ole gray Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 How many of you folks really focus on maintaining a straight left arm on your take away? There are some good players who actually bend their elbow slightly and still maintain plenty of power. J B Holmes comes to mind as a tour player and I'm sure lot's of senior golfers have to bend it to get any length in their swing. Ping G430 Max Driver 10.5 Degree Titleist TSR1 4, 5, & 6 Hybrids Titleist T350 Irons 7 - W48 Cleveland CBX ZipCore 52 56 & 60 Degree Wedges LAB Mezz Max Broomstick Putter / TPT Shaft (Platinum @ 45/78) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flipper554 Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 How many of you folks really focus on maintaining a straight left arm on your take away? There are some good players who actually bend their elbow slightly and still maintain plenty of power. J B Holmes comes to mind as a tour player and I'm sure lot's of senior golfers have to bend it to get any length in their swing. Don't focus on it just happens that way. When I was younger I had the full John Daly going, but now that age has kicked in I'm about parallel and have gained better accuracy and haven't lost much distance. A lot of the guys I play with have varying degrees of bend and play well. Think it's more how you learned and how flexible you were at that point. For the most part the guys with the most bend are the ones started playing later in life. Driver: Taylormade QI10 3W: Taylormade QI10 5W: Taylormade QI10 Hybrid Taylormade 4 QI10 Irons: 5 to LW Taylormade Stealth Putter: Taylormade Spider Tour Ball: Taylormade TP Bag: Hot Z Canadian flag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ole gray Posted September 4, 2017 Author Share Posted September 4, 2017 You guys remember Calvin Peete? He couldn't straighten his elbow and was known as one of the straightest players ever off the tee. They say he never hit one OB. Ping G430 Max Driver 10.5 Degree Titleist TSR1 4, 5, & 6 Hybrids Titleist T350 Irons 7 - W48 Cleveland CBX ZipCore 52 56 & 60 Degree Wedges LAB Mezz Max Broomstick Putter / TPT Shaft (Platinum @ 45/78) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STUDque Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 I used to focus super hard on the straight left elbow because why would you want yet another moving part in the swing? Since then, I have relaxed that restriction for two reasons: 1. I started to get pain on the outside of my left elbow because I was locking it out so hard 2. There's plenty of other pieces of the swing that allow/disallow the straight arm. The eye opener for me was when I played with a scratch golfer. He didn't even come close to keeping his straight and still striped it all day long. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy In my Pisa, riding on a 3.5+ G410+ EXS 5W King F7 Hy i500 5-GW Equalizer 56/60 Heppler Ketsch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shankster Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 I don't even pay attention. But as I've said I'm as flexible as an oak tree. In the videos I've taken I have a slight bow on a full swing, and probably the rest of theme. I don't focus on this as much as I used to from high school days. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flipper554 Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 You guys remember Calvin Peete? He couldn't straighten his elbow and was known as one of the straightest players ever off the tee. They say he never hit one OB. I remember Calvin Peete and Jerry Pate winning with an orange ball. Driver: Taylormade QI10 3W: Taylormade QI10 5W: Taylormade QI10 Hybrid Taylormade 4 QI10 Irons: 5 to LW Taylormade Stealth Putter: Taylormade Spider Tour Ball: Taylormade TP Bag: Hot Z Canadian flag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickp Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 I used to focus super hard on the straight left elbow because why would you want yet another moving part in the swing? Since then, I have relaxed that restriction for two reasons: 1. I started to get pain on the outside of my left elbow because I was locking it out so hard 2. There's plenty of other pieces of the swing that allow/disallow the straight arm. The eye opener for me was when I played with a scratch golfer. He didn't even come close to keeping his straight and still striped it all day long. