Left Arm

[stronz]

Every video I see it looks as if all the Pros keep their left arm locked at the elbow through the backswing and throughswing. I read on this site that the arm should be straight but not RIGID. Can someone explain how the arm should remain through the swing?
Thanks

[gord962]

Re: Left Arm

NEVER lock your left arm. The left arm should remain relatively straight through the swing until after impact. Until that point, there should be no change in the bend in your elbow. Let your arm hang loosely by your side - that is the amount of bend you are looking for in your left elbow.

[LowPost42]

Re: Left Arm

Trust me, the pro's don't have rigid left arms. They just don't have to bend them because of their ridiculous flexibility. My arm flexes slightly at the top, but is straight at impact.

[Started2k3]

Re: Left Arm

I think you left arm needs to be reasonably straight.

If you compare swing video for Ernie Els (http://redgoat.smugmug.com/gallery/79626/1/5000932) and Mark O'Meara (http://redgoat.smugmug.com/gallery/248497). Pausing the video at the top of the backswing you see that there is a difference in both the flex of the arm and flexibilty of the shoulders.

Els's arm is very straight, while O'Meara's is slightly bent (or flexed).

We also see that Els is more flexible than O'Meara.

[Mr_Change]

Re: Left Arm

I used to keep my left arm as straight as I could, but then one day I decied to allow a loose straight arm, and I now get more distance from the tee.

[stronz]

Re: Left Arm

Thanks for the info guys. Info helped a lot.