Golf-FAQ.com

how close should my elbows be in golf swing

by Ari McDermott Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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A Quick Summary

  • Keep the left and right arm and elbows connected from setup throughout the swing
  • The Right arm should always be below the left arm until after contact
  • Maintain the arms in front of the chest
  • The left Elbow should be at 90-degrees to the ground at the top of the backswing
  • Pull the right elbow down in front of the right hip on the downswing into the slot

Part of a video titled KEEP YOUR ELBOWS CLOSE - TOTAL GOLF SWING MOVE
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Close together here in the backswing. They're staying close together. Because i'm keeping some flexMoreClose together here in the backswing. They're staying close together. Because i'm keeping some flex in that trail elbow not letting it go high some elbows are close arms are reaching extension.

Full Answer

How far apart should the elbows be at the top of swing?

At the top of the swing the distance between the elbows should remain consistent to how they were at address. A good drill is to swing to the top and focus on maintaining your elbow spacing.

Should you keep your elbows together in a golf swing?

Well – probably not. Simply standing over the ball and thinking that you should keep your elbows together might not lead to great results. Instead, you should build a foundation of other techniques and keys in your swing which will encourage your elbows to stay together properly.

Which way should your elbows point when you hit a golf ball?

So if there’s a golf ball, my right elbow’s going to be pointing as far this way as I can. My left elbow’s going to be pointing as far that way as I can to make sure that I’m coming through and getting that full finish, all the way on around.

Should your right elbow point up or down on the downswing?

Having your right elbow pointed down is more under control and will make it easier on you when transitioning to your downswing. The more your elbow flies out, the bigger the move you’ll need in your downswing.

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How close should your arms be in the golf swing?

The Perfect Arm Position at Address Your hands should hang between your feet, about level with your toes, and in front of the zipper on your trousers (which moved towards the target when you shifted your hips to tilt your spine) — see Figures 1 and 4.

Where should elbows point in setup?

2:184:37ELBOW POSITION IN THE GOLF SWING - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipInto a backswing where I feel the club shaft gets a little bit steeper.MoreInto a backswing where I feel the club shaft gets a little bit steeper.

Should arms be close to body in golf swing?

2:406:22HOW TO KEEP YOUR ARMS CLOSE TO YOUR BODY BUT STILL ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo the way you stay connected in my opinion is not just by squeezing the arms right. It's not justMoreSo the way you stay connected in my opinion is not just by squeezing the arms right. It's not just by kind of dropping the arms down to stay connected because then you're gonna lose all your rotation.

Should right elbow stay close to body on backswing?

On the backswing, the right arm and elbow should stay relatively close to your body. On the downswing, the right arm should tuck so that you can shallow the golf club. This allows you to rotate your body through the swing and provides a great position at impact.

Where should the left elbow be point on the backswing?

Halfway back. Most golfers and golf instructors think of the backswing as being halfway completed when the left arm becomes parallel with the ground. At this point, your left arm should still be in a straight position.

Where should the right elbow be in the downswing?

7:4218:08Right Elbow In Golf Downswing Drills | PERFECT POSITION! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn front of my wrist longer my elbow points to my hip. There's some space between it. As i'm workingMoreIn front of my wrist longer my elbow points to my hip. There's some space between it. As i'm working an impact and my right bicep pushes into and against my right pec. If you want simple feels.

Should arms stay connected to chest in golf swing?

4:139:16Stop Connecting Your Arms And Body In The Golf Swing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd this way they're not designed to sort of go. Like this way too much especially across the chest.MoreAnd this way they're not designed to sort of go. Like this way too much especially across the chest. So the arms very naturally. Will and should swing up a little bit they're going to raise.

Should you keep your right elbow tucked in the golf swing?

Your right elbow should be consistently tucked throughout the backswing and downswing, because that arm position will help you trace the proper swing path with the club. If you let the right elbow get away from your body early in the swing before trying to recover later on, it will be too late.

How do you coordinate arms and body in golf swing?

