2 different ways the lead arm influences golf shots, per top teacher

By: Mark Durland, Top 100 Teacher , Nick Dimengo July 30, 2024

Golfer hits shot while instructor watches on golf course

If you're lacking the consistency you want, it might be time to reassess the positioning of your lead arm.

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High lead arm or low lead arm? That’s the million-dollar question!

In the video below, GOLF Top 100 Teacher Mark Durland helps you decipher which is best for you — so check out what he has to say and start experiencing better shot results almost instantly.

2 ways to use the lead arm in golf

In the video above, Durland says he believes that the lead arm controls the trajectory of the golf swing.

So what does he mean by this?

“If the lead arm goes up, this is going to create either a fade or slice profile,” he tells me. “When the lead arm gets up into the air and we start blending in some rotation in the downswing, the club’s going to exit low and left for a right-handed golfer. This is similar to how a ping pong paddle goes right to left across the back of the ping pong ball, causing a left-to-right ball flight.”

Durland often tells his students that the lead arm should resemble a ferris wheel, which gives the visual of the swing moving more up and down.

But there’s more than just one way to use the lead arm in the golf swing.

Another way Durland says a player can use their lead arm is imagining a merry-go-round in the backswing, which provides a visual of a swing moving more around.

“The other way we can use our lead arm is by keeping it low and across our body, which gives the player an opportunity to swing out more,” Durland shares. “This would be like having the ping pong paddle going left-to-right across the back of the ping pong ball to stimulate a right-to-left ball flight — which would be a draw in golf terms for a right-handed golfer).”

GOLF Teacher to Watch Rick Silva explains the importance of both the lead arm vs. the trail arm through impact during the golf swing — Breaking down the lead arm vs. the trail arm in the golf swing
By: Rick Silva, GOLF ‘Teacher to Watch’

So how can both of these lead arm positions improve your swing? When done correctly, you’re able to match your downswing with your backswing — meaning there’s no big rerouting under or over in the downswing.

“Golfers I teach typically fall into one of two categories,” Durland shares. “They either need more merry-go-round or more ferris wheel in the lead arm, which, when achieved, will help eliminate hooks or slices to produce more natural drawing shots.”

Depending on the type of shot shape you’re looking for, Durland says your lead arm will be in a different position.

“So should you use a high lead arm or a low lead arm? The answer is in your shot shape,” he tells me. “If you hit a fade or a slice (and would like to see a draw), then use a lower lead arm (or merry-go-round). But if you hit a draw or hook (and prefer a fade), then use a high lead arm (or a ferris wheel).”

Now that you’ve got the visuals for the proper position of your lead arm, it’s time to hit the driving range and start seeing more positive shot results.

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