Elbows together drill

[14ledo81]

I got the idea from gdads swing thread. I took one my kids small rubber balls and swung with it between my elbows. I was very impressed. Contact was extremely crisp. I was using an eight iron and hitting it 135 with as big of a swing as I could take without dropping the ball. Question is, "how do I incorporate the same pattern into a full swing?"

[Golfingdad]

Originally Posted by 14ledo81

I got the idea from gdads swing thread. I took one my kids small rubber balls and swung with it between my elbows. I was very impressed. Contact was extremely crisp. I was using an eight iron and hitting it 135 with as big of a swing as I could take without dropping the ball. Question is, "how do I incorporate the same pattern into a full swing?"

Great to hear!!  I don't know for sure the answer to your question, but with any drill I've always assumed that you repeat the motion enough times with the ball, also work in some slow motion movements and poses without it, and eventually it will become easier and easier to do at full speed in a full swing without the ball.

At least, that's my theory.  (I don't know for sure since I'm not there yet) :)

[Blitz28179]

Originally Posted by 14ledo81

I got the idea from gdads swing thread. I took one my kids small rubber balls and swung with it between my elbows. I was very impressed. Contact was extremely crisp. I was using an eight iron and hitting it 135 with as big of a swing as I could take without dropping the ball. Question is, "how do I incorporate the same pattern into a full swing?"

Just curious.How far back was you able to go?Couldnt you just use the same swing? making the swing bigger dont always equal more distance.Usually it means more problems, at least for me it does..An 8 iron at 135 yards isnt bad.Matter of fact thats my club for about the same yardage

[Ernest Jones]

I've had some great range sessions with my youngest's belt strapped around my elbows. Haven't done it in a while but I should get back to it as it does get you in good positions. I found with the belt I could easily take full swings (although it does feel strange),much easier taking a full swing with the belt vs the ball IMHO. YMMV.

[14ledo81]

Just curious.How far back was you able to go?Couldnt you just use the same swing? making the swing bigger dont always equal more distance.Usually it means more problems, at least for me it does..An 8 iron at 135 yards isnt bad.Matter of fact thats my club for about the same yardage

The distance was not the issue. In fact, last year, my mid summer 8 iron went 140-145. Yesterday, I was hitting down my driveway, temps were upper 30's, and thw wind was in my face. That is probably close to a warm weather 8 iron. I could take what felt like an almost full backswing (probably the correct length), but the follow through had to be cut off to keep the ball in place. Regardless, I would still be happy with it. My main question was how to make the same (I realize I said full in the OP) swing without the ball.

[cipher]

Originally Posted by Ernest Jones

I've had some great range sessions with my youngest's belt strapped around my elbows. Haven't done it in a while but I should get back to it as it does get you in good positions. I found with the belt I could easily take full swings (although it does feel strange),much easier taking a full swing with the belt vs the ball IMHO.

YMMV.

I have heard some people say that this only causes you to want to pull your elbows apart as you are trying to add outward pressure to hold the belt to the outside of your arms.  I am not sure though as I have never tried it.  I would image that the ball drill would be better as you are actually working on squeezing your elbows together.

[Ernest Jones]

I have heard some people say that this only causes you to want to pull your elbows apart as you are trying to add outward pressure to hold the belt to the outside of your arms.  I am not sure though as I have never tried it.  I would image that the ball drill would be better as you are actually working on squeezing your elbows together.

You could be right. I'll give the ball a try too :-)

[colin007]

im so good i do this with a ping pong ball...

[Ernest Jones]

im so good i do this with a ping pong ball...

Pffft...amateur! I use an iota.

[colin007]

Originally Posted by Ernest Jones

Pffft...amateur! I use an iota.

dammit...now i have to go get my dickshunairey...

[Ernest Jones]

dammit...now i have to go get my dickshunairey...

Leave that damn thing in your pants!!

[14ledo81]

Erik,  I read the review on the Pipoe.  In your opinion, would that be more helpful than that Medicus trainer that fit between the elbows (I can't remember the name)?

[el shanko]

Originally Posted by 14ledo81

I got the idea from gdads swing thread. I took one my kids small rubber balls and swung with it between my elbows. I was very impressed. Contact was extremely crisp. I was using an eight iron and hitting it 135 with as big of a swing as I could take without dropping the ball. Question is, "how do I incorporate the same pattern into a full swing?"

what was the diameter of the ball 4 or 6" ?

[Ernest Jones]

Erik,  I read the review on the Pipoe.  In your opinion, would that be more helpful than that Medicus trainer that fit between the elbows (I can't remember the name)?

I'll chime in just to point out the the Pipoe actually has a bunch of applications ( some cool, some silly) whereas that Medicus gizmo (assuming you mean the bar with elbow cuffs) only has on application - although having read parts of "50 Shades of Grey" I suppose there might be few other applications for the Medicus thing :-)

[14ledo81]

Originally Posted by el shanko

what was the diameter of the ball 4 or 6" ?

I would say closer to 8''.  I had to squish it a bit with my elbows to hold it in place.  I should take some videos while swinging with it in.  I am not exactly sure what changes it made to my swing, but it certainly was impressive.

[metrybill]

You are really onto something here. This is pure Hogan and Tom Watson, the latter of which emphasized in his instructional book the idea of trying to squeeze the elbows together through impact.  Here is a good video:

There is actually a training aid that you may buy relatively inexpensively which is an elastic band, essentially two large rubber bands joined at the middle, which wrap around the forearms to ingrain the feel.

Another form of this is to try to keep both of the elbows pointing downward during the backswing and the downswing, after setting up with the elbows pointing inward toward the hips at address.