We all know and The PPGS agrees with the major tenant of conventional golf instruction that the left or forward arm must remain relatively straight to the top of the backswing. We also know that many golfers have a real problem keeping their left/forward arm relatively straight, no matter how much or hard they concentrate to do so. This problem is not a lack of talent or the lack of strength and muscles to do it, as many golfers fear. It is also not a lack of concentration or even stupidity as I have heard some mumble under their breaths. It is, in fact, too much concentration on one major incorrect swing concept called, 'Tucking your right or back elbow in the backswing.'
I was giving a lesson to Jim from Ontario Canada. When looking at his swing on video he was shocked as he pointed out how much his left elbow was broken at the top of the backswing. He was also shocked at how laid off his club was as it pointed at 10:00 o'clock or lower. He swore he was trying to keep it straight and swing vertically, but it was obvious he was having no success. His elbow, as I describe it, was 'breaking or folding down like a cheap chair.'
I pointed out that no matter how much he focused on keeping his left arm straight it could never happen as long as his right/back arm folded too fast and too much and stayed tucked into his right hip. This also did not allow him to lift both arms enough in the backswing. I pointed out that tucking the right elbow causes the left or forward arm to break down. It was also was the cause of laying his club off. I call that an 'EL FOLDO' or 'HUGGY BEAR' backswing. I told him that you hug your wife and kids, but not yourself.
Jim said he was not concentrating on tucking his elbow but it was obvious he was doing it. Either way, consciously tucking or not, it is not good. It breaks down the forward arm and flips the club to laid off. So our first order of business was defining how the right arm had to move and what it looked like in the backswing so the left could remain relatively straight and keep the club vertical.
The first thing I did was to give him the left arm extension test to show where the right arm has to go in order for the left to remain straight. To do this test, assume your address posture and extend your left or forward arm out as if holding a club, while leaving your right hand hang by your side holding a club. Turn like making a backswing and extend and lift your left or forward arm back and up to what would be the top of your backswing. Now, lift your right hand and club and place it in your left, gripping the club. You will see that the right arm is away from your right hip and the club is vertical, pointing to 12:00 o'clock.
Now, pull the right elbow down close to your right hip. It now looks like a V and your club has been pulled down and is laid off, pointing to around 10:00 o'clock. You will now see and feel the left arm break down at the elbow and feel the club get heavy.
Now, let's extend the left arm back straight and what happens? The right arm extends outward as it is pulled by the right. It is no longer a V. It is in a perfect right angle (90 degrees the strongest angle) or a few degrees more and the shaft is vertical. The key is the right arm can 'NEVER BE LESS' looking like a V at the top of backswing. (See picture below) Right arm is a right angle or a little greater, shaft is vertical.
I worked with Jim on keeping the right arm a little more extended in the takeaway and lift but that did not resonate with him. He kept breaking it into a V and laying the club off. Then I gave him the right angle test and explained it and said he had to keep the right arm in a right angle at the top of the backswing. The reward was his left arm would be straight and his club vertical. That did the trick on the first swing.
The right arm is in a right angle at the top of the backswing. Simple to picture in your mind, simple to feel it and the club too, and easy to do. It worked for Jim and it will work for you.
The Surge!