Rose takes the lead - and the win - with the lead arm

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Justin Rose is now a winner on the PGA TOUR.

It was only a matter of time before the very talented Justin Rose got his first win on PGA TOUR. With much success all over the world at a very early age, it seems like Justin Rose has been around for at least 20 years. However, after a very difficult stretch that followed the death of his father, Rose has seemed to find balance with his life and the PGA TOUR.

Listen to Travis Fulton

PGA TOUR Golf Academy's Travis Fulton breaks down the keys to Justin Rose's win at the Memorial Tournament presented by Morgan Stanley on the PGA TOUR Network (XM 146, SIRIUS 209). Click to listen

When I first started teaching one of the videos I would look at quite often was the full swing of Justin Rose. I have always liked Rose's full swing as he does a great job of blending his body with the motion of his arms and hands. Rose is a great example of someone who learned the proper fundamentals at address as well as some key components in the golf swing at an early age.

After his win on Sunday at the Memorial, you heard Rose give some praise to swing coach - Sean Foley. Foley's name of course has been thrown into the hat of potential instructors who might take on the task of helping the full swing of the world's top player -- Tiger Woods.

One of the things I really like about Justin Rose's swing is how he uses his left arm in the golf swing. What's important to understand about the lead arm in the golf swing is that it represents the radius of the swing arc. With the left shoulder being the center of the circle, the lead arm starting from the lead shoulder and extending to the club head represents the exact measurement to the golf ball. With that said, it's important that we understand how the lead arm should work in order to return the club head consistently to the golf ball.

The first thing to notice about Rose's left arm is how well it stays attached to the side of the chest. This attachment is referred to as a pressure point and is very important to not only gain consistency but power as well. You will see many TOUR players practice with a head cover, a towel or even a glove in between the lead arm and the side of the chest. This is a great drill to encourage the left arm to stay on the side of the chest during the golf swing. Moreover, if you watch closely on television, you will see these same players pinch part of their shirt in this same area to replicate the feel on the golf course.

By keeping the lead arm attached to the chest it allows the lead arm and entire club shaft to work around the body during the backswing. This is evident in Rose's swing because once he reaches the top you will notice how his lead arm covers his right shoulder -- if you were to view from down the target line. This particular position for Rose is one that looks a bit different to me then from years past, as he seems to have a bit more depth at the top of the swing.

Often times, if a player were to lose the pressure point from the lead arm to the side of the chest, you would see the lead arm much more upright at the top of the swing. Again, if you were to view from down the target line, the right shoulder would clearly become more visible as the lead arm would be more up around the neck area. This very steep left arm at the top is usually not what we are looking for and usually leads to a very steep downswing.

With the lead arm still attached to the side of the chest and covering the trail shoulder, you now have created some depth in your backswing. This depth is critical for a lot of as it really sets the stage to return the club head from the inside on the downswing with sufficient power.

With all this said, there is one thing you need to be careful with and that is how the club head is moving in conjunction with the lead arm during the backswing. As you manage the pressure point as described above, it's critical that you work the club head "up" during the initial takeaway. Be careful that as you move the lead arm and club shaft more around during the backswing that you don't get the club head too far inside during the takeaway. In fact, often time's players lose the pressure point in the lead arm to the side of chest at the top of the swing because the club head goes too far inside during the initial takeaway. When this happens, the last thing you will do is keeping moving things around and flatter but rather you will compensate and lift the lead arm up independently of the chest to the top of the swing. Therefore, make sure the club head is working up and not too far to the inside as you maintain the pressure point between the lead arm and the chest to the top of the swing.

Just Because
Well, I am on my way to Asia. As I mentioned last week, the TOUR Academy is officially on the ground in Malaysia and China. As the PGA TOUR continues to grow around the world, it is a great honor to be a part of it.

I have always admired how these guys on TOUR do it -- week in and week out travelling from place to place. The discipline it takes, the energy, commitment, organization and most of all the support team. You heard it again this week from one of the greatest of all time -- Jack Nicklaus. Although Jack was hitting the shots and winning countless tournaments during his time on TOUR, he still gives as much credit and praise to his wife Barbara than anyone else.

I have learned and come to appreciate the importance of all of this as for the better part of my life, I would just go, go, go and not think twice. Now, with my own wedding just a few months away, I feel very fortunate for the first time to have my own support team. I must say there isn't a better feeling.

Miss you Amber -- be home soon!

Travis Fulton is PGA TOUR Academy's Director of Instruction. His views do not necessarily reflect the views of the PGA TOUR. To learn more about the TOUR Academy, click here.