A major fault for most amateurs is releasing the right arm too early on the downswing. It throws the club outside the target line and leaks power before impact. What causes the right arm to straighten? It’s possible you have a simple misunderstanding of how to hit the ball. You’re thinking about hitting at the ball, rather than swinging through it. This type of thinking can cause mechanical breakdown.
Skipping a rock across the surface of a pond or throwing a baseball are great visuals for learning to hit through the golf ball. Jim McLean made this concept very clear in the X Factor Golf Swing. He’s a pioneer when it comes to making the golf swing feel natural. He states the law of an athletic throw starts by shifting weight to the front foot. This is followed by torso rotation and then the extension of the right arm. There’s tremendous power when these elements fall into sequence. But, sometimes amateurs fall out of sequence and prematurely extend the right arm. Let’s look at the right arm action of some of the great ball strikers.
In this picture, Tiger Woods is ready to unload tremendous power on the golf ball. Notice his right arm – there’s flex in it because it’s in the process of straightening. This is a big problem for amateurs. They don’t maintain the flex in their right arm because of an effort to hit at the ball, rather than swing through it.
Mark Wilson has two victories on the PGA Tour in 2011. He doesn’t hit the ball very far, but his mechanics through impact are a great example. This picture was taken exactly at the moment of impact. His right arm is still bent and in the process of straightening.
Ben Hogan is possibly the greatest ball striker of all time. Notice his right arm after impact – it’s still bent, and in the process of straightening. Remember, Ben Hogan was only 5”8’. He used every power source possible, and used it very well. You can just see the softness of his right arm.
You might be thinking, so when should the right arm straighten? The natural straightening of the right arm occurs differently for every player. There’s no right answer. But it has to occur after impact. That’s the rule of an athletic throwing motion.
Long and Straight,
Adam
Great Reminder tip. It’s amazing how we can
“drife away” from doing some of the most important concepts.
jpb