Intermediate

Flying Elbow

Also known as: trail elbow flare, the chicken wing (backswing usage)

Definition

A flying elbow is the trail elbow lifting up and away from the body during the backswing. It disconnects the arms from the torso's rotation and often produces an overly steep, arms-dominant swing.

A flying elbow describes the trail elbow separating from the body and rising up and away during the backswing. It does not stay relatively connected to the torso as the shoulders rotate. Instead of the arms and body turning together, the arms swing up somewhat independently, disconnected from the torso's rotational engine. That often produces an overly steep, upright backswing plane.

The connection between a flying elbow and downswing faults is significant. An arms-dominant backswing tends to produce an arms-dominant downswing as well. That makes it harder to sequence the body's rotation ahead of the arms in transition. At the top of the backswing, a flying trail elbow often has to drop back down to a more connected position. Only then can the downswing proceed efficiently. That adds an extra, hard-to-time movement to the swing. Golfers with a flying elbow often also struggle with consistency. The degree of "flying" can vary from swing to swing, changing the swing plane and therefore the path each time.

A flying elbow is often a habit carried over from other sports, especially throwing motions. In those, the arm working somewhat independently of the torso is normal. It is also often a result of insufficient shoulder and torso rotation in the backswing. If the body doesn't turn enough, the arms compensate by lifting independently to reach a full-feeling backswing position. A simple, widely used training aid is a glove, headcover, or small towel tucked under the trail armpit at the start of the swing. The goal is to keep it in place through the backswing. If it falls, the elbow has flown.

Example

A golfer whose trail elbow lifts noticeably away from the ribs during the backswing produces a steep, upright plane, then has to make a compensating move in transition just to get the club back to a workable downswing position.

Why it matters

A flying elbow disconnects the arms from the body's rotation, making the backswing plane uneven and adding compensating movements in transition. Motion Lab shows how bent your trail arm is at the top. Paused at the top on a down-the-line clip, it is often one of the more visually clear faults to spot.

How it shows up on video

From a face-on camera angle, a flying elbow is visible as the trail elbow lifting up and away from the ribcage during the backswing, rather than staying relatively close to the body as the shoulders turn. The overall backswing often looks noticeably steeper and more upright than a connected swing.

Common mistakes

Trying to keep the trail elbow pinned tightly to the body. This can restrict a natural, full backswing turn just as much as letting it fly too far away. The goal is connection, not rigidity.
Not checking whether insufficient shoulder turn is the underlying cause — if the torso isn't rotating enough, the arms will often compensate by flying regardless of how much a golfer focuses on the elbow itself.
Ignoring the training-aid feedback (a glove or towel under the arm) because it feels restrictive at first. The awkward feeling during early practice is exactly the connected sensation that needs to become normal.

In SwingVantage Motion Lab

In Visual Proof, the top position shows how bent your trail arm is. On a down-the-line clip, it also shows where your hands sit at the top against a reference line. It does not call the elbow flying. The backswing plane is only fitted once you mark the clubhead.