[BerntR]

If the Right Shoulder starts too high, as in 99.999999999 percent of golfers, you run out of Right Arm before you get to the ball. Most start with a straight Right Arm at Address and return to Impact with a straight Right Arm. It's really powerful.

This explanation was a revelation to me, Luke!

I had to go out in the garden and try a few strokes. Your description fits perfectly with what I always do. I've done it on purpose for years and it has become second nature. With all clubs but the putter. It is buried in my golfing soul to so. Probably a compensation from the early days where my left side had a tendency to quit. I am as lefty as they come and it is almost a miracle that my right side is able to hold on to the club as well as it is. I was able to hit the ball about 165 yards or so with a 5 iron in my first season - with a follow thru of about 5 inches towards the target and 2-3 inches towards china.

Anyway, after reading your post I was able to take a stance with a level right forearm. I've always braced the left side with my right arm. And I have done it by pushing from the right shoulder. By thinking of the "arm" I needed to low point it just felt right to ease up the right shoulder. The left side feels a lot looser now and in a state of relatively flimsy way, but for the first time that I can remember I can feel balanced and relaxed with a level right forearm at address. Heck, I could even "see" the shot. So I had to do a couple of strokes too. And I could feel extra power through the ball. Didn't have to do more than two to be absolutely certain that I'm on to something that is important and for real.

Now where are those revelation smileys when you need them?

Yoda,

Many thanks for the Brian Gay mirror image Yoda. I think it is time for me to change my screen saver.

Even with a new level right forearm I still have got my right elbow somehow covered by the right hip. But now that I am able to level my right forearm without feeling like a battle of opposing forces on the inside maybe I can do something about that too. It's not that I haven't been aware that my setup and stance have been odd. It's just that I have never been able to do what the good players do and still be able to hit the ball.

This is possibly the best diagnostic piece of golfing advice ever that has made it all the way into my stubborn, need-to-understand-everything head. You cleared the path with your shotgun diagnosis, Yoda. I hope you take it as a compliment cause I wouldn't have accepted it on face value from many people in the world. And your post just nailed it YodasLuke.

I have a feeling that this was a huge milestone for me. And I am very grateful and in the mood for celebration.