Elbows at setup

[jfrain2004]

I try to have my arms completely relaxed at setup with maybe just a slight forced extension. I get reasonably good contact but was wondered what is the "normal" position of the elbows. Do you just allow them to flex out the way or try to keep them slightly pushed in together to replicate a long narrow triangle between the fore arms as I have read in a few magazines.?

[trumps4]

Paraphrasing Hogan's 5 lessons.....

Elbows point at respective hip bones (not opposite of each other). Upper arms pressed snug against sides of the chest and elbows as close together as possible.

[Philip9210]

Well, according to your handicap you're much better than me, but I was reading in Hogan's five lessons, like trumps said that htey should point ot your hip bones and your arms should be as if they were tied together.

[uttexas]

Two of the greatest ball striker's in history--different grips and different swings, but elbows together at address

[senorchipotle]

i actually flatten my left wrist and pre-bend my right elbow. it makes it easier to get in a good position.

[iacas]

Two of the greatest ball striker's in history--different grips and different swings, but elbows together at address

I would go so far as to say that elbows close together

throughout the swing is important.

[Zeph]

I've experienced that keeping the elbows close throughout the swing helps for lots of things.

Been hooking a lot lately. I get the hands well back and up, but when I start down, the arms disconnect even more and move away from the body, losing pressure in the arm pits and the elbows go wide. So instead of swinging in-square-in, the hands and arms guide the clubs in-to-out.

[The Recreational Golfer]

Both Ben Hogan and Mickey Wright were big on having their elbows close together at address and throughout the swing. Given the status of each of their swings in golf history, that's saying something for their ideas on this matter. If you look at photographs of Hogan, you won't see his elbows as close together as in the drawings in Five Lessons . One way to say it, and this might not make complete sense, is to say, "Elbows down." Instead of them winging out, rotate them down and in to a natural stopping point. They should end up close together, but not pressed together and there should be no resulting tension in the arms or shoulders.

[Dr. Strangeclub]

Both Ben Hogan and Mickey Wright were big on having their elbows close together at address and throughout the swing. Given the status of each of their swings in golf history, that's saying something for their ideas on this matter. If you look at photographs of Hogan, you won't see his elbows as close together as in the drawings in

Probably the biggest advocate of elbows close together was Gary Player (not that he thought it up or anything). My observation on this is that it helps prevent collapsing through the hitting area. The elbow hinges in only one direction. If the bend is aligned with the elbow facing down the target line, the force right before and at impact is supported only by tendon and muscle. If the hollow of the left elbow is pointing up, the bone structure of the elbow takes the weight and things are "easier" and take less arm strength. Even if the left elbow bends a bit, it still isn't slowing swingspeed nearly as much as would happen if they pointed away from each other. It also puts the left wrist in a better position.

[Zeph]

Tim Clark got his elbows pretty close.