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You are here: Home / Famous Golfers / The Key Move

The Key Move

July 5, 2012 by Stephen Altschuler 74 Comments

The key move in the execution of a golf swing turns out to be a simple one indeed. I don’t know why it’s not emphasized more. I’ve taken a number of lessons over my 50 years in the game, and it was never mentioned once. Not even hinted at. People always asked Hogan what was his secret, and he always replied “It’s in the dirt,” implying that a great deal of practice was the answer. But that assumes you are practicing the proper fundamentals. Most golfers, including myself, do not. The move is a subtle one. You will barely notice it, and no one else will see happening. That’s the catch, and probably why it was never pointed out to me before. You can feel the move, but you can’t see it. Well, you can see but it takes very close observation. I discovered this move after hearing a chance remark about it by Gary McCord on a golf telecast recently. Yes, Gary McCord, the funny guy with the handlebar stash who has won a total of two professional tournaments, both on the Champions Tour. The man, though, knows the golf swing. I’ve seen him play, and he hits the ball a country mile. Here’s what Gary had to say, addressed to a right handed golfer: “Keep your left arm near your chest and swing them (your chest and your arm) at the same pace, keeping your arm connected to your chest.”

Now we don’t often think of keeping our arm connected to our chest, but what that does is unify a part of our body that, for a golf swing, needs unifying. Separating them is like separating the drive train from the engine of a car: It doesn’t go very far or fast. When you connect them in this fashion, you feel as if the entire body is behind the swing, generating power. The ball is the recipient of that power and it is designed to take it full on. Of course there are other fundamentals required to make sure the ball travels in the intended line and trajectory of flight. Things like a steady head, a measured left arm, turning (not swaying) hips, and about a million other items, as Rocco might say. But the foot or so from the time you drag the club away from the address position to before you lift it to the top of the backswing is “the key move.” It is the heart and soul of the one-piece takeaway. Mining it deeper in search of the cell of that takeaway is the connection between the forward arm (left in the right-hander, right in the left-hander) and its relationship with the chest that is the absolute core.

For golf is a matter of relationship, with your body, your mind, your emotions, your environment, your playing partners, the golf course, your ethics, and your ability to bounce back from disappointment and despair. When you enter the arena of the golf course (or even driving range, for that matter), you enter a kind of coliseum, rife with lions and spectators out for your blood. These of course are mental constructs, reflective of the characters parading about in your own mind, but the course is not only a place of fun and relaxation, but a place of high drama. And you’d better have your proverbial shit together if you want to come out of the experience with any modicum of self-respect and pride. And where to start is the foot or 18 inches which start the takeaway on the backswing.

Ironically, to practice this key move, you don’t need a golf course, a driving range, golf clubs, or a ball. A full-length mirror would be nice, but you even don’t really need that. You need to stand up, take your address position, hold an imaginary club, and begin your swing, and do this over and over. You can do the move in the bathroom before your shower, in your cubicle at work, waiting for the commuter train, in an elevator, hell, you can do it while you’re even in the shower. As I said above, you can’t really see this move. You more feel it, and feel it you must. The hands, arms, shoulders, legs, and chest work as a unit, the true one-piece takeaway, and the weight begins to shift to the inside of the right foot, which keeps you from swaying your hips. The left arm remains relatively, not rigidly, straight, and moves in direct relation to the chest, at the same pace, as McCord says. The hands do not operate independently, in any way. They simply hold the club properly (a subject for an entirely separate post), and are part of the drive train for the engine of the core/chest. They work in unison as the club begins its ascent to the top of the backswing. Think Steve Stricker. Think Lee Janzen. Think Robert Allenby.

As a car engine will sputter and falter and fail if the pace of the pistons is not consistent, so will the golf swing. The overriding element is pace. For every club in the bag it must be the same. I like to imagine and practice a seven-iron pace for every club, including the driver, which is the toughest club in the bag to hit because it’s the toughest seven-iron pace to maintain. Sometimes, I’ll go back in memory and picture and apply my “Gene Littler” pace to each swing. Or sometimes, my “Ernie Els” pace, or my “Sam Snead” or “Bobby Jones” pace. These images or mental suggestions are very important, since pace is so easy to forget during the course of a round. The amateur can be quite affected by the pace of others who are hitting the ball farther. The mind can link onto the pace of others, and very subtly change your pace without your knowing it. It doesn’t take much to knock the golf swing off balance and rhythm.

