IntermediateFixes: Across the lineTop of Backswing

Flying Trail Elbow Drills

Drill by Rob Bluck

Video demonstration of Flying Trail Elbow Drills
Watch on YouTube

Why this drill works

A flying trail elbow lets the arms disconnect from the body turn, which is one of the main ways golfers get the club across the line at the top; training the elbow to fold down and stay connected keeps the club on a shorter, more on-plane path.

How to do it

  1. 1

    Set up in an athletic address and let the trail arm hang naturally connected to the torso rather than tensed away from the body.

  2. 2

    Rehearse slow-motion backswings, checking that the trail elbow folds down and stays pointed toward the trail hip and ground rather than flying up and away from the body.

  3. 3

    Pause at the top of the backswing and check the trail elbow sits close to the side, the classic waiter-carrying-a-tray position, instead of pointing behind you.

  4. 4

    Repeat the rehearsal until the folding motion is automatic, then apply it to slow half-swings and finally full-speed swings.

Swing issues this drill addresses

Flying trail elbowAcross the lineLoss of connectionOverswing

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