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Drills/feel for pitch elbow position?

post #1 of 9
10/26/10 at 5:31pm
Thread Starter 
I am trying to get my right elbow more into the pitch position ahead of the right hip, as demonstrated by the young fellow pictured below.



Finding it difficult, though, as my current approach to the ball is pretty much the antithesis of this move. Note how far behind the hands are and all the daylight down the right side of the torso.



Does anyone have any drills or advice for working on this, or even just a personal feel that helps you get that elbow in there in the downswing? Thanks.
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post #2 of 9
10/26/10 at 5:58pm

Re: Drills/feel for pitch elbow position?

I have the same daylight gap (maybe worse). Of course, I try to "feel" the right bicep/tricep connection to my torso throughout my swing and try to feel the right elbow at my right hip on the downswing. I've been instructed to "feel" my right elbow pointing at my belly button throughout the swing.

Part of the issue, I believe, is that you want the right elbow to lead the hands, sort of like a baseball pitcher throwing a fast ball. Golf instructors often say try to feel like your right arm is skipping a rock. What I think they mean is, feel the right elbow leading the arm/hand.
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post #3 of 9
10/26/10 at 7:09pm

Re: Drills/feel for pitch elbow position?

Originally Posted by Stretch View Post
I am trying to get my right elbow more into the pitch position ahead of the right hip, as demonstrated by the young fellow pictured below.



Finding it difficult, though, as my current approach to the ball is pretty much the antithesis of this move. Note how far behind the hands are and all the daylight down the right side of the torso.



Does anyone have any drills or advice for working on this, or even just a personal feel that helps you get that elbow in there in the downswing? Thanks.
The first thing I pictured after looking at the two images is to capture the feeling of a check swing in baseball/softball. They play a little baseball in SA, don't they?

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post #4 of 9
10/26/10 at 7:57pm

Re: Drills/feel for pitch elbow position?

Is your grip as strong as DJ's?!? That's part of the puzzle. I recently strengthened my grip, and if I don't hit the ball in that position (similar to DJ but not exactly like him or else I'd be playing on tour...hehe) I hook the living hell out of it. I would also think that that position with a weaker grip might lead to blocks.
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post #5 of 9
10/26/10 at 8:09pm

Re: Drills/feel for pitch elbow position?

I don't know if DJ is the right guy for you to modeling this after.
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post #6 of 9
10/27/10 at 1:38am

Re: Drills/feel for pitch elbow position?

Originally Posted by uttexas View Post
I've been instructed to "feel" my right elbow pointing at my belly button throughout the swing.
That's pretty much it, yep.

Originally Posted by delav View Post
I don't know if DJ is the right guy for you to modeling this after.
It's not unique to Dustin Johnson. Virtually every PGA Tour pro and every good golfer has "pitch elbow."

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post #7 of 9
10/27/10 at 2:42am

Re: Drills/feel for pitch elbow position?

Originally Posted by iacas View Post

It's not unique to Dustin Johnson. Virtually every PGA Tour pro and every good golfer has "pitch elbow."
I don't disagree at all. What I intended to say is that for someone struggling to find this position (stretch) there may be better players to emulate that aren't as drastic with this move.

Dustin Johnson's position is a bit more exaggerated than some tour swings, due to his huge body turn through impact and strong grip. It looks like this puts his elbow farther into his body than other players at identical positions.
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post #8 of 9
10/27/10 at 5:06am

Re: Drills/feel for pitch elbow position?

Keep your elbow tight to your body during the entire swing. Put a glove or headcover underneath your armpit and hold it there throughout. This will teach you to stay compact and not allow your elbow to fly.

Also... the reason DJ maintains his lag so long and brings his elbow in so far is because of his extreme bowed wrist at the top. The more closed your face is at the top... the more you have to hold on and come from the inside on the downswing.
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post #9 of 9
10/28/10 at 4:29pm

Re: Drills/feel for pitch elbow position?

Am at it myself - your P6 looks like mine. Think the cause is, that you are already go for the ball instead of maintaining your angles (right elbow, right wrist hinge and wrist cooking) from P4 down.

I try to just hold all angles longer. Try to get into Dustins positions in slow-mo and look how long you have to maintain the angles. Also look at the left shoulder FO at P7 (plus both at P5/6 DTL) - it is a complete different feel compared to your current position.
Thats what my current thoughts are
P4: elbow set, right wrist set, cooking nearly
to P5: hold em, increase cooking of the wrists
to P6: hold, hold, hold - hell, hold it!
to P7: still hold it (rotation and gravity works down the cooked wrists); try to get the hands in front of the left leg
to P8: straighten the right arm

By now, I am able to do full-speed practice swings and hold everything where it should be. Will put that white thing into play in the next days and see, if I am still overly trigger-happy and throw everything at the ball too early.

Just hold it longer, Stretch. Easy. :D
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