Straight Lead Arm/Elbow

[Brenkj]

I've always been under the impression that the goal should be to keep a straight lead arm (or at least almost straight) during the backswing.   I've been struggling with my swing for over a year now - specifically transferring my weight to the front foot effectively - with no progress.   So, I went to a new instructor the other day.   First, he told me to quit obsessing over the weight transfer and focus on getting everything else right (club path, face angle, etc.).  He also told me to quit straightening my lead arm in the backswing.  He said some amount of bend in that lead elbow is okay - and even preferable.  

 

The next day I played with my buddies.  I noticed that the guy in our group who hits the ball the furthest bends his lead elbow a lot in the backswing.   So which is it - straight, a little bend, or the more bend the better?    Are there pros and cons to each?     Thanks.

[TheDeanAbides]

It should never be locked out straight, and you should never be straining to keep it straight. Some bend is just fine. 

[GungHoGolf]

Some players can bend it the other direction, like Hinako Shibuna (2nd at the US Open this year), who averages 252 off the tee with a “short”, flat backswing (still massive shoulder turn):

 

 

The key thing imo is to not force or lock it straight, which adds tension where you don’t want it.

 

My personal feel is to straighten a relaxed lead arm mostly with pressure from my trail palm away from my chest. One of my instructors, Bill Moretti in Austin, regularly reminds me to keep my left elbow “soft.”

[MonteScheinblum]

Soft is the key.

[iacas]

I call them "long" arms, because "straight" implies muscle tension. Like @MonteScheinblum said "soft."

 

Almost everyone who "over-bends" the left arm does so because the RIGHT arm over-bends. And that is an issue, for sure. The game's best bend their elbows more (left elbow) and less (right elbow) than many would guess.

[MonteScheinblum]

1 hour ago, iacas said:

I call them "long" arms, because "straight" implies muscle tension. Like @MonteScheinblum said "soft."

 

Almost everyone who "over-bends" the left arm does so because the RIGHT arm over-bends. And that is an issue, for sure. The game's best bend their elbows more (left elbow) and less (right elbow) than many would guess.

💯 

[TheDeanAbides]

2 hours ago, GungHoGolf said:

Some players can bend it the other direction, like Hinako Shibuna (2nd at the US Open this year), who averages 252 off the tee with a “short”, flat backswing (still massive shoulder turn):

 

 

The key thing imo is to not force or lock it straight, which adds tension where you don’t want it.

 

My personal feel is to straighten a relaxed lead arm mostly with pressure from my trail palm away from my chest. One of my instructors, Bill Moretti in Austin, regularly reminds me to keep my left elbow “soft.”

That's hypermobility and not something to try and copy. Often associated with EDS.

[Soloman1]

kind of like the weather and currency exchange - it’s variable.

 

if we were all iron bryon, golf would be a cakewalk.

[Brenkj]

Thanks for all the replies.   I just got back from trying the "soft" lead arm at the range, and I'm really liking it.  For months now, I've been trying to get backswing "width" by locking out my lead elbow, and squeezing the life out of the club with my lead hand, to avoid collapsing at the top. Now I'm keeping everything "soft," and getting my backswing width by pushing away (softly) with my trail arm.  It's still a work in progress, but the preliminary results are very promising.   

 

Thanks again.

[golferdude54]

The best way to feel soft elbows is either using an Izzo Smooth Swing or Callaway SwingEasy strap. You can't keep the tautness without soft elbows. It is possible to overdo soft elbows and minimize the backswing width as a result. 

 

Wilco Nienaber is imo the best example to follow, his backswing width is the longest on tour and that's because at P3 his right arm has the least amount of bend. Try to get as wide as he does without locking your left elbow and you'll be fine.

[Brenkj]

This group was so helpful on the straight lead arm thing, I have a quick follow-up question:  I have a really hard time maintaining a flat lead wrist at the top of backswing and through transition.  My wrist kind of cups and collapses which causes me to "lose control" of the club for a split second.  Any advice or drills for fixing this?     Thanks.

[TheDeanAbides]

10 hours ago, Brenkj said:

This group was so helpful on the straight lead arm thing, I have a quick follow-up question:  I have a really hard time maintaining a flat lead wrist at the top of backswing and through transition.  My wrist kind of cups and collapses which causes me to "lose control" of the club for a split second.  Any advice or drills for fixing this?     Thanks.

This is what you need. https://rebelliongolf.com/no-turn_cast/

[hafnia]

On 6/9/2024 at 10:02 PM, Brenkj said:

Thanks for all the replies.   I just got back from trying the "soft" lead arm at the range, and I'm really liking it.  For months now, I've been trying to get backswing "width" by locking out my lead elbow, and squeezing the life out of the club with my lead hand, to avoid collapsing at the top. Now I'm keeping everything "soft," and getting my backswing width by pushing away (softly) with my trail arm.  It's still a work in progress, but the preliminary results are very promising.   

 

Thanks again.

 

 

A recent big re-discovery for me is to focus on the trail arm and feeling the upper arm leave your side and get allow some air to the right arm pit.  Very similar feel to a forehand in tennis.   The challenge is that the snug/tight/close/connected right arm feels safe and that I'm more likely to hit the ball and not miss it - allowing it to straighten away from the body feels like a "gamble" and that you could miss the ball.  Quite the opposite - contact has never been better.  I don't think about left arm being straight now, if you get width with right your left has to be pretty straight.

 

"the re-rediscovery" - Frustratingly I had a free 5 min lesson a year ago from a lad who is a very good amateur  (final qualifying in the open twice).  He actually guided my arms in the backswing and pulled my right arm away  - it felt horrible, I wanted to pull my right elbow in to my ribs but he told me to let it go.  He got my hands to a high and wide position and asked me to look at my turn which I hadn't even thought about.....  made a complete turn with arms in front of chest.  The result was a far shallower downswing - effortless speed.  For whatever reason I lost the feel - the comfortable/connected right arm worked its way back in and I went back to slices, pushes, shanks, fats etc etc

 

The problem is so many instructors teach the towel drill and arms being connected and many people use Hogan as a reason that the right upper arms should stay connected - for me its a bad bad thing! Don't know how it worked for Hogan cos it clearly did but for me it gets me stuck.

 

That's golf instruction right there - what works for others may not work for some and vice versa.

Edited June 12 by hafnia