[Jeff]

I will describe my preferences in performing the "right forearm takeaway" for golfers who may be interested in my opinion.

I prefer Stuart Appleby's "right forearm takeaway" action.

See this swing video

Here are capture images from that swing video.



There are three biomechanical motions that are of major relevance in dictating the path of the right forearm takeaway.

1) The path of rotation of the right shoulder socket in space.

2) The path of external rotation of the right humerus in the right shoulder socket (while the right shoulder socket is in motion).

3) The amount of right elbow bending per unit time.

Starting with 1) - The path of rotation of the right shoulder socket in space.

If the golfer keeps the degree of waist/hip bend constant and keeps the degree of knee flex constant, then the spine (which has a small degree of rightwards spinal tilt at address) will automatically have a defined position/path that will dictate the movement of the right shoulder in space - presuming that the upper torso rotates naturally/perpendicularly around the spine. Note that Stuart's shoulders move near-horizontally in the backswing.

Now, consider the second factor - 2) The path of external rotation of the right humerus in the right shoulder socket (while the right shoulder socket is in motion).

If a golfer allow the right humerus to externally rotate in the right shoulder joint (while the right shoulder socket is in motion) without lifting the right arm up (abducting the arm) then the right elbow will follow a defined path in space - note that Stuart's right elbow remains very close to the elbow plane (white line) throughout the entire backswing.

Now, consider the third factor - 3) The amount of right elbow bending per unit time.

The amount of right elbow bending per unit time is dependent on the requirement to keep the clubshaft on-plane throughout the backswing. If one uses a Smartstick, then it becomes automatic how much one bends the right elbow per unit time, because one is monitoring the laser light's path.

Regarding the initial takeaway movement - I favor Stuart Appleby's approach.



Note the movement of the right forearm (blue line) in space during the takeaway. It's three-dimensional movement occurs automatically/naturally due to three movements that are occurring simultaneously - i) external rotation of the right humerus without any abduction of the right humerus; ii) rotation of the shoulders around the spine and iii) a slight increase in the degree of right elbow bend.

I believe the "right forearm takeaway" motion should be natural - and follow the same path that a tennis player (or table tennis player) will move the right upper limb when taking the racquet back in preparation to perform a forearm strike. Yoda demonstrates this natural motion in his Alignment Golf video - using a racquet.

Jeff.