Rediscover a Classic Golf Swing Secret
Every now and then, golf throws up a tip that stands the test of time. One of the most underrated yet effective concepts comes straight from the great Ben Hogan: keeping the elbows and forearms working together throughout the swing. This principle simplifies your swing, helps the club stay in front of the body, and can transform the consistency of your ball striking.
Why Your Elbow Position Matters
It’s common to start with solid arm structure at address, but as the swing unfolds, many golfers lose that connection. The elbows drift apart, the club gets behind or ahead of the body, and suddenly you’re fighting a ‘chicken wing’ finish or inconsistent strikes. When your elbows work apart, it becomes much harder to deliver the club consistently, resulting in missed shots and frustration.
The Hogan Squeeze: How to Set Up
At address, take a moment to gently squeeze your elbows together. There’s no need to overdo it—just enough to feel that your forearms and elbows are working as a unit. This is the classic Hogan image, where it looks like a rope is binding his forearms together. The goal is to maintain this gentle squeeze throughout your backswing, downswing, and follow through, keeping your arms in front of your chest as much as possible.
The Drill: Half Swings for Lasting Results
Start by making half swings with this elbow squeeze in mind. Focus on:
- Squeezing the elbows gently together at address
- Maintaining that squeeze as you take the club back and through
- Only swinging as far as your mobility allows without losing that connection
You’ll likely notice you need to turn your body and hips more to keep the arms in front. This is a good thing—it encourages better body rotation and a more efficient swing.
If you feel restricted, don’t force a full swing. Instead, keep the swing shorter and controlled, maintaining the squeeze. Over time, this develops a simpler, more repeatable movement that delivers the club with a neutral path and solid speed.
Mobility Matters: Test Your Range
Not everyone will have the same shoulder mobility. Test your range by bringing your trail arm up to shoulder height and rotating it back as far as you can. If your forearm moves easily past your spine angle, you’ve got plenty of range. If not, don’t worry—just be mindful not to overstretch. Keep the swing at a length where you can maintain the elbow connection without standing up or letting the elbows separate.
Consistency Over Complexity
Working on this classic elbows and forearms drill has helped many golfers find a simpler, more reliable swing. It reduces the need for manipulation, keeps the path neutral, and often delivers surprising clubhead speed even from shorter swings. Remember, this isn’t about reinventing your swing overnight, but about building a movement that stands up under pressure.
If you’re looking to make real changes to your swing, I also offer detailed online lessons and swing analysis through Skillest. It’s a great way to get personalised feedback and work on these principles at your own pace, wherever you are in the world.
Try It for Yourself
Next time you practise, set up with your elbows gently squeezed together and focus on keeping that connection throughout your swing. Start with short swings and notice the difference in your strike, club path, and consistency. Sometimes, a return to fundamentals is all you need to start hitting your best shots again.
Watch the Full Lesson
If you’d like to see this concept in action and dive deeper, watch the full YouTube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3XLXdOC9W8