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy I tried to force keeping my right arm straight (I'm LH) and it did add some distance. It also added a case of "golfer elbow" which I didn't appreciate. I'll take less distance thank you. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy Rick Left Hand, Driver; PXG 0311XF Cypher 50 gr Senior 5 wood; Ping 425, Senior Shaft 55 gr 7 wood; Ping 425, Senior Shaft 55 gr 5 hybrid; Cally Steelhead, Hazardous R2 Irons; Mizuno JPX 923HM 7-GW Recoil 460 F2 Wedges; Titleist S9 54*, Mizuno SW 56* Putter; Waaay too many to list Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiscipleofPenick Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 Straight left arm at impact is what's important. You can't force it through the swing. And setting up with it can lead to slices. Sent from my SM-G935P using MyGolfSpy mobile app Take Dead Aim Driver: PXG 0211 10.5* Fairway: Titleist 917 F3 15* Hybrid: Adams Idea Pro Boxer Gold 18* Irons: MacGregor MT-86 Pro Wedges: Vokey 50/54/58 Putter: SeeMore X2 Costa del Mar Ball: Srixon Z-Star Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canucklehead Posted September 5, 2017 Share Posted September 5, 2017 I've never focused on keeping it straight. Have enough joint pain as it is! Sent from my E6853 using MyGolfSpy mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cksurfdude Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 Don't focus on it, but for me if it's straighter it usually means I'm in a better posture and am making a better turn away from the ball.. ie. it's just one piece of the whole. And, for me .. if those things are happening then I have a much better chance of making a better turn towards the ball and making better contact. WITB of an "aspiring" play-ah ... Driver...Callaway Paradym (Aldila Ascent PL Blue 40/A) 5W...Callaway Great Big Bertha (MCA Kai'Li Red 50/R) 7W...Tour Edge Exotics EXS (Tensei CK Blue 50/R) 4H...Callaway Epic Super Hybrid (Recoil ZT9 F3) 5H...Callaway Big Bertha ('19) (Recoil 460 ESX F3) 6i-GW...Sub 70 699 V2 (Recoil 660 F3) 54°, 60°...Cleveland CBX2, CBX 60 (Rotex graphite) Putter...EvnRoll ER5 or MLA Tour XDream (P2 Reflex grips) ...all in a Datrek bag on an MGI Zip Navigator electric cart. Ball often, not always, MaxFli Tour. Forum Member tester for the Paradym X driver (2023) Forum Member tester for the ExPutt Putting Simulator (2020) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dang3rtown Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 If anything, I actually focus more on keeping my right arm straight. If my right arm stays extended (as much as possible), my left arm will stay straight and more importantly, I will get more trunk rotation/less "arms" only swing. Driver: G 10.5* W/Tour Stiff 65g Ping Shaft Fairway Woods: Cobra F6 13.5*, F6 Baffler 16* Irons: Split Set- i200 3i - 7i , Ft Worth 15s, 8 (36), 9 (40), PW (44) Wedges: TK, 52* & 56* Putter: Sigma G Kushin Bag: Hoofer 5way Balls: TP5/X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10shot Posted September 8, 2017 Share Posted September 8, 2017 Straight left arm at impact is what's important. You can't force it through the swing. And setting up with it can lead to slices. Sent from my SM-G935P using MyGolfSpy mobile app Would agree, my ball will sure tell me if my left arm wasn't straight for sure. Nice crisp sound when that left arm snaps down at impact Sent from my SM-G930V using MyGolfSpy mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny B Posted September 8, 2017 Share Posted September 8, 2017 Straight left arm at impact is what's important. You can't force it through the swing. And setting up with it can lead to slices. Sent from my SM-G935P using MyGolfSpy mobile app I agree that it has to be straight at impact with hands leading. However, with my single plane swing I always set up with my arm straight, in line with the club. I hit a straight ball. It doesn't matter if it bends a little in the backswing, as long as it doesn't collapse in towards the body. “We don’t stop playing the game because we get old; we get old because we stop playing the game.