Straight left arm - important??

[Jamma]

So, I'd like to know what's you guys' (and especially Brian) take on absolutely straight left arm??
On my swing, it really seems to be the most important thing at the moment. It just seems to keep my package tight and also makes my swing very repeatable and consistant.
When ever I feel that those bad shot...ie thin, fat, slice......start to occur, it seems to mainly happen because lack of straight left arm (lack of extencor action(???)).
That happened today also. Went hit some balls at my local golf hall (since it's winter here in Finland--->no real golf ..)....and was having quite a hard time there. Not really getting my swing to feel comfortable and consistant. Right after I focused on "forcing" my left arm straight...my hitting changed dramatically. Straight shots...on the sweet spot.

 

[Jim Kobylinski]

It really depends on what your current left arm looks like and what you think a bent left arm is.

Most people i find have their left arm TOO STRAIGHT, to the point of tension in their arm. I was one of them even. You need to learn to keep it straight but it's ok to let it bend a bit.

Very few people need to be taught extensor action, i hardly ever use it. The only times i have to is when i'm getting someone to go from a very flat backswing to a much more normal backswing. They all like to bend that lead arm so they need to learn some stretch.

Maybe a picture would help in determining if your left arm is too bent.

Thanks

 

[Brian Manzella]

So, I'd like to know what's you guys' (and especially Brian) take on absolutely straight left arm??
On my swing, it really seems to be the most important thing at the moment. It just seems to keep my package tight and also makes my swing very repeatable and consistant.
When ever I feel that those bad shot...ie thin, fat, slice......start to occur, it seems to mainly happen because lack of straight left arm (lack of extencor action(???)).
That happened today also. Went hit some balls at my local golf hall (since it's winter here in Finland--->no real golf ..)....and was having quite a hard time there. Not really getting my swing to feel comfortable and consistant. Right after I focused on "forcing" my left arm straight...my hitting changed dramatically. Straight shots...on the sweet spot.

This is what sounds like happened:

In your ATTEMPT to straighten your left arm, you moved your pivot better.

This is what I mean:

Your Left Shoulder IS the elephant's head. Your left ARM is the TRUNK. To SWING the arm you have to swing the HEAD.

Got it?

 

[Jamma]

Thanks guys..

I dont't know what REALLY happened when I tried to straighten my left....but it really made my swing FEEL much better and easier.
Brian, what you said about me pivotting better as in result....that sounds right.
See, I believe that one of the biggest flaws in my swing is, that I use too much arms....not pivot. And now somehow, that "left arm straightening" got me to use my pivot.
I really would like to get more info on that....

So Brian, when was it you were coming to Finland.??.....cause' I'd really like YOU to make me swing better.....