Most golfers try to fix a part by changing their swing. But one of the biggest drivers of slice occurs before the club moves in the way your drive shaft is positioned in the setup. In a recent video, instructor Harry Shaw shows how the orientation of the swing arm can completely change the flight of the ball, even when the swing itself remains identical.
If your pitching elbow is facing the wrong direction, you’re locked into a pattern that forces the club off plane, opens up the face, and creates ball flight. Place it correctly and suddenly the club can move on plane, rise naturally and produce straighter shots.
Here’s what’s wrong, how it hurts your swing, and how to fix it.
Mistake: Trace the elbow facing out instead of down
In Shaw’s demonstration, he takes two swings with the same rhythm and motion. One slice and the other is a straight shot; the only thing he changes is the orientation of the elbow in the setup.
- Incorrect: Elbow pointing outward toward the camera (internal rotation)
- Correct: Elbow pointing down and slightly towards the body (external rotation)
When the elbow is pointed outward, the trailing arm becomes limited. The golfer cannot naturally fold the arm on the backswing, which forces one of two compensations. The first is lifting the stick up, and the second is dragging it behind the very flat body.
Both models can lead to a path from the outside with an open face. When the elbow is pointing down, the arm can be properly folded, the club is on plane, and the downswing can be naturally shallow.
Fix: Harry Shaw’s wing trace setup routine
Shaw learns a quick routine that resets the trail arm to the correct orientation every time. If you split the ball, it can become part of your pre-shot routine to make sure you’re not setting yourself up for disaster.
Step 1: Arm forward, palms down
Begin by extending your trail arm straight with your palm facing the ground. This is it incorrect internal rotation position.
Step 2: Turn your palm up
Turn your hand until the palm is facing the sky. This externally rotates the arm and automatically brings the elbow down towards the body.
Step 3: Grip the club without losing elbow position
Bring the club, grip normally and maintain:
- Elbow pointing down
- Slight bend in trail arm
- Arm standing ahead of ribcage, not laterally flared
Bonus workout: Towel tie adjustment
The towel hook drill is common in golf and is often done with a headgear. The drill works well here to maintain proper connection and plane in the movement, but brings more awareness to the position of the elbow.
How to do it
- Place a towel or head covering between your upper arm and your chest.
- Go through the elbow rotation routine.
- Make small to full turns while holding the towel lightly.
The drill promotes the natural fold of the trail arm, better connection in the swing and a higher chance of a square face. You don’t need to squeeze the towel, just keep enough pressure to keep it in place.
Final thoughts
If your trailing elbow is pointed outward, the club is already fighting against your body and your only options are offsets that leave the face open. With Shaw’s simple routine, you can start the club in a position that supports better alignment, easier swing and a much more predictable ball flight. It’s a small detail, but an easy fix that can make a real difference.
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