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lime Shark Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Discussions about keeping the arm straight always seem to go off base, because people have different images of what straight and bent mean. Some people assume that only ram-rod, hyper-flexed is straight. Some allow a little bend, but consider it straight. The image below has a 10 degree bend in it. I would consider an arm that is anywhere between this and ram-rod straight to be "straight" for golf purposes. Any arm bent more than this I would not consider to be straight for golf purposes. I believe a straight arm at the top of the backswing is a golf fundamental. I also believe that actively focusing on keeping your arm straight in the downswing is an error. The same forces that are pulling your club head out during the downswing are also pulling on your arm. If you keep your arm relaxed in the downswing it will maintain its straight posture. Be careful to set your arm straight at the top of the backswing, then forget about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djahubes Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 If anything, I actually focus more on keeping my right arm straight. If my right arm stays extended (as much as possible), my left arm will stay straight and more importantly, I will get more trunk rotation/less "arms" only swing. I also focus more on the right arm trying to keep straight as long as possible. Encourages a better turn and helps eliminate casting. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EthanSterlingPrice Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 I'm gonna echo a few other fellas here when I say I started out with that as a focus but now it takes care of itself. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy Right Handed 4.5 handicap Driver: Nike Vapor Flex with Mitsubishi Rayon Fubuki ZT60x5ct S-flex shaft and stock grip. 3-Metal: Nike VRS 15 degree with Mitsubishi Rayon tour issue Diamana S73x5ct X-flex shaft and GolfPride MCC midsize Black/White grip. Irons: Ben Hogan PTx 22, 26, 30, 34, 38, 42, 46 degrees standard length and lie with KBS Tour-V stiff shafts and GolfPride MCC midsize Black/White grips. Wedges: Ben Hogan TK15 54, 58 degrees with KBS Tour-V X-flex shafts and GolfPride MCC midsize Black/White grips. Putter: Nike Method Converge B1|01 with Superstroke Flatso 2.0 grip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bags Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 How many of you folks really focus on maintaining a straight left arm on your take away? There are some good players who actually bend their elbow slightly and still maintain plenty of power. J B Holmes comes to mind as a tour player and I'm sure lot's of senior golfers have to bend it to get any length in their swing.I keep it straight as possible but not ridged Bags Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooremikea Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 I personally don't think keeping your left arm perfectly straight really helps. There are plenty of good players that have a slight bend in the lead arm. This is totally different than having the lead arm collapse at the top of the backswing. If there is a collapse then that must be fixed. I doubt this is what the OP is having an issue with but it seems to be the original source of "keep your left arm straight". Driver - Ping G410 Plus 10.5 - Ping Tour 65 Stiff 4 Wood - Callaway Rogue - Project X Evenflow blue 6.0 Hybrids - Titleist 818 H2 - 3(c-1) and 4(c-4) - Tensei CK Blue 70 stiff Irons - Callaway Apex CF 16 5-AW - True Temper XP 95 Steel Stiff Wedges - Ping Glide 54 SS, 58 TS Putter - Edel e1 Torque balanced Indianapolis 5.5 Index Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ole gray Posted December 14, 2017 Author Share Posted December 14, 2017 I personally don't think keeping your left arm perfectly straight really helps. There are plenty of good players that have a slight bend in the lead arm. This is totally different than having the lead arm collapse at the top of the backswing. If there is a collapse then that must be fixed. I doubt this is what the OP is having an issue with but it seems to be the original source of "keep your left arm straight". Exactly and there is no way this old golfer could keep a rigid left arm and turn. My flexibility would not allow for much of a turn.. Ping G430 Max Driver 10.5 Degree Titleist TSR1 4, 5, & 6 Hybrids Titleist T350 Irons 7 - W48 Cleveland CBX ZipCore 52 56 & 60 Degree Wedges LAB Mezz Max Broomstick Putter / TPT Shaft (Platinum @ 45/78) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickp Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 Exactly and there is no way this old golfer could keep a rigid left arm and turn. My flexibility would not allow for much of a turn..Exactly, my flexibility has been systematically removed from my body over the last 20 years! Never to return. