This week we are going to focus on the arms and their role after impact. Featured this week is Peggy Barrett who many of you may know if you have ventured into the lakeside proshop. Peggy is one of our shop attendants and a big contributor to the success and organization of our wednesday night men’s league.
What the arms do after impact along with the right wrist is critical to you having a good swing. In fact, this position or move is achieved by ALL good golfers and MUST be the goal of everyone who wants to hit the ball consistently straight and long. I can’t tell you how many golfers struggle with this move or are completely unaware as to whether they are doing it or not. When I put someone on video it becomes very clear and obvious to the student as to whether or not they are extending their right arm through impact with the proper wrist action.
The position I’m talking about is the straightening of the right arm (right handers) just after impact. See photo of Peggy before and after. The right arm straightens and extends toward the target similar to the action you would have if you were throwing a ball to a target. The fault I see in far too many golfers is the folding up of the right arm just after impact. I call it “hit and fold” rather than “hit and extend”.
Tips for extension after impact
1. Try to keep your left arm straight on the back swing. Generally, what happens on the back swing happens on the through swing.
2. Just after impact straighten your right arm, rotating it, and extending to the target. Should feel like you have extended your arm in a “shake hands” position or holding a gun pointed at your target.
3. Keep your eyes on the ball as you extend through as you see in the photo of peggy. I like to say “watch the club hit the ball”
4. A drill to practice would be to take half or three quarter swings finishing with the right arm straight and parallel to the ground. This drill ensures that you ARE doing it properly. Many PGA pros work on this drill. It also makes you use your lower body. A swing that is driven by the arms is difficult to stop in our desired position.
5. When practicing this drill watch your ball flight. A ball going right needs more wrist action or a snap of the wrists at impact. A ball that hooks or goes left has too much wrist action at impact. Make the appropriate adjustment to hit a
straight shot concentrating on the feel of the wrists and how early or late they are rolling over.
I guarantee you will see more power and straighter consistent shots if you can master this move… and play YOUR best golf!
