Arm Lift

[jambalaya]

I have been experimenting with having my arms swing more freely in my swing. Actually I consider it a lifting of the clubhead with the arms and wrist hinge then dropping the clubhead on the ball. I find that if I start my lift earlier in the swing it keeps me from getting the club stuck behind me and the act of lifting and hinging the wrists is a freer motion. It looks weird because the clubhead path goes a little outside the target line. I think Freddie Couples does this a bit. I have been only turning the shoulders to get the club straight behind me and starting the lift there but I always seem to get the arms too far back and I feel restricted on the lift. There is a drill where you start your swing by doing the lift and hinge first and then just turn the shoulders to get to the top of the backswing. It really helps get one to a really good top position. So it seems to me it is just a matter of timing.

[Jeff Mann]

Re: Arm Lift

There are many unorthodox methods of starting the backswing, but why do you feel the need to experiment with an unorthodox method instead of using the standard method described in the backswing section of my online review?

Jeff.

[jambalaya]

Re: Arm Lift

There are many unorthodox methods of starting the backswing, but why do you feel the need to experiment with an unorthodox method instead of using the standard method described in the backswing section of my online review?

Jeff.

Maybe I just need to think about it in a different way. If I take my normal address position I can easily lift my arms and make the wrist hinge. I do not feel restricted. However, when I get back to waist level on the backswing and try to lift, I feel a lot of resistance as if my arms have gone too far behind me despite how I think I am just turning my torso and not using my arms to bring the club back.

Ever see this new kid Moore on the tour. I think he was the recent amateur champion. I have actually seen him in tournament play lift the club halfway before he starts his backswing to fix some problem probably similar to mine. I don't think he is going to stay that way but I just need to feel my arms swing freely and more passively in the swing. I want that effortless lift and the feel of the arms being a pendulum. I understand what you are saying in your article but I am not feeling it.

[Jeff Mann]

Re: Arm Lift

I cannot be certain what your problem is without seeing a video of your backswing, but I think that you may have a too flat backswing that causes you to get stuck at the back. You also may not be turning your left shoulder down towards the ball-target line in the takeaway. By making a good left shoulder turn (first down and then back) so that the left shoulder gets well behind the ball, your arms should be able to lift freely during the second half of the backswing without any feeling of being restricted. You may not be moving your left shoulder during the backswing, which will make it very difficult to lift the arms freely, with an appropriately upright clubshaft backswing plane (butt end of the clubshaft points at the ball when the left arm is horizontal to the ground), during the second half of the backswing.

Jeff.

[Robert O' Keeffe]

Re: Arm Lift

great point Cmays,

No two individuals are alike, therefore no two swings are replicas (i presume) i recently started to try a few changes, but ended up with what works for me. The standard suit will do me!!

Regards,
Robert

[jambalaya]

Re: Arm Lift

I was doing some slow motion swings in my den trying to rotate back and noticed that no matter how I try to think otherwise my right my right arm starts to help the club back rather than stay connected to the position at address. I can't seem to allow just the shoulder turn bring the club back without the added help of the right arm therefore my right arm gets stuck behind on the return I think. If I remove my right arm I am able to maintain my left arm in position but when I put the right hand on the club it moves the triangle. I think of it this way, if I get at adress and don't turn the shoulders but just move the club back with the arms you get in a position where lifting and hinging is restricted by the right shoulder. However if I get in he address position and simply lift and throw the club back over my shoulder it is very easy. So if I can turn the shoulders and maintain the triangle it should also be easy to lift and hinge when I get back. You may have hit upon the problem Jeff. My left shoulder may be too passive and not turning under. Any other comments would be appreciated.