Why is extensor action needed? I realize that it keeps structure in the swing but when I do it it causes strain in my swing and it puts tension in my arms and shoulders. Is there a problem having a little bend in the left arm? I know that some pros do this and when I look at my swing, I have a little bend also. Maybe I am not doing it right. Please help. Thank you.
For me, I found that without the extensor action I'm very inconsistant in where I'm hitting on the club face. It's not the only answer to consistancy , there are a lot of other things that affect it but the extensor takes a major one out for me.
I can over do the extensor action as well as under do it. There is a certin feeling where all the slop is out of the system without pulling the arm out of the socket.
I was very aware of it for a while and as I became more accustomed to it, it's always there but now I'm looking closer of an other item of my swing. If all of a sudden I forget it the loss of that feel brings my attention back to it, it has become second nature.
I had a similair problem with trying to implement extensor action and feeling really tense, especially in the forearms, which would lead to a poor shot. What I found is that if I just focus on PP#1 then just feel me applying right tricep action pushing against PP#1 and straightening my left arm then the tension would go away.
Couldn't get the feeling very good with a club in my hand, but working with exercises Yoda gave me with using some streching material that you grip like you would a club, or just pushing while holding your left thumb really gave me the feel and I can monitor everything in front of a mirror. I will take address in front of the mirror, hold my left thumb then do all the major positions (startup, backstroke, at the top, start down, etc.) while making sure I was applying extensor and keeping my left arm straight. Once I got this down it was easier applying it to the club.
I'll do this a couple times a day when I get a chance...which is easy since you don't need a club to do it.
You can allow the left arm to bend some if the arm hangs naturally with a small bend.
If you start REALLY paying attention to the guys on the PGA tour, with their longer clubs (driver, woods, long irons) Even most of the pros are going to a VERY SLIGHTLY bent left arm to keep the extra strain off their shoulder.
This small "bend" really isn't even a bend, its more just like a small athletic curve to redistribute the strain.
With irons my left arm never gets high enough to where it has to bend but with the longer irons and woods it does.
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With extensor action you have to find a way to learn where is enough and not too much. Watch the Tom Tomasello series for some explanation and there is also a small free video on chuckevansgolf.com that shows extensor action as well that is helpful.
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I'm not a TGM or PGA certified Pro, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night
Thanks for the help. So extensor action is more for consitency than power? That makes sense. I will look at he Tommy T videos about how to keep the left staighter. Thanks.
Its for both really, you can't have poor extensor action and create powerful shots. If you do you're lucky
They are one in the same:
a proper swing has extensor action
proper extensor action will create better consistency
that better consistency will lead to more powerfully compressed shots.
Its a chain of events
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I'm not a TGM or PGA certified Pro, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night
I find I hit the ball better and keep it on plane easier if I pull my left arm with my right.
I tend to extend too much back though (too wide, very late set) and not enough up. I've been working on incorporating more of the 'up' part of 'back, up, and in' and it feels very good.
I find it gets me to a spot where I can drive down and through the ball better and mash it much more, with reliance on timing...I don't hang back anymore or hit it thin. Much more 'on top of it."
The key for me is to not pull my left arm away from my side as much...it's still not fully connected tho.
I like to feel that I'm taking it up but still "keep the string (left arm) taught." I still have more of a later set but this is perfect now.
U can do what you're used to tho man...that's my 2 cents on extensor action...just thought I'd share.
I tend toward swinging - and the key for me is that the extensor action is NOT tension - you let the 'swinging club' keep your extention - not effort, but structure
That will let you understand the 'float' in 'float loading'
Hitting or swinging - the CLUB must swing, and that swing must not be 'manipulated' - you have to 'flow' with its motion
Imagine the club is VERY heavy, like you are swinging in slow motion - and hit full motion shots with that feel, not worrying about distance, but about 'solid' downward compression and that heavy feel
Once you get that feel, you can 'add' to it - but no amount of wasted effort 'trying' to get there will do it
Start slow, and small and BUILD speed
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I tend toward swinging - and the key for me is that the extensor action is NOT tension - you let the 'swinging club' keep your extention - not effort, but structure
Imagine the club is VERY heavy, like you are swinging in slow motion - and hit full motion shots with that feel, not worrying about distance, but about 'solid' downward compression and that heavy feel
Once you get that feel, you can 'add' to it - but no amount of wasted effort 'trying' to get there will do it
Start slow, and small and BUILD speed
Yes EdZ! That's exactly what I feel. Like swinging a sledgehammer or something...you start the hammer in a swing and the momentum of it's own weight takes over and keeps it going back the rest of the swing.
...and it's not likey you will bend your arm much with a sledgehammer...it just wouldn't be as natural. You would be using more muscle power to LIFT it, not SWING it. If you know what I mean.
This is key for me really...I personally can't imagine swinging with a bent left (target side) arm.
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