
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.
What does the right elbow do in the golf swing?
Mar 24, 2022 · If you can get to around 90°, where your elbow is pointing straight down to the ground, you’ve got a solid foundation because your body is physically able to support the club using the elbow at the top of the swing.
How sitting can screw up your golf swing?
Starting at the top rehearse initiating your downswing and shallowing the club by driving your right elbow down and in front of your right hip. The alignment rod across your arms will be pointed slightly up in front. If it is pointed down you are getting too steep and coming over the top.
How to keep left arm straight during golf swing?
In order to place the club on plane, supply power and route the club on an inside-to-out path into the ball, the right elbow should be tucked against – or very close to – the golfer's right side during the backswing and downswing.
How does ball position affect golf swing?
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 does right elbow go in golf swing?
Where should right elbow be at address?
Should right elbow be tucked in golf swing?
How do you keep your elbow tucked in the right?
How close should elbows be to swing?
Where should your hands be when hitting a driver?
How do you use your right arm in the golf swing?
How do I keep my right arm straight in the golf swing?
What is the right elbow in golf?
The right elbow is instrumental in the golf backswing. When I see a poor take-away it almost always stems from a lack of connection starting back. Either the trail arms folds early and the club rolls in, or it moves in a sawing motion (like starting a lawn mower) behind the body and puts the player in a very weak and unathletic position.
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 ...
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.
What is the first move off the ball?
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. When I see a poor take-away it almost always stems from a lack of connection starting back.
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 ...
How does a swing aligner work?
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 and pass control to the upper torso, then to the arms in the proper sequence.
Can you hit a golf ball with your right elbow?
Even if you hit the ball solidly with your right elbow away from your body, you would never achieve the same power as if you had kept it tucked in tight. All of the instruction below is based on a right handed golfer. If you play left handed, please reverse the directions as necessary.
Which side should the right elbow be tucked on?
In order to place the club on plane, supply power and route the club on an inside-to-out path into the ball, the right elbow should be tucked against – or very close to – the golfer's right side during the backswing and downswing.
What does a tucked elbow do in golf?
Efficient power comes from rotation in the golf swing, so keeping your right arm in tight to your body will help promote a faster turn – and more distance.
What does it mean to have a tucked elbow in your swing?
Using a tucked right elbow in your swing means that you are going to keep your right elbow down and close to your side throughout the swinging motion.
Why should your elbow be tucked?
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 to keep elbow tucked to side?
To successfully keep your right elbow tucked to your side, you should begin folding your right arm almost as soon as the club starts to move away from the ball. Many golfers believe that they are supposed to maintain 'extension' into the backswing by holding both arms straight for as long as possible. That is a myth.
Why does my right elbow get away from my side?
This is a common cause of a golf swing that gets too long, which in turn allows the right elbow to get away from your side. Golfers frequently swing too hard, whether it is in an effort to reach the green from a long distance away, or just in an effort to impress friends with a long drive.
How important is the Right Arm and Elbow in the Swing?
The beauty of golf instruction is that the same fundamentals can be taught or discussed in many ways. Keeping it simple and without getting too technical, brings quick understanding and results. Positioning the right arm and elbow during the backswing will allow for an easy transition to deliver a consistent strike on the ball.
The Flying Right Elbow
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.
Dropping the Right Arm and Elbow into the Slot
Top golfers today change the swing plane from the backswing to the downswing. This is the term “dropping it into the slot”. It is all part of the swing sequence which relates to the transition from the backswing to the downswing.
How to Get this Important move Right
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.
Right Arm Position
A simple thought for the right arm position is it should stay below the left arm throughout the swing. Starting at address, it is positioned close to and below the left arm. The right arm will rotate through impact to close the face and then end up on top of the left arm on the follow-through. This is the only time it will be on top!
Maintain Both Arms in Front of the Chest
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.
Pitching a Baseball
If any of these thought processes don’t make any sense, take a ball and set up like a baseball pitcher and throw it. This is a great drill for how the right arm works and releases to give speed to the throw. It does exactly the same in the golf swing.
What does the right elbow do in golf?
What the Right Elbow Does in the Golf Swing. The right elbow transitions from hinge to lead during the swing. The right elbow is an important part of the golf swing, and understanding how to properly place and use your right elbow while you are swinging the club can help to add power and accuracy to your swing and distance to your shots.
What happens if you swing your right arm wrong?