But the place to start is at the start of the backswing, along with the image of Gene Littler, or whoever your pace idol happens to be. Then move the chest and left arm as a unit, and a lot of the rest of what happens from there is a function of gravity. But I’ll get into that next time, via Gene the Machine, as they used to call him.

I realize some of you don’t know who Gene Littler was (he won 29 PGA Tour events, along with the 1953 U.S. Amateur and the 1961 U.S. Open), so here’s a clip to help bring the past into the present:

[embedplusvideo height=”343″ width=”560″ standard=”http://www.youtube.com/v/yKpEmeASFyo?fs=1″ vars=”ytid=yKpEmeASFyo&width=560&height=343&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&react=1&chapters=&notes=” id=”ep5958″ /]

 

Looking for a good golf read? Consider my book, The Mindful Golfer: How to Lower Your Handicap While Raising Your Consciousness.

 

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Filed Under: Famous Golfers, Fundamentals, Golf Improvement, pace, Swing tips, The Key Move Tagged With: Ben Hogan, core, Ernie Els, Gary McCord, Gene Littler, Steve Stricker

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. richard says

    July 9, 2012 at 9:12 am

    Stephen – I totally agree. When I pull a shot dead left it’s due to my arms and hands swinging the club much faster than my chest and hips. This can also cause a big slice if you do it an open clubface. Tempo my friend, tempo, dance with your self in a rhythmic manner. It can be a waltz, or a tango or even jitterbug. But with all of these different rhythms, you must be smooth and be joined in the golf dance with all your partners. Head, shoulders, chest, hips, arms, hands, legs and feet.

    Reply
    • Stephen Altschuler says

      July 9, 2012 at 7:20 pm

      Yep, that’s it, Richard. The hands and arms outrun the chest and hips, causing a pull or slice. You’re right: Tempo is the key, and it starts with the takeaway, whatever dance step that fits you. On the range, it’s fairly easy. But on the course, with spaces and time between shots, it’s harder. Thanks for your great comments.

      Reply
  2. Nils Nelson says

    July 21, 2013 at 4:01 am

    Stephen,
    Yours is a handsome site, which I just stumbled upon while looking elsewhere. My offering falls under the heading of trivia, ie, Gary McCord’s professional wins. In addition to his two on the Champions Tour, he also won The Queen Mary Open in 1976, held at El Dorado Golf Course in Long Beach, in a 3-man playoff.
    He birdied the second hole. The only reason I know is because I was there. I’ve searched online, but could never find it mentioned. Maybe McCord had it expunged. Anyway, it makes for a good trivia question if you want to stump your friends.
    Best wishes, Nils

    Reply
    • Stephen Altschuler says

      July 21, 2013 at 7:32 am

      Thanks, Nils. Interesting info on McCord. Certainly your presence at the tournament verifies that he won it, but why would he want to ignore it? Perhaps it wasn’t a sanctioned PGA event. Whatever the reason, it should be on his resume. A win is a win.
      All the best.

      Reply
  3. Matt says

    August 22, 2013 at 12:13 pm

    I have never seen a golf swing where the left arm comes away from the chest. You would have to be lifting the club straight up.

    Reply
    • Stephen Altschuler says

      August 22, 2013 at 9:40 pm

      The core and left arm can often become disconnected. The key move keeps them connected at the start of the swing, and, hopefully, throughout.
      Thanks for your comment.

      Reply
    • Bread says

      October 15, 2013 at 6:45 am

      Interesting Matt said that. I see flying left elbows and diconnected swings all the time. when both elbows stay connected ( like feeling glued to rib cage) you can actually release the club down the target line and it makes balance so much easier. It has changed my game. I step up to a 170 yard par 3 and swing my 7 iron like I m swing a pitching wedge release the club down the line playing a penetrating little draw. it makes it effortless.

      This is a major key in swing ovelooked all the time

      Reply
      • Stephen Altschuler says

        October 19, 2013 at 9:56 am

        Amazing when the core and arms are connected, isn’t it. Effortless golf. Maybe you should write a blog as well.
        Thanks very much for your comments.

        Reply
      • JR says

        November 8, 2015 at 1:10 am

        How can you feel your left elbow glued to the rib cage at the top of the backswing?

