Are you exhausted by inconsistent performance? Do you find yourself struggling with slices, topped balls, fat shots, and hooks, while your fellow golfers ace the field? Relax, you are not alone, as there are quite a few amateur golfers experiencing similar issues, causing immense frustration. We know how to improve the power of our swing in general but the “Lead Arm Only ” Swing drills even deeper into the intricacies of movement and power and can fix 80% of amateur mistakes.
However, your tough days are gone, as this blog is here to tell you about one golf swing drill that can address an astonishing 80% of these commonly made mistakes. It is none other than the “Lead Arm Only” swing drill. What’s more amusing is that Arnold Palmer practiced the same golf swing drill every morning until his late 70s.
So, allow this blog to teach you about this swing drill, why to use your leading arm, and how to execute and improve your golf swing. After learning the swing drill, you will be able to startle others with your incredible shots.
Table of Contents
Golf Fun Fact
Did You Know?
Phil’s Opposite Swing: Phil Mickelson is naturally right-handed but plays golf left-handed, having mirrored his left-handed father’s swing as a child.
What Is The “Lead Arm Only” Golf Swing Drill?
If you are thinking that the lead arm only involves an intricate and multi-step routine, then you will be glad to know that the swing drill is quite simple. Here, you need to hit golf balls with the help of your lead arm, your left arm for right-handed golfers. You might consider it a traditional technique, but in actuality, it is a powerhouse that assists you in developing proper swing mechanics while eradicating the scope of errors.
Why the Lead Arm Holds the Key in Golf?
Your lead arm plays a vital role in establishing the swing plane, controlling the clubface, and generating a smooth and connected motion. This is where many amateurs fail, as they tend to hit the ball with quite an overactive or disconnected trail arm, resulting in:
Slicing
A slice is often caused by an open clubface at impact, typically due to the trail hand over-rotating the club.
Hooking
A hook is caused by a closed clubface at impact, often resulting from the trailing hand delivering the release.
Topping The Ball
Your trail arm is lifting or scooping the ball, preventing a solid downward strike.
Fat Shots
In the list of mistakes, there are fat shots too. This is where you hit the ground before the ball due to uneven weight transfer and an uncontrolled trail arm.
Inconsistent Contact
When there is inconsistent contact between the arms and body, often due to trail arm dominance, your golf swing drill gets impacted. Keeping the lead arm on the side compels you to engage the larger muscles of your shoulder and core, encouraging a more balanced and controlled golf swing. Plus, you also need to stay consistent to fix golf slice.
How to Execute the Golf “Lead Arm Only” Drill?
We are sharing a step-by-step guide for your understanding regarding the execution of the “Lead Arm Only” drill:
Setup: The setup doesn’t demand much effort. Just take your normal stance but allow your trail arm to hang loosely by your side. For this golf swing drill, you can even hold it gently against your body to prevent it from naturally getting involved.
Grip: Use your lead hand to grip the club. Make sure your gripping pressure is from light to moderate.
Backswing: Now turn your shoulders and core, and initiate the backswing. You should feel your lead arm naturally swinging back, maintaining a relatively wide arc. Don’t let your wrist excessively hinge as the goal is a controlled rotation, rather than a flick of the wrist. Therefore, be careful.
Downswing: It’s time for your downswing. Start it by shifting your weight subtly towards your dominant foot and rotating your core. Permit your lead arm to pull the club down and through the ball. Pay attention to maintaining the angle between your lead arm and the club shaft for as long as possible, creating lag.
Impact: Your aim is to hush others with a solid hit. Therefore, strive for an impactful strike. Feel your weight completely transferred to your lead side, while your authoritative wrist should remain relatively flat through impact.
Follow -Through: Lastly, you have to allow your body to rotate naturally into a full finish, with your belt buckle looking at the target. And then your lead arm should swing freely through the specific hitting zone. Follow Arnold Palmer’s video to improve golf swing, and continuous training is necessary to fix golf slice.
The Benefits Of “Lead Arm Only” Drill in Golf
If you make it a habit of polishing your golf swing drill with the “lead arm only” movement, then you can expect to have the following benefits:
Improves Swing Plane: When you won’t let the trail arm influence your swing, you will automatically develop a natural, consistent, and more on-plane swing. Encouraging you to use it in golf tournaments as well.
Enhances Clubface Control: Since your lead hand has a direct connection to the clubface, this golf swing drill helps you to feel and control its alignment throughout the swing, giving you straighter shots.
Transfers Better Weight: You need your lead arm to generate power through the “Lead Arm Only” golf swing drill, so learning this one will teach you to shift your weight from your trail side to your lead side.
Increased Lag: This golf swing drill motivates you to maintain the angle between your lead arm and club shaft on the downswing, saving your energy for a more powerful and efficient hit.
Get A Better Sense: You get a better sense of the way your body and arm work together in the swing, promoting a uniform and powerful movement. So, don’t skip practicing.
Removes Common Mistakes: When you begin focusing on the fundamentals that your lead arm controls, you will remove common mistakes like tops, slices, hooks, and fat shots. Hence, if you want to win that competition, it is better that you incorporate this golf swing drill into your daily routine to fix golf slice.
Increases Awareness: The “Lead Arm Only” golf swing drill increases your awareness of the clubhead. It tells you how the tool interacts with the ball, resulting in a better feel and touch around the greens, too.
Conclusion & FAQ’s
We hope you understood how to execute the “Lead Arm Only” swing drill and the advantages you will have after mastering the golf swing drill. However, if you want other tips to improve your golf swing, then feel free to subscribe to Golf Inquirer. The compact Golf Journal offering everything related to master the game of Golf.
What is the primary purpose of the lead arm only golf swing drill?
The primary purpose is to develop a better understanding of how the lead arm (the left arm for right-handed golfers, or right arm for left-handed golfers) controls the clubface and the swing plane throughout the golf swing. It helps ingrain the feeling of connection and proper club path.
What common swing fault does this drill help to correct?
This drill is excellent for correcting an overly active trail hand/arm or a “flipping” motion at impact. It encourages the lead arm to be the dominant force, promoting a more stable clubface and a better release through the ball, reducing slices or hooks caused by an inconsistent clubface.
What specific sensations or movements should a golfer focus on during the lead arm only swing?
Focus on feeling the club’s weight throughout the swing, especially the leading edge of the clubface. Pay attention to how the lead wrist hinges and unhinges, and how the lead shoulder rotates to power the swing. The goal is to feel the club swinging freely on plane, propelled by the lead side of the body, without any manipulation from the trail arm.
What are some potential pitfalls or common mistakes to avoid when practicing this drill?
A common mistake is trying to generate too much power, leading to a breakdown in form or an unathletic motion. Another pitfall is allowing the body to over-rotate or sway excessively in an attempt to compensate for the lack of the trail arm. Focus on balance, rhythm, and a smooth tempo, letting the natural motion of the lead arm dictate the swing rather than trying to force it.
