Golf-FAQ.com

what causes a flying right elbow in golf

by Gerald Streich Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Also, note that the arms are lifting the club while the torso and hips fail to rotate sufficiently – a common cause of flying right elbow. Why its a problem for amateurs: If your right elbow is out of place at the top, its difficult to get it into proper position – in front of the body – on the downswing.

Part of a video titled Flying right elbow - YouTube
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Full Answer

Why do my golf clubs fly at the right elbow?

You’ll notice with every bad shot it relates to a steep downswing. The flying right elbow puts your golf swing on a steep plane at the top and unless you make a compensation on the downswing your club will come down very steep and cause any one of the above problems.

What is the flying right elbow and how to fix it?

The flying right elbow puts your golf swing on a steep plane at the top and unless you make a compensation on the downswing your club will come down very steep and cause any one of the above problems. I learned a very simple way of fixing the flying right elbow from the team at Rotary Swing.

Why is my right elbow so bad on the downswing?

Why its a problem for amateurs: If your right elbow is out of place at the top, its difficult to get it into proper position – in front of the body – on the downswing. Youll either hit the ball to the right, or compensate by flipping the hands and sending shots left. Flying right elbow can also cause a slice-inducing, over-the-top swing path.

Why is the right elbow at the top of the shaft?

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.

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How do I stop flying elbows in my golf swing?

7:599:03Fix Your Flying Right Elbow In Just 2 Simple Moves - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThen you'll be in a much better position you get rid of that flying right elbow I make a betterMoreThen you'll be in a much better position you get rid of that flying right elbow I make a better backswing which will in turn help you in your transition to make a much better downswing.

Can you play golf with a flying elbow?

This is a term used to describe the trailing elbow leaving the trailing side on the backswing. It is not necessarily a fault and many great players play golf with this motion. It can however affect the efficiency of the golf swing as it can create some sequencing issues on the backswing and downswing.

How do you keep your right elbow in golf?

4:5610:25How To Train Your Right Elbow In The Downswing With This Simple DrillYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd what you're going to do is you're going to go up to the top and you're going to keep that o keepMoreAnd what you're going to do is you're going to go up to the top and you're going to keep that o keep that ball between your elbows don't let it drop.

Should right elbow be tucked in 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.

Can a flying right elbow cause a shank?

If the club hits the ball at or anywhere near the hosel, then it would result in a shank shot. A flying elbow happens when the right elbow (for a right-handed golfer) sticks out a little too much at the peak of the backswing. The elbow almost becomes horizontal and points away from the body.

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.

Which arm is more dominant 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.

Does the right elbow lead the downswing?

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. The right elbow is instrumental in the golf backswing.

Where should right elbow be at top of backswing?

0:324:14TOP OF THE BACKSWING | RIGHT ELBOW POSITION | BUILD A SWINGYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt back it should look like it goes past your ear or past that 90 degrees.MoreIt back it should look like it goes past your ear or past that 90 degrees.

Should right arm be straight at impact?

1:017:46DO THIS Simple Golf Right Arm Move For Effortless Rotation ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo a lot of you out there will be thinking well there's nothing wrong with having a straight rightMoreSo a lot of you out there will be thinking well there's nothing wrong with having a straight right arm. Coming into the golf ball there that's what you needed you need your right arm to be straight

When should you straighten your right arm downswing?

If you want to hit the ball far and accurately, you need to extend your right arm fully during the downswing. Your arms are straight at only one moment during your swing ― just after you hit the ball. Straight arms immediately after striking the ball show you've extended your right arm correctly through the shot.

What does it mean when your golf club is flying right elbow?

You’ll notice with every bad shot it relates to a steep downswing. The flying right elbow puts your golf swing on a steep plane at the top and unless you make a compensation on the downswing your club will come down very steep and cause any one of the above problems.

What is the flying right elbow?

Just like the name implies the flying right elbow is when the right arm (right-hander) raises up and points away from your body. See the image at the top and how the flying right elbow looks. The right elbow at the top of the backswing raises up and points away from the body and even gets close to a horizontal position.

What type of shots will a flying right elbow cause?

What type of shots will it cause. Here are 5 typical shots a flying right elbow will cause unless you make compensations in the downswing. Pulled shots to the left due to the steep downswing and a square clubface. Sliced shots out to the right due to the steep downswing and an open clubface. Fat shots due to a steep downswing and hitting ...

How to swing golf without a club?

Grab a soccer ball, bucket, or something of similar size it doesn’t really matter. Place it between your bicep muscles and practice making golf swings without a club. As soon as you try to lift the right elbow too high at all the object will fall to the ground.

What happens when you pull your clubhead behind your body?

