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someone told me that during your backswing and downswing you are supposed to keep your right elbow(for righties) tucked next to your side ,is there any truth to this. THANKS

In a word: Yes

Yes I'm trying to do this too but its so hard to keep...It really helps (tucking the right elbow) when I use the driver, I always try to think of this when I use the driver....I read the Stack and tilt move in one of the threads here...it seems that it will help me do this...I'll be trying it in the range today

The right elbow can (and many respected teachers say should) move away as you approach the top of your backswing. But if it does, the first move at the start of the downswing should be to return it to your side. It is part of Harvey Penick's "Magic Move", to plant the left heel and bring the right elbow back in at the same time. If it remains out away from your body, you will swing outside in and/or over the top, resulting in pulls, weak cuts, nasty slices... all sorts of bad things will happen, but rarely will anything good come of it.

when i practice, i put a headcover or a coin in my armpit to swing. if it drops during the backswing then i know something is wrong.

thanks for the feedback guys i think im gonna try keeping my elbow tucked , ive been having problems hitting my irons consistantly , do you think this will help with slicing and fat shots?

Well if you practice with something under your arm you might hit a few fat shots to begin with but you will eventually learn to hit down on the ball correctly which produces those nice crisp iron shot. As per slicing that tends to come from under-rotating, or a bad grip. Try one thing at a time, that is how problem solving usually works ^^

Hi,

A tip for keeping your arm by your side (as shown by a guy called Nick Faldo!!) get a Tee towel (towel for drying the dishes) and place it across your and under each armpit. Now try and swing without dropping the towel!!

Lefthooker.

This move feels much more natural when you lead with your hip turn (or by "throwing" your right knee at the ball) instead of your hands. This will stick you hip out further and your elbow should virtually rub your rear hip on its way through.

If you are leading with your hip like this, it will neutralize what might turn into a hook because of your inside-out swing that is created by keeping your elbow tight. It also gives you the "lag" that causes serious whip effect and big-time distance.

So trust that your distance comes from your lag, and not from how fast you can move your arms. Your arms will get there; just keep that elbow tight!