        Reply
  4. Mark Baker says

    January 7, 2014 at 1:18 am

    Stephen,
    I can’t believe I came across another one of your posts while searching something that felt right on the driving range. Your writing style and knowledge are top-notch. During my last practice session, I noticed I was really keeping my arms connected (Felt it). I had never felt it that much before and was hitting everything so well (Driver, PW, 5i). It is the first time I had ever had someone comment on how good my swing looked. He actually started with “My god, do you hit like that on the course?”. My reply was “unfortunately I do not”. Sure enough, the next time out on the course, I wasn’t feeling the connection and wasn’t hitting solid shots. I will be dedicating my future practice sessions on feeling the connection and getting that feeling to the course as well. Thank you for another great article.

    Reply
    • Stephen Altschuler says

      January 18, 2014 at 11:03 am

      Glad you’re enjoying and benefitting from the blog, Mark. Please spread the word. That connection between the arms and the core is critical, but it is easy to lose as you go from shot to shot on the course. The range is the place to groove this move and ingrain it into your muscle memory. We tend to define the arms as the source of power, but when connected with the core, whammo. It tightens up the backswing and the ensuing coil, so impact is like a pro boxer’s right hand punch powering in from the right hip.
      Thanks so much for commenting, Mark.

      Reply
  5. Henry says

    February 3, 2014 at 8:23 pm

    After starting golf in my early 50s I now some 7 years later have just realised the importance of the arm body connection. Seeing Tiger practise with a towel under his lead arm convinced me it was worth trying.
    To be fair I had been told about the connection before but I gave up on it too quickly and developed an arm only swing that has got me so far. I’m hoping that the connected swing will give me a better level of consistency.

    Reply
    • Stephen Altschuler says

      February 3, 2014 at 8:52 pm

      That connection is unfortunately often overlooked in instruction. The body along with the arms as a unit power the swing. Disconnected, they are relatively powerless. In that short takeaway move from address lies one of golf’s greatest secrets. Employ it, and enjoy this game evermore.
      Thanks so much, Henry, for your comments.

      Reply
  6. Doug Lane says

    May 21, 2014 at 7:34 am

    Not only is it important to swing the left arm across the chest, close to the chest, in the early stages of the backswing, but it’s important to maintain that feeling of connectedness between left arm and torso all the way to the top of the backswing. That will help guarantee that the downswing stays in the inside-out slot on the way back, so that the golfer doesn’t cast. But the swing has to remain a swing……after all, it depends on centripetal force. So the golfer should stay smooth & loose……yet connected….like Littler, or Sammy Snead, or Ernie Els, or Rory McIlroy.

    Reply
    • Stephen Altschuler says

      May 24, 2014 at 12:53 pm

      I completely agree with your analysis, Doug. When the arms become disconnected with the core, trouble begins. Every part of the body is important in a proper swing, but those parts must be unified for solid contact to occur. And solid contact is what it’s all about.
      Thanks so much for your comments.

      Reply
      • Doug Lane says

        November 22, 2016 at 11:27 pm

        Here it is more than two years later and I’m still working on keeping that left arm extended, relaxed, close to the chest on the backswing. Sometimes it helps to think of hitting to rightfield, with a downswing arc moving from 7 to 1 o’clock (where 12 is the target). Keeping the left arm connected to the chest makes the swing easy yet powerful. Golf is a pleasure when I do it right. But it still comes and goes. As you say, the correct pace and connectedness can easily get lost out on the course….. Thanks Steve.

        Reply
  7. columns says

    July 9, 2014 at 3:22 am

    Hi! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after
    looking at many of the posts I realized it’s new to me.

    Regardless, I’m certainly delighted I found it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking
    back frequently!

    Reply
  8. Shane says

    October 21, 2014 at 7:39 am

    Interestingly, I believe this connection should INCREASE during the transition due to the change of direction: The club is still moving back while the body is starting forward. So the club and arm are sort of being “left behind” causing the pressure between the upper left arm and chest to increase (more closely connected) and this–to me–represents the PULLING part of the golf downswing that is needed to counterbalance the PUSHING part of the straightening right arm and rotating right side.

    Reply
    • Stephen Altschuler says

      October 25, 2014 at 3:15 pm

      I’ve tried what you’re suggesting, Shane, and, with limited practice time and an aging body, have not been able to get the timing right to master this move. I think it’s a good suggestion, but best left to pros–probably young pros–who have the time, energy, and body to perfect it. I’m content to have a more simplified transition that, yes, produces a shot that is shorter, but more accurate and consistent.
      Thanks so much for your comment.

