Is it really important to have your left arm straight and high to have a good golf swing?

Question

I've gotten lessons and tips from friends and random golfers at the driving range and they all say the same thing, try to keep your left arm straight and bring it back as far as you can. Well, I can bring it back pretty far, far enough to have the club almost parallel to the ground, but I have to slightly bend my left elbow. I can also keep my left arm totally straight, but I would only get up to a half backswing, with full torso/hip rotation. I'm new to the game of golf and I want to learn the textbook body mechanics of the swing and still be comfortable/balanced. I feel that when I swing comfortably, it's not textbook. When I swing textbook, it's not comfortable. Any advice/tips would help a lot. Thanks.

Answer 1

More important to keep the left arm straight than to be able to take it all the way back.  Keeping it straight allows you to bring the club back to where it started and hit the ball squarely each time.  If you really want to learn the best techniques spend $12 on Hogan's book "Five lessons, the modern fundamentals of golf".  It will give you sound fundamentals in all aspects of the swing and  you will be off to a great start.  The golf swing is not a 'comfortable' movement for anyone until you have done it thousands of times.

Answer 2

No, your left arm does not have to stay straight.  It is extended however but not locked and straight. It is important to create some width in your backswing by having your hands as far from your body as possible.  But if you try to keep your left arm locked straight, it will limit the length and effectiveness of your backswing.

Answer 3

The "straight left arm" maintains the consistant swing arc that is required to make a good golf swing.  It also ensures the arc is extended to its full potential; bigger arc = higher swing speed.

You don't have to hyperextend your elbow, to keep the left arm straight.  If you are forcing it.. then you are doing too much.  But.. also.. if the left arm breaks down somewhere in the backswing.. then that is the point that you are not rotating correctly.  If you rotate with the upper body; chest, shoulders.. then the left arm will not break down.

Also.. you do not have to get the backswing to "parallel to the target line".  It is totally acceptable to be "laid off" and not quite back to the parallel position.  Tommy Armour III has a backswing that barely makes it past the 9:00 position and he's been playing pretty well on the PGA this season.  He has alot of power in that compact swing.

So.. don't believe all the hype and technicalities of the golf swing.  As long as you perform the basic fundamentals, make your swing, your own swing.

Answer 4

You sound like a friend of mine that was keeping his left arm straight, but was unaware that you do bend your wrists. at the top of your backswing the club shaft and your wrists should be at about a 90 degree angle, and you release (straighten) your wrists at impact. Ask a local golf instructor about proper positions and how to "release" the club. It also depends on what type of swing you are doing. and how flexible you are

Answer 5

Get some tips from this book, "How To Master The Golf Swing " might help you.

Answer 6

You sound like a friend of mine that was keeping his left arm straight, but was unaware that you DO bend your wrists.   at the top of your backswing the club shaft and your wrists should be at about a 90 degree angle, and you release (straighten) your wrists at impact.  Ask a local golf instructor about proper positions and how to "release" the club

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