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy Rick Left Hand, Driver; PXG 0311XF Cypher 50 gr Senior 5 wood; Ping 425, Senior Shaft 55 gr 7 wood; Ping 425, Senior Shaft 55 gr 5 hybrid; Cally Steelhead, Hazardous R2 Irons; Mizuno JPX 923HM 7-GW Recoil 460 F2 Wedges; Titleist S9 54*, Mizuno SW 56* Putter; Waaay too many to list Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ole gray Posted December 14, 2017 Author Share Posted December 14, 2017 Exactly, my flexibility has been systematically removed from my body over the last 20 years! Never to return. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy The thing is us old guys have got to give up on our pride and ride the bicycle we have now. As good old Arnie said, "swing your swing" and make it work. Heck at some point in life you have to realize we're not gonna win a Green Jacket . Go out and have fun and do it with what ya got. Ping G430 Max Driver 10.5 Degree Titleist TSR1 4, 5, & 6 Hybrids Titleist T350 Irons 7 - W48 Cleveland CBX ZipCore 52 56 & 60 Degree Wedges LAB Mezz Max Broomstick Putter / TPT Shaft (Platinum @ 45/78) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickp Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 The thing is us old guys have got to give up on our pride and ride the bicycle we have now. As good old Arnie said, "swing your swing" and make it work. Heck at some point in life you have to realize we're not gonna win a Green Jacket . Go out and have fun and do it with what ya got.Unfortunately I think my bike needs training wheels! Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy Rick Left Hand, Driver; PXG 0311XF Cypher 50 gr Senior 5 wood; Ping 425, Senior Shaft 55 gr 7 wood; Ping 425, Senior Shaft 55 gr 5 hybrid; Cally Steelhead, Hazardous R2 Irons; Mizuno JPX 923HM 7-GW Recoil 460 F2 Wedges; Titleist S9 54*, Mizuno SW 56* Putter; Waaay too many to list Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cksurfdude Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 The thing is us old guys have got to give up on our pride and ride the bicycle we have now. As good old Arnie said, "swing your swing" and make it work. Heck at some point in life you have to realize we're not gonna win a Green Jacket . Go out and have fun and do it with what ya got. That is sooooo spot on! We're *not* gonna be perfect .. but we can work to (try to...) perfect what we do have..... WITB of an "aspiring" play-ah ... Driver...Callaway Paradym (Aldila Ascent PL Blue 40/A) 5W...Callaway Great Big Bertha (MCA Kai'Li Red 50/R) 7W...Tour Edge Exotics EXS (Tensei CK Blue 50/R) 4H...Callaway Epic Super Hybrid (Recoil ZT9 F3) 5H...Callaway Big Bertha ('19) (Recoil 460 ESX F3) 6i-GW...Sub 70 699 V2 (Recoil 660 F3) 54°, 60°...Cleveland CBX2, CBX 60 (Rotex graphite) Putter...EvnRoll ER5 or MLA Tour XDream (P2 Reflex grips) ...all in a Datrek bag on an MGI Zip Navigator electric cart. Ball often, not always, MaxFli Tour. Forum Member tester for the Paradym X driver (2023) Forum Member tester for the ExPutt Putting Simulator (2020) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eseay32 Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 When my left elbow “feels†like it's about to bend, that's when my backswing is finished. I've seen plenty of video and it's bending on the way back but when it feels like it's bending that's when I start my downswing. At that points it feels like the club is pointing at 12oclock but I get pretty parallel on the back swing Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy <p>Knoxville, TN 8 Hdcp PXG 0811 10.59deg loft Ping G25 3 wood Titleist 2i rescue Ping I irons +1 upright Vokey Sm5 52, 56, OdysseyRed 2Ball Fang with 1.0 super stroke</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cksurfdude Posted December 21, 2017 Share Posted December 21, 2017 Just an fyi.... Here's a short vid of Colt Knost discussing what works for him with Steve Elkington (who's putting together an instructional site called "SecretGolf" with the help of some playing pros).. https://twitter.com/SecretGolf/status/943481122721120256?s=09 WITB of an "aspiring" play-ah ... Driver...Callaway Paradym (Aldila Ascent PL Blue 40/A) 