      Reply
    • James McGuiness says

      July 18, 2017 at 11:57 am

      Shane, could not agree more… You are dead on with that feeling of the increase pressure of the upper left bicep on the chest.

      If you feel like you hold your back to the target a split second longer, this allows the lower body to lead and create the dynamic tension that gives you that left bicep pressure.

      I think Justin Rose said this is one of the key feels he has in his downswing.

      Reply
  9. Grr says

    February 12, 2015 at 1:20 pm

    Ive been down the left arm connection road, its been great for the change of direction and firing the body through impact but I overdid it on the backswing which together with a a onepiece inside takeaway meant I released slightly early. I now create the same effect by powering my swing with my chest and delaying my arms a fraction on the takeaway,some times called a forward press,which keeps my arm outside and the rest just flows. Down to 6 and falling, at fifty!

    Reply
    • Stephen Altschuler says

      February 12, 2015 at 10:06 pm

      I was following until you linked the move you mentioned to a forward press. I always considered the forward press a slight move forward to trigger the start of the backswing. I’m trying to imagine the chest moving first and then the arms. Perhaps you could explain this further.
      Down to a six and falling! Very impressive. Well done.
      And thanks for the comments.

      Reply
      • Grr says

        February 17, 2015 at 3:52 pm

        Found this Hogan quote
        “What it amounts to is that you address the ball with some movement, or waggle as the tournament professionals call it, and then go smoothly from the waggle into the backswing via the recoil from the forward press.” Power Golf
        I have now realised there is a subtle movement of the hips slightly b4 the chest slightly b4 the arms! this is the oppisite of my natural instinct to whip the arms away to hit the ball but makes sense if youre looking to reverse the swing with a chain rection from the ground up.
        what i am saying is that sequencing works better for me than trying to stay connected tho I may have allready ingrained connectiion into my swing!

        Reply
        • Stephen Altschuler says

          February 17, 2015 at 9:06 pm

          I suspect that connection is ingrained in your swing, which is usually the case if you’ve been playing for quite a few years. One less thing to think about!
          Thanks for commenting.

          Reply
  10. Grr says

    February 17, 2015 at 3:56 pm

    Im not saying I do a forward press just that i want my arms to feel like theyre the last to move.

    Reply
  11. sunman says

    February 17, 2015 at 9:03 pm

    I came across your website and this article seems to be excatly what i feel.

    In the backswing i feel the left arm arm straight and against the chest.

    In the downswing I move the left arm to finish , the body follows , with the proper weight shift.

    My only thought at the start of downswing is ” move left arm to finish” and everything happens automatically

    Reply
    • Stephen Altschuler says

      February 22, 2015 at 11:36 am

      That’s it. It really simplifies the lightning fast action of the downswing. What you’re doing is insuring the left arm stays straight through impact, and trusting the body will follow suit. Timing and proper sequencing is critical, and even for touring pros, it doesn’t always work. But that’s golf.
      Thanks so much.

      Reply
  12. Mark E says

    March 10, 2015 at 4:07 pm

    Hi Stephen! Just found your site when googling “connection in the golf swing”…think i’m going be here a lot! I have a question so as to have some clarity… does the left arm come across the chest in the backswing or is it extended away from the chest…yet upper attached?
    Thanks!!!

    Mark E from Tennessee

    Reply
    • Mark E says

      March 10, 2015 at 4:48 pm

      Stephen…answered my question myself after watching Gene Littler and then the clip of Lee Westwood on your “Shoulder to Shoulder Swing” post.
      Anyone know where I can find any clips of Bert Yancy swinging a club? I’ve been looking and have had no luck.

      Mark E from Tennessee

      Reply
  13. walt says

    June 10, 2015 at 5:53 pm

    I think you are almost right? I think the arm doesn’t attach to the chest. It stays close to the chest throughout the swing and touches the chest slightly on the downswing. You need a video to show this move. I have been chasing the swing like you. I recently been swinging my driver accurately long as well as my other clubs. It’s easy to say what the swing is, I think you need videos? I don’t think you can swing the golf club consistently with a body swing?

    Thanks for your lesson.

