Golf Tip from the Pro
Keep the Left Arm Comfortably Straight
One of the biggest myths in golf is “keep your left arm straight”.
The reason it is a myth is because the majority of golfers who try to do it end up with too much tension in the arm which spreads quickly into the shoulder muscles resulting in a very restricted backswing with little shoulder turn. The club should be held securely but with a soft feeling in the hands.
Some professionals on TV make an effort
to bend the left elbow slightly at address so to release any tension before they start the backswing (pic 2).
If there is any tension in the left arm at address, a smooth takeaway becomes very difficult. Another important position is at the top of the backswing is that the left arm is set at approx 45 degree angle in relation to the ball to target line (pic 3) which allows the shoulders to complete the turn.
Many golfers with a stiff left arm would have it parallel to the target line. Trying to get your left arm at a 45 degree angle to the target line is not a swing thought to bring to the golf course but important information to have while practicing.
So remember, keep that left arm comfortably straight for better golf.
Sean Cotter is the Golf Professional at Mount Juliet Golf Club, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny. Sean provides Golf Tuition through the Mount Juliet Golf Academy. Phone 056 777 3071 for details of Golf Tuition at Mount Juliet.
Buy Tuition Gift Vouchers:
Click here to buy a 1 Hour Tuition Voucher
Click here to buy a 9 Hole Playing Lesson
