I am a student of the golf swing. Through reading, studying and trying, I now realize the right elbow in the golf swing is so critical; having a flying right elbow is death to your golf swing, and Ben Hogan knew it too!

I, myself, have had what they call a flying right elbow at the top of my backswing. This is where the elbow gets too far away from the body and becomes “disconnected”, making it very difficult to come down “in the slot” and hit the golf ball from the inside and shallow.

I have been studying Ben Hogan lately, as he is known as one of the best ball-strikers of all time. He was a huge advocate of a nearly one plane golf swing, with a very low right elbow that did not get away from his body. This made his downswing nearly automatic. Every golfer should strive for this position if they want a sound, repeatable golf swing.

I have been working my butt off to get this right. The other day “on the course” I had my “ah ha” moment. I was really trying to keep my right elbow in close to my side at the top of my swing, and hit the purest drive of the day.

Hoping it wasn’t a fluke, I did it on my next iron shot. Again…a compressed, beautiful shot. Then the next tee shot…again…did it.

I am now a believer in working on the right elbow in the golf swing.

The picture of Ben Hogan below will give you a great visual of what your right elbow should look like in your golf swing. Notice how it’s pointing right at the ground. Picture holding a dinner tray with your right hand, and your elbow will be in the perfect position at the top of your swing.

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