Golfers who can play the game every day and who start off by having exceptional control of their body action—which the average golfer doesn't—can inaugurate the downswing with their hips. For the average player, though, the best way to launch the downswing is to pull down with your left arm.

What does left arm do in golf swing?

Although it isn't the dominant arm for right-handed players, the left arm is vital to the golf swing. It largely determines the spacing and arc of your golf swing, it helps control the clubface and ensures power through impact.

How do you get your left arm down in the golf downswing?

Swing back to the top of your backswing and pause. Start down slowly following the correct sequence. Your lower body should begin rotating first, then your torso will follow. Your left arm should lag behind your torso, which indicates it's being pulled down.

Do you pull the golf club down?

Pull Down. As your arms and hands start into the downswing, it is important to imagine pulling the butt of the club straight down toward the ground. This keeps your hands ahead of the clubhead – often referred to as "lag" – and keeps the power you've built up on the right side of the ball.

Is the left arm dominant in the golf swing?

The left hand and arm must play the dominant role in the swing at all times. If it does not, you have no alternative but to over employ the right hand, The right hand can only dominate if the left hand and arm fails to play its controlling role.

Do the arms drop in the downswing?

Teaching professional Shawn Clement agrees that the player's arms should drop to begin the downswing, but he says they must drop into the right position. Clement advises players to focus on dropping their arms in front of the body, while keeping their hands on the proper swing plane.

How do you pull from the left in golf?

As I've said in everything that I've ever done in golf, the left elbow must always be down and against the body for you to use your left shoulder. A term that's been used for the release from the top of the swing is to pull your left side.

Which arm is most important in golf swing?

Overview. For right-handed golfers, the left arm is one of the most important aspects of the golf swing. The left arm determines the swing arc for a shot and helps release and rotate the wrists and club on the downswing.

Should left arm be straight at impact?

A. You are correct, the left arm should be straight at impact. But let's not confuse straight with stiff. The straightening of the left arm is the response to a proper release of the golf club, not something you will need to try to do at the moment of impact.

Should left arm be straight at address?

When you address the golf ball your left arm should be straight. You do not want to lock it tightly and tensely, but you do want to achieve a fully extended position with your left arm. Your address position is basically the position that you are wanting to get back into when you strike the ball.

Should there be tension in the golf swing?

Ideally, on a scale of 1-10, your grip pressure should feel like a 4. On short game shots, try for a 3, or even 2! Most importantly, keep your grip pressure consistent throughout the entire swing. Change in grip pressure is a killer in both the short game and full-swing shots.

Should hands be passive in golf swing?

You want your arms and hands to be very relaxed and passive. That's going to allow the club to release and time the release due to physics on its own, rather than ripping the club back.

What moves first in the golf swing?

The first move down should be a pulling motion initiated by the left leg (pictured above). From the top, the left knee shifts toward the target and starts pulling the rest of the lower body into its forward rotation.

How close should hands be to body in golf swing?

Arms and Hands

The hands-to-body distance varies depending on the club you are hitting. A good rule of thumb is to have the hands a palm's width from the body for short and middle irons (4 to 6 inches) and a palm's length—from the bottom of the wrist to the tip of your middle finger—for long irons and woods.

Should your arms hang straight down in a golf swing?

your arms should hang straight down from your shoulder sockets at address, and. all golf clubs are built on an angle.