elbow question

[12 piece bucket]

Hello,

Please can someone explain " fanning " the right elbow during the takeaway or backswing. I think I lose distance bacause I may not be doing this correctly. Since I'm yellow book phobic could someone be kind enough to explain this in layman's terms omitting the (4-b-3 ect.) references.

Thanks in advance.

Hold your left arm out from your shoulder parallel to the ground. Take your right palm to your left palm . . . leave your left arm in place . . . clap. That's it.