Regarding an overbent left leg,IMO as long as you start from a good address position -and don't bend it any further i don't think you can have it overbent.
I think it would be quite awkward not to bend the left leg more during the backswing than it is at address.
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"In my experience, if you stay with the essentials you WILL build a repeatable swing undoubtedly. If you can master the Imperatives you have a champion" (Vikram).
The reason you can't sustain the lag is because you are so eager to make the club move fast (a reaction to the intent of "hitting it far"). So on a full shot you throw it away too early, which doesn't happen for your short chip. (bts)