Sign up for our daily newsletter

Latest news, reviews, analysis and opinion, plus unmissable deals for bunkered subscriptions, events, and our commercial partners.

If you struggle with a flailing lead elbow in your swing, this drill can rescue you. The chicken wing is a common problem in the golf swing and it can certainly be a destructive one, too.

I see this move in a lot of amateur golfers, and it can be pretty damaging, especially for iron play.

When the lead arm disconnects from the body after impact and the lead elbow bends upwards towards the sky, you create a shape that looks like the wing of a chicken.

• The Gate Drill: Hole more putts with this method

Not only does this not look great, but it can cause an inconsistent strike and a huge lack of power. If it’s something you see in your swing, it’s absolutely worth trying to rectify it.

Golf swing fix: Stop the chicken wing

Doing this drill while you’re at the range can help to give a better feeling through the ball.

To encourage the lead arm to remain connected through impact, make some practice swings holding your golf club with only your lead arm. With your trail hand, hold your lead arm tight against your body.

Ailsa Murphy chicken wing drill
Use this drill for better connection in your golf swing. (Credit: bunkered)

Feel the connection and feel how much better the body rotates and moves. That’s how your body should be moving through full shots, when you have both hands back on the grip. You should feel your lead arm rotate more rather than lift post impact which will massively improve your release pattern.

Once you feel comfortable with the swing change, you can work towards making full practice swings with both hands on the club.

Eventually you will be able to practice hitting shots and hopefully with the correct swing changes and feelings, you will begin to see a more consistent strike pattern and an overall improved shot.

Ailsa Murphy is a PGA Professional at Peebles. You can book a virtual lesson with her through Skillest and follow her on TikTok.

More Reads

Image Turnberry green

The bunkered Golf Course Guide - Scotland

Now, with bunkered, you can discover the golf courses Scotland has to offer. Trust us, you will not be disappointed.

Find Courses