When swinging in golf, it is crucial to keep your left arm straight if your right hand is your dominant hand. The reason why the left arm is bent is that you keep wrapping your hands on the torso during the backswing, even after the shoulder rotation has stopped. This will increase your arc by moving the club as far away from you as possible, which will give you the highest chance of hitting the target. If you swing the club faster, the speed will transfer to the ball when you hit it.
Another benefit of keeping your arm straight is that the connection between the golf club and the ball is better. A bent arm translates to a shorter distance between you and the club. You will have a great strike because the face of the club will hit the golf ball at the same height that it started. You will have the best hit yet.
How Do You Do It?
Swing Drill
Hold the golf club with the fingers of your left hand. If you are left-handed, hold it in your right hand. At this point, you will be able to see some of the knuckles of your left hand as you grip. Use your shoulders to swing the club back.
Your left arm should be extended when you turn your shoulders. The backswing stops when you turn your left shoulder until it touched under your chin.
You get the feeling that your hands are pushing from your chest so that your left arm is extended. During the downswing, your lower body should move to the target. When you are in the middle of the follow-through, this is the point where your left arm finally bends in preparation for the finish position.
Use a Mirror
Try standing in front of a full-length mirror while performing the backswing. Stand in front of the mirror and extend your arms to the front, the shaft of your club should be pointing up. Your face and eyes should be pointed towards the mirror.
Turn your shoulders in a full backswing position. Keep your left arm straight and parallel to the ground as you turn your arms with your torso. Your spine should be slightly tilted, and your arms should be slightly lifted so that you have the best takeaway position. Practice the drill a few times, and you will see how easy it becomes.
Connect Your Elbows
This is a simple enough drill to practice. You should use a rope or bands to bind your arms together at the elbow. You should keep your arms this way from the backswing to the downswing and the release. While you will find your right elbow bending on impact, your left elbow will remain straight.
The contact between the elbows will encourage your left arm to remain straight. During the finish, your left arm will bend, but the right one will straighten. When you try this a few times, you will eventually be able to achieve the swing with your arms straight without having to bind your arms.
Arm Rotation
During the swing, you should let your arm rotate at the shoulder socket. If you don’t, your arm will feel tight, and you will feel the overwhelming need to bend. Allowing the arm to rotate will relax it and eliminate the need to bend. You will find that this keeps your arm straight throughout the swing.
Hold your arm in front of your body, move the arm across the body, and give it the room to rotate in front of your shoulder. Your right arm should be right alongside it supporting it. When you are at the top of the backswing, you will notice that your arm remains straight, and it will be like that until you drop the swing.
The Magic Triangle
This is what takes place during the perfect golf swing. There is an imaginary line that is formed between your left shoulder and the center of the club face. This line is an essential part of the magic triangle. The other parts are your left arm and the golf club.
To ensure that your hand remains straight throughout the backswing, you should maintain the magic triangle until the point of impact. This will significantly increase your speed when you hit the ball. Take advantage of the power you get from this swing to maintain momentum. If you make this the constant, the magic triangle may very well save your swing.
Resistance Band
As you begin the swing, create a straight line that starts from your left shoulder and goes down to your left arm and hand. Your arm should be straight throughout. As you swing back, take your hands away from the torso instead of close to it. This might be a hard position to maintain as your instincts will likely encourage you to do the opposite.
You can help yourself out by using resistance bands like the ones used in the gym. Wrap the inside of your foot with the band by placing one end of it to under your foot. Hold the other end of the resistance band with your hand. When you swing the club, you should pull the resistance band away from you.
It will stretch your hands away from your body. When you do this a few times, you will realize that the movement becomes normal to you, and you will soon be able to replicate the movement without needing a resistance band.
Conclusion
Keeping your left arm straight gives you the leverage you need for the perfect swing. However, you should note that trying to force it will cause tension, which will not be suitable for your swing. You should allow the swing to guide your arms. If you practice the above drills, you will find one that works for you.
Repeat it a few times, and you will be set. Your left arm will naturally remain straight throughout the swing. The straight arm will help the club remain parallel to the target line without compromising your arm.
