In the middle of a wonderful round of golf in Florida I started to hit a few drives that were real “quackers” (duck hooks). Concerned that this was about to ruin my round I asked my playing partner what he saw. As it turns out I was starting to bend my arm in the down-swing. I had lost my focus on straight leading arm. YES you not only need a straight leading arm IN THE BACK-SWING BUT ALSO IN THE DOWN-SWING and through impact.
My leading arm was straight in the back-swing (thanks to my practice with GOLFSTR) but I was starting my down-swing by allowing my leading arm to start bending. This initial bending is referred to as the dreaded CHICKEN WING.
A “chicken wing” causes the leading arm to shorten. This action leads to swinging over the top (on too steep of a plane) and casting the arms straight in order to connect with the ball. Unfortunately, the steep downward swing forces your brain to make many corrective actions. The results cause anything but a straight hit.
First you need to master a straight leading arm in the back-swing by practicing and playing rounds with GOLFSTR (with hinged wrist and bent lagging elbow for a low power plane – see Sergio Garcia, earlier blog).
Then focus on a gentle transition to the down-swing and acceleration with a straight leading arm. Your power comes when you unload your wrists as the shaft of your club passes horizontal to the ground.
STRAIGHT ARM – STRAIGHT SHOT
PS: We played The Talon Course at Twin Eagles in Naples from the Members Tees at 6500 yards. This is an amazingly well trapped and water lined course. I was pleased to escape with one double bogey. Like golfing in heaven when you keep it on the fairways.
