Instruction blog: Right arm the key to Perry's swing

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Kenny Perry uses his right arm to create power and accuracy. He also keeps his right foot on the ground as long as possible through impact.

The Energizer Bunny hasn't got anything on Kenny Perry. The 48-year-old Kentucky-born golfing thoroughbred just keeps on winning...and winning...and winning with his 13th career PGA TOUR victory at the FBR Open at TPC Scottsdale.

Listen to Travis Fulton

PGA TOUR Golf Academy's Travis Fulton details some of the diffrent swings from last week's FBR Open in his weekly segment on the PGA TOUR Network (XM 146, SIRIUS 209). Click to listen

It took a few extra holes -- which ran into the first quarter of Super Bowl XLIII -- but Perry finally sealed the deal with a long putt for birdie on the third playoff hole. The local Cardinal fans still had plenty of time to get home to watch one of the greatest Super Bowl games ever played.

In front of nearly 500,000 fans at the TPC Scottsdale throughout the week, Perry finally got his victory in the desert with his 22nd official start at the FBR Open. Like Vijay Singh, Perry has seemed to only get better since turning 40. Make no mistake about it, Perry still pounds the ball off the tee and is one of the best ballstrikers on the PGA TOUR at a time when most of the guys are just trying to hang on until they are eligible for the Champions Tour.

What Can We Learn
Last year after Kenny Perry won the Memorial Tournament presented by Morgan Stanley, I talked about Perry's position at the top of his swing being a bit unconventional. You may have noticed this week that Perry positions the club shaft "crossed over," meaning, he points the clubshaft is pointing to the right of the target.

As long as I can remember, Perry has always had the club shaft across the line and the clubface a little closed at the top. Although not ideal, Perry is still able to repeat his swing because of how he uses his right arm on the downswing and supports its motion with a very stable lower body.

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Perry's clubhead points to the right of the target at the top of his swing.

In the golf instruction world, Perry would be considered more of a "hitter" of the ball. This means that Perry actively straightens his right arm on the downswing.

This straightening effort of the right arm is often times overlooked in an otherwise sound golf swing, but it's very apparent with Perry's move because of how flat he keeps his feet are at impact. With a less active lower body at impact, Perry uses his right arm on the downswing as his major source of power and control.

The best way to describe his right arm on the downswing is that it is "pushing down and out." Pushing down allows the right arm to actively straighten while maintaining the bend in the right wrist. This feeling is no different than if you were to try to push something into the ground with your right arm.

Maintaining the bend in the right wrist is a fundamental you see in a good swing. It allows the clubshaft to return forward at impact, resulting in a clubhead that is descending and accelerating through the impact zone.

Most amateurs do not accomplish this. They tend to release the right wrist too soon, resulting in inconsistent impact. For those who struggle with this issue, the described "pushing down" of the right arm should become more of a conscious effort.

"Out" is the second half of the equation. It directs the right arm to deliver the clubhead from the inside. Most amateurs need to feel as if they are driving the right arm not only "down," but "out."

I describe this feeling as if the right arm is being directed more towards right field. A lot of amateurs struggle with an over-the-top move that delivers the clubhead to impact too far from outside the target line. Moving the aim point more right field on an imaginary baseball field will allow for a much more effective approach to get the club on the right line as the clubhead reaches impact.

At the TOUR Academies, we emphasize the importance of the right arm. The perception of most golfers is to try to do more than necessary with their left arm. The reality is that the right arm is in command in the swing, and when trained properly, it will straighten out the left arm. Most amateurs should be taught like Kenny Perry to be more of a hitter so that the right arm can be fully trained to move the entire clubshaft on-plane throughout the swing.

Just Because
Well, another Super Bowl and another title for Pittsburgh. For those of you that have been reading my blog over the last year, you know how I really feel about the Steelers. I must admit, it was just painful to watch them win another. However, unlike their win in the Super Bowl four years ago, I felt the better team won on Sunday.

As a sports fan, I appreciate excellence, and after last week's win, the Steelers are now the NFL's elite with six Super Bowls. All right. I said it. Now get off my back!

Besides, it's time to focus on my Seahawks and the NFL Draft.