Trevor Ng
The left arm plays a crucial role in the golf swing. It determines the spacing and arc of your swing as well as clubface control and stability at impact. A straight left arm encourages proper timing and connectivity at impact. The left arm is relatively straight going back, and the rotation is created more through the thoracic spine as opposed to the left shoulder. The left arm moves down the chest, making way for the right arm, and the left elbow should point to the ground going back and through. The left side is the hand that pulls you through impact.
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What You'll Learn
The left arm is the controller of the club face
The left arm plays a crucial role in the golf swing. It is relatively straight going back, but it doesn't have to be locked straight. The left arm is the controller of the club face. It determines the spacing and arc of your swing, as well as clubface control and stability at impact.
To get a feel for how the left arm controls the club face, try this drill: pick the club up with just your left arm and swing the club back. You will feel that the left elbow points to the ground going back and through. Now try to swing with your left elbow moving around a bit, and you will see how much the club opens and closes.
A straight left arm produces greater arc in your swing and encourages proper timing and connectivity at impact. It also helps to transfer your momentum through the golf ball. If your left arm is bent, the club can't fully release until it has passed the ball, reducing power and causing ill-timed striking.
The overall motion of a good swing is push-pull: you push the club back with your left hand, and pull it through with your left side. The left hand is a good focal point because the hands are the only parts of the body on the club. Think of the back of the left hand as the club face: if the hand stays steady, so does the face. A square face going back boosts your chances of getting back to impact square, which is the ultimate goal.
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The left arm should be straight but not tense
While it is important to keep your left arm straight during the backswing, it is also important to ensure that it is not tense. A tense arm will restrict the flow of your swing and hamper your rhythm.
A straight left arm is crucial to a good golf swing, as it determines the spacing and arc of your swing, as well as clubface control and stability at impact. However, this does not mean that your arm should be stiff or rigid. In fact, a slight bend in the arm is okay, and it is more important that your arm is mostly relaxed and straight. This fluidity and flexibility are critical to a good swing, as they allow for a full follow-through, which generates greater speed.
If you are a beginner golfer, you may find that keeping your left arm straight feels incredibly unnatural. This is normal, as the golf swing is an unnatural movement that can take some time to get used to. However, if you are physically unable to keep your arm straight, you may need to work with a coach to find a swing that suits your body.
To help you keep your left arm straight without tension, try swinging your arms around your body to loosen up and find a natural rhythm. You can also try a drill where you grip a short iron in your left hand and make some chipping swings to isolate the pushing motion of your left hand. This will help you recreate that feeling when you swing with both hands.
In summary, while it is important to keep your left arm straight during the golf swing, it is equally important to ensure that it is not tense. A slight bend in the arm is okay, and you should focus on maintaining fluidity and flexibility to achieve a powerful and natural swing.
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The left arm rotates out of the way as the right arm drives through
The left arm plays a crucial role in the golf swing, and its movement can significantly impact the plane of the swing and the clubface. During the backswing, the left arm should be relatively straight, but not locked. As the swing transitions to the downswing, the left arm rotates out of the way as the right arm drives through. This rotation is a natural continuation of the momentum from the backswing, where the left arm internally rotates roughly 90 degrees.
It is important to note that the left arm should stay connected to the chest during the swing. This connection ensures that the clubface remains stable and does not move around too much. The left arm acts as a controller of the clubface, and any movement away from the chest can affect the plane of the swing. Therefore, golfers should focus on maintaining this connection while allowing the left arm to rotate naturally during the downswing.
To achieve this, golfers can visualise their right side pushing through the impact area, creating stability and power. This visualisation helps engage the entire right side, which is crucial for a powerful and consistent swing. Additionally, the right arm should be tension-free, allowing it to straighten from its hinged position and naturally push the left arm and shoulder out of the way during the downswing.
Furthermore, the rotation of the left arm during the downswing is influenced by the rotation of the shoulders and upper body. The left arm rotates automatically as the shoulders turn, and this rotation helps maintain the circle created by the swing. Golfers should avoid attempting to do too much with their arms and instead focus on the rotation of the upper body and shoulders, allowing the arms to be carried along. This natural rotation of the left arm helps prevent issues such as the "chicken wing" position, which can cause misses to the right.
In summary, the left arm rotates out of the way as the right arm drives through in the golf swing. This rotation is a natural continuation of the momentum from the backswing, influenced by the rotation of the shoulders and upper body. By maintaining a connection to the chest and allowing a natural rotation, golfers can achieve a powerful and consistent swing while avoiding common issues such as the "chicken wing" position.
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The left arm should be level with the right arm
The left arm plays a crucial role in the golf swing. It is the controller of the club face, determining the spacing and arc of your swing, as well as clubface control and stability at impact. A straight left arm encourages proper timing and connectivity at impact, while a bent left arm can result in reduced power, ill-timed striking, and an altered clubface.
The left arm should be mostly relaxed and straight, with a slight bend. It should be level with the right arm, which is the trail arm and is along for the ride in the downswing. The right arm's primary role is to bend and straighten: bending in the backswing and straightening on the downswing as you approach impact.
To hit a golf ball with power and consistency, the left arm needs to be dominant in the downswing. The downswing is initiated by the left leg, with the left hand pulling you through impact. The left arm moves down the chest, making way for the right arm.
A good drill to practice the push-back move is to grip a short iron in your left hand only and make some chipping swings. This isolates the pushing motion of the left hand on the backswing.
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The left arm should pull you through impact
The left arm plays a crucial role in the golf swing. It determines the spacing and arc of your swing as well as clubface control and stability at impact. To achieve a powerful swing, the left arm should be mostly straight but not tense or locked. A slight bend is okay, but it should be relaxed.
At the start of the swing, the left arm pulls straight back from its natural hanging position, with no initial feeling of rotation. This creates a wide takeaway, helping to shift your weight to the right side. As the left hand reaches waist height, rotation starts to occur, driven more by the upper body—the chest and shoulders, and thoracic spine.
After a fully completed backswing, the hips initiate the downswing, allowing the left and right arms to fall down the chest. The left arm should stay connected to the chest throughout the swing, with the left elbow pointing down towards the ground. This ensures the left arm doesn't overpower the swing and helps to control the clubface.
As you approach impact, the left arm should be straight to encourage proper timing and connectivity. This allows your arms to swing freely, transferring maximum momentum through the ball. The left side should be the hand pulling you through impact, with the right arm slightly increasing its extension at the start of the downswing but gradually reducing it as you approach.
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Frequently asked questions
The left arm plays a crucial role in the golf swing. It determines the spacing and arc of your swing as well as clubface control and stability at impact. A straight left arm encourages proper timing and connectivity at impact.
The left arm should be mostly relaxed and straight. It should stay connected to the chest and rotate out of the way as the right arm drives through. The left elbow should point to the ground going back and through.
A bent left arm can result in reduced power, ill-timed striking, and an altered clubface (often resulting in a pull or slice).
The right arm is the trail arm, and it is along for the ride in the downswing. The primary role of the right arm is to bend and straighten. It bends in the backswing and straightens on the downswing as you approach impact.
