Re: Position of right arm/elbow

If you swing with a Rotary or one plane type swing keeping the right elbow tucked in and pulling back is the preferred method. With a two plane type swing you need to generate more width in the backswing so the elbow tends to lift away more.

See the first video of Jeff Ritter's one plane swing and how he keeps his right elbow into his side:



Now see how Luke Donald lifts his right elbow in the backswing with his two plane swing:

Re: Position of right arm/elbow

Thanks Brian. I'll just keep working on it. A friend (local pro) had me tuck my elbow and everything is going left due to a very flat swing. I may get away from this and free this elbow up a bit. Like I said, I'm just trying for more consistency. Been playing this game for years and always struggling with consistency.

Re: Position of right arm/elbow

I don't really know if I have a one-plane or two-plane swing. Getting more specific, this friend has me tucking my right elbow into my hip, "staying connected," and it's causing issues.

Re: Position of right arm/elbow

I, had always played golf using the method of tucking my elbow into my right side, both in the takeaway and on the down swing. Using this method has not done my golf any harm as my handicap is usually between 6&7. However, I was observing pro golf swings and, noticed how they tend to have a raised right elbow when at the top of their swing, and on the downswing they then drop the elbow back in tight hugging the right hip.

So, of I went onto the practice range at my local course. The first half dozen balls wern't great, but not bad either. Then, after I had accepeted I was swinging differently and, that I must fully committ. WOW I hit balls higher and further than I had ever done before, ( ive never been a big hitter) I mean real scortching iron shots.

Well as you all know, its all good and well hitting great shots on the range, taking them to the course his the real test!.

I have to be honest, at first a bit of aprehension. I didn't catch the ball as I did on the range, but got away with it to some degree. Then I said to myself, "come on if your goint to improve you have to committ". That was when I brought the shots from the range to the course, I had a great game from then on, some great shots but the score didn't really mirror the ball striking, although I played to my handicap.

The real fruit:

Next time out. Straight out of the blocks, striking the ball as I had left the previous round. Only now, the new swing is starting to feel more natural.

Shot level par GROSS got cut!.

Went out the following week, Guess what, I was 2 under with 2 to play. Doh bogeyed the last 2 holes to finish Gross 72. The 2 putts I missed for pars, well I could go on about the ifs and buts. And I have to say, I have over tha last 4 weeks played some great golf. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Sadly, its all came to an end temporarily I hope. The reason,, I have pulled my right hand serrattus Muscle. Iam not sure if this is due to my swinging differently or, just bad luck.

None the less, I now realise I had previously played with a flat swing, which robbed me of distance and good ball striking.

Iam hoping my scores will continue to tumble, upon my return o the arena . LOL

Re: Position of right arm/elbow

I understand what you're saying. We all want immediate results but it doesn't work like that in golf. I do feel like this flat swing is robbing me of distance and good ball striking, like you mentioned. Although, there was one time where I thought that this was the key. I had an especially good day at the range once I decided to play right to left. But the next day, I was hooking everything. Makes me hesitant to get to the course until I see some consistency.

Sounds like you're playing some good golf. I don't know what it feels like to shoot in the 70's.

After my friend, the pro, worked me through the towel drill, I have been tucking the elbow into my right hip which may be overkill. The only pro I see swing like this is Matt Kuchar and his swing looks SO stinking flat.

I will work on getting my elbow into a right angle at top and work on a nice "T" finish as in the PPS golf swing from Trahan and see what happens.

Thanks for your comments!

Re: Position of right arm/elbow

Harvey Pennick always taught not to keep the right elbow close in the backswing. His teachings were to allow the right elbow to get width from the right hip to lengthen the backswing and place the club on plane. Those who keep the right elbow close on backswing have short and flat swings-they lose distance and accuracy due to pulls etc.
Harvey taught the magic move which is to passively allow the right elbow to drop on the downswing to the right hip while having already shifted the weight to the left.
I use this method and have been a single digit player for many, many years.

Re: Position of right arm/elbow

What I have learned through some weeks of practice at the range and a round of golf is that my alignment has been way off. I go through a pre-shot set-up from behind the ball, establishing my target line. Then, as I try to set-up parallel left, I instinctively set up with a closed stance, thinking I am parallel left, which causes all sorts of trouble. My son pointed it out to me during a round of golf and I was stunned at how far right I was aiming in relationship to my target line. So I am working with alignment sticks to try and rectify this issue. I have some spacial disorientation going on. Weird. One pro on this website suggested that, if this is a pattern, then, after going through this pre-shot routine, I should simply move my back foot toward the target line to get square. He said to never adjust by moving the forward foot. Seems like good advice that I have yet to try.

Re: Position of right arm/elbow

I am the one who suggested that you have spatial disorientation but so does everyone else; it's a matter of knowing it and making the necessary compensations. Also, I am the one who suggested to only move the back foot not the front.
Now here is another thing to keep in mind; open or closed stance alone won't cause you that much harm-heresy I know but correcting one's stance pattern is easy to fix. If you know you consistently set up closed all the time, then after you are set up, just move the back foot more towards the ball to target line(for right handers). This means a little movement nothing big. One inch with driver could mean 10 yards or more of correction, say from right side of the fairway to right center.
Arriving at the correct impact position is the key to striking the ball well; make sure after you reach the top of your backswing you just passively drop the right elbow to the right hip while having begun your rotation.
This drops your swing into the slot.

Re: Position of right arm/elbow

Oh. It was you! Well, I have stored this advice away and will give it a try as soon as I can get out. I fully understand the importance of a slight adjustment of the back foot. I will let you know how it goes. Thanks again!

Difference

It's interesting, I have read much instruction on the right elbow and there seems to be different thoughts on the subject. I had a professional tell me at first to try and keep the right elbow close to the body in the back swing. This felt uncomfortable and I reverted back and my golf hasn't been adversely effected.

I guess it's one of those things that may work for some golfers but not necessarily others.

Re: Position of right arm/elbow

From someone whose ball flight is already right to left, focusing on tucking that right elbow in worsened my right to left. And it just felt so awkward to me. Now I just focus on going straight back. Many things to work on. My emphasis has been on anchoring my feet and getting my alignment correct. I have struggled with too much lower body movement and ensuing pulls/hooks.