Focus on the lead arm for solid shots

The golf swing in its most simple form is really only a circle. The radius of that circle, back and through the swing is the lead are (left arm for a right-handed swing and right arm in a left-handed swing). Good players create a wide arc on the backswing and maintain the radius that they created at address throughout the swing. High-handicappers, on the other hand, in their attempt to create a wide arc usually over do it by over swinging and bending their lead arm at the top of the swing, which is the opposite of what they should do.

When a wide arc is established at the top of the swing, the player is now able to drop their arms in the correct position on the downswing which allows the left arm to release through impact and fold correctly on the follow-through. The left arm folding on the follow-through keeps the club on the correct plane and the ball on the target line.

A high-handicapper that collapses his or her arm at the top of the swing is now out of position and has to throw the club from the outside on the downswing. From this position he or she tries to save the shot by extending the lead arm on the follow-through, once again, the opposite of what one should do, resulting in the dreaded chicken wing follow-through where the elbow points up, instead of down, destroying the radius of the circle.

Good ball strikers create a wide arc on the backswing because they accomplish a couple of things:

1) As they swing back, they naturally hinge their wrists, which puts the club on the proper plane
2) They are flexible enough to make a full turn while maintaining the lead arm extended.

High-handicappers tend to do the opposite:
1) Because of a faulty grip they are unable to hinge their wrists properly and then usually end up hinging their elbows instead 
2) Because they may not be as flexible, they are unable to make a full turn so they cannot keep the left arm extended so they bend the arm instead.

You don’t need to swing exactly like a tour player to strike the ball well, but don’t do the opposite. Keep the lead arm extended on the backswing and let it fold on the follow-through. If you have been struggling to hit solid iron shots, focus on your lead arm.

On-Course Exercise-

Remember a faulty grip can inhibit how much you can hinge your wrists, so check your grip frequently.  Also be careful not to grip the club too tightly.  Tight grip pressure can cause tension in your hands, wrists and forearms and prevent you from hinging and releasing the club.  On a scale of 1 to 10: 10 being the tightest grip pressure you can have and 1 being the loosest grip you can have, your grip pressure should be a 4 or 5 on the scale.  Simply waggling the club before you hit your shot can help you loosen up your grip pressure.

Off-Course Exercise–

Here is a simple drill to help you keep your left arm (right arm for left-handed golfers) straight on the back swing.  Using a short practice club like the one I use in my Cardiogolf program, hold it just with your left hand grip.  Grab your left wrist with your right hand as shown in the picture.  Holding your left wrist, swing the club to the top of your swing keeping your left arm as straight as possible.  Pull your arm straight with your right hand.  Doing this a few times a week can help stretch out your arms and shoulders and train yourself to keep your lead arm straight.

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To learn how to do these and other golf-specific exercises click here…