You'll notice the clubhead gets pulled behind your body and as a result, you are forced to raise your right elbow at the top to feel comfortable. The golf club gets off plane and the clubhead remains shut or closed.

Why are my golf shots sliced out to the right?

Sliced shots out to the right due to the steep downswing and an open clubface. Fat shots due to a steep downswing and hitting the ground before the golf ball. Thinned shots due to a steep downswing and not taking enough grass before the golf ball.

How to keep elbows down when playing golf?

Keep the right elbow pit facing in front of you towards the golf ball. The right elbow should be pointing at your right leg. This gets you in the right set up position to ensure your right elbow stays down more and doesn’t get too high and behind your body.

What is a flying right elbow?

A flying right elbow is a common term that people use in golf. But, it's typically thought of as a bad thing and some instructors advocate that the elbows should remain in close to your body. Randy Miller sent in a question about flying right and left elbows. I think it's important to define what a flying right elbow is because I teach ...

What does it mean to keep your elbows tucked in golf?

Tucking your elbows is one of the deadly sins in a golf swing. If you keep your right arm tucked that means the width of the arc is defined by how far the right hand can go.

Why don't my shoulders go up in golf?

Remember, your shoulders don't go up in the swing because that's a flying right elbow. But the arm has to move away from the body. The left arm has a little bit of curviture, but it doesn't break. If you restrict your elbows in close to your body, you won't have the ability to make a full swing. Keep it vertical!

Which arm is the guide to creating your width and the guide that will tell your right arm where to go?

The guide to creating your width and the guide that will tell your right arm where to go is the left arm. You've got to have some separation, otherwise you won't be able to put a good swing on the ball. Remember, your shoulders don't go up in the swing because that's a flying right elbow. But the arm has to move away from the body.

Is it bad to have a flying right elbow in golf?

Please try again later. A flying right elbow is a common term that people use in golf. But, it's typically thought of as a bad thing and some instructors advocate that the elbows should remain in close to your body.

What happens when you fly right elbow?

Flying right elbow can also cause a slice-inducing, over-the-top swing path. How the greats get away with it: Nicklaus manages to drop his right elbow into proper position as he starts the downswing, nullifying the effects of his unusual backswing.

How to ground a flying right elbow?

The cure: The best exercise for grounding a flying right elbow is the towel drill. Simply place a towel across your chest and under each armpit. Swing while holding it in place, with light pressure applied by keeping your elbows and biceps close to the body.

What does a golf club look like?

Photo 1: At the top of the backswing, theres a wide separation between the right elbow and the golfers side, while the elbow points behind him rather than toward the ground. The clubface is slightly open (toe pointed downward), though this may be more pronounced in other golfers swings.

Why do golfers have flying elbows?

The problem with having a flying elbow at the top of the back swing is two fold; 1) Shoulder injuries can develop with repeated back swings because this shoulder position creates excessive pressure in the rotator cuff and surrounding structures that will eventually cause damage to those structures , and 2) It is difficult to bring the club back on plane from this elevated elbow position. Most golfers with flying elbows in their back swing are faders or slicers of the ball. Unless other, equally stressful, body compensations are made, the natural tendency for a golfer with a flying back elbow is to throw the club from the top on an outside to inside swing path — a slicer’s nightmare!

What is the flying elbow in golf?

One common swing habit many golfers find difficult to change is the “flying elbow” at the top of their backswing. This is an elbow that lifts to high (see picture #1a) instead of properly rotating from the shoulder and allowing the forearm to align in a more parallel fashion with the angle of the spine (see picture #1b).

Why does my elbow fly?

The cure to the flying elbow syndrome is to first understand “why” the elbow is flying. For most golfers the problem starts with poor posture in standing and in their golf address posture. A forward bent or rounded middle (thoracic) spine due to a tight chest and frontal shoulder muscles will prevent a golfer from making a complete rotational back ...

Why does my golfer have a rounded spine?

The tightness in the chest and shoulder creating the golfer’s rounded spine also blocks their ability to fully rotate their shoulder. The common compensation movement result is to lift the back elbow instead of rotating at the tight shoulder and, voila, a flying elbow is born!

How to get hips and knees to bend?

To perform this exercise, simply stand with your back against a wall or locked door. Walk your feet several feet away from the wall or door and slide your body down the surface you are supported by until your hips and knees are bent approximately 30-60° .

Can flying elbows be cured?

Your flying elbow will be cured and so will your slice tendencies for good.

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 ...

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.

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 happens if you move your trail arm away from the body?

Having the trail arm move away from the body during the downswing can lead to a multitude of negative consequences the worst of which is a steep shaft angle that puts you in the death position with an over-the-top delivery back to the ball leading to a chunk, slice or dead pull. All of the things you want to avoid!

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.

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 ...

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