    Reply
  14. Broc Sabinson says

    July 27, 2015 at 12:50 pm

    Hi Stephen. Great Blog. I have always struggled with this part of my swing. I really concentrated on it this year and it worked, but then I got too confident and lost it (the connection). When you lose it for a while and then bring it back into play, it feels vastly different. Meaning that it feels more compact and powerful as opposed to a loosy goosy type swing. I really like to do the towel drill where I put the towel in the middle of my chest and put the ends underneath each armpit. Then I swing the club and see if any part of the towel falls out. It is usually the left side that falls out on the takeaway right about the time I start to turn my left shoulder away from the target line. A few times with that drill and I get an idea on how it should feel. If you watch the pros it is exactly what they are doing and it is the sole reason they are able to generate so much power. To many instructors or videos concentrate on grip, stance, posture, weight shift, keeping the lower half quiet etc. All important fundamentals and I don’t want to discount any of those, but there is very little discussion on the importance of staying connected and how to do it. It truly is a very different feeling for someone that has never been taught that way. I guess for some golfers it is just natural and they don’t have to think about it at all (Matt above…LOL!) I just need to make sure I have a nice tempo, light grip and stay connected.

    Reply
  15. FontsDownloadFree says

    July 30, 2015 at 2:07 am

    Unlike many other sports, golf isn’t reactive. Action only occurs when the golfer initiates it. That means there’s time for the mind to get in the way, Parent said.

    Reply
    • Stephen Altschuler says

      August 1, 2015 at 10:59 am

      This is a very astute comment, which I agree with wholeheartedly.
      Thanks for commenting.

      Reply
  16. Ian Ward says

    September 14, 2015 at 8:33 am

    Dear Stephen

    I like many others stumbled on your site, I have returned to playing, or trying to play after a 17 year layoff. I used to be a 6 handicap, but the feel was gone. I have found golf is not like riding a bike, where you just jump on and go. Over the last few months my golf has got a lot better but inconsistent. From what you have said, plus not over swinging, I have discovered my old feel back of years passed. Now to try out on the course. The weather is going to be pretty lousy, so I should be able to put it to the test.

    Reply
  17. mstair says

    October 18, 2015 at 4:58 am

    “In regards to arm bending, again Ben Hogan is completely correct. From address through the follow-through, the one and only time both arms are straight is a brief moment after the ball is hit. Before that instant the right arm is always bent — sometimes slightly, sometimes entirely. At address it has a slight bend. What is most important (moreover confusing as Ben expressed it) is keeping the elbows and arms “as close together as possible”. Ben’s description leads one to believe he advocates a straight right arm too. He does not. The aspect he doesn’t mention and is often missed by we “non-athletes” is the significance of the connection of the arms to the torso. Compressing the arms together above the elbows connects them to the torso near the pectoral muscles of the chest but the arms do not contact the torso in symmetrical places since one is straight and the other slightly bent. ”

    Excerpt From: Mike Stair. “Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons.” iBooks. https://itun.es/us/KfNyD.l

    Reply
  18. Grr says

    October 23, 2015 at 11:43 am

    As ive improved my action and my handicap reduces the one muscle area that I feel the most after a golf session is my left pectoral area,not a muscle group I would have expected. Ive even ccontemplated doing bench presses or press ups for the 1st time in 30 yrs!

    Reply
  19. Shred Test says

    December 1, 2015 at 12:56 pm

    That is a really good tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere.
    Simple but very precise info… Thanks for sharing this
    one. A must read post!

    Reply
  20. mstair says

    December 17, 2015 at 6:41 am

    “ In our desire to hit it far, we seek to take the club back as far as possible. One way to achieve this “past parallel” position at the top of our swing is to allow our right triceps to disconnect and separate from the side of our upper chest. This is the notorious (for the right-handed golfer) “flying right elbow.” While it is true that many modern successful golfers have a wide separation between their torso and the right (or away from the target) arm triceps at the top of their backswings, they (being gifted athletes) are capable of closing that gap on precisely the same point of contact prior to the separation. If we non-athletes allow the separation, our result tends to be a downswing out of synchronization — culminating in a fat, pulled, or wildly hooking shot. A better plan to follow is to continually work on our flexibility, and maintain connection of our arms to our torso.”

