How To Get A Straight Left Arm In Your Golf Swing
A straight left arm in your golf swing can help to boost your distance on the course, so we asked Top 50 Coach Katie Dawkins to explain how you can achieve it
There are certain positions in the golf swing that are absolutely crucial to get right... and a straight left arm is one of them.
In order to improve your ball striking and shoot lower scores, data suggests you need to add power and distance to your game. One of the keys to unlocking those elements is a straight left arm in the golf swing - so let's find out how you can achieve it.
In the video and article below, Top 50 Coach Katie Dawkins explains the importance of the arm and lead wrist position in the backswing and provides a great drill to help you nail this important position...
How To Get A Straight Left Arm In Your Golf Swing
Why You Need A Straight Left Arm
At the top of the backswing, the lead arm should be straight and your wrists should be hinged. The position of the wrist is a key component in generating and storing power, so don't sleep on that particular element.
For now, however, let's focus on the lead arm. It's important to note that it shouldn't necessarily be totally rigid. This stiffness restricts the flow and rhythm that are also crucial for a good swing, so you want that straightness without tension.
The image below is a great example of the position you should be trying to reach at the top of the backswing.
This left arm position is a great example for amateur golfers
How Do I Stop My Left Arm Bending?
The first thing is to identify why your lead arm is collapsing in the first place.
It could be down to your grip being too far into the palms of your hands, which prevents the wrists from hinging effectively, or maybe your swing path is off.
Each can cause the elbow to bend in the backswing. This leads to casting the golf club by releasing the angle in the lead arm during the downswing.
Down the line and side on example of an incorrect lead arm position
Often poor mobility can be the cause.
If you aren’t the most mobile, you will undoubtedly collapse the arm in a bid to reach the top of your backswing.
Often you are better keeping the swing more compact in a bid to maintain your wrist hinge. Once that consistency is achieved then you can look to lengthen the backswing again. As the old saying goes, sometimes less is more.
Straight Left Arm Drill
By far the most effective drill to really feel that wonderful width is the split grip drill.
Split your hands on the club and keep a gap between them. Rotate your body and feel that stretch.
You could try hitting a few balls doing this, because if you then collapse the left arm you will almost certainly miss the ball.
Katie Dawkins demonstrating the split grip drill
If you’ve spent years addressing the ball like Frankenstein in a bid to maintain this poker straight arm, then one way you can start to shake off some of that tension is by simply swinging your arms around your body.
Let’s loosen things up a bit, find the rhythm and feel like your lead arm naturally maintains that straighter line utilising the power of momentum.
As I mentioned earlier, if you are limited physically and your mobility isn't up to scratch then perhaps accept that your swing isn't going to be super long (for now).
In the long term you could consider trying the 10 best golf exercises to improve this, but in the short term just take that 3/4 swing and own it.
Practice hitting balls on the range, working the club back to create an L out of your lead arm and the club shaft, then rotate through to another L.
Build up to a full follow-through with this and you'll be really surprised how far the balls go. Ultimately you do need to have that extended lead arm throughout your back swing but don’t overdo the effort on this one. Keep that tension down and let it flow.
