swingobsessed
New
What exactly is extensor action and how is it applied correctly? I am relatively new to TGM and I keep seeing it in different posts, but I am not entirely clear on what it means.
Extensor Action??
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James Marshall (Hogan1953)
New member
From the book:
6-B-1-D
"Extensor action is exclusively the steady effort to straighten the bent Right Arm. This stretches but does move the Left Arm and produces a structural rigidity that is a strong deterrent to collapse under the stresses of Acceleration and Impact."
The pressure applied by pressure point number three to help keep the left arm straight. I like to feel pressure point number 1 applying pressure to the left thumb throughout the swing as well, this has the affect of straightening the left arm and eliminating slack from the arm swing. I also feel as though it helps to keep the hands at their address height in the takeaway, important for drawing a straight plane line and thus maintaining initial posture.
6-B-1-D
"Extensor action is exclusively the steady effort to straighten the bent Right Arm. This stretches but does move the Left Arm and produces a structural rigidity that is a strong deterrent to collapse under the stresses of Acceleration and Impact."
The pressure applied by pressure point number three to help keep the left arm straight. I like to feel pressure point number 1 applying pressure to the left thumb throughout the swing as well, this has the affect of straightening the left arm and eliminating slack from the arm swing. I also feel as though it helps to keep the hands at their address height in the takeaway, important for drawing a straight plane line and thus maintaining initial posture.
golfbulldog
New
I'll have a go...
The book says that it is the constant effort of the right arm to straighten...
When you first read this you think it sounds a bit odd - the right arm is hardly ever straight in the golf swing....
But the effort to straighten it - given the boundaries in which it works ( ie. usually trail shoulder lower than target shoulder, trail hand lower than target hand etc) - means that the right elbow is bent from address to follow through .... the left arm acts as a "checkrein" to limit the straightening of the right arm...
So the look or "style" of a straight left arm should be achieved by pulling the right arm straight and not by holding it ram-rod stiff.
You achieve this pull by pp1 ( and pp3 - but that bit still confuses me) so just think of pp1 (lifeline of right hand ontop of left thumb) downwards...
What does Extensor action achieve.... "structure" - gives a solid but not stiff feel to your arms ... constant radius too - ie. come into impact with known left arm length... predictable... more consistent impact...
The bit i find hard is to do all that AND keep the wrists as floppy and loose as some TGM like - eg Greg McHatton ( see his video for demo of how loose he likes his wrists)
See what others say... butthat is what i have learnt so far
The book says that it is the constant effort of the right arm to straighten...
When you first read this you think it sounds a bit odd - the right arm is hardly ever straight in the golf swing....
But the effort to straighten it - given the boundaries in which it works ( ie. usually trail shoulder lower than target shoulder, trail hand lower than target hand etc) - means that the right elbow is bent from address to follow through .... the left arm acts as a "checkrein" to limit the straightening of the right arm...
So the look or "style" of a straight left arm should be achieved by pulling the right arm straight and not by holding it ram-rod stiff.
You achieve this pull by pp1 ( and pp3 - but that bit still confuses me) so just think of pp1 (lifeline of right hand ontop of left thumb) downwards...
What does Extensor action achieve.... "structure" - gives a solid but not stiff feel to your arms ... constant radius too - ie. come into impact with known left arm length... predictable... more consistent impact...
The bit i find hard is to do all that AND keep the wrists as floppy and loose as some TGM like - eg Greg McHatton ( see his video for demo of how loose he likes his wrists)
See what others say... butthat is what i have learnt so far
Just to qualify the above statement, the right arm will not straighten prematurely unless you do one of two things (or both):
1) Allow your left upper arm to breakaway from your left chest, and/or
2) Allow your left arm to roll anti-clockwise too much before impact..
So the key to correct extensor action is to maintain a feeling of "back of the left hand and palm of the right hand both facing towards 12-o-clock (target at 9-o-clock) for as late as possible before impact"...
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swingobsessed
New
This is all helping, but I am still confused. Do you apply it throughout the backswing and forward swing? Do you release it after impact? Does this apply to all take aways (should, RFT, etc.)?
S.O.
The right arm will straighten naturally after impact due to the hands and arms passing slightly across the torso, combined with the tendency for the right forearm to roll up over the left forearm. Think of the follow through as being a mirror image of the backswing, or like a left-hander's backswing where the right arm would be straight as the club is taken back......
Jim Kobylinski
Super Moderator
Wow, confusion confusion.
Think of it this way, extensor action is what keeps your left arm straight.
Do this:
-Make a fist with your left hand and stick out your thumb
-Now put your left arm to your side and pretend its dead, totally lifeless.
-Now using your right hand grab your left thumb and make a backswing.
Notice how the only way the left arm gets straight is by a slight pull and push of the right arm? That's extensor action.
Think of it this way, extensor action is what keeps your left arm straight.
Do this:
-Make a fist with your left hand and stick out your thumb
-Now put your left arm to your side and pretend its dead, totally lifeless.
-Now using your right hand grab your left thumb and make a backswing.
Notice how the only way the left arm gets straight is by a slight pull and push of the right arm? That's extensor action.
swingobsessed
New
Thanks Jim. It is making more sense now. What is the benefit of making the right arm straighten the left as opposed to just swinging the club back effortlessly while keeping the left arm straight? I am asking because that is what I have always done. Should I have the feeling the my right arm is pulling the left arm up and then pushing it back down?
Jim Kobylinski
Super Moderator
Very few people need to be taught or practice extensor action, i hardly ever bring it up. Unless you have a problem with "structure" or a breaking down of the left arm i wouldn't worry about it.
The only time i need to show people how to use it is when i'm taking people with flat backswings to more "on plane" backswings.
birdie_man
New
I like to think of the weight of the club whirling back as what keeps my l arm straight. (also cocks my l wrist)
Whether true or not.......it is a feel.........and at this point I don't like the tension trying for Extensor Action gives me. I mean....I prolly am pulling a bit with my right arm.........not consciously tho.
Whether true or not.......it is a feel.........and at this point I don't like the tension trying for Extensor Action gives me. I mean....I prolly am pulling a bit with my right arm.........not consciously tho.
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cmartingolf
New
SO,
Take a belt and hold one end in your left armpit (peck/upper left arm). Put your right hand on the end dangling and push it taught w/out pulling it from the hold of your armpit area.
Take a backswing and keep the belt taught while you do so. Now, bend your right elbow too much and the belt will slack and flop around...don't do this in your swing
Your right arm gives your left arm structure during the backswing...you'll feel your right lifeline push on your left thumb....
Take a belt and hold one end in your left armpit (peck/upper left arm). Put your right hand on the end dangling and push it taught w/out pulling it from the hold of your armpit area.
Take a backswing and keep the belt taught while you do so. Now, bend your right elbow too much and the belt will slack and flop around...don't do this in your swing
Your right arm gives your left arm structure during the backswing...you'll feel your right lifeline push on your left thumb....
Jim Kobylinski
Super Moderator
SO,
Take a belt and hold one end in your left armpit (peck/upper left arm). Put your right hand on the end dangling and push it taught w/out pulling it from the hold of your armpit area.
Take a backswing and keep the belt taught while you do so. Now, bend your right elbow too much and the belt will slack and flop around...don't do this in your swing
Your right arm gives your left arm structure during the backswing...you'll feel your right lifeline push on your left thumb....
Too difficult, you have to have a belt...my way you can use your own thumb
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