Taking the Hogan Set up Too Far...

[FL-John]

Question for all:

As I study the swing, specifically (lately) the setup. It appears most players have their left (if right handed) arm, with the elbow facing semi-down, but more pointing towards the target at address. The right elbow appears to be facing more of the right hip or more towards the ground.

Back in my youth, I read Hogan's Five Fundamentals and took is "Two arms close together" a bit too far. In the book, the picture make you think that both elbows (outside of the elbow) face downward towards the hips and the inner elbow pointing skyward.

Although Hogan had this as an image, his arms were not set at address that way. Anybody think of any resulting things that may or could happen if the outside of my left elbow still points down towards the hip?

Thanks

FL-John

 

[EdZ]

What matters is that the relationship between the elbows be maintained, as that really keeps you on plane. Having them pointing towards the hips makes the proper right elbow positions much, much easier. The position of the right elbow being critical.

Keep them the same distance apart, and the right elbow pointing down. Getting them out of position at the setup, or early in the backswing, is one of the single biggest reasons most people slice - it instantly forces the hands/club "out and over" instead of "in and back", and there is basically no recovery. The 'swing jacket' is the single best aid you can use to understand this feel (and not a very good downswing aid IMO).

That is why the mid body hands is good, bent left/flat right - it really helps prevent the 'out and over' that a vast majority of hackers (and even some better players who compensate) do. Elbow position at setup is critical to understanding what I mean by this, and the benefit of the 'right forearm' takeaway/flashlight drill in TGM.

The 'feel' of that image is a critical step for folks to get. The figure 8 strap is the single best way to feel it unless you have access to a swing jacket. The feel of the butt of the club moving back at the same rate as the head, and that the clubface stays 'outside' the hands until hip high. the right forearm and elbow 'pivot point'

I believe he references that the image is a 'feel'.

The magic of the right forearm and elbow.....


edit: Brian, correct me if this is not the case, but this is the reason Brian stresses the left arm 'across the chest' in the setup - it makes the proper move much simpler, and keeps that 'out and over' from happening - very powerful when combined with the bent left/flat right and/or the old time 'handle first' takeaway

 

[DivotDelite]

Depends on how strong your grip is . Hogan used a weak/neutral grip, so the left elbow pointed to his hip. With a stronger grip, your left elbow won't naturally fall into this position.

Also,, just your body geometry. I use a neutral grip, and my left elbow points more outwards. I am stocky and have short arms.