5W...Callaway Great Big Bertha (MCA Kai'Li Red 50/R) 7W...Tour Edge Exotics EXS (Tensei CK Blue 50/R) 4H...Callaway Epic Super Hybrid (Recoil ZT9 F3) 5H...Callaway Big Bertha ('19) (Recoil 460 ESX F3) 6i-GW...Sub 70 699 V2 (Recoil 660 F3) 54°, 60°...Cleveland CBX2, CBX 60 (Rotex graphite) Putter...EvnRoll ER5 or MLA Tour XDream (P2 Reflex grips) ...all in a Datrek bag on an MGI Zip Navigator electric cart. Ball often, not always, MaxFli Tour. Forum Member tester for the Paradym X driver (2023) Forum Member tester for the ExPutt Putting Simulator (2020) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny B Posted December 21, 2017 Share Posted December 21, 2017 Just an fyi.... Here's a short vid of Colt Knost discussing what works for him with Steve Elkington (who's putting together an instructional site called "SecretGolf" with the help of some playing pros).. https://twitter.com/SecretGolf/status/943481122721120256?s=09 Did you sign up? “We don’t stop playing the game because we get old; we get old because we stop playing the game.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWar Posted December 21, 2017 Share Posted December 21, 2017 I have been consciously trying to keep my elbow straight. Seems that I can keep a shorter swing and not lose distance but gain control. The below hasn't started hurting yet so will continue until then... Epic Flash SZ 9o w/ Ventus 6X Rogue 4wd w/ ATMOS Red 7X CBX 20o w/ ATMOS Blue 7S tipped 1" JPX 900 Tour 4i - PW (standard lofts) Rifle SM6 51o, 59o, SM7 55o 2019 ProV1x Custom Ming Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ole gray Posted December 21, 2017 Author Share Posted December 21, 2017 Just an fyi.... Here's a short vid of Colt Knost discussing what works for him with Steve Elkington (who's putting together an instructional site called "SecretGolf" with the help of some playing pros).. https://twitter.com/SecretGolf/status/943481122721120256?s=09 I saw that this morning! He's a big old boy and I bet his move would benefit some seniors too. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy Ping G430 Max Driver 10.5 Degree Titleist TSR1 4, 5, & 6 Hybrids Titleist T350 Irons 7 - W48 Cleveland CBX ZipCore 52 56 & 60 Degree Wedges LAB Mezz Max Broomstick Putter / TPT Shaft (Platinum @ 45/78) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cksurfdude Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 Did you sign up?No .. just follow them on Twitter (so far, may give it a trial in the future) and click into the ones that appear of interest to me. Have noticed, tho, that they're increasing the number of Tour pros who contribute - including a few of the ladies like Stacy Lewis and Gerina Pillar (and she can smack the ball .. hit like a girl? .. I wish!!!). WITB of an "aspiring" play-ah ... Driver...Callaway Paradym (Aldila Ascent PL Blue 40/A) 5W...Callaway Great Big Bertha (MCA Kai'Li Red 50/R) 7W...Tour Edge Exotics EXS (Tensei CK Blue 50/R) 4H...Callaway Epic Super Hybrid (Recoil ZT9 F3) 5H...Callaway Big Bertha ('19) (Recoil 460 ESX F3) 6i-GW...Sub 70 699 V2 (Recoil 660 F3) 54°, 60°...Cleveland CBX2, CBX 60 (Rotex graphite) Putter...EvnRoll ER5 or MLA Tour XDream (P2 Reflex grips) ...all in a Datrek bag on an MGI Zip Navigator electric cart. Ball often, not always, MaxFli Tour. Forum Member tester for the Paradym X driver (2023) Forum Member tester for the ExPutt Putting Simulator (2020) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cksurfdude Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 I saw that this morning! He's a big old boy and I bet his move would benefit some seniors too. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy Exactly! WITB of an "aspiring" play-ah ... Driver...Callaway Paradym (Aldila Ascent PL Blue 40/A) 5W...Callaway Great Big Bertha (MCA Kai'Li Red 50/R) 7W...Tour Edge Exotics EXS (Tensei CK Blue 50/R) 4H...Callaway Epic Super Hybrid (Recoil ZT9 F3) 5H...Callaway Big Bertha ('19) (Recoil 460 ESX F3) 6i-GW...Sub 70 699 V2 (Recoil 660 F3) 54°, 60°...Cleveland CBX2, CBX 60 (Rotex graphite) Putter...EvnRoll ER5 or MLA Tour XDream (P2 Reflex grips) ...all in a Datrek bag on an MGI Zip Navigator electric cart. Ball often, not always, MaxFli Tour. Forum Member tester for the Paradym X driver (2023) Forum Member tester for the ExPutt Putting Simulator (2020) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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