Will this top of swing structure cause problems?

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galanga

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I have been working on keeping my elbows closer together in the backswing and my right elbow point down.

The backswing position I am in, when I feel I have done it right, is: left arm midway between head and shoulders, right arm at 90 degrees and pointing straight down, right elbow lower than left, left wrist a little cuppy and about 90 degree shoulder turn over my right knee. This feels much tighter and I end up in what I would have called a 3/4 position in my old long swing days. My grip is fairly neutral.

Ball striking seems improved and a draw seems to be the natural ball flight. Pulls the error.

I have been told to be level with the elbows before, but I notice many players are lower with the right: Hogan, Tiger (irons), Jonathan Bird etc.

Do you think this back swing arm structure is good or will it lead to a new set of problems? What should I look out for?
 
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Archie Swivel

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Right elbow- like Unitas throwing a football. Right bicep is 90 degrees with right forearm, right tricep is 90 degrees with right side at armpit. Right wrist bent, left wrist flat, not cupped (bent) or arched. Left thumb supports weight of clubshaft at top. Right elbow bend cocks left flat wrist. Anybody else agree?
 
rwh

rwh

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quote:Originally posted by galanga

I have been working on keeping my elbows closer together in the backswing and my right elbow point down.

The backswing position I am in, when I feel I have done it right, is: left arm midway between head and shoulders, right arm at 90 degrees and pointing straight down, right elbow lower than left, left wrist a little cuppy and about 90 degree shoulder turn over my right knee. This feels much tighter and I end up in what I would have called a 3/4 position in my old long swing days. My grip is fairly neutral.

Ball striking seems improved and a draw seems to be the natural ball flight. Pulls the error.

I have been told to be level with the elbows before, but I notice many players are lower with the right: Hogan, Tiger (irons), Jonathan Bird etc.

Do you think this back swing arm structure is good or will it lead to a new set of problems? What should I look out for?
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From a down the line view, a line drawn through the elbows of most tour pros at the top of their swing would be more or less level (horizontal). Some are slightly above above level with the right elbow (Tom Kite) and some are a slightly below level (Colin Montgomery, Nick Faldo). Jack Nicklaus and Ernie Els are pretty level. In any event, no one is dramatically un-even.

[photos referred to are from David Ledbetter's Lessons From The Golf Greats].
 
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galanga

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I have noticed a fair number of pros with a lower right elbow - but it might be a matter of how much.

Here are a few:

Maggert: http://redgoat.smugmug.com/gallery/105710/1/3744343
Woosie: http://redgoat.smugmug.com/gallery/90788/1/3181969
Tiger a little bit: http://redgoat.smugmug.com/gallery/80234
Hogan: http://redgoat.smugmug.com/gallery/80516/1/3060957
Appleby: http://redgoat.smugmug.com/gallery/79718

Based on this group and my experience, it seems it helps promote a draw. Except for Hogan who did a few adjustments with his grip and pronating wrist etc to promote a fade.

Seems like the even elbows are the guys that can work it both ways with ease - Nicklaus and Els. I would guess Tiger was more level in 2000 if we could find a photo.

I am experimenting and this has helped me strike the ball better - especially with irons.

Was curious if I was in for some hooking spells, sh#nks etc.
 
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EdZ

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Level elbows are a huge key. Huge - level and pointing down, same distance apart, or nearly so.

If you are going to error, right lower is better than left (unless you like block fades) - but you best get that elbow more in front of the right hip on the downswing or you are headed right and are 'trapped'

Get to the same position, but get rid of the cup - the cup is what leads to your 'over with the right shoulder' pulled misses. Or, if you are going to have the cup, don't let that elbow get trapped, get it on that right hip coming down and turn both through together as you straighten the right arm and feel full extension.
 
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Mathew

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What has happened to this forum since ive gone away.....

In this topic the advice given from just about everyone is nothing short of pathetic !
 
M

Mathew

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quote:Originally posted by diggerdog

Then please tell us correctly, most worshipful Grand Master?
Click to expand...

Oh come on, its all reference and its all very irrelevant....

If people spent as much time working 'what to do' rather than how observing things that 'don't look right' and wondering how it 'should be' people would better their swings because they will be solving their underlying problems.

There would be a good analogy for this - Imagine a tablecover that doesn't fit the table and you pull it to one corner and it doesn't fit on a side of the table and then you go to another side and pull it again.... still doesn't fit.... The only way to solve the problem is to go deep to the problem - Buy a new table cover....

From the takeaway your right wrist goes back so that your club is square - and by square I mean it roughly matches your spine angle. By pressing your right arm into your left then sets the arms so really all you have to do is to allow your turn - maintaining the extensor action (manditory) so that your arms will actually respond - Hey presto your arms aren't slack and your elbows are placed where they should be. Whats more you don't look at irrelevancies or effects....

Nor sarcasm I may add....
 
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