    Excerpt From: Mike Stair. “Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons.” iBooks. https://itun.es/us/KfNyD.l

    Reply
    • Stephen Altschuler says

      December 26, 2015 at 3:17 pm

      I agree completely, Mike. Flexibility is the key, along with keeping the arms connected with the core as we coil the backswing. When the connection breaks down, trouble begins–trouble that’s almost impossible to correct after the downswing begins.
      Thanks for your comments.

      Reply
  21. Grr says

    February 9, 2016 at 2:20 pm

    An advanced way of feeling this is left hand only chipping,even more advanced would be to stop at the end of the short backswing for 2 seconds then chip, you need a very short feeling/ soft/relaxed left arm using connection enables the body to gently power the shot.

    Reply
  22. Jim says

    April 23, 2016 at 1:33 pm

    The connection concept is in Jimmy Ballard’s: “How to perfect your golf swing”. It was written in the 80s and the connection and triangle and center swinging together are the basic teachings of his book. I’m surprised the book has not gotten the credit that it’s due.

    Reply
  23. Grr says

    April 24, 2016 at 2:18 pm

    It was a ground breaking book in many ways but also a dangerous one! Ballard seems to leave a lot out eg how to start the backswing.
    I overdid the connection,overdid the move behind the ball with centre,overdid firing the right side and ended up with a heaving sway!
    But its still a great golf book!

    Reply
  24. Paul says

    April 25, 2016 at 1:47 am

    Great site, completely understand the feeling on the backswing with he left arm and chest moving together, but what should the feeling be on the downswing?

    Reply
  25. SuperHacker says

    May 11, 2016 at 1:28 pm

    This worked for me for a while and I had one range session where I was flushing every club from irons to driver. It was a real buzz. I never managed it again and rapidly returned to absolute crap by getting my right elbow stuck behind my right hip and making some absolutely disgusting shanks and god knows what other kind of strikes that made me want to snap every club in my bag and go home.

    It is a habit now which is ruining my already awful game.

    Reply
    • JR says

      May 12, 2016 at 12:38 am

      The issue with connection is that it can be interpreted as static and not able to move in any way. That is not the case. The left upperarm(humerus) should be able to rotate and the elbow move up in relation to the left shoulder. So the arms still have their own PATH while connected to the torso.

      Reply
    • Anthony says

      September 6, 2016 at 5:51 pm

      SuperHacker,
      Try setting up with your elbows facing mostly forward, slightly rotated inward, and as close together as you can. As you take the club back, think of pushing with the left shoulder as if you were pushing the club towards the right of you with the clubhead traveling along the target line for the first two feet or so. Keep your torso lean the same as you take it back; don’t allow your backswing to pull you upright. As you push with the left shoulder you want to push in in a manner that does not cause your left arm to cross your chest. You want to feel like the club stays in front of you for most of the back swing. (it will feel really weird at first).

      Now with our elbows squeezed close together, keep a slight inward rotation with elbows. This will allow your right elbow to fold up properly. Keep both elbows squeezed together during the entire swing and this will cause you elbow to not get stuck behind your body. Your right elbow should be pretty much facing down and not behind you. Now as you initiate the turn with your lower body (hips or belly button), keep that right elbow squeezed toward the left elbow. Think “Turn my body with my right elbow leading the way”. This in combination with a left upper arm close to the upper chest will give you crisp shots as long as your weight is mostly on your left foot at impact. Start off with 1/2 swings at first to get the feel of it.

      The squeeze plus the left upper arm touching the side of the upper chest will effectively have your elbows point back at the hips at impact like Hogan preached.

      I am a high handicap golfer, but I recently picked up about 50 yards on my drives by incorporating the above changes. Took me a long time to figure this out.

      Reply
    • Bob Rice says

      October 8, 2016 at 1:20 pm

      You and Tiger are not the only golfers that get “stuck!” Keeping your “left side CONNECTED” should work for you….maybe you gave up on it too soon! During the first six inches of the backswing, do you see the clubhead moving up or outside the line? If so, then the natural mental response is to recognize that and attempt to get it back in the proper takeaway line (under the plane)! The problem with this is that all too often the recovery move is too extreme and too far under the plane (behind you and stuck!), There are a number of ways to discipline the takeaway in that first 6″ but I cast my vote with the author of this website as to the solution to your problem. Bad posture, bad grip, bad alignment, etc. can all negate the benefits of this discussion.

