The Problem: Many golfers struggle with arms collapsing at impact, often leading to a “scooping” motion or a sway. This causes a loss of power, distance, and centeredness of contact.

The Towel Setup: Take a standard house or beach towel and fold it lengthwise so it is long and narrow. Place it across your chest and tuck it snugly under both armpits.

The Feedback Loop: If your arms collapse or you lose connection during the swing, the towel will drop to the ground. If you maintain proper extension and connection, the towel will stay tucked against your body.

Focus on Extension: The goal is to keep the towel secure not just at impact, but through the finish. This ensures the club travels straight down the target line rather than pulling inward.

Bonus Benefit – Tempo: Using the towel naturally encourages a smoother pace. If you have a tendency to swing too fast, this drill will help you find a better rhythm and more consistent velocity.

Practice Pro Tip: Start with a wedge and take nice, soft shots. Focus on holding your finish with the towel still in place to build the muscle memory of a connected swing.

Questions and Answers

Q: What happens to the clubface when my arms collapse?
A: When the arms collapse, the clubface becomes unstable—it can easily flip open or closed, making it nearly impossible to hit a straight, consistent shot.

Q: Will this drill help with my “chicken wing”?
A: Yes. The “chicken wing” is a form of arm collapse where the lead elbow pulls away from the body. Keeping the towel tucked forces that elbow to stay connected and extend properly toward the target.

Q: Can I hit full shots with this drill? A:
It is best to start with “soft shots” using a wedge to get the feel for the connection. Once you can consistently keep the towel in place, you can gradually increase your swing speed.