Episode 8

Testing for Physical Limitations: Chicken Wing/Flying Elbows

Dave Phillips and Dr. Greg Rose, hosts of Golf Fitness Academy, focus on a swing fault, the Chicken Wing, that directly affects the impact position. This swing fault is a breakdown of the left arm (for a right handed player) and results in a weak position at impact. Chicken Winging or scooping causes the club to release early, adds loft to the club at impact which hits the ball higher and results in a loss of distance. Greg and Dave show how to test for a strength imbalance between the left and right arm and how to test for shoulder range of motion. They also demonstrate both arm and forearm strength and flexibility exercises that will help you develop a more powerful position at impact.

Episode Details

• The Chicken Wing, or scooping, is a common swing fault that directly affects the impact position.
• This swing fault is when the left arm (of a right handed player) breaks down prior to impact. The club releases early which adds loft to the club at impact. The combination of losing speed from the early release and the added loft is distance loss.
• The two primary physical limitations that cause the Chicken Wing, are a strength imbalance between the left and right side as well as shoulder flexibility. Shoulder flexibility is key to a good external rotation.
• Greg and Dave demonstrate how to test strength for the arms with the Windshield Wiper, and test for left shoulder flexibility with the Scratch Test.
• Strength exercises for arms and forearms (Diagonal Tricep Pushdowns, Pizza Dumbbell, Backharnd Topspin Dumbbell) along with the Flexibiilty exercises for the rotator cuff will go a long way towards a more powerful position at impact.