      Reply
  26. John Harrington says

    May 22, 2016 at 1:59 pm

    Stephen,I too stumbled on your website.What a gas! I was also at the Queen Mary Open in Long beach,CA. In 1976 and watched Gary win!! I’ve always believed in the connection he told the right-handed golfer and you expounded on.Its really that simple and for the forward swing just keep moving toward the target and let the left arm pretty much retrace the path it took on the backswing.Thank you for your instruction! John Harrington

    Reply
    • Stephen Altschuler says

      May 30, 2016 at 10:55 am

      Well put, John. Mr. Player certainly practiced what he preached, and look where that got him: nine majors and about a million wins worldwide (as Rocco might put it).
      Glad you found, and enjoy, my site, John. Thanks for commenting, and please spread the word.

      Reply
  27. Ron says

    May 30, 2016 at 6:05 pm

    I like the left arm connection but in the takeaway it causes me to take the club away too much to the inside. How do I combat this tendency?

    Reply
    • Grr says

      May 31, 2016 at 9:46 am

      Thats the danger I experienced leading to a sway and overtop move.
      Now i activate and connect the left arm shoulder( because I want it to dynamically power through the ball, a frisbee fling,) But its the right arm shoulder connection that I work on in the backswing against a right pivot point with the left side slightly resisting.

      Reply
      • Grr says

        May 31, 2016 at 9:55 am

        For me its this right side connection that provides the width (often described as waiters tray) and once primed the right side doesnt then try and overpower the downswing causing a ott move but allows the left side to dominate the downswing

        I know this sounds counter intuitive but if I suppress the right side on the backswing using a leftsided wide inside takeaway i get the right shoulder trying to dominate on the downswing because ive put it in a weak position

        Reply
    • Stephen Altschuler says

      June 3, 2016 at 9:21 am

      Direct the clubhead outside the hands slightly, Ron, coming back. The shaft will be more vertical half way back, which prevents it from coming inside too much. There may need to be a slight rerouting starting down to get it back on that inside plane towards impact.
      Give it a try.

      Reply
  28. Peter says

    May 31, 2016 at 5:10 pm

    If you pick up a ball to throw you will note that the motion is with the hands, wrists and arms. The body turns naturally in response to the arm movement. This will then lead to a comfortable wind up with the weight favouring the right side. Now take a club and do the same. Forget this business of arm connection to the chest it will only lead to incomplete turn and jerky downswing movements. Like everything else do what comes naturally.

    Reply
    • Grr says

      June 1, 2016 at 7:58 am

      Have you ever thrown anything fast and accurately! a javelin, a tennis serve even at a coconut shy. the only sports i can think of where you can get away with a hand and wrist action are badmington and table tennis, both using a light implement to hit a light object
      If you try that with golf, baseball, cricket the implement will dominate you

      Reply
      • Grr says

        June 1, 2016 at 8:02 am

        Look at Jordan Speith a favourite on this site, an agricultural swing but he coils his right side on the backswing enabling to hit the **** out of it with his left side, his natural throwing side.

        Reply
        • Peter says

          June 1, 2016 at 11:09 am

          Sadly you have misinterpreted this wisdom. I am talking about the backswing!

          Reply
          • Grr says

            June 2, 2016 at 3:06 am

            The wisdom I am trying to impart, having been a successful athletic thrower in my youth, is that you Do need to connect your muscles in the backswing But in a soft athletic manner, the reason being that the golf club is a relatively heavy sporting implement, especially when accelerating, making contact with a solid stationary object
            You can only use hands and wrists in a lightweight sport like badmington or table tennis when just pure speed is required.

  29. John Harrington says

    June 1, 2016 at 1:43 pm

    Stephen , I hit drivers this morning at Santa Ana Golf Course driving range at Santa Ana Pueblo in New Mexico; hit it sooo good with just one thought: left arm and left pec together back and keep them together forward at same speed! I can take liberties with this in the backswing; if I want to hit a fade I just take it back a little outside and move it all together a little left of the target! It reminds me of Len Matiace! Loved his swing! So sorry about what happened to him at the Masters!