Any sudden movements by the right arm at the point of contact can meet with disastrous results. To underline the importance of the right arm in power process of the swing, you might notice that if you swing incorrectly and make bad contact, you get a sharp stinging sensation from the club to your hands, with most if not all ...
How to do a backswing?
Much of the motion of the backswing is done by the pushing of the left arm. Keep your right elbow pointed down throughout the swing, and keep your right arm close to your body. Let it get away and you lose control of your shot. While acting as the hinge, the right arm's job is to maintain the straight path the club will follow throughout the swing.
Which arm is at the base of the neck?
At the end of the follow-through, the right elbow is pointing straight down to where the ball was, and the right hand is at the base of your neck.
Do your elbows bend when you swing?
Your elbow s shouldn't bend and you shouldn't lift your hands; the forward tilt of your spine will cause your hands to move slightly upward on a plane. This movement is called a one-piece takeaway and most professional golfers make it to start their swings.
How does the right elbow work?
Your right elbow remains bent until your hands drop below waist level. At that point it straightens and remains straight for the rest of your swing; your left elbow will bend as you reach your shoulder-high finish. This mirrors your backswing, just as you did with the shorter swing. Again, both triceps will remain connected to your chest ...
What is the key to keeping your elbow tucked?
The key to keeping that elbow tucked is something called connection , and the key to staying connected is a good shoulder turn – or "coil," as it is sometimes called. Legendary golfer Ben Hogan recommended a drill that teaches how a tucked right elbow feels; it can be easily "stretched" to teach a full swing.
Who recommended a drill that teaches how a tucked right elbow feels?
Legendary golfer Ben Hogan recommended a drill that teaches how a tucked right elbow feels; it can be easily "stretched" to teach a full swing.
How to do a downswing with a bent elbow?
Start your downswing by dropping your right tricep back into its connected position against your chest. Your right elbow is now tucked and still bent, allowing your hands to drop down without making your wrists uncock early.
How to do a followthrough with a left elbow?
Swing to your finish position. Let your left elbow bend as your left tricep "disconnects," so that your hands move to an ear-high finish. Because your right tricep remains lightly connected against your chest, your right elbow will remain straight during your followthrough.
How to swing a golf club in a half swing?
Starting at the waist-high backswing position , swing the club down through the ball position to a waist-high finish (a half-swing). Again, your arms should remain in roughly the same position they were at address. This means both triceps remain lightly against your chest throughout this half-swing, which keeps your right elbow near your side.
Is there any instruction on the elbows in golf?
There’s not much instruction or advice given on the function or position of the elbows in the golf swing. Much instruction ignores the overall position of the elbows and advice on this can only be found in the most scientific golf books. However, there are some quick tips and positions to look for when it comes to the proper use ...
What is the function of elbows in golf?
Focusing on the elbows in your set up can be the basis of a very compact technique resulting in very consistent ball striking. Two of the purest ball strikers in history, Ben Hogan and Moe Norman, both swore by the position of their elbows, especially in their set up. The natural function of the elbow and arms in the golf swing is a straightening and folding that mirrors one another from backswing to follow through. There’s not much instruction or advice given on the function or position of the elbows in the golf swing.
What was the flaw in the golf swing?
His major flaw when hitting a golf shot, was to have his right hand come off the club slightly at impact resulting in a loss of control with his driver. When he placed a glove under the right armpit, it helped to keep his arm close to the body and helped to keep his hand connected to the club longer.
What does it look like when your elbows are pointing straight at the sky?
Their elbows are pointing directly at the corresponding hip. From the straight on position it looks like the inside of their elbows are rolled open and staring straight at the sky. This was a key set up position for both players as it allowed their right arm to fold correctly and keep it nice and compact to their body.
What does it look like when your elbows are straight on?
From the straight on position it looks like the inside of their elbows are rolled open and staring straight at the sky. This was a key set up position for both players as it allowed their right arm to fold correctly and keep it nice and compact to their body. In some cases it seemed as though their elbow was touching their right hip on takeaway.
Why do some golfers have one arm higher than the other?
Many players have one arm higher than the other which is a result of the shoulders being open or closed. If you were to see the sky through this imaginary hole, then your shoulders are likely tilted too much. These positions create a variety of poor shots and inconsistency.
How to make your arm aligned?
To help create proper arm alignment, it starts with the elbows. If your arms are in perfect alignment, you should be able to drill an imaginary hole through your elbow joints and see directly into the horizon. Many players have one arm higher than the other which is a result of the shoulders being open or closed.
