Why You Can’t Keep Your Arms Straight In The Golf Swing (And How To Fix It!)

Transform Your Golf Game with Simple Adjustments

If you struggle with thin or topped iron shots, learning to keep your left arm straight can revolutionize your ball striking. This method involves altering how you use your right arm and body movements. Rather than forcing your front arm straight, focus on creating natural extension and width, allowing your left arm to remain straight at impact, delivering consistent and precise hits.

Why Keeping the Left Arm Straight Matters

Keeping your left arm relatively straight at impact creates a stable connection that delivers the club head to the ball effectively. A straighter lead arm helps you maintain the swing arc and control the low point, resulting in crisp, solid iron shots. A collapsed lead arm usually leads to thin or topped strikes.

The Counterintuitive Secret: Focus on the Right Arm

Instead of forcing your left arm straight, control it indirectly through your right arm. During the backswing, ensure your right arm maintains width, pushing your right palm away from the target. This action provides the left arm with the room to stay straight, enhancing your swing’s consistency.

Tip: Push your right palm away from the target for greater width.

Drill: Split-Hand Grip to Train the Trail-Arm Push

The split-hand grip drill is a simple yet efficient exercise to instill the push-away feel. It isolates the trail hand, allowing you to exaggerate the push and keep the left arm straight.

1. Setup: Position your lead hand on the grip.
2. Add the trail hand: Place your right hand a few inches lower on the club.
3. Practice slow backswings: Push the trail palm away during the takeaway and backswing.
4. Switch to a regular grip: Maintain the push-away sensation as you return your trail hand to its standard position.

Body Motion #1: Extension

Your body posture plays a key role in maintaining a straight left arm. During the backswing, slightly lift your chest, creating a path for the arms to follow. Make sure your head stays within an imaginary circle around it.

Body Motion #2: Full Rotation

Rotation complements extension. Ensure a full body rotation to prevent your arms from collapsing. The left shoulder should move back toward your right foot during the backswing, enabling a complete turn without losing balance.

Combine Elements for a Consistent Swing

• Feel: Push your right palm away from the target during the takeaway.
• Drill: Use the split-hand grip to instill the push-away feel.
• Extension: Lift your chest during the backswing.
• Rotation: Ensure a complete body turn for maximum extension through impact.

Practice Plan to Keep the Left Arm Straight

Implement this practice routine over two weeks:

1. Begin with 5 slow split-hand swings focusing on the right palm push.
2. Perform 10 half swings emphasizing chest lift and full turn.
3. Hit 20 balls using a mid-iron, alternating between split-hand and normal grip.
4. Finish with 10 swings focusing on rotation through impact.

Final Checklist for Improved Ball Striking

• Maintain wider hands from your right shoulder.
• Continue the push-away feel throughout the backswing.
• Keep your chest slightly lifted and head within the circle.
• Complete a full body turn with left arm extending through impact.

Consistency in practice will improve your strike reliability and control. Prioritize the trailing arm push and avoid overcomplicated movements, utilizing this method to attain the lead-arm extension preferred by tour players.