0:082:17HOW TO: Sync the Arms & Body in the Golf Swing | The Golf ParadigmYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd as you make your swing. Make a full turn. And you keep your arms. So that the club does not hitMoreAnd as you make your swing. Make a full turn. And you keep your arms. So that the club does not hit the wall if the club starts banging into the wall that means your arms are out racing.

Which hand is the power hand in the golf swing?

The left-hand dominant golf swing is known to be very powerful, and it will help correct some misses golfers have in their game. If you are a player who wants power and you like the classic methods of pulling the golf club through your swing, then left-hand dominance is the right idea for you.

Where should right elbow be on backswing golf?

Having the right elbow in the proper position at the top allows the trail arm to move externally and under the lead arm resulting in a shallowing of the club shaft. This allows you to deliver the clubhead to impact on an inside track with strong body rotation for power and control.

Which arm is the power arm in a golf swing?

0:283:13Golf Swing Power - Left Or Right Hand? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe trailing arm is basically gonna pull back and hold the club back.MoreThe trailing arm is basically gonna pull back and hold the club back.

Why do you use your right elbow on a downswing?

It allows the club to shallow and move behind the hands, which in turns promotes more rotation of the body. This makes it much easier for the hands to lead the club into impact and provide a powerful ...

Why do you tuck your right elbow in golf?

You want to tuck the right elbow close to the body in order to let the club head move behind ...

How to keep elbows from flying?

A good drill is to swing to the top and focus on maintaining your elbow spacing. The Swing Align swing trainer with its flexible connection belt will keep your elbows from flying too far apart and away from your body during the transition from backswing to downswing. With your trail arm in a good position the lower body can initiate downswing ...

What is the proper position for a trail arm?

Having the right elbow in the proper position at the top allows the trail arm to move externally and under the lead arm resulting in a shallowing of the club shaft.

What is the trail arm in golf?

The trail arm plays a massive role in one's ability to deliver the club head consistently into impact. Here are the top three areas of the swing that it influences. The first move off the ball is one of the most important parts of the golf swing. Hogan called it one of his “crossroads” where things could easily go one way or another.

Is swing align good for golf?

There is no better way to guarantee quality and beneficial practice than using the Swing Align. It gives you terrific feedback on where your arms are in the swing and what they are doing. Not only does it help you stay more connected going back, but it helps you maintain arm structure at the top as well so that you can develop the muscle memory needed to be more consistent. It provides a great visual of where the trail arm is coming down relative to the lead arm.

Who has a flying right elbow?

There are several elite players who have been successful with a “flying right elbow” such as Nicklaus, Fred Couples and in modern times Matt Wolfe. These players were all able to quickly and efficiently externally rotate their trail arm back into position and deliver it beautifully into the impact zone.

What should your elbow be on a golf swing?

Ideally, the right elbow should point at 90-degrees to the ground at the top of the backswing. This allows the right elbow to drop into the correct slot on the downswing and sets the swing plane coming into the ball. For some beginners, this does not feel natural, and they will tend to allow the right elbow to “float” parallel to the ground or “chicken wing” the elbow.

Which arm and elbows are connected during a swing?

Keep the left and right arm and elbows connected from setup throughout the swing

What happens when the left elbow and right elbow separate?

When they separate, the downswing plane will tend to move away from the body and cause all kinds of problems.

How to get Tiger Woods to move downswing?

There are many theories on how to get this move right, but let’s keep it simple. The hips and weight transfer initiate the transition from backswing to downswing. The right elbow should drop or be pulled down towards the right hip when moving into the downswing. It should move towards the front of the hip, to avoid getting “stuck” behind the right hip. ( This was one of Tiger Woods main problems with the driver)

Where to pull elbows on downswing?

Pull the right elbow down in front of the right hip on the downswing into the slot

What happens if you hit a shot in front of your hip?

Anywhere but in front of the hip, will restrict the arms coming through to complete the swing and result in “blocked” or pushed shots! The only other way to recover from this position is to manipulate or flip the hands through impact. Hooks, slices, and topped shots will result.

What is shoulder turn in golf swing?

Another thought in the swing is to ensure that the arms remain in front of the chest during the swing. The shoulder turn brings them to a position behind the head.

