If you have ever tried one of the teaching aids for "connection" at address you know why you can or cannot swing from the arms position that Hogan advocated. Years ago I and my peers would tie a piece of surgical tubing around a student's upper arms while they hit balls. If you have ever put a towel or your clubhead covers under your arms, you have worked on your "connection" at address. There is also a blue neoprene sleeve that fits around both biceps and connects your arms with a Velcro strip, the "Swing Link" (a modern version of the surgical tubing.) These devices always worked great for me but many of my students would tell me the confinement of the surgical tubing or "Swing Link" created too much muscle tension, especially in their shoulders.

I never understood why the connection aids created increased shoulder tension for some students but not others. A few months ago Dr Mellman and I were working on the range together and I asked him to put his elbows closer together at address. He tried to do so and said: "I can't swing from that position. It creates too much tension." I am certain my puzzled look is what prompted his immediate response. "Let's check your carrying angle."

This is the exercise Dr. Mellman took me through. If you have attended the golf school, this is a good review for you. Stand in front of a mirror. Stand tall and let your arms hang at your side. Now rotate your palms so they are facing forward.

The left picture is of Dr. Mellman illustrating the position.

The angle created by your forearm and elbow is called your "Carrying Angle." It is an orthopedic evaluation that is used to assess arm and elbow health.

Notice the angle created by Dr. Mellman's forearm from his elbow to his hand. Notice the space that appears between his forearms and his sides. This is his "carrying angle." This picture is Dr. Mellman in his address position with his "carrying angle" set at address.

The extreme carrying angle you see created by my forearms is a very natural position. I have not purposely bent my elbows to create a greater angle. Notice my address position compared to Dr. Mellman's.

The greater the angle you see when you rotate your palms toward the mirror, the closer you will have your elbows at address. Due to the extreme angle of my elbows, I can "comfortably" place them closer together at address and remain relaxed. My arms and shoulders feel totally relaxed in this position. Consequently, the surgical tubing, when tied around my biceps, kept me connected and I was able to remain relaxed. The "swing link" teaching aid always felt great to me.

Dr. Mellman is relaxed in his address position. If he moves his elbows closer together, he experiences increased tension in his shoulders. He is not a good candidate for the "Swing Link" teaching aid.

The following pictures illustrate the wide range of carrying angles of students and how this angle translates to their set up. The first picture is of Bob E Smith, PGA and Champion's Tours player.

When you are able to rotate your hands and you can simulate your grip position without having to rotate or move your upper arms and you feel no shoulder tension, you have found the position of your carrying angle at address.

Notice how connected but relaxed you feel when you find your ideal position. If you have tension in your shoulders in this position, your elbows are too close together.

The greater your "carrying angle," the closer together your elbows will be at address. Remember, when your "carrying angle" is correctly set, you should be comfortably relaxed in your address position. You will also feel very "connected" in this position.

This "connection" at address will help you set the correct sequencing in your golf swing. Regardless of your swing preference (arm swing vs. body swing,) correct sequencing is critical. Your sequencing in your backswing is just the opposite of your downswing. Your shoulders, arms and hands (hands, arms and shoulders for an arm swing.) should lead the backswing followed by your hips.

In the downswing, your hips will lead followed by your shoulders, arms and hands (hands, arms and shoulders for arm swingers.) If your sequencing is correct, it becomes an automatic process. Instructors have different styles and preferences in starting the swing sequence. The relaxed biomechanics of the swing sequence occurs naturally. The brain and body work in concert if you allow them to do so. The sequencing becomes natural with relaxation. Don't try to "think" your way through the sequence.

The connection you feel at address will help start the beginning of your sequence in your back swing, especially if you are working on starting the club back in a "one piece" motion.

Dr. Mellman introduced two other potential variables of the carrying angle that we will be testing in our biomechanics lab. Picture an ice skater as they spin. As they bring their arms closer to their body, they rotate faster. It may be that as you set your carrying angle, you are more balanced and you increase the "natural speed" of internal rotation thus, increasing clubhead speed. We won't conclude this until we explore it extensively in the biomechanics lab with a Vector Launch Monitor, clubhead speed indicator, and sensors in players shoes that track balance during the swing.

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Next month I will show you the relationship between your hip and shoulder lines (parallel lines vs. crossing lines) at address and clubface aim.

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