[GetInTheHole!!!]

In 5 lessons, Hogan mentions that both elbows should be pointing at either hip. There's an illustration that shows the left elbow pointing in the direction of the left hip, and vice versa. What is the purpose or advantage of this?


Also, in around the same area of the book, Hogan mentions the arms being together, and he gives an illustration of a big piece of material holding the arms together very close. What is the advantage of that?


I have basically been working out of Hogans 5 lessons for a year or so now, and have just started to focus in on incorporating these arm and elbow setup positions. They feel awkward now, especially the left elbow towards the hip, but I'm trying to get used to them.

[Dariusz J.]

This is a very important thing, especially concerning the rear elbow. In combination with the weak RH grip it presets the elbow joint and forearm rotation at address that enables an on-plane takeaway and, consequently, the whole backswing. A golfer simply has no room for any errors or compensations.

The concept of having both elbows together as close as possible in the swing motion is more an idea or an image of Mr.Hogan than pure reality. If we can imagine that both elbow joints can turn in all possible directions, having two forearms tied together in line is a biokinetical dream. Unfortunately, it is not possible, however, the image is so powerful that it is surely worth to try it, at least. Hogan said that the perfect swing is "right elbow socket up until impact and left elbow socket up post impact". Indeed, it can ensure a proper in-to-in swing plane.

Cheers

[Mike_C]

GetInTheHole!!!, on Apr 24 2009, 09:58 PM, said:

In 5 lessons, Hogan mentions that both elbows should be pointing at either hip. There's an illustration that shows the left elbow pointing in the direction of the left hip, and vice versa. What is the purpose or advantage of this?


Also, in around the same area of the book, Hogan mentions the arms being together, and he gives an illustration of a big piece of material holding the arms together very close. What is the advantage of that?


I have basically been working out of Hogans 5 lessons for a year or so now, and have just started to focus in on incorporating these arm and elbow setup positions. They feel awkward now, especially the left elbow towards the hip, but I'm trying to get used to them.

I'm no Hogan expert, but I used to focus on this from his book when I was young, but I totally abandoned it later in life.

I started to look at a lot of the great players, and at impact, they almost all had the left elbow pointing down the target line. I thought, why not start that way. Many today also start their swing that way. I also had somebody explain to me that if you start with the elbows pointing at your hips, you MUST rotate your left arm back to allow a full turn, you arm can not extent properly in the turned down position. I noticed that I became MUCH more consistent when I went away from the Hogan recomendation. Now the right elbow, that is a different matter..

[ericld]

I have read the fundamentals book by Hogan.

I will say that for my body type, being 6'2 + it's hard to incorporate a lot of his principles. But I will say that if either of my elbows flies, locks out, or has tension, my golf swing becomes a mess.

I strongly believe that a lot of a golfers swing problems can be fixed by keeping your wings in. Look at Vijay and his hours of practice with a glove under his arm to keep the elbow tucked.

- If my right elbow flies I can come over the top.

- If my left elbow stays rigid after impact I chicken wing (tell me how many chicken wings you see on the range at your local municipal)

So yes, if the forearms stay together and the elbow point back at my body in a languid and loose tension-free fashion, only good things can happen.

After that I don't think about my arms because I like them to be reactive and rope like. My arms don't need to be DOING anything except going along for the ride.

[Mike_C]

To add what I said about impact, even Hogan has his LEFT elbow pointing down the target line, while his right elbow is pointing at his hip at impact.... Compare his impact to his address position.

[aminian.1]

Hogan emphasizes that both elbows should at the hips ONLY at setup, NOT at impact. Five lessons clearly shows Hogan's left elbow pointing down the target line at impact. The photos above are consistent with his teachings.

[Mike_C]

aminian.1, on May 7 2009, 11:27 AM, said:

Hogan emphasizes that both elbows should at the hips ONLY at setup, NOT at impact. Five lessons clearly shows Hogan's left elbow pointing down the target line at impact. The photos above are consistent with his teachings.

I know that, but what I'm saying is that by starting with the left elbow turned down and pointing at your left hip, you phsically can not make a full turn without rotating your left arm on the way back. What this did for me was cause the clubhead to come way inside and put a great deal of hands/movement in my backswing that I didn't think I needed. All I know is that since making this change years ago, I have become a much more consistent ballstriker...