Right Elbow in Front of Right Hip

I thought it might be prudent to explore the right elbow-right hip relationship introduced when I posted about the reverse loop downswing and allowing the hips to drive the swing . If you study slow motion video of most professional golfers, you'll notice this relationship: The right elbow--at a minimum--gets back in front of (and points to) the right hip during the downswing, and the right hip fires through the impact zone. This re-marriage of the right elbow to the right hip during the downswing hip rotation is an absolute must-have for a good golf swing!

For most golfers, this right elbow should become reassociated with the right hip WHILE the back remains turned and facing the target. In other words, it's as if the right elbow is moving towards the target (along with a slight left hip bump) before any other part of the upper body turns and opens up.

But this idea can be taken further into the backswing as well. Keeping the arms always in front implies that the right elbow-right hip relationship (elbow pointing down to the hip) maintains itself throughout the backswing and downswing. It also keeps both elbows CLOSE together, just as Hogan described. So this means the right elbow travels mostly in an upward motion to raise the club, NOT in a backward motion (leading to a flying elbow). Many great players have had flying elbows, but they always get that club back on plane coming down, with that right elbow coming in close to the right hip.

Keeping this elbow-hip relationship DOES NOT MEAN keeping the elbow always touching the hip either!! The elbow starts off close to the hip at address, travels almost vertically a small distance away from right hip on the backswing, and then returns close to the right hip on the downswing, while the hips are rotating.

As you will see, one very simple swing key involves pointing your right elbow at your right hip as you take the club back. Just this one simple swing key, easy enough to remember on every full swing you take, will help keep the club on the proper plane, and keep it in the ideal position to launch longer, straighter and more consistent shots than you have even managed before.

[From 10 Yard Guarantee – Right Elbow Right Hip | Perfect Connection Golf Swing]

Contrary to popular belief, the arms and elbows, from address to the top of the backswing, travel only a short distance. This is a reality few recreational players grasp. Most choose to believe that the arms and elbows travel a very great distance, and this is what provides power in the golf swing. These golfers are drastically misinformed. Power isn’t generated by swinging the arms and elbows out and away from your body. In fact, just the opposite is true.

Following the takeaway, focus on folding the right elbow up, not out behind you. Your swing should feel much more vertical than before. More importantly, it should feel shorter. That’s a good thing since, whether you believe it or not, a good backswing is only 18 inches long. From setup to the top, your right elbow should move just about a foot and a half, from the center of your torso to just outside the right hip.

[From Golf Tips - Elbow Room]

At the start of the downswing you must remember to tuck your elbow back into your right hip. If at that point your elbow moves to the right—it's called letting your elbow fly out—then you will hit a poor shot. If you can keep your elbow on your hip during the downswing it will help keep your drives in the fairway.

[From The Hip Bone's Connected To The Elbow - 03.11.68 - SI Vault]