swing well with bending of the left arm. For me personally im finding it far easier to get on plane with a flat left wrist at the top and then generate more speed and forearm rotation on the way down with the straight left arm

The other key is tension. I feel like my left arm is like a rope at address and I want to make that rope taut at the top but not tense. I want to feel my wrists loose but a slight pulling on my left shoulder blade. When I do this I can hardly hold the position at the top because I have coliled so much and I feel a stretch all down my left side (trying to pull my left heel off the floor) When I bend the arm I release all that pressure and I personally feel theres no 'power' at the top for me to use beacuse I have slack (bend) in the rope as I start the DS. This is why that rope/string drill is so good. Maintaining that radius, that driveshaft

As always I think its each to their own and as always people should experiment with both to see what works best for them but since I have worked on this (since being shown it by a guy I play with) Im seeing better distance and compression with all my clubs

Hey Pnearn, What is "extensor action"

Jim

Have a look here Tee

http://www.golf-tuition-online.com/g...wrist-cup.html (Extensor Action and left wrist cup)

http://www.iseekgolf.com/golfschool/...es.php?gs_id=4

Had no luck with those links pnearn. First one took me to a Golf Tuition page that said "invalid forum specified". Second one took me to a sign in/registration page for iseekgolf.com

Try this one

http://www.golf-tuition-online.com/g...wrist-cup.html (Extensor Action and left wrist cup)

The thing that helps me with the firm left arm idea is that I don't have to manipulate the club to get it back to square at impact. I don't play enough and have enough time to practice enough to allow anything in my swing that requires an additional manipulation.

I'm sure I'm missing something, but I have to have the simplest swing possible in order to have something somewhat repeatable.

Having said that, I'm sure my "firm" left arm bends a bit, just as the shaft of the club bends a bit, but when I have the conscious feeling of firmness, or at least remind myself of that, I have my most consistent impact and best distance. As Paul said, it's a matter of physics.

Bill

Yes, but it's also physical that many people (especially seniors) don't have the physical ability or flexability to maintain a straight arm during the backswing and should not try to force themselves into uncomfortable and strained positions. It's more important that the arm returns straight as soon as possible on the downswing.

To conclude: I do not suggest that the left arm be collapsed, it should just do it's best and create as much width as possible, if that's a straight arm then great, if its something near but comfortable then that's also great.

__________________
Best Regards
Brian

________________________________
Funny o'l game!

I think some of it has to do with the
setup. It's nearly a given that every
top player after Hagen and Varden has had
a straight left arm. If the left is bent
at setup, it will probably be bent in
the takeaway.
Part of the trick is to have the left
arm straight and relaxed at the
same time. That takes a little training.
Straight left arm is a fundamental.