Right Elbow in the Downswing - Illusions meets Observations

Right Elbow in the Downswing – Illusions meets Observations

If you’ve read my article on Harvey Penick’s Magic Move, you know that much of modern golf instruction revolves around the position of the right elbow in the downswing.

A common teaching is to have the right elbow in front of the body at impact, with the idea that this positioning starts in the downswing. This often leads golfers to feel like they need to push their arms toward the target in an effort to “control” the strike.

But is that really what the greats of the past did?

And how does the modern, more baseball-like swing approach this concept?

Right Elbow in the Downswing –  Ben Hogan Example

Ben Hogan definitely got his right elbow moving toward his right pocket in the early downswing, positioning it in a fairly externally rotated state within the shoulder socket. However, just before impact, the arm stops its forward movement and instead rotates, allowing for a full centrifugal release.

This full-arm rotation is one of the key reasons Hogan could generate so much power despite having a relatively compact swing. As you can see in images of his motion, the elbow doesn’t continue moving over the body—instead, it halts while the humerus bone rotates within the shoulder socket.

In my opinion, Hogan’s swing was more complex than, say, Jack Nicklaus’s, largely due to the excessively open clubface just before impact. This required him to put in countless extra hours of training to master the motion. Luckily, that kind of dedication was his passion.

Easier Variation – Jack Nicklaus Example

Winning 18 majors is likely the result of being history’s best clutch putter and possessing an unmatched winning spirit—but it’s hard not to credit Jack Nicklaus’s golf swing as a major factor in his success.

Nicklaus was an absolute power monster in his prime, and I believe his right elbow action played a huge role in allowing him to unleash that power.

As seen in images of his swing, he wasn’t as externally rotated before impact as someone like Ben Hogan. Instead, his right arm halted and acted as a pivot point, allowing the forces in the shaft to release freely.

I believe that closing the clubface with the full arm early enough is one of the keys to a simple, effective golf swing. It might sound crazy since, from a visual perspective, it seems impossible—but that perspective doesn’t account for the natural forces at play. More on that later.

Modern Baseball Inspired Variation – Right Elbow in the Downswing

You can swing in many different ways and in the more modern style of motion, represented by Dustin Johnson here, the right arm is externally rotated (but with different wrist conditions) and more pushed over the body together with much more intentional full body rotation.

This is a completely different power system. It’s not about manually stimulating the centrifugal force and being in complete connection with the golf shot but a more sling like power system is used where the club action becomes secondary to your body movement.

If you go down this route you can push your right elbow over your body but you then need to lean to the right heavily since the right arm doesn’t extend like for e.g. Nicklaus.

It’s a solution that fits the athletically gifted with experience from similar sports. For us normies its harder to accomplish.

The Easier Way – Nicklaus Style described by Malaska

What you do in golf is often hidden behind natural forces like gravity, twists, momentum, and centrifugal force. Relative to the ball, your clubface is actually opening in the downswing (unless you’re using a more modern, baseball-style swing). Most golfers fail to close the clubface soon enough, leaving them too open too late—forcing a last-second “rescue mission” to square the face at impact.

However, if you recognize the need to shut the clubface down earlier—something Mike Malaska teaches—you can counteract this tendency and create a much simpler, more powerful move toward the ball. Watch Mr Malaska explain it here as a guest on the great channel of Be Better Golf.

At first, rotating your arm this way might feel strange, since it’s technically a steepening move—and we’re always told the downswing should be shallowing, right? But remember, gravity and momentum work in your favor. The steepening effect of this motion is naturally balanced by the ability to release the club centrifugally.

And what about the right elbow? Doesn’t it shoot away from the body? Actually, no. The momentum and force of the club pull it into place, keeping it in line with the motion.

Early Square Up = Free Highway for Natural Release

Ever thought about the flying elbows of Jack Nicklaus or even Fred Couples? This position is particularly interesting because it makes the process of squaring or shutting down the clubface much easier.

In other words, when you start the intentional journey of closing the clubface sooner, it’s like taking your own handbrakes off—freeing up the swing rather than forcing a last-second correction.

This concept aligns closely with what Brian Manzella has been teaching in the golf world for the last decades. Or, as Nicklaus himself put it: “I release as early as possible.” That statement was directly related to his effort to shut the clubface down early enough for a more efficient and repeatable strike.

The FMM’s take on the Right Elbow in the Downswing

If you’ve read my other articles on golf swing timing and shallowing, you know I emphasize starting movements early to unlock effortless power.

I haven’t directly incorporated Mike Malaska’s findings into my own research, but I’ve arrived at the same conclusion regarding early clubface closure in the downswing. The difference—if any—is that I have a slightly different focus on what happens after impact, particularly in relation to how the old greats approached it.

I actually teach three patterns in the golf swing that all origin from more old school release styles. Why? Since they are fundamentally achievable and they live inside most top tier golfers today. What you “do” is very different from what you “see” on a slow motion video. Check out the FMM Swing Academy here.

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