Full Swing & TempoIntermediateFixes: Getting Stuck

Elbow-to-Elbow Connection & Trail-Arm Takeaway Drill

Curated PGA Drill by Harry Shaw Golf

Focus Area

Connection

Rep Guidance

3 sets of 10 slow rehearsal reps

Equipment

Golf club, alignment stick (optional)

Skill Level

Intermediate

Video walkthrough by Harry Shaw GolfWatch on YouTube ↗

Why This Drill Works (Kinetic Mechanics)

A trail elbow that stays rigid in the backswing tends to drift too far behind the torso, trapping the arm and forcing a stuck downswing that produces blocks or snap hooks. Feeling the trail elbow fold toward the lead elbow (both in a standalone rehearsal and in a trail-arm-only takeaway) trains it to stay connected and pass in front of the chest on the way down, instead of getting stuck behind the body and needing a compensatory 'save' through impact.

How to Perform the Drill

Follow these step-by-step instructions. Rehearse slowly to build proper motor patterns before adding full swing speed.

  1. 1

    Step 1

    Checkpoint - Trail Elbow Folding & Path (2:44-3:18): let the trail elbow fold naturally in the backswing instead of keeping it rigid — a rigid arm drifts too far behind the torso. In the downswing, feel the trail elbow pass in front of your chest rather than getting stuck behind the body.

  2. 2

    Step 2

    Drill 1 - Elbow-to-Elbow Feel (3:31-4:18): without a club, swing to the top of your backswing and squeeze the trail elbow toward the lead elbow, as if trying to touch them together. This keeps the trail arm connected to the body and stops it flaring away.

  3. 3

    Step 3

    Avoid the 'save' (5:40-6:15): don't fix a stuck downswing by forcing the club path low-and-left (low-and-right for a lefty) — that just masks the elbow positioning problem instead of correcting it.

  4. 4

    Step 4

    Drill 2 - Trail Arm-Only Takeaway (6:20-6:45): take your trail arm only, elbow folded in toward the body, and place your lead hand on the trail arm's tricep. Start the backswing with just that arm, feeling it fold correctly while staying connected.

What Good Feels Like

Focus on smooth tempo and maintaining body connection through impact. Your body and club should move as a single synchronized unit.

Common Mistake to Avoid

Rushing transition before completing backswing or lunging upper body forward towards ball at impact. Keep movement controlled.

Swing Faults & Ball Flights Addressed

Getting StuckBlocked ShotsSnap HooksDeep/Trapped Trail ElbowDisconnected Downswing

Comprehensive Guides Featuring This Drill

How to Stop Getting Stuck in the Downswing

You get stuck when your lower body outraces your arms in the downswing, trapping the club too far behind you and forcing a block or a flippy snap hook. Fix it by syncing arm speed to your pivot, keeping the trail elbow in front of your torso, and squaring the clubface earlier so you can rotate through without stalling.

Not sure this is your real fault?

Upload one swing video and our AI will identify whether getting stuck is actually what's costing you strokes, using physics-backed metrics and a practice plan matched to what it finds. Your first analysis is free.

Related Practice Drills

View All Drills ↗
Two-Piece Move to Stop Getting Stuck thumbnail

Two-Piece Move to Stop Getting Stuck

Advanced · Getting Stuck

View Guide
Why 99% of Golfers instantly improve with this One Move ! thumbnail

Why 99% of Golfers instantly improve with this One Move !

Intermediate · Getting Stuck

View Guide
Upside Down Extension Drill (Hand Speed) thumbnail

Upside Down Extension Drill (Hand Speed)

Intermediate · Getting Stuck

View Guide
Why Amateur Golfers Can't Stay Down & Rotate In The Downswing thumbnail

Why Amateur Golfers Can't Stay Down & Rotate In The Downswing

Intermediate · Getting Stuck

View Guide