Right Elbow

Your Right Elbow may be more important in putting than you think.

Part of the skill in sinking putts is the ability to make a smooth and effortless stroke.

For many golfers this is difficult to do. This is because try as they may, their backstroke tends to wander off line as if it has a mind of its own.

One way to cure this erratic path is to create an anchor that stabilises your putter as it swings back. Enter the belly putter and the long putter.

By fitting the butt of your extended putter into your stomach, or holding it against your chest in the case of the long putter, you have created an anchor point.

Niclas Fasth

There has been much debate as to whether this action flies in the face of what is considered to be the essence of the game of golf. By allowing a prop you have somewhat reduced the skill level required in putting. However, as the rules stand today these types of putters are legal.

However, there is another way to control the passage of your backstroke without resorting to a belly or long putter. It is the position of your right elbow.

It can anchor your backstroke in much the same way as affixing the butt of your putter against your body. By turning it inwards so that it rests against your right hip you can stabilise your backstroke.

This is somewhat of an artificial position as the normal carrying angle of your elbows is between five and 15 degrees away from your side.

If your elbows didn't hang this way, your swinging forearms would constantly bang into your body during walking.

In a relaxed setup with the correct length of putter for your build your arms will hang with a small bend as you tilt forwards from your hips.

When you take hold of the putter your elbows will also have a slight outward turn. The trick now is to turn your right inwards so that it kisses your right hip.

Opinion differs as to whether it is also a good idea to turn your left elbow inwards.

Some writers argue that you need some separation on your left side, others say it is more important for a straight stroke to turn your left elbow inwards than your right.

My view is that to correct a faulty putter path, particularly during the backstroke, anchoring your right elbow lightly against your right side helps to stabilise the movement backwards.

You can practise this feeling by holding a glove in place under your right armpit. I don't consciously turn my left elbow inwards, but allow it to find its natural position.

If you suffer from the problem of a wandering putter there are a couple of remedies that you can try:

• Hold or float your putter lightly above the grass so that your arms find their natural hanging position as they support the weight of your putter. This makes it easier to move your putter away smoothly.



• Rest your elbows next to your sides and then turn your right elbow inwards so that it butts up against your right hip.

There is no absolute right or wrong way to position your elbows at setup. The ideal is to keep them soft and free of tension. However, you should experiment with the placement of your right elbow if you find it difficult to prevent your backstroke from wandering.

Image Source
1 = google images /source unknown