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 that there needs to be separation, but the position of your shoulders will determine whether or not you will be classified as having a flying right elbow or not.
Surge, I don’t have a flying left elbow, but I do have a flying right elbow. I was taught to keep my left arm over my left chest. This cured me of my flying left elbow. Now I have a flying right elbow. I am contently letting my right elbow fly out and my right hand is not turning over. All my shots are going right or I have a big slice sometimes. Is there a cure or a drill that I can do to fix this problem?
Randy, it sounds like you're a right hander, so I'm having trouble understanding what you mean by a flying left elbow. The only way you could have a flying left elbow is if you keep the clubface wide open through impact and up to the finish. That could actually be the cause of the big slice you're referring to.
But, a flying right elbow is generally categorized as anytime the elbow moves away from the body. Some instructors will tell you to put a glove or a head cover under your arm and that in order to avoid a flying right elbow, they must stay put and not fall. It's a very restricting type of swing. As you can see in the video, the towel drill shows the flaws in doing this.
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. So, if I keep it tucked the left arm can not be relatively straight like it should be either. 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. 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!
The Surge
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Flying Elbow
When my right arm is 'flying' it is when my left arm is across my toe line and my chin is over the top crease of my left bicep at the top of the BUS. No flying right elbow, then I have not completed my full PPGS backswing.
Once I managed to batter this through my thick head, my shots went straight and much longer. Who would have thought it?
My left arm I am sure some months ago was breaking during the BUS. This gave me all sorts of problems. One being 'flicking' the clubhead at the ball during the FUS. This I have little doubt was from my days as a tucking club covers, towel etc under my arms. Boy am I glad that is a thing of the past. I am sure that today's video will help many Surgites realize that a flying elbow is a must ; - )
Mowing the grass at home late morning and at 1142am it started raining, with HAILSTONES as well!!! and this is the start of our Summer here hahaha. It cleared quickly thankfully. No swinging today, being cautious with the 'ricked' back : - (
Hit them longer and straighter, more consistently. DH in NZ
Flying Elbow
I just went through a very painful experience. I just watched the video I sent Doc for my long distance driver fitting. Depressing is a very mild description of what I saw. At he risk of losing my lunch I watched it a few times. My conclusion was I should send it to Surge as an example of what NOT to do in the PPGS swing. The fact that Doc came up with a driver that works for me is a true test of the man's genius.
My left arm broke down badly in the BUS and my right elbow was tucked at transition so badly I could have broken a rib with it...lol. Not only did my right elbow not fly, I don't think the FAA ever approved it to get off the ground. Based on what I saw I'm thinking maybe I should take up tiddly winks.
There were two bright spots I noticed. I was actually getting full extension at impact and my T finish was good. Maybe there is hope after all. ;0))
Note to self: Like baseball, there is no crying in golf. You only lose if you quit trying.
Been there
Any of us who have videoed our swings and watched them back have had that experience of saying, "I did WHAT?!" Learn from it and get better.
I had an idea for a possible drill to help with the proper position of the hands at the top of the BUS. Start with the cactus position, get into your setup, and keeping the right arm in that position, swing with the left arm only to meet the right hand. Then add a stick, and eventually a club so that you can get used to the feel of the left arm going to the correct position. Not sure if that will work well or not. I'll have to give it a shot.
Also, don't worry, guys, if you don't see me post the rest of the week. I'll be away for Thanksgiving, and I'm not going to be spending much time online. So, everyone have a joyous Thanksgiving on Thursday, even if you're not in the States. I'm happy to share my holidays with all of you, and I'll enjoy your holidays, too. After all, that's more days off to play golf. ;-)
Cactus Drill
Cactus drill is a great reminder. I've found that to maintain a relatively straight left arm I need to restrict any lift to maybe 3-4 inches once I get to the toe line. Anything past that my arm collapses or my left knee starts to dip inward so I have to think "short cactus" about even with my right ear. It takes some effort especially when I need extra distance. The straight left arm does allow for a wider arc, but it's a battle I fight.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving, Robert and thanks for the tip.
Flying elbow
I don't think it's the flying elbow, it's returning to the position of address at impact. If you think about skipping rocks,your elbow moves away ,then returns back to your side thru impact( staying with the shot).is this correct?
Position at impact
Hey Bob,
The position of the arms at impact have very little similarity to what they were at address. Really no part of the body at impact is where it was at address. People that try to make it so have very little dynamic fluidity in their swings and almost no power.