Stuck Too (I Think)

[Timothy Slaught]

Hello All:

I think I may be suffering from a case of getting the club stuck behind me so I wanted some advice.

When I am swinging in control, I have a definite sense that I have room between my torso and the club shaft for my arms to be positioned correctly coming into impact. I have never quite figured out mechanically what causes this sensation but I believe it has to do with the the right arm maintaining it's proper bend as well as good tempo overall.

Lately, I feel as if I'm getting the club left behind as I rotate the lower body and torso into the downswing. This causes the right block or late pull when my hands are forced to try and save the shot. It really becomes a toss of the dice as far as direction at these times. Distance is ok so it's more of a directional issue.

Questions:

1) My right elbow does not fly upward and does point down but I feel in my quest for distance I may pull the elbow too far behind me. I feels as if it is in line with my right shoulder perpindicular to the target line at the top of backswing. I have seen other backswing positions where the golfer rotates the shoulders 90 degrees but the right elbow points away from the target ( 90 degrees less than I am rotating it). What is the prefered right elbow position at the top?

2) When I get that stuck feeling it is as if the right arm is lagging too far behind and I am not leading with the right elbow. It's as if the right elbow has been forced into an extended position while lagging behind the swing. I'm never able to feel like I've returned the right elbow to the right hip. Should I feel as if I am leading with my right elbow like throwing sidearmed?

3) When getting stuck I feel as if I'm coming out of posture (straightening the spine) which leaves no room in front of the torso for the arms to swing. It's as if my arms have collapsed into my chest by impact and I'm too upright. This is particularly a problem for the right arm which is forced straight too early. Any tips for maintianing the spine angle and how it relates to creating room for the arms to swing down the target line?

Thanks very much for any thoughts on this.

Tim S

[BrianW]

Re: Stuck Too (I Think)

Hi Tim,

It must be a difficult one for you to be baffled, your insight to swing issues is very illuminating at times.

I suggested this one to someone recently, it may be worth looking at?

If you stood at address but took a hammer in your right hand and wanted to drive a nail around knee high into a tree just in front of your lead leg, you would swing back then naturally swing down through with your elbow and arm naturally clearing your right side. Try this action then assimilate it into your swing.

I hope this may be of some help.

[pnearn]

Re: Stuck Too (I Think)

Tim

I fight this too and I find quite often its because I've let my stance get too wide. Whem my feet are too far apart I cant get left fast enough to rotate and either end up blocking left or flipping and hitting pulls

I find it much easier to stay in my posture and rotate correctly from the ground up when my feet are closer together