[blehnhard]

If the 1st move in the takeaway is 'turning the left hand onto the plane / bending the right wrist', the right elbow will be very close to the side in the early stages of the backswing.

If one were to use more of a shoulder turn takeaway with a lot of 'extensor action' (trying to keep the right arm straight), the right elbow would be more away from the side during the early stages of the backswing.

Neither is more incorrect or more correct than the other and should have no effect on the energy efficiency of the downswing. The elbow will move away from the side during the later stages of the backswing - how much would depend upon the backswing plane chosen for either end or top.

I prefer to have my right elbow close to my side in the early stages of the backswing (personal preference.

I have always wondered why so much of current instruction correlates the "width" of the backswing with the ability to create power on the downswing (i.e. a wide clubhead arc in the backswing will lead to more power / distance) - pure B.S. If width were the key, we would get the clubhead to go as wide a possbile on the downswing - key to throwaway.

Bruce