Backswing All clubs Intermediate ⏱ 1 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Gary Player's Tip: Left Arm Against the Chest

Name: Gary Player's Tip: Left Arm Against the Chest
Uploaded: 2024-05-05T12:00:00+00:00
Duration: 1 min 26 s
Channel: Gary Player
Description: In this short excerpt, Gary Player recounts a remark by Ben Hogan that he didn't understand until much later. He had always been taught to step straight back; he explains why this approach leads to inconsistency, especially under pressure.

In this short excerpt, Gary Player recounts a remark by Ben Hogan that he didn't understand until much later. He had always been taught to step straight back; he explains why this approach leads to inconsistency, especially under pressure.

▶

Gary Player · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

2 minSame problemJustin Rose's ball drill: rotating without liftingJustin Rose · Intermediate 14 minSame problemCollin Morikawa's Irons: Clubface on the TargetCollin Morikawa · Intermediate / Expert 4 minFrom the same proGary Player Road, Hole at St. Andrews: Playing the 17thGary Player · Intermediate / Expert

What the lesson shows

Gary Player says that Ben Hogan had mentioned this point to him in 1957, though he didn't understand it at the time. Like many others, he had learned to Go straight back. The problem, according to him, is that in a tournament, under pressure, this start doesn't happen exactly the same way, and it highlights the differences in position that arise from one swing to the next.

His solution: Start with your left arm against your chest. The arm remains connected to the torso during the start, and the resulting position is the same on every swing, whereas starting straight ahead results in a different position each time. The description of the swing adds that the hands and the clubhead do not move in the same direction, and suggests holding a towel under your armpits to feel this connection.

The Exercise, Step by Step

Enter your usual address.
Start your backswing while keeping your left arm in contact with your chest.
Compare this to starting by going straight back, and notice the difference in position.
Repeat the connected start until you return to the same position each time.
To feel the connection, place a towel under your armpits, as suggested in the video description.

Key Takeaways

The straight-back start varies from one swing to another.

Keep your left arm against your chest at the start of the backswing.

A connected start ensures the same position with every swing.

It's when you're under pressure that a smooth start matters most.

Mistakes to Avoid

Pull the club straight back, moving your left arm away from your torso.
Change your starting position from one swing to the next.
Believing that a half-hearted start will hold up under the pressure of a competition.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

Slow starts, left arm against the chest
Comparison of a connected start and a straight-ahead start in front of a mirror
Swinging with a towel under your armpits

Your Questions

What does Gary Player have against a straight-back tee shot?

He doesn't repeat the same shot. Under pressure, his stance changes from one swing to the next, which makes his play inconsistent in tournaments.

What is Gary Player's solution?

Start with your left arm against your chest. Keep your arm close to your torso, and maintain the same backswing position with every swing.

Where does this advice come from?

Gary Player says that Ben Hogan had mentioned it to him in 1957, but that he didn't understand it at the time.

Learn More

All “Backswing” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Collin Morikawa's Irons: Clubface on the TargetClubface always toward the target, body open or closed depending on the shot shape, finish height to control trajectory, and a glove under the arm on the backswing. Justin Rose's ball drill: rotating without liftingHolding a ball between your forearms keeps your elbows together: your body rotates instead of raising your arms, your hands remain still, and the angle is maintained. Pause at the Top of the Backswing: Matsuyama ExplainsMatsuyama explains his pause at the top of his swing (his left shoulder is too “tucked in” when imitating Tiger), his hands in front of his chest, and his swing mechanics with the irons. Gary PlayerAll of his lessons

Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Gary Player). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.