Ever try this practice exercise? Maybe someone can also shed some light on it.

I took my 1st lesson about a month ago. The pro had me tee up the ball and strike it with a 7i and 5i. He would have put my right hand on the grip portion where it meets the visible shaft and my left hand would be on the grip end in the normal position. With my hands like this it would have an approximate gap of 6-7" within. He then would have me bring the club back while keeping my right arm tucked in near my body and then swing down normally and it would hit a gorgeous draw every time. Now my backswing doesn't FEEL like it goes back far but it struck the ball nicely when I finished with the follow through of not allowing my left arm to chicken wing. After a few swings like this on the carpet, I try to put my hands back in a normal position and swing again with the same feeling. I haven't gotten a chance yet to bring it to the range or course, but do you think this same method would work effectively when out on the course/range? (same method as in the short "appearing" swing but with hands in normal grip position.

Hope that wasn't confusing!

Thanks guys

Hey man, if that works for you and you're hitting 'em straight with a draw then so be it. Another drill to stop the chicken wing is placing a glove or headcover underneath your left armpit and keeping it there after follow-through.

Yea I've read that and have tried it before. What do you think about those straps that go around both arms to help keep you connected throughout the whole swing?

What were you working on correcting?

I chicken wing right around impact, always have, and always will. My arms cannot fully straighten. The left arm can go nearly straight, but not totally, the right one is always bent a few degrees. Even with the left arm extended as far as it will go, it appears to be bent a touch. This has mostly to do with rheumatoid arthritis, which runs strongly in my genes. I'm not a fan of draws to be honest. Drawing the ball is the path of destruction, and very few things are as hard to break than a case of the lefts. I went through periods where I couldn't break 100, my tee shots just shot right, then veered dead left. OB, water, bunkers, all day. Make sure you don't start to hook it. Like a fish hook, once it's in, it's hard to get out.

Yes, that helps too. I've used those straps before and they help you release the club. For me the glove under the left arm gives me immediate results (i.e. dropped glove = chicken wing). I also see it with the ball flight as I'll start seeing a fade if I chicken wing it. If you look at Zach Johnson's follow through, there's no way you can chicken wing it as it really emphasizes a strong release thru impact.