Pitch Shot
 

With a hitting motion on a pitch shot, should the elbow go infront of the hip and would this apply to the full swing with a wedge?

There are three elbow locations, at the side (punch) deep in front (pitch) and behind the shaft (push). A hitter would use punch or push for all types of shots. A hitters motion is a driving right arm to straight through the ball so either elbow position works.
Pitch elbow is a maximum participation late release for swingers.

It can be had with the Right Forearm
 

A golfer can use the Magic of the Right Forearm (7-3) to execute any short game shot.....any right arm motion....all three hinges....cut shot, lob shot or low runner. Reduce it to the right forearm and you can minimize your thinking about technique and put your energy into making creative short game shots.

DG

I like to "Hit" shorter shots with my right elbow almost sliding up and down my ribcage. I suppose it's a Punch elbow. With a wedge, same thing. There's just more overall right forearm travel in the backstroke.

p.s. what kind of jiu-jitsu do you train?

Thanks for all of the answers everyone, it will helpa lot at my next range sesion.

Matt: I train in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I am a Purple Belt under the Machado Brothers they are first cousins to the Gracie's, we are affiliated with Rigan and Roger Machado. It takes 10-12 years to get a Black Belt in BJJ. I am half way, the hard part is over. Purple is considered the first advanced belt, I still have a long way to go.

I also have a 2nd black belt in an eclectic style of jiu-jitsu, 1st degree Black Belt in an Okinawian style Karate called Uechi-Ryu and have black belt level knowledge of Akido-never tested. Also trained in Judo,Sambo,traditional weapons and dabbled in everything Ican. I give different semianrs for self-defense for women, many areas of grappling, law enforcement, edged weapons and firearm retention.

I love jiu-jitsu and golf and one day I will be very good at both. It would be hard forme to choose one over the other. In the summer I train less and hit the links a little more.In order to help ease the pain of my loves with my wife I have found ways to make money fromboth loves.I teach jiu-jitsu and build golf clubs...so that always helps.

Do you train to or have you in the past?

I've been doing BJJ for a few months now and really enjoy it. My school is under Rickson Gracie.

Matt welcome to your new addiction!!!!! Rickson is the man. You should take a look at NHB Gear forum. There are many famous black belts who post on there and they have an expert forum where they answer questions, lots of good info on bjj there.

A short video of this would be valuable. I don't believe I have ever seen anyone demonstrate this.

The video I found helpful for figuring out what to do with the elbow appears as the 2nd video series, "The Preshot Routine". (the 2nd video of the series featuring Ted Fort). About 1/3 through this video, Ted demonstrates his piston-like preswing "waggle". As he thrusts his forearm forward, the elbow extends toward the middle of his stomach. Independently positioning my elbow farther forward is no longer required because the elbow ends up in the right position. (Maybe that is part of the magic of the right forearm?)

One might think that the time investment to hit 6,000 chips would not be fully rewarded by the modest effect on ones handicap of more accurate chipping. But the employment of my new forearm thrust in my full motion swings is the real reward. I can't believe how once I figured out the correct forearm thrust move for my chips, almost instantly my full motion hitting was dramatically improved. I am licking my chops, waiting for this golf season to begin because the more accurate and longer hitting I am doing on the range, must eventually translate to significantly lower scores.

Yep, I know what you mean, I have been working alot on PP3 with basic motion and some small acquired, and building pressure in it and found great progress filtering from chips to full swing too.

I haven't seen anyone discuss elbow positions and think it might be an interesting topic that hasn't been discussed yet, though.

If you thrust your forearm at the ball properly, while keeping your hands forward of the ball at impact, I believe the "magic of the right forearm" locates precisely the right elbow position automatically.

Not every stroke is a right forearm thrust, yet all strokes use The Magic of the Right Forearm since the right arm controls the 3 dimensions of impact.
But you have choices with elbow positions:

PUNCH, 10-3-A. That is Down and at the side of the body
PITCH, 10-3-B. That is Down and in front of the body.
Both are Swing procedures, Pitch and Snap go hand and hand. No major difference between the two except that in Pitch the elbow will lead the hands deeper into the swing for maximum trigger delay.
and
PUSH, 10-3-C. This is Up and Out. A true Pushing action with the hands between the elbow and ball. Hitting, Crossline Approach, Angle Hinge written all over this baby.

Homer said the elbow has to be somewhere. IMHO, Swingers are using PUNCH most of the time.

Why do you think that is so common? Lack of startup swivel?

No, I think most player feel comfortable setting the elbow into their side which to me is different then leading the elbow deep into the pivot with hands then clubhead lagging. I think Sweep release is more common. Not every shot is a delayed Trigger. This is how I see Pitch Elbow- deep, Maximum snap released.
It is not to say the elbow fixes itself to a spot in Punch- the body is turning and the hands are on path to deliver the clubhead.

I don't follow the start-up Swivel POV. What are your thoughts?

Pitch elbow can only be employed naturally if the elbow in question does not get behind the hip in question on the back stroke.

If the right elbow gets behind the right hip on the back swing then some form of compensation has to be made in order to get it into its pitch position before the down swing prevents it happening.

Edit: Should "pitch" ever be a term associated with hitting and, if so, why?