Thursday, June 18, 2009

Debunking The Straight Left Arm

I think the biggest problem golfers face is that they have developed such poor, erroneous or non-consequential concepts that they believe to be quality, correct and important concepts of the golf swing that they never improve. One goof over at the GolfWRX.com forums would lead the world to believe that all you really need to do is practice the fundamentals and all the fundamentals are is a proper grip and a proper address position and you're all good to go. Furthermore, there's really only one way to properly grip the club and address the ball in this goof's opinion. This is really hazardous teaching because it ignores a ton of other fundamentals to the golf swing and if somebody like Lee Trevino or Moe Norman were to ask for some advice, this good would be changing address positions and grips that don't need to be changed.

One of the worst swing theories that I hear all of the time, something that drives me absolutely batty is when a high handicapper starts talking about 'keeping the left arm straight at the top of the swing.' This is a complete fallacy with little importance, unless you are really bending the left arm. My guess is that this started with people way back in the day trying to emulate Ben Hogan's swing. But, here's a bunch of darn good golfers and let's take a looksee at their left arms at the top of the swing.

PAUL CASEY


JB HOLMES



SAM SNEAD


RETIEF GOOSEN

9 comments:

philthevet said...

Hi Rich
I suppose that you already have seen this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbd3hqj6vEo
I do like JB Holmes swing because he is very compact and not wristy in the take away. Also emphasing his feeling of a non conscious release (keeping the right wrist bent )
Do you like it?
Cheers
Phil

TeddyIrons said...

A straight left arm at impact I think is important. I've never interpreted a straight left arm to mean "locked" throughout the swing. I personally think it's good advice to the high handicapper that folds the left arm a lot through the swing. The idea for me is that the left arm provides the arc. When the high handicapper then starts to maintain a straight left arm, they'll nevertheless have to bend it somewhat at the top of the swing.

Rich H. said...

JB Holmes is a classic float loader with a somewhat simple golf swing. I've yet to meet a higher handicapper who thinks about a straight left arm at impact. They all think about straight left arms at the top of the swing. It's pretty safe to say that most high handicappers ignore impact alignments all together. You may get the high handicapper that talks about how it's all about impact, but then works on things like a straight left arm at the top of the swing which has nothing to do with impact.

Anonymous said...

It is my understanding that right arm extensor action should help keep the left arm straight.

If one uses the bending of the right elbow to take the club back, doed this interfer with right arm extensor action? Or is it just hard to learn...like patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time?

Anonymous said...

It is extremely interesting for me to read this article. Thanx for it. I like such themes and anything connected to this matter. I would like to read a bit more on that blog soon.

Anonymous said...

By the way, try Bluetooth blocker to disable all secret devices in your room or at work.

Anonymous said...

It is extremely interesting for me to read that article. Thanks the author for it. I like such themes and everything that is connected to this matter. I definitely want to read more on that blog soon.

Kate Hakkinen
kiev escort models com

Anonymous said...

Pretty nice blog you've got here. Thanx for it. I like such themes and everything that is connected to this matter. I definitely want to read more soon.

Hilary Kuree
escorts armagh

Anonymous said...

Cool blog you got here. It would be great to read more concerning this matter. The only thing I would like to see on that blog is a few pictures of some gizmos.

Kate Karver
cell phone zapper