I have just started the classes and am all the way through the swing lessons. I am doing pretty good but every now and then I take a huge divot behind the ball. I believe I am doing pretty good at keeping my weight forward. I don't know if the big divot is from my weight shifting back without my knowing, my arms straightening out, or maybe my posture is changing and dropping down to cause the big divot. This usually happens with my sand wedge with 100 yards or less.
Also, is it more important to keep the left arm straight or to relax the arms to remove tension but the left arm may bend a little bit.
Hi @frankpreshern,
Fat (and thin) contact occurs when the low point of your swing shifts backwards, and the bending of your left arm offers a clue. It is very important to feel and ingrain your body's natural stopping point in the backswing. It occurs when the tilting, turning, and extending motions are complete and the lead arm has crossed the chest 45 degrees. This is the point where if we were to try to go any further any or all of the following will occur:
1) the lead arm will bend and/or lift
2) the wrists will break down
3) the lead knee will kick inward towards the trail side
4) the lead shoulder will level out and lose its orientation towards the ball
5) weight will shift into the trail side and bring the low point back with it, resulting in inconsistent contact.
If you can, take some video of your swing and see if some of the above are happening.
As for the lead arm, it should not feel stiff or tense, but it also needs to remain relatively straight as it is the radius of your swing circle.
Tom