The Throwing Fix: Unlocking Better Trail Arm Mechanics in Your Golf Swing

At Dennis Sales Golf Academy, we believe better golf starts with better movement and sometimes, the key to unlocking that movement is a concept so simple, it gets overlooked. In this case, that concept is the act of throwing.

Recently, we worked with a student to improve trail arm mechanics, a major component of efficient, athletic movement in the golf swing. What made the difference wasn’t a fancy piece of equipment (though we used a classic momentum training aid). It was about creating the right feel, using a relatable task.

Why Trail Arm Mechanics Matter

Your trail arm plays a huge role in how your body loads, rotates, and delivers the club. When the trail shoulder is not properly positioned, especially at what we call Position 3 (P3), it disrupts sequencing, weakens structure, and leads to poor ball contact.

But many golfers don’t know how to feel that correct trail arm movement. That’s where throwing comes in.

The Throwing Drill

We used an old-school training aid to mimic the throwing motion and connect the dots for the student. But if you don’t have that tool, don’t worry.

Here’s what you can do right now: Start throwing golf balls.

That’s right, just throw. The motion teaches you to externally rotate the trail shoulder naturally, sequencing the body the way it was designed to move. It’s intuitive, athletic, and most importantly, it works.

How to Check It: The Elbow Crease Test

One of the simplest ways to know you’re in the right position at P3 is to look at the crease of your trail elbow. When the shoulder is properly externally rotated, the crease should be oriented upward, a subtle yet powerful checkpoint.

Simple Coding. Clear Tasks. Better Motion.

Our goal is never to overwhelm you with mechanics. Instead, we use simple coding to help you understand what to do and why it matters. We want every drill to create a feel that transfers to your real swing. The throwing drill does exactly that.

Ready to Simplify Your Swing?

At Dennis Sales Golf Academy in Argyle, TX, we blend experience with cutting-edge training tools like GEARS Golf, TrackMan, and SAM PuttLab to build better players.

If you’re tired of guessing and want a clear plan tailored to your movement, book a New Student Assessment and discover how we train the trail arm and everything else at a deeper level.

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