LETTER FROM THE TEACHING PROFESSIONAL
ARM MEASUREMENTS AND DOWNSWING PLANE
Greetings once again Eaglebrooke ! Last month we took a dive into the topic of posture and how it effects the backswing plane , and where the club is slotted . So , if the posture is matched up to the player , the backswing plane should be correct . But once the club is at the top of the swing , how the club is delivered to the ball on the downswing is dependent on the measurements of the length of the lower arm ( from the middle finger knuckle to the elbow ) vs . the upper arm ( from elbow to middle of shoulder ) and the amount of external shoulder rotation the player can produce .
longer than the lower arm will tend to create more lag in the downswing as the lower arm doesn ’ t need at much time to extend as the club swings down . Another tour pro example for someone who has an upper arm longer than lower arm would be Sergio Garcia .
Then there is the player whose lower arm is longer than the upper arm , and they will tend to produce a downswing where the arms drop below the backswing plane as the lower arm needs more time to extend as the club is delivered to the ball . Dustin Johnson is a great example of a tour pro whose lower arm is longer than upper arm .
So , a player with an upper arm measurement that is equal to the lower arm , with no external shoulder rotation will produce a downswing that will swing down on the same swing plane where the club slots at the top . Justin Rose is a tour player to refer as a “ stock ” backswing and downswing . Justin has equal wingspan vs . height for posture , and the club slots in the middle of the torso plane at the top of the swing , and swings down on the torso plane .
Well , that works well for Justin Rose , but everyone ’ s body is different what works for Justin Rose might not work for you . So , a player with an upper arm that is
Each of these examples are great players that swing the club differently because of how their bodies are built . That is why I am a firm believer in that you should always measure , and never guess . So Knowing your wingspan vs your height will give you the posture needed to produce a backswing plane that matches , and knowing the upper arm vs . the lower arm measurements will give you the downswing plane and how the club will be delivered . Once these two pieces are matched up the ball striking will improve dramatically just by making sure the player is matched up to their body type .
Have a great month and hit ‘ em well out there !
Ben Johnson
PGA , Teaching Professional
AUGUST eaglebrooke newsletter 7