Transition & DownswingIntermediateFixes: Loss of connection

Right Elbow In Golf Downswing Drills (PERFECT POSITION!)

Curated PGA Drill by Adam Bazalgette

Focus Area

Downswing

Rep Guidance

3 sets of 10 slow rehearsal reps

Equipment

Golf club, alignment stick (optional)

Skill Level

Intermediate

Video walkthrough by Adam BazalgetteWatch on YouTube ↗

Why This Drill Works (Kinetic Mechanics)

When the trail elbow gets trapped behind the ribcage in the downswing, the arms are stuck behind the body's rotation: the classic connection loss that forces blocks, flips, and two-way misses. Keeping the elbow to the side of the torso with the trail arm straightening early restores the arm-body relationship, shallows the shaft, and lets the body rotation deliver the club with shaft lean.

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

    Rehearse the transition in slow motion, working the trail elbow down so it stays out to the side of the ribcage rather than sliding behind the ribs, so there is room to deliver the arm back in front of the body.

  2. 2

    Step 2

    Let the trail arm begin straightening early in the downswing: this drops the club closer to you and back onto plane instead of holding a cramped, trapped elbow.

  3. 3

    Step 3

    Pair the arm move with a slight hip bump toward the target so the low point of the swing sets up just in front of the ball.

  4. 4

    Step 4

    Keep the trail wrist bent with the palm facing the ground through the delivery area, and rehearse slow pump-downs to this position before hitting balls at full speed.

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

Loss of connectionTrail elbow stuck behindGetting stuckFlying trail elbowBlocking

Comprehensive Guides Featuring This Drill

How to Stay Connected in the Golf Swing

Connection means the arms stay in front of the chest so the body powers the club rather than the hands. You lose it when the arms lift independently in the takeaway, when the trail elbow flies out at the top, or when the body stalls through impact and the arms have to take over. Fix it by making the chest start and finish the swing, using a headcover or towel under the arm as feedback rather than trying to hold the arms in place by feel.

Not sure this is your real fault?

Upload one swing video and our AI will identify whether loss of connection 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.

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