Flying Elbow
Trail elbow flares outward at the top of the backswing.
A flying elbow occurs when the trail elbow (right elbow for right-handed golfers) lifts excessively away from the body during the backswing, pointing upward or behind the player instead of staying "tucked" and aligned with the spine angle.
Poor Posture: Rounded thoracic spine (upper/mid-back) due to tight chest and shoulder muscles, restricting shoulder rotation.
Overrotation: Compensatory lifting of the elbow when the shoulders cannot rotate fully.
Swing Sequencing Issues: Lack of lower-body initiation forces the upper body to over rotate.
Weak Core Stability: Inability to maintain spine angle, leading to arm-dominated swings.
Inconsistent Swing Path: Often results in an over-the-top or outside-in motion.
Slices/Pulls: Open clubface due to poor shaft alignment.
Shoulder Strain: Excessive stress on the rotator cuff.
Power Loss: Reduced energy transfer from the body to the club.
Let's fix it together
Standing Arm Slide (Stretch): Stand against a wall, arms bent at 90°, and slide arms upward while keeping contact with the wall. Improves thoracic mobility and shoulder lexibility.
Towel Drill: Place a towel under the trail armpit to keep the elbow connected during the swing.
Hip-Driven Backswing: Initiate the backswing with hip rotation to limit overuse of the arms.
MyTPI Mobility Exercises: Focus on thoracic spine and shoulder mobility routines.
Top YouTube Videos
Expert Articles