In this video, you’ll learn the perfect elbow motion in crazy detail.

I get tons of questions about the elbows, so I want to show you what your elbows should be doing throughout the swing.

Your elbows at address, backswing, downswing, impact, and follow through are all covered.

Note that you should treat this video as an informational video, meaning that you don’t need to hit every single checkpoint perfectly in order to have a solid swing.

But if you’re way off from one of the main points, then that’s something you need to work on.

Below, you’ll get an overview of the main points of the video:

Elbows at Address

Make sure your elbows are relaxed in a natural position at address.

Some instructors recommend that both elbow pits pointed open, but there’s little evidence to support doing that.

Also, I haven’t seen many pros force their elbow pits open either.

Just keep your elbows in a natural position and don’t worry about it.

Elbows in the Backswing

A good check for your elbows in the backswing is to look at the angle of the club.

If the club is vertical, your right elbow is likely flailing out a bit and that’s an unnecessary move.

If the club is too flat and nearly parallel with the ground, then your left arm is starting to roll over the right arm.

If you’re swinging at these extremes, then adjust accordingly by rotating your arms.

Elbows at the Top of the Swing

Generally, I recommend you have your right elbow pointing down.

It doesn’t need to be pointing straight down, but it helps to have it in that position.

However, if you have a flying elbow, that doesn’t mean you can’t make a good swing.

Jack Nicklaus had a flying elbow and John Daly’s flying elbow is even more extreme.

So do your elbows matter much at the top of the swing?

Yes.

Having your right elbow pointed down is more under control and will make it easier on you when transitioning to your downswing.

The more your elbow flies out, the bigger the move you’ll need in your downswing.

Elbows in the Downswing

In the backswing, you have some leeway on how you take the club back.

However, in the downswing, you need to tighten up the range of your movements.

Your right elbow needs to be close to your body otherwise you’ll come over the top with your club.

Elbow at Contact

Your left elbow should face towards the target at impact.

Elbows in the Follow Through

As you’ll see with big hitting pros like Adam Scott…

The left elbow points almost directly back at the end of the swing.

Adam Scott is very flexible, so note that you don’t need to have your elbow pointing back as much as he does.

But try to finish with as much rotation as you can without straining yourself.

Watch this video…

And compare the checkpoints to get a better understanding of how your elbows should move throughout the swing.