golf elbow!

Question
I have had what seems to be golf elbow (as much as I can tell from reading
internet columns).  I have had this 9 months and i can play with a good warm
up.  jarring hurts.  I think that I am afraid to go after the ball and
consequently hit a lot of thin shots.  i do better on a mat than on a course.  I
shoot about 90 now.  I could shoot a lot better with no topping and few thin
shots.  my mechanics are ok (I have taken lessons recently).  I am 66, 5'9",
185 pounds in good health.  question: how do I get rid of this???  thanks,
gene

Answer
Hello Gene:  I'm sorry to hear of your problem and although it would be nice to see your swing to confirm what I believe, I can only proceed based on what is usually the cause.

I believe you're making contact with the ball with your arm slightly bent.  You are probably out in front of it at impact as well.  Because of this, the elbow absorbs the majority of the force of impact.  I would guess your swings are apt to feel rushed and handsy.

This all is caused by being out of position at address.  You're probably standing too close to the ball and too upright.  This results in your being either flat-footed or sitting back on your heels.  This being the case, your lack of good balance is preventing a proper weight shift and because you're not shifting in the back swing, your weight gets ahead of all else in the forward swing, leaving your arms and hands to do most of the work.

If you're crowding the ball you'll instinctively pull up at impact by bending your arms.  All the above sets you up to take the force of impact in your elbows.

Here's the setup that's conducive to a pain-free swing:
1.  Bend from the hips to reach the ball (enough so the shoulders plum about 2 inches infront of the toes;
2.  Barely unlock your knees;
3.  Put the ball far enough away to allow the arms to hang
   from the shoulders, and
4.  Position your weight on the balls of the feet.

This position will allow you to shift your weight in the back swing.  By doing so, the bigger muscles of your legs and back will help absorb the force of impact.  Because you're no longer crowding the ball, you'll have better arm extension at impact which takes pressure off the elbows.

At impact the ideal swing has the player's arms fully extended past the ball and opposite his sternum.  This requires optimum balance in order to happen while poor balance insures that it won't.

I do hope I've not been too vague in my response.  To see more about this, visit www.golfnutts.com and read about balance, the divot and other related topics.

Fairways and Greens,

