Left Arm Straight?; #1 Most Popular Teacher on You Tube Shawn Clement

[volleybud19]

I can't believe that this is being taught to some people out there....ramrod straight?? You're going to get mighty familiar with the trees and out of bounds that way. Perhaps you can make friends with the woodland creatures while your there. Relaxed and extended. Tension hinders movement thus hindering speed and clubhead rotation. All of which are pretty important in finding the fairway/green or your new friends Chip and Dale in the woods.

[clemshaw]

@volleybud19 Hey Volleybud! If you only knew the rest of it! I love when someone can judge everything about someone by just meeting them; I guess you have not watched anything else I have am I right? The point of this video is to allow the body to turn so that you can have relaxed extension; like Tom and Bubba Watson; and getting ramrod straight is going to the other side of the pendulum so that you can fall back into a relaxed extension; which you will see in so many of my videos!

[sonicdeviant]

Doesn't forcing the elbow straight introduce tension in the arm? I feel tension in the tricep and some forearm muscles. I do think I collapse too much on the backswing. If I "push" my left arm straight by using the right arm, my left arm can be straight but remain without tension.

[Gyro911]

Completely agree and i found this out through trial and error. I tried consciously keeping my elbow straight and it would bend whenever i lost concentration. I finally figured out that a tight grip influences not only a straight left arm but an overall stable upper body during the swing. I think the biggest mistake people make is relaxing to much with their grip whereas a firm grip is needed which is often confused with a death grip.

[asennad]

Hey Shaw I used to date a girl who was played a little golf. She basically left her arms wrap around her body and in no way was her left arm straight. Her excuse? Really big boobs. How should woman with big boobs cope?

[clemshaw]

@asennad This will actually answer all 3 of the last questions; if you check out my "arms and body timing; shawn clement" as well as my "stop crashing; shawn clement" and "top view of swing; shawn clement" you will get the answers you are looking for; Boobs are not a factor...I also speak from experience with my wife... Shawn

[malhogan]

Hi Shawn i noticed in the practice swings that you had a very full follow through or backswing but when hitting the ball the follow through finishes early what if any effect does this have on the shot Mal

[451mnu]

Shawn, I understand you have lot of insight into Moe Norman's swing. I see the influence on your super-high finishes like the arms rocketing towards the sky. You have high hands on the BS and high hands at the finish. For example Faldo had high hands on the BS but finished with low hands as opposed to Hogan who had lower hands in the BS had a high finish. Can you explain what causes the low or high finish?

[451mnu]

Years back an instructor told me not to worry about my bent left arm. He assured the FS will straighten it out. My practice swing was a full turn with a straight left arm but during the actual swing it would bend. I think the ball is an object of fear for the average player and fear immobilizes the muscles. Thanks to Shawn I can brace left, turn the right hip and keep those arms taut and extended.

[451mnu]

When I started golf my instinct was taut arms. I had no directional control but I could hit the ball farther until some teacher told me I was bending my left arm because I was trying to keep it straight so he recommended noodle arms which BTW didn't straighten the bent left arm. Through your videos I verified it was the quality of the turn that keeps the left arm straighter. Your left heel pickup ala Jones, Jack, Snead, and Mickelson allows that deep turn. There's some hope afterall. Thank you,

[451mnu]

Shawn, Excellent video. One common problem I've experienced while keeping a taught or straight left arm. Somewhere during the BS extension the tautness goes slack and the FS decelerates and becomes manipulative with no snap. There're probably many reasons why but can you point out the most common error. Similarly I've experienced loosing my brace to the left side somewhere during my BS and never quite located the problem, however the video on 'taut arms' was a world changer.

[hooptime]

Shawn, a straight left arm is an issue for me. When you lock that arm out address, where does the left elbow point - toward the target, toward the ground? Is there any certain feeling during the swing to help keep the left arm straight, such as right palm pushing away against the left thumb?

