The chicken wing golf swing has never really been a great look.
To be honest, when you see golfers chicken winging, it’s really difficult to even say “nice shot” or “looks great.”
Although this common flaw does not keep all players from hitting a good shot, it’s important to start to get rid of the chicken wing, as it generally means there are other problems in the swing.
To fix the chicken wing, we have to rewind a little and look at what is causing it.
What Is a Chicken Wing Golf Swing?
The chicken wing golf swing (for a right-handed player) is when you swing through the golf ball, and your left arm creates a chicken wing type motion. The arm does not rotate as it should, and it certainly falls out of position compared to the right arm.
What Causes a Chicken Wing in a Golf Swing?
Many golfers think the chicken wing in a golf swing is created after impact. The problem isn’t always where it appears. It can be caused by hip swaying, poor target movement, or arms losing their angle. It’s never explained correctly, and most professionals will shake their heads when a beginner comes to them with this left arm that will barely even move.
However, there is something to be said for keeping the left arm straight through the impact position. If your arms start to bend and get a little too loose, the chicken wing is the mistake you will see come up.
Arms through impact should stay strong and extended.
Swaying on The Backswing
Swaying in golf is never good.
To get the proper performance, you need to make a pivot, not sway. If you have difficulty rotating and shifting your weight, you may find yourself in a situation where you need to adjust the clubhead to make it square. You should pivot properly to reduce the amount of thinking required. The weight shifting is crucial as it will create power in not only the swing but also consistency in how the club is delivered.
Great players have their hips shifted more toward the target at impact. This allows golfers rotate their arms better. The hips start to rotate, creating room in the swing for the arms to rotate through as they should.
Without this weight shift and hip rotation, players can feel stuck. It’s important to determine what causes your chicken wing swing before trying to fix it. You should choose a fix that is directly linked to the cause. It is not possible to fix your swing in one shot. I would highly recommend heading to the range with the ability to video your golf swing.
Sometimes the visualization of what the chicken wing golf swing looks like prior and what it looks like after you make your changes will help you ensure these fixes stay in place the next time you hit the golf course.
1. Improve Arm Connection
One of our favorite drills that will help fix quite a few swing flaws is one that allows your left arm to stay a bit more connected. You can use this drill if you are also struggling with an over-the-top motion on the downswing.
The first part of this process is to just take your typical setup. You will then place a golf glove (or even a towel) under your left armpit for a right-handed golfer. You will need this to remain in place while you perform the drill. Make sure that you do not let the towel or glove fall out. You can use a club like the pitching wedge or 8 iron to avoid worrying about forgiveness and launch. These shots aren’t meant to be long. They are meant to teach you the importance of feeling connected and how that feels. Follow Through Only Drill
Another drill that is great for eliminating the chicken wing swing is the one that only works on the following through. You will need to push your body into the correct position by pushing it a little. You will not take a “chicken wing” golf swing if you use the follow-through only drill. This is because you can feel your arms rotating correctly until the top of the stroke. You should start to feel your muscle memory develop as you push your body in the correct position.
3. Alignment Sticks Can Help
We discussed the larger problems associated with the chicken wing swing. There are many things that can cause problems in the swing, such as swaying your arms on the backswing or not rotating them. There are some issues with your basic setup and stance which can also cause problems with your swing.
Editor’s Pick
Callaway Alignment Stix Set of 2
This set of two 48-inch sticks can be configured in multiple ways to improve your golf swing. This training aid helps teach the fundamentals of ball striking and set-up, such as alignment, ball location, and swing plane.
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Set up alignment sticks for both stance and ball position. You can set up alignment sticks to help you with both your stance and your ball position. The hip needs to rotate, not slide or bump into the alignment stick that is secured into the ground.
Alignment sticks are very versatile, and they help with a variety of swing issues. You can use an alignment tool to improve your golf swing if you are frustrated with shots that are too short or have an open face. This is definitely the case for the hip rotation drill. You will need to be able to place the alignment stick in the ground for it to be effective and create that wall of support.
Brittany Olizarowicz
Britt O has been playing golf since the age of 7. She has been playing golf since she was seven years old. She is still passionate about the game. Britt lives in Savannah, GA with her husband, and their two children. Current handicap: 1