Ask Karen Palacios-Jansen, GFM Managing Editor

Question:

My left arm folds a lot in the backswing, despite doing some stretches, it’s not as straight as I would like it to be. How can I keep my arm straight?

Answer:

If your tendency is to bend your left arm at the top of the swing, it may be because you are not properly hinging your wrists on the backswing. When the grip lies in the left hand palm, it restricts your ability to hinge your wrists, so you end up hinging your elbows instead. It is almost impossible to keep your left arm straight, even if you are flexible. . Take care to check your grip to make sure that it is in the fingers of the left hand and not the palm.

Be cautious not to let the thumb of the left hand go straight down the shaft or over to the right of the shaft. This is a very weak grip that will inhibit the hinging of the wrists . It may feel comfortable, but it won’t be effective.

Visit Golf Fitness Magazine for golf fitness tips from Karen and many other experts.

KPJ Golf Fitness Challenge-

Join me as I do something every day to improve my fitness to play better golf.  I always tell my students that it is better to do some movement every day, even if it is just for a few moments, than to wait for the days where you have an hour or two to workout.  Those days hardly ever happen.  This week I did a boot camp workout, hit range balls and did sculpting exercises to tone muscles.  Tell me about your daily exercise to improve your golf.  Email me your stories of how you fit movement into your life and golf game-KPJ@swingbladegolf.com.

Professional golfers know the importance of athletic development for golf. As a recreational, you may not have the time to train like an elite athlete, but by simply adding a few exercises into your daily routine, you can dramatically improve your game.

I have developed a golf fitness system called Cardiogolf.  It is a program to help people develop endurance, strength, flexibility and balance specific to golf. In my new Cardiogolf DVD, I focus on core exercises specific to golf.

You know you need to exercise for better health, so why not practice your golf swing at the same time.  Cardiogolf-The Core Workout will be available in April.

Check out Cardiogolf behind the scenes.  To order Cardiogolfvisitwww.cardiogolf.com.