[clemshaw]

@hooptime The elbow points between the 2; very good question; just extend the arms together away from you horizontally in a relaxed fashion after you have taken your grip and you will see that the elbows point about 45 degrees to the ground; the video that has made the biggest impact for this is the "golf pro lesson coordinating arm motion with body turn" video and the "golf pro lesson stop crashing" video; My new 5 disc dvd set would definitely help you a lot (the most)! Shawn

[hooptime]

@clemshaw Just got the 5 DVD set last week. Thank you. It's awesome. I am that women's basketball / women's golf coach in Pennsylvania. Stop Crashing, indeed. I keep telling myself, "get out of the way, get out of the way." I have found "Golf Pro Lesson Braced Tilt Part 2" has helped me a lot, too, in using the sledge hammer analogy. It has helped me in keeping my spine angle, staying on plane, and with the tempo and timing of the backswing toss, pause, and downswing acceleration.

[jwsmith519]

Hi Shawn, I was watching Kenny Perry's golf swing "Swing vision - Kenny Perry" on you tube and he appears to bend his left arm quite a bit. Can you comment?

[clemshaw]

@jwsmith519 Yes! Watch his left arm on the way down!!

Shawn

[mapeirce]

@clemshaw Nice response, you don't even explain why its straight on the way down! You cant deny Perry and Angel Cabrera have bent left elbow at the top of their back swing. The proper postion at the top of your backswing resembles you scratching the back of your neck with a pen. Your right arm forms a right angel. Attach your left hand to the grip properly and however your left arm is situation is fine.

[mapeirce]

@clemshaw ....So how do they get it straight on the down swing? When the right elbow moves to the side "the slot" in the downswing it straightens the left arm automatically.

[Wilsonbangy]

Shawn i need to say thank you for such Concise, information packed videos. I started the game a year ago and your videos have helped guide me towards consistency in my game. Do you have a DVD to purchase?

Thanks for your time and love of the game :0)

[clemshaw]

@Wilsonbangy You are welcome and yes; you can order right on my website on the "My DVD" page;

[adriel9607]

Hi Shawn! May I know whereabouts your golf school? I would like to have some lesson. I'll be in Markham in May 2010.

ty

Arnold

[NHOJ1111111]

Shawn, Really need some clarification on relationship between taking the proper grip per your instruction video & then the shaft alignment to Arm (is it always straight in line with the arm?). If so, is this how one determines how far in front of the ball the hands are at address when the clubface is square & soled to the ground properly with the club head in the middle of the stance?

In order for me to align the club with my arm I find my grip has to be way stronger than it has been.

[Michael10659]

This is the one of the MUST SEE vids you have Shawn. As i commented on the taut arms vid.....once you have this concept down the light will come on. I like to think about being strong in the arms in the backswing and esp in the downswing. Also like Fairway Jack said...keeping it in front of your chest and turning the shoulders and the waist.

Great analogy of how the arms are to feel.

[Chrisalchin]

this goes completely against what i was taught, i was taught keep you arm straight but DON'T lock your elbow and DON'T tense up your arm on the downswing and release

[clemshaw]

You will see if you try this with a stretch band that the goal is to feel taut; if you allow the left arm to collapse, you are in trouble and you will not get the slinging effect that gets you the big distance; what many teachers try to sell their students on, because they teach resistance from the lower body, is to allow for a bit of give in the left or lead arm which is unnecessary in the world we play in at our learning centre. Thanks for the comment! Shawn

[evilsandwich2]

maybe someone can help me.. i just cant seem to get a full backswing with my left arm straight, it looks goofy because it looks like a chip shot.. i must not be rotating something? ive been practice swinging and each time, i can never get my arm wrapped around my body while keeping it straight like these guys..

