Drill for keeping left arm straight

[CantFindMyBall]

Hi,
ever since I took up this game a couple of years ago I have had a bad habit of bending my left arm at the top of the backswing . Does anyone know any drills for getting rid of this problem ? Can this swing fault cause a loss in distance as well as leading to inconsistent ball striking ?

[gord962]

Re: Drill for keeping left arm straight

What I tell people when I notice that their left arm is breaking down at the top is the need to push their club away from their body until the backswing is completed.

[CantFindMyBall]

Re: Drill for keeping left arm straight

Thanks for the reply Gord. I think when I have tried to keep a really wide arc in my backswing in the past I have a tendency to sway (probably caused by a lack of flexibility) so I dont know if this is a good fix to straighten my left arm . I guess I'll give it a try when the weather gets a bit milder !

[TeachingPro]

Re: Drill for keeping left arm straight

Before I give you a drill, let me just say this: you don't need a straight left arm and in fact you want to bend the left arm a little bit to create some leverage. You don't want a "chicken wing" but from shoulder height onwards, your left arm needs to break a bit.

Take a look at Kenny Perry's backswing. If he can make $15-million in career earnings with a flexed left arm, it can't be bad. If you want to see a pic, let me know and I'll post it. I use it often.

Ok, you need a drill to help you .. that's an easy one. Before you go to the driving range, stop off at a drug store and buy a fabric bandage or you might have one in your medicine cupboard. Go to the driving range and get a bucket of balls.

Before you hit any golf balls, wrap the bandage loosely around your left arm from the middle of the forearm to just under your shoulder. You should be able to flex your elbow A LITTLE BIT, maybe 3" of travel.

Now take a medium-iron like a 7-iron and start off by hitting golf balls with a 3/4 swing and as you get the hang of it, build up to a full swing but don't hit with more than 70/80% power. Over time try it with longer and shorter clubs too but be 100% comfortable before you try a wood!

Repeat it over several sessions and everytime you're having problems again, go back to the drill.