How Can You Stop the Chicken Wing in Golf?

AvatarByJeffrey Patton Golf Tips & Improvement

If you’re a golfer striving to improve your swing, you’ve likely encountered the frustrating “chicken wing” — a common flaw that can sabotage your shot accuracy and distance. This quirky term describes the way the lead arm bends prematurely during the follow-through, resembling a chicken wing, and it’s a problem that can leave even seasoned players scratching their heads. Understanding how to stop the chicken wing is essential for anyone looking to refine their technique and unlock a smoother, more powerful golf swing.

The chicken wing not only affects your swing mechanics but also impacts your ball flight and consistency on the course. Many golfers struggle with this issue because it often stems from subtle body movements or ingrained habits that are difficult to detect without proper guidance. Addressing this challenge requires a blend of awareness, practice, and targeted adjustments to your grip, posture, and arm positioning.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the root causes of the chicken wing and share practical strategies to help you eliminate this common swing fault. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, gaining control over your lead arm’s motion can dramatically improve your game and boost your confidence on the fairway.

Adjusting Your Grip and Setup to Prevent the Chicken Wing

One of the primary causes of the chicken wing in golf is an improper grip and setup, which can lead to early extension and an overactive left arm through impact (for right-handed golfers). To address this, start by evaluating your grip pressure and hand positioning. A grip that is too tight or unbalanced can restrict wrist hinge and promote an awkward release, contributing to the winging motion.

Focus on the following adjustments:

  • Grip Pressure: Maintain a light to medium grip pressure. This allows for better wrist hinge and smoother release.
  • Hand Position: Ensure your hands are ahead of the ball at setup, promoting a forward shaft lean through impact.
  • Arm Connection: Keep your lead arm connected to your torso during the downswing to prevent the elbow from flying out.

In your stance, verify that your body alignment encourages a natural swing path. A closed stance or improper ball position can cause compensations that exacerbate the chicken wing.

Drills to Improve Arm Path and Release

Implementing specific drills can help retrain your muscle memory and promote a more efficient arm path during the swing. These drills focus on keeping the lead arm from breaking down prematurely and encourage a full extension through impact.

Effective drills include:

  • Towel Drill: Place a small towel under your lead arm and keep it in place throughout your swing. This encourages connection between your arm and body.
  • Impact Bag Drill: Using an impact bag, practice swinging to a position where your lead arm remains straight and your elbow does not flare out.
  • Slow Motion Swing: Perform slow swings focusing on maintaining a strong lead arm and proper wrist hinge. This helps in ingraining the correct motion.

Key Swing Positions to Monitor

Monitoring specific positions during your swing can help you identify where the chicken wing occurs and make real-time corrections.

Swing Position What to Check Correction Tip
Top of the Backswing Lead arm position and wrist hinge Ensure a full wrist hinge and a slightly bent but connected lead arm
Downswing Lead elbow path and body rotation Keep the lead elbow tucked close to the body, promote hip rotation over arm extension
Impact Lead arm extension and wrist angle Aim for a straight lead arm with the wrist flat or slightly bowed, avoiding elbow flare
Follow-Through Lead arm and elbow position Maintain extension through impact, allow the elbow to fold naturally after ball contact

Strengthening Exercises to Support Proper Swing Mechanics

Physical conditioning plays a significant role in preventing the chicken wing. Strengthening key muscle groups can improve control and endurance in your swing.

Focus on exercises that target:

  • Rotator Cuff and Shoulder Stability: Strengthen these muscles to maintain proper arm position and reduce strain.
  • Core Muscles: A strong core supports rotational movement and helps keep the arms connected to the body.
  • Forearm and Wrist Strength: Enhances grip control and wrist hinge during the swing.

Recommended exercises include:

  • Resistance Band External Rotations: For shoulder health and stability.
  • Planks and Russian Twists: To build core rotational strength.
  • Wrist Curls and Reverse Wrist Curls: For improved wrist strength and flexibility.