    Reply
  30. John Harrington says

    June 2, 2016 at 8:07 am

    Stephen,
    Read your “key move” post again just now and was thinking about Steve Stricker’s swing.It appears to me that he’s not that good of an example of left arm and chest connection but certainly one of character!Don’t mean to nitpick but as a lifelong teaching professional and one who believes this teaching is spot on,I hope everyone gets it! Also for Ron,who gets inside too much,just make sure your left arm is hanging straight down and not out and on top!Hope it helps! John

    Reply
  31. John Harrington says

    June 2, 2016 at 11:01 am

    Stephen, re: my comment on May 22,I was referring to Gary McCord not Gary Player,just to set the record straight. Thanks for your excellent teaching and I plan to purchase your book! John

    Reply
    • Stephen Altschuler says

      June 3, 2016 at 8:58 am

      Ah. I like McCord. He knows the swing, and have seen him hit it far and true at a Champions Tour event.
      Thanks for your encouraging words, John.

      Reply
  32. james says

    June 20, 2016 at 5:06 am

    HI there

    Just stumbled across this blog as i seek to understand why i block the ball so much.

    It’s mentioned alot about losing the connection causing pulls/slices, but nothing about blocking/pushing

    Can connection issues cause this and if so how?

    Reply
    • Bob Rice says

      October 8, 2016 at 12:48 pm

      Blocking shots, in my judgement worthless as it is, is about the takeaway being above the plane at the very start of the backswing. . Everybody at some time, pushes the left side too aggressively resulting in the center of gravity being moved off the back of the ball. It seems to me that the solution is not in correcting any of the above, but rather, it is in enabling a properly sequenced “properly connected takeaway”! As Stephen Altschuler reported in his “Key Move” staying connected is the single most misunderstood aspect of the swing. If you do keep the inside of the upper left arm synchronized with the left side during the start of the backswing and you do so with tempo the blocked shots will eventually go away. Ben Hogan wrote of the value of “upper arm adhesion” in the takeaway but for me that easily led to tension at address. If the inside of the upper left arm moves out away from you on the backswing or if the inside of the upper left arm moves without a corresponding move of the left side (right handers!), then you are out of sequence. I can see my pushes during the very first six inches of takeaway. The club moves out away from me slightly (above the plane!) and then the compensation move is a looping sharp recovery rollover of the clubhead back inside in an attempt to get the clubhead back on plane. Usually what happens in that sequence is the recovery move is too much under the plane and blocked shots result. You can get away with a good recovery move on occasion but that recovery move is no long term solution. Get the inside of the left upper arm brushing the body on the takeaway or visualize the inside of the left upper arm going back under the plane and the blocks should go away.

      Reply
  33. jerry says

    August 31, 2016 at 4:13 am

    i grooved that left upper left arm /chest connection into my swing many many years ago..swore by it..and its been no secret (jimmy ballards career was based on it) but be fore-warned (thats a pun!) there’s always a flipside to any holy grail in golf or life..so now for the last 2 years i have found myself completely foused on undoing that move from my swing.. why u ask? ill tell u!… i learned you dont want anything glued to anything else.. at least not as an ongoing thing.. maybe as a short term feel, but then drop the grail.. just look at jamie sadlowski.. no armpit glue there .. and the best golf swing there is or ever was (imo) and i think mccord might agee with me on that.. see his vid w sadlowski..anyway so my length off the tee was just ‘pretty ok’ for a mid-high handicap kind of guy, but just ‘so so’ for a good golfer which was how i wanted to see myself..i was prob averaging 245 off the tee.. 270s sometimes but usually less. blasting sessions at the range ceased to be of any use. then, several yrs ago, i saw kelvin miyahiras slowmo videos of sadlowski and started reading kelvins articles. gradually now after years of toil on hip action , spine action, leg action.. basically all actions.. and undoing this diabolical glue thing, i am finally starting to see the fruits. oh yes sir.. completely different shot quality and consistency, breathtking ball flight!. the sound it makes is different.. much less strain…so far 15% average increase on all clubs minimally, and i havent yet scratched the surface of the changes i see i can still make (cameras dont lie) and bonus: the pain in my left hip socket now gone (goodbye slide and hello rotation!) a lot of work but i love it. why? coulndnt tell u ! but u prob feel the same way!

    Reply
    • Grr says

      September 1, 2016 at 4:49 am

      I too learnt that move in the 80s when i last played golf but i overdid it and ended up with a swaying heave.
      But having started again in my 50s I realize that a lot of my “discoveries” about the golf action have a resonance with Ballards book, so a great top 5 golf book but a dangerous one!
      But i rarely stick anything under my armpit these days! preferring to achieve connection through proper sequencing and soft muscles,down to 5 and dropping!

      Reply
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