What elbow should I use for a swing?

It doesn’t need to be pointing straight down, but it helps to have it in that position. However, if you have a flying elbow, that doesn’t mean you can’t make a good swing.

Where does the left elbow point in golf?

The left elbow points almost directly back at the end of the swing.

What happens if you pull the golf club back too far inside?

If I was to pull the club back too far inside and get the club flat and inside, you’ll notice how my right elbow gets low.

What happens if your golf club is vertical?

If the club is vertical, your right elbow is likely flailing out a bit and that’s an unnecessary move.

What is backswing in golf?

In the backswing, you have some leeway on how you take the club back.

Did Hogan set up his elbow pits?

Hogan himself didn’t set up that way, I’ve seen a lot of videos of Hogan, and I’ve never seen one where his elbow pits were completely forward in his front arm.

Should elbows be pointed at address?

Elbows at Address. Make sure your elbows are relaxed in a natural position at address. Some instructors recommend that both elbow pits pointed open, but there’s little evidence to support doing that. Also, I haven’t seen many pros force their elbow pits open either.

How to swing back on a golf club?

Swing the club back on a good path. When you setup over the ball with your elbows close together and your arms in a straight position, you’ll find it much easier to swing back directly down an extension of the target line. Many players get into trouble early in the backswing by pushing the club to the outside or pulling it inside. Either way, you’ll struggle to get back into a good position in time to strike the ball properly. With your elbows together, it should be relatively easy to put your shoulders in charge of the early stages of the backswing – which is exactly what you want to have happen. When your shoulders start the swing by simply turning to the right, the club will naturally remain on or near the target line. That doesn’t mean things will continue to go well as the swing moves along, but you’ll be off to a nice start.

How to improve golf swing?

It’s not easy to do, but simplifying your golf swing – and your golf game – is one of the best ways to set yourself on a path for improvement. Take some time during practice sessions to work on one thing at a time, and keep checking off points until you feel like your performance on the course is really starting to come around .

How to get better at golf swing?

Swing down in the slot. Perhaps the biggest advantage you will gain by keeping your elbows close together is an improved ability to swing down on the proper plane as you approach the ball. Countless amateur players run into trouble with a ‘flying’ right elbow, as discussed a bit in the previous point. When that right elbow gets up and away, it’s nearly impossible to come down on a path that is going to lead to a clean, solid strike. When your elbows are together, however, suddenly things seem a little less challenging. You can pull the club down into the downswing with a powerful action, and it will feel like your arms are working together to hit the shot – rather than fighting one another, as is often the case when the right elbow moves away. If you have been letting your right elbow get away in your golf swing for some time, it may take a period of adjustment before you feel comfortable making your downswing with your elbows in closer. Don’t let those early struggles cause you to give up, however – stick with it, keeping working on your technique on the range, and eventually the results will start to appear.

What does it feel like to hit a shot with your elbows together?

You can pull the club down into the downswing with a powerful action, and it will feel like your arms are working together to hit the shot – rather than fighting one another, as is often the case when the right elbow moves away.

What does it mean when your elbows are close together?

When your elbows are close together at impact, that typically means your arms are straight – and that position is going to extend the club down toward the ground significantly. That probably feels right for your full swing, but it might feel awkward when chipping, especially if you hunch over at address.

What happens if your elbows are tight?

With your elbows in tight, you can keep your shoulders turning away from the target until you have reached a comfortable limit and are ready to turn back in the other direction. If your elbows get away from each other, on the other hand, your turn could be compromised.

Why do you need to keep your elbows close together when chipping?

When chipping, you’ll probably want to keep your elbows close together only because that is what you will be used to in terms of your full swing.

1. Elbows to chest

In the clip, which you can watch in full below, Hogan suggests starting by making small swings, with your elbows connected to your torso the entire time to give you the feeling of a starter golf swing.

3. Add speed

And finally comes the time to add speed, Hogan says. You can notice the arms lengthen even more, his left heel comes up on the backswing, and the hips are more aggressive through the ball.

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