Left Arm in Hitting Motion
 

I would appreciate some insight into the role of the left arm during hitting.

When attempting to keep the left wrist flat through impact, I experience a "blocking" feeling with considerable pressure in the left elbow.

I must be doing something wrong because I feel that my left arm is "in the way" of a solid hit and full release.

Does the left arm and wrist roll through impact?

The left arm could more or less be a string. For all of us that have suffered through the trials of being told that "the left arm does all the work", it's a hard transition.
The way that I've learned the feeling of the left arm's role is simple. I start at impact fix (hitting), and I try to stretch a DEAD left arm with my right. I start my practice session by picking up my left arm with my right forearm and then pushing it back down. I'll make as big a motion as possible without gaining left arm involvement.
Most of the left elbow pain that I've seen is the result of rigidly trying to keep the left arm straight or by trying to lock it.

One of the biggest myths in golf:
Keep the left arm straight. (Left arm idea)

One of the biggest truths in golf:
Make the left arm straight. (Right arm idea)

Re: Left Arm in Hitting Motion
 

The left arm is overtaken by the pushing right arm. It feels like "no roll" on the inclined plane, although it takes on a "half roll" motion.

Thanks

Ted,

How's it going man? Your posts are in the proverbial ZONE. I'm the short red headed goofy dude from NC that came to the Swamp during the nice weather we had before it got cold . . . Rich. I don't know if you can remember much about my swing, but you did some video analysis after giving me a hitting demo. You must be an ANGRY man because you absolutely murdered Mr. Whitey that day. Guys the distances Ted put out there for his irons and woods are legit. He's spooky long. I felt the earth shake under my feet.

Anyway . . .

I noticed on my video from the Swamp session, that I seem to keep my left arm straight an inordinately long time. The left arm looked straight and firm even to shoulder high. This move seemed to pull my head into a goofy position sort of like laying the side of my head on a pillow.

Is there a problem with this other than looking "ungolf-like?" I hit the ball pretty low typically so should I let the left elbow fold more?

Thanks for the help!

All the best!

Richard

Actually I have been a right sided player for many years.

I have set the right arm outside the left at address. My swing thoughts regarding my arms were a short left arm and a long right arm. When trying to implement the TGM hitting motion and using the Yoda videos as a guide, I find that the long left arm and short right arm action producing a block.

I will try the "dead" left arm feeling.

The straight left arm can only be the residue of design of extensor action of the right arm. A artificial straight left arm doesn’t guarantee extensor action and we all know from Yoda- 6-b-1-d is where it is at. More and more, I see the right arm as the most important movement in the swing- Hitting or Swinging- directly or indirectly.

I'm glad to hear from you. You really looked great when I saw you at my place. Extensor action is the only reason that the left arm stays straight. If you're doing anything muscularly with the left arm, it could give you some kind of false feel through impact (blocking action feel).

Thanks man! Do you still employ extensor action well past follow-through? I've always fought the lefties, so I figured that subconsciously it was an anti-left move I had ingrained.

Check your chin position and forward lean (from hips) at address. This type of move can be from lack of forward lean, which causes you to keep your chin too far down, into the chest. A quick way to check is to hit a few with your chin turned back away from the target, ala Jack, Snead, Morrison. You may notice that you have much more of a 'free' arm swing with that small change.