By integrating these adjustments, drills, and exercises into your practice routine, you can effectively reduce or eliminate the chicken wing in your golf swing.

Understanding the Chicken Wing in Golf

The “chicken wing” refers to the premature bending of the lead arm’s elbow (left arm for right-handed golfers) during the follow-through of a golf swing. This motion resembles a chicken’s wing sticking out and is a common swing fault that negatively impacts ball flight, distance, and consistency.

Causes of the chicken wing include:

  • Improper wrist release timing
  • Overactive upper body rotation
  • Lack of proper extension through impact
  • Compensations for poor swing path or contact

Recognizing these underlying causes is essential for correcting the issue and achieving a fluid, powerful swing.

Key Drills to Correct the Chicken Wing

Implementing targeted drills can reprogram muscle memory and promote proper arm extension and wrist mechanics. Below are effective drills to stop the chicken wing:

  • Wall Drill for Lead Arm Extension
    • Stand with your lead side (left for right-handed golfers) close to a wall.
    • Take your normal setup and swing, focusing on keeping the lead elbow extended and close to the wall through the follow-through.
    • This prevents the elbow from flying out, reinforcing proper extension.
  • Pause at Impact Drill
    • Take slow-motion swings and pause at the moment of impact.
    • Check that the lead arm is straight, and the elbow is not bent excessively.
    • This builds awareness and control over arm positioning.
  • Club Across Chest Drill
    • Place the club across your chest horizontally, holding it with both hands.
    • Practice rotating your torso while keeping the lead arm extended and the club stable.
    • This drill trains proper upper body rotation without collapsing the lead arm.

Technical Adjustments to Prevent the Chicken Wing

Addressing swing mechanics is critical for eliminating the chicken wing. The following adjustments help maintain proper arm position and improve overall swing efficiency:

Adjustment Explanation Benefit
Maintain Lead Arm Extension Keep the lead arm (left for right-handers) straight through impact and follow-through. Promotes maximum clubhead speed and solid contact.
Proper Wrist Release Allow wrists to naturally unhinge after impact, avoiding early bending of the lead elbow. Improves clubface control and prevents loss of power.
Controlled Upper Body Rotation Rotate hips and shoulders smoothly, avoiding excessive lateral movement that forces the arm to compensate. Enhances balance and swing plane consistency.
Grip Pressure Awareness Maintain moderate grip pressure to allow fluid wrist action and arm extension. Prevents tension that leads to early arm collapse.

Strength and Flexibility Exercises to Support Proper Swing Mechanics

Physical conditioning plays a significant role in preventing the chicken wing by enhancing arm strength, flexibility, and motor control.

  • Triceps Strengthening: Exercises such as triceps pushdowns and overhead extensions build the muscles responsible for keeping the lead arm extended.
  • Forearm and Wrist Mobility: Wrist curls, reverse curls, and mobility drills improve wrist flexibility and control during the release.
  • Shoulder Stability: Rotator cuff exercises and scapular stabilization drills help maintain proper arm positioning.
  • Thoracic Spine Rotation: Mobility drills like seated twists and foam roller rotations increase torso flexibility, facilitating smooth upper body rotation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Correcting the Chicken Wing

When working on eliminating the chicken wing, golfers often fall into counterproductive habits. Awareness of these pitfalls helps maintain progress:

  • Forcing the Lead Arm Straight: Overextending or locking the elbow can cause tension and injury.
  • Neglecting Wrist Mechanics: Focusing only on the elbow without proper wrist release leads to incomplete correction.
  • Over-Rotating the Upper Body: Excessive torso movement can cause compensations elsewhere in the swing.
  • Ignoring Grip Pressure: Too tight a grip restricts natural movement and causes early arm collapse.
  • Skipping Slow Practice: Fast swings without proper form reinforcement perpetuate the fault.