[clemshaw]

See "golf pro lesson arms in front of Body" then see "golf pro lesson learn your golf machine" to see how you function under the hood! Shawn

[pecky1234]

isnt this more of a case of how much "slack" is in the left arm? regardless of how straight the left arm is, it should take up the slack of the right arm

[daveyreidy]

Hey Shawn. I just came back from the range and one of the guys said that my left arm was bending slightly at the top of my backswing. I always try to keep it as straight as possible. However some of the Pros get tremendous turn and also manage to keep their arm straight and almost vertical at the top of the backswing. Is this a flexibility issue that I need to work on? Aslo could this contribute to an aggressive fade? (I dont like referring to it as a slice hahahah!) Dave

[clemshaw]

Yes Dave! Absolutely!

See "golf pro lesson learn your golf machine" as well as "golf pro lesson arm motion"

Shawn

[FairwayJack]

Agree with your straight arm advice and I'd like to add that keeping that left arm extended in front of your chest thru-out the swing is a good for staying on plane and widening your swing arc.

[DRChesler]

One of the pros at work and I were talking about this and we respectfully disagree. I feel that keeping the arm straight throughout the golf swing (for your average joe, not tour guys) encourages a lot of tension in the back swing, an over the top move from the start down, and a poor release. your thoughts?

[clemshaw]

I used to think this way about 15 years ago; the over the top move is because they would be stuck on the right side and this is caused by not completing the backswing; ALSO, not turning the body out of the way in the backswing is THE MAIN REASON GOLFERS HAVE DIFFICULTIES KEEPING THE LEFT ARM STRAIGHT! Please tell your pros at work to see "golf pro lesson learn your golf machine" which is a great crash course in Anatomy; once you understand how the frame works, it will be clear to you; Thanks!

[kena0angin]

Another great tip and addendum to the DVD. Keeping the left arm straight until well after impact, blending with the straightening of the right arm produces this nice (taut arms) triangle that you can see with many Tour Pros (ten/12 inches after impact (on slo mo footage). At first when I tried this drill I kept my left arm too rigid and didn't produce results. Now it''s much better.

Also good for curing over the top swings and casting.

Thanks

[ggaawest]

Yes, I do agree, Straight Arm, Straight Arm, Straight Arm is the key!!!!

[ShlongConnery]

Hey Shawn, thanks for all your tips, you've got me from a 19 handicapp down to a 10 in a very short period of time, my grip was fine but sometimes my swing fundamentals weren't 100% consistent, with your tips you've helped me alot, thanks so much

[johnneedslove]

wish you were my teacher. I like your demeanor.

[tigerflea]

you are certainly a great teacher whats your handicap if you dont mind me asking and what keeps you motivated during the cold winter

[hackfest4]

Shawn, One of the best things about these videos and your DVD is how obvious it is that you love the game of golf. I love how you don't just hit balls out to nowhere. You watch the ball until it comes to rest and seem to really enjoy watching the results. There is a true passion to your teaching methods and it shows. Thank You.

Dan

[kruch004]

If you are having problems with keeping your arm straight you should check out "Straight Arm". Its the best golf aid i've ever bought. there's a video for it on Youtube. it's the first option when you type in straight arm.

[asennad]

You could easily make your own "Straight Arm" golf trainer for free using cardboard and duct tape.

[Zwikster]

I really liked the slingshot example! Thanks!

oh, and the scenery is beautiful but it would be better if you were to zoom in much more so we can see your swing instead of the background. :)

[clemshaw]

Thanks for the input Zwikster!

I will make a mental note! :)

Shawn

[jenhaoyen]

I think what helped me the most was leading the down swing with my right elbow. Thank you for that. I just pretend i'm throwing the pigeon thing and hitting firm on my left side. Pure contacts. thx. still have some problems with getting my arms perfectly straight.

[clemshaw]

Good man! As far as the left arm is concerned, the main thing is to have a "taut feel"...The video is called "Taut Arms"...Shawn

[jenhaoyen]

Shawn, i think one of things that people get confused is..their left shoulder bumps towards the sky when they have too much axis tilt. They swing too much from inside out. I think you might forget to tell them to clear their left side. Instead of going to the sky it must also go back (your left shoulder) You must not notice it..since u already know how to swing it correctly.

