Learning how to use your trail arm in the golf swing is the key to synchronizing your arms and body during the backswing.
Swinging the left arm across - don't do this!
Most golfers we observe take the lead arm and swing it across the body going back, in an attempt to create a swing plane.
Want to feel this in YOUR swing? Try a free AI-powered golf lesson → — GOATY gives you real-time voice coaching, pose tracking, and instant feedback on every rep.
Not only is this unnecessary, it introduces several problems of its own that do not occur when the trail side controls the movement.
The Trail Arm Drill teaches you to go back correctly by "presetting" the trail arm to the position it will be in at the top of the golf swing, then holding it there as you turn back.
This allows you to feel and understand that the rotation of your body is what transports the club back, rather than pushing it across with your arms.
Try it Yourself
Learn how to use the right arm in the golf swing with the Right Arm Drill
To perform the drill, start out in your setup position and then get a small amount of shoulder elevation with the trail arm, as we discussed in Move 2.
Elevate the trail arm slightly, then do the trail elbow flexion to put your arm into the position you want it to be in when you reach the top.
Your bicep and upper chest should be touching.
Now just pull your trail shoulder blade back to rotate your upper torso. Do not move your trail arm at all.
This is critical, because most golfers want to take the trail arm and start pushing it back away from the body.
Then instead of being in a good position at the top of the golf swing, they end up with the trail arm held out away from the body.
Simply preset the trail arm, then turn your body back without moving the trail arm at all.
There is no independent movement of the shoulder joint. Your whole torso just rotates back as a single unit.
As you start to do this correctly, you can feel how your trail arm stays in position throughout the golf swing. To see how your trail arm position and backswing compare to elite standards, try a free AI swing analysis.
The Right Arm Drill with the club
Now Try it With the Club
Once you are comfortable performing the drill with the trail side only, pick up a club and do it with both arms.
Set up your trail arm the same as before, then turn back to the top of the golf swing.
Your arms are not swinging. You are not trying to generate momentum or create a .
You are simply setting yourself at the top of the golf swing and turning back. That is all you want to do at this point.
Do not let your trail elbow end up out to the side. If you are swinging the lead arm or pushing from the lead side, that is going to create the position where the trail arm drifts way out, away from the body.
This simple drill helps you learn what it feels like for the rotation of your body to transport the arms and club back, rather than using arm movements to carry everything through the backswing.
You'll feel the lat engage
Your arms do have a role to play in the swing — the lead arm has its own function — but most golfers significantly overdo it.
Checkpoints: Trail Lat & Shoulder Blade
Focus on turning back and keeping that trail arm locked in place.
When you are performing the drill with your trail arm only, you should really feel the trail lat engage at the top of the swing.
Check that your shoulder is down and in, and that the upper bicep and chest are still touching.
That is where you want to be at the top of the swing.
If you look at the top of your swing on video and see that your trail elbow tends to drift away from your body, the Trail Arm Drill will help you develop the feeling of having the body transport the arms and club back, which will put you into a significantly better position at the top. For real-time coaching on your backswing mechanics, try a free AI golf lesson.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the trail arm influence the backswing in golf?
The trail arm plays a crucial role in synchronizing your arms and body during the backswing. By using the trail arm correctly, you avoid the common mistake of swinging the lead arm across the body, which can disrupt your swing plane. Instead, the trail arm should remain in a preset position while your body rotates, allowing for a more effective and powerful backswing.
What is the Right Arm Drill and how do I perform it?
The Right Arm Drill involves starting from your setup position, slightly elevating your trail arm, and flexing the trail elbow to set it in the correct position for the top of the swing. You then rotate your upper torso without moving the trail arm, ensuring it stays close to your body. This drill helps you understand how body rotation transports the club back, rather than relying on arm movement.
Why is it important to keep the trail arm in position during the backswing?
Keeping the trail arm in position during the backswing is essential to avoid the common error of letting it drift away from the body. This can lead to poor swing mechanics and an ineffective backswing. By locking the trail arm in place, you ensure that your body rotation is the primary driver of the swing, which enhances both consistency and power.
What should I focus on to ensure my trail arm is correctly positioned at the top of the swing?
To ensure your trail arm is correctly positioned at the top of the swing, focus on keeping your upper bicep and chest touching while rotating your torso. Your shoulder should be down and in, and you should feel your trail lat engage. By maintaining this position, you can improve your overall swing mechanics and achieve a better setup for your downswing.
Watch part 2 now to see how you're moving your body in the opposite direction of the pros!