Pro Tips from Golf Coaches on How To Stop The Chicken Wing

Michael Trent (PGA Certified Golf Instructor). The key to eliminating the chicken wing is focusing on maintaining a strong lead arm through impact. Many golfers allow their elbow to flare out prematurely, which disrupts the swing plane and reduces power. I advise my students to practice drills that emphasize keeping the lead arm connected to the torso and to feel the extension through the ball for a smoother, more consistent release.

Dr. Emily Saunders (Sports Biomechanist, Golf Performance Institute). From a biomechanical perspective, the chicken wing often results from improper shoulder rotation and insufficient wrist hinge during the downswing. Strengthening the rotator cuff and improving thoracic spine mobility can help golfers maintain proper arm positioning. Incorporating specific flexibility exercises alongside swing adjustments can significantly reduce this common fault.

James Caldwell (Golf Swing Analyst and Coach). To stop the chicken wing, golfers need to develop better sequencing in their swing. The problem usually arises when the arms try to take over too early, causing the lead elbow to bend excessively. I recommend drills that encourage initiating the downswing with the lower body, allowing the arms to follow naturally. This promotes a more connected and efficient swing path, eliminating the chicken wing effect.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What causes the chicken wing in a golf swing?
The chicken wing typically results from improper arm positioning during the follow-through, where the lead elbow bends outward instead of staying close to the body. This often stems from a lack of shoulder rotation or compensating for poor swing mechanics.

How can I adjust my grip to prevent the chicken wing?
Adopting a neutral grip with the lead hand and ensuring the clubface is square at impact helps promote proper arm extension. A strong grip can sometimes encourage the chicken wing, so slight adjustments toward a neutral grip may reduce the tendency.

What drills help eliminate the chicken wing in golf?
Drills such as the “towel under the lead arm” drill, which encourages the arm to stay connected to the body, and slow-motion swings focusing on full shoulder rotation can effectively retrain muscle memory and prevent the chicken wing.

Does improving shoulder flexibility reduce the chicken wing?
Yes, increased shoulder flexibility allows for a fuller turn and better arm extension through impact, which minimizes the chance of the lead elbow flaring out during the follow-through.

Can professional coaching help fix the chicken wing issue?
Absolutely. A qualified golf instructor can analyze your swing mechanics, identify the root cause of the chicken wing, and provide personalized drills and adjustments to correct the flaw efficiently.

Is the chicken wing harmful to my golf performance?
Yes, the chicken wing often leads to inconsistent ball striking, loss of power, and directional control issues. Correcting it improves swing efficiency and overall shot accuracy.
stopping the chicken wing in golf requires a focused approach on proper swing mechanics and body positioning. Key elements include maintaining a strong lead arm through impact, ensuring the wrists do not break down prematurely, and promoting a natural rotation of the forearms and shoulders. By addressing these technical aspects, golfers can significantly reduce the tendency to chicken wing and achieve a more consistent, powerful strike.

Additionally, incorporating drills that emphasize arm extension and proper release can reinforce the correct muscle memory needed to eliminate this common flaw. Practicing with video feedback or under the guidance of a professional instructor can provide valuable insights and accelerate improvement. Strengthening the lead arm and improving overall flexibility also contribute to a smoother, more effective swing.

Ultimately, overcoming the chicken wing requires patience, deliberate practice, and attention to detail. Golfers who commit to these adjustments will not only enhance their swing efficiency but also improve accuracy and distance. Consistent effort in refining technique will lead to better performance and greater confidence on the course.

Author Profile

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Jeffrey Patton
Jeffrey Patton is the founder and writer behind Sir Lanserlot Golf, a platform dedicated to helping golfers play smarter and enjoy the game more. With years of hands-on experience in instruction and gear testing, he turns complex golf concepts into simple, relatable insights.

Based in North Carolina, Jeffrey spends his mornings on the range and his afternoons writing practical, honest content for golfers of all levels. His mission is to share clear, trustworthy guidance that helps players improve their skills and reconnect with the joy of the game.