In a perfect golf swing the arms work in harmony with the upper body. As the shoulders start to turn the arms react immediately and move with the upper body. During the takeaway and the rest of the swing the left arm does not become too close to the chest nor does it stretch away creating an arc that would be artificial and too wide.
However, this smooth coordinated move away from the ball is extremely difficult to carry out and most golfers create a swing arc that is too narrow or wide. Follow these tips to practice a swing where the left arm remains connected to the chest to build a swing that is easy to repeat and one that hits good iron shots and long drives.
The Golf Stance for a Connected Golf Swing
- In the correct golf stance the elbows should point to the hips and remain pointing at the hips as the body turns during the takeaway.
- If the hands become active too early the connection is almost always lost.
- If the hands start to hinge too early and the right arm starts to fold, the left arm usually starts to move across the chest becoming too close to the body.
- If the swing arc becomes too narrow on the backswing a golfer has to work too hard to create space on the downswing to hit consistent golf shots.
One Piece Takeaway for Perfect Golf Swing Mechanics
- To create a golf swing where the swing arc remains constant a one piece takeaway is critical.
- In a good address position the shaft of the club should point towards the spine and should remain pointing at the spine as the upper body turns.
- This one piece takeaway is the cornerstone of building a connected swing where the left arm remains connected to the chest.
- During a one piece takeaway the left and right arm remain relatively straight for the first two feet of the backswing - there is no hand action at all in the one piece takeaway.
A Connected Backswing for Consistent Golf Shots
Once the takeaway has been completed the build up of momentum will make the wrists start to hinge - this should happen naturally. If the wrists do not start to hinge automatically check that the right leg is resisting on the backswing. If the right leg is not in a position to resist, centrifugal force will not be created and the wrists will hinge too late creating an arc that becomes too wide.
As the wrists hinge the momentum of the club moving upwards starts to pull the arms to the top of the backswing however, even though they move away from the body, the elbows remain pointing at the hips right to the top of the backswing.
If the left arm moves too close to the chest the right elbow is forced to fold and collapse creating a 'flying elbow'.
If the left arm rotates too much and moves away from the body the left elbow will not be pointing at the left hip at the top of the backswing and the swing will have lost it's connection.
Drill to Practice The Mechanics of a Connected Swing
To practice a connected swing put a towel under each armpit and make a three quarter swing until the wrist hinge has completed. This exercise will only work for a three quarter swing as the arms must be allowed to move freely to the top of the backswing and the towel inhibits this.
It is vital to realise that although the arms move away and upwards from the chest when completing the backswing the elbows remain pointing at exactly the same spot they did at address and continue to do so through impact, right through to the finish position.
See Also: Golf Drill for Perfect Swing Balance for Better Shots or How to Start the Downswing Correctly with the Legs
John Hoskison - John is a class 'A' member of the British PGA and author of the acclaimed book 'Inside - One Man's Experience of Prison'.
