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I recently had shoulder surgery and will not be able to hit balls with both arms for awhile. Today I was playing around in the basement hitting balls just with my Left arm . Is there any benefit to my golf swing doing this, or will this mess me up when I get use of the other arm. I am able to hit the ball pretty solid with just one good arm. Thanks

Well, you definately will have a lot more extra strengh in your left arm, which could very well benifit your putting game since (if your right handed) the left hand is the control hand. But i'm not really sure if it will benifit your full swing as well.

John Daly talks about doing this to warm up in his 'Playing Lessons From The Pros' on the Golf Channel

stowe, I think it could be excellent practice, if you practice the right things. For example, if you practice using the core muscles as the overwhelming source of power in your swing and practice a dead hand feeling in your hand and forearm, the practice can be really good. If you are just practicing compensating moves for not having both hands/arms, it will only make things worse.

You may want to find a copy of Search for the Perfect Swing by Cochran and Stobbs. They talk a lot about a model with one arm, even go so far to talk a fair amount about two one-armed golfers' swings. Adding a second arm does have some advantages, particularly in terms of support and stability, but one can accomplish a very powerful and accurate swing with just one arm -- the key is a core driven swing.

Make sure your right arm is completely immobilized when you're doing this, so you don't do any damage to the sholder that's healing. It would probably be a good idea to check with you doctor about this. I would imagine it would be fine to hit some one handed 2 weeks or so after the surgery though.

Tiger practices like this also so it must do some good if it is done right.

I have seen this drill recommend quite often. I forgot what the drill's purpose is. I am not good at it myself, but on one of the ranges that I use I sometimes see a golfer who only has one arm (which he employs as his lead-arm), and he can really get the ball out there. It is a joy to watch. I am not sure what the story is behind his handicap, but it always gives me a boost to see the guy make the best of his unfortunate situation.

Jim Mclean calls the left arm only drill "The Best Drill".

Old fassion teaching goes that the left arm must be taught to swing the club first before the right arm can be added. This ingrains control before ingraining power.

That assumes that the theory of left arm control, right arm power is correct.

I myself was taught this way and have become a very good player, however I do not teach it. Take that for what it's worth.

It wold be a great drill if you do it correctly as Bignose mentioned; concentrate on a clean and through contact not force. You'll find much crispy contact later on with your iron shot.
I also do the right hand only chip for practice. Both teach you to use the core power and the connection of your arms to the core.
Try to hit half back swing and 3/4 follow through.

I've played with one arm for several periods in my life, the most recent two years ago after having my rotator cuff rebuilt. This was for over four months and I had a ball! It was like being a kid taking up the game again. A nice carryover was an improved short game when I was finally able to put two hands on the grip.

I had re-constructive surgery on my left shoulder (I'm right handed) a few years ago and experienced very much the same situation as you, Stowe. My biggest concern was losing my swing (as we all know it's not like riding a bike). My instructor advised me to do the "one-arm drill" every so often, as long as it didn't interfere with my rehab, to maintain the fluidity of my golf swing. I was very new to the game at the time but it did wonders. It also helped with my rehab, believe it or not - the drill is good exercise for a body that offers limited mobility.

I had frozen shoulder in both my shoulders in the last 5 years. I can't comment on the one arm drill, but I would recommend strengthening your back muscles to overcome your shoulder surgery. I used some exercises with a foam roller that really helped me get my swing and strength back. I doubt I will ever have the flexibility that I once had, but I am not that far from before either.

good practice for pull the arm through but make sure you have balance in both.

I can tell you that learning to hit balls with only your left hand/arm will definately make you understand tempo and transition (without the stability of your right arm). Pay attention to wrist cock, as I usually lose most of it when hitting balls with my left hand/arm.