Eliminate that ‘chicken wing' in your swing
If you're looking for more solid contact or to increase your distance, you may want to check your extension.
The golf swing is a circular motion, and the wider the swing the farther the ball will go. Check the following places in your swing for extension (for right-handed golfers; left-handers do the opposite):
The first place to check is hip high. The left arm should be fairly straight, and the right arm should be folded at the elbow.
The second check point is at the top of the swing. Again, the left arm should be fairly straight, and the hands should be as far away from your head as possible.
Next, check your position at impact and on the follow through. At hip high, both left and right arms should be straight. These two positions are usually incorrect with the majority of golfers. It's common to see the left arm bent or what many refer to as a "chicken wing" position (above left).
To eliminate the chicken wing and practice your extension, swing a club from hip high to hip high. Or think of a clock where your arms are the hands, and swing your arms from 9 to 3 (near right). Your arms should be extended at 9 and again at 3 with your belly button facing the target.
All your weight should be on your left foot, and all the spikes on the bottom of your right sole should be showing.
Phipps is director of golf at Black Lake Golf Club in Onaway, Mich. For more information, visit the redesigned Web site at blacklakegolf.com.