[clemshaw]

Hi Jenhaoyen; thank you for your concern;

I think you may have overlooked some of my videos (I have over 126 now) like in my "Feet together drill", "Hogan Power Drill", "Hogan Power Move", "Catapult Power", "Perpetual Motion Drill", "One Leg Drill", "Arms Falling Down Plane", "Clay Pigeon Shooting" and many others that talk about how important it is to clear the left side or to "Get out of the way of Momentum"...They are all on the "You Tube Shawn" page of my website...:) Shawn

[dirkhdd]

Shawn,

did a lot of slingshots during my childhood, so I know that the elbow is cohmpletely stretched out, the wrist as well at this.

The golfswing motion with an alike stretched elbow appears to me unnatural and stiff. Also it is difficult for me to keep the hand ankle flat or bent during the backswing with a completely stretched elbow.

Is it okay to leave the elbow not bent, not stretched but unlocked long without any tension at backswing?

Shawn, we all love your love of the game!

Dirk

[clemshaw]

Hey Dirk; thanks for the great comment!

Yes it is possible! This video is to help a golfer achieve more width through the left elbow staying straight and once the golfer has achieved the feel and has hit a few shots with this feel then they can start to relax and let things be so that it does become natural;

Shawn

[jcfawcett]

right in the center of the green, yah right you probably sliced it into the bunker, just kidding, great vid

[itubeutude]

The problem I find with keeping the left arm (consciously) straight is that it creates too much tension or stiffness in the swing. Any ideas or drills to combat this?

[ArmpitNoises]

Your timing with this video is great Shawn. I figured out that my left arm was bent through my swing. Causing two things - A weak shot as well as a wicked slice. I went to the driving range yesterday and focused on keeping my left arm straight... and what do you know. It made a drastic improvement. Thanks again.

[tkamil]

Great video Shawn - the slingshot really helped me understand what to feel during my swing.

[greatscotto]

Hi Shawn, Thanks for all the solid advice. I was researching some trivia on Moe Norman and found that u played C-tour as a switch hitter. Odd and even clubs, was this to psych other players? Did you ever play with Steve Woods?

[clemshaw]

Hey Scott and thanks for the comment!

It worked well for a while till word got out not to bet against me...:)As for competitions, it has turned numerous bogey situations into birdie opportunities!! Been playing this way for 26 years plus now and would not go back to one side only...have learned too much this way! As for Steve, maybe, we played with different guys every week and this was 10 years ago and I am getting older...:)

[wholebrainplanet]

Hey Shawn, You have inspired me to play ambidextrous golf since reading about your abilities years ago. My kids are also playing golf and tennis ambidextrously. I have written a book called Whole Brain Power that discusses how the learning curve accelerates when you play from both sides. Keep the great posts coming. Hammer

[clemshaw]

Hey Hammer;

Absolutely! We are capable of so much more as human beings and to become aware of the positive moves one does on each side is to reinforce the good stuff on the other; I am way richer for it and so are my students; it really helps get rid of all the improper misconceptions about the golf swing; I will check your website out and order that book from you! Shawn

[maddogmoloney72]

been trying this swing out for about 8 weeks and it has been great, gone from 125yds with a 7 iron too about 155 yds and sometimes more , my shots are high would a stiff shaft be better ? thanks shawn

[clemshaw]

Hey Maddog! Nice to hear from you!

Have you seen my "Compress Through the ball" and my "One Leg Drill" and 'One Leg Back to 2 High and Low Shots"? I would start there and then see about stiffer shafts through a demo day; Shawn

[maddogmoloney72]

hi, shawn will try those drills out, got your dvd which is excellant, your the best on here ,im a big fan . will be sending my swing too you for a lesson, take care

[zacman43vva]

Well all my mates always say i dont matter if you bend the left arm in the swing. But I think is one big key to have a consistent swing and ball contact and you loose a lot of power if you start bending your arms even if you bend youre right arm in the backswing, like fold it round youre neck old lady style :) Good lesson Shawn and keep up the good work.

[homesmac]

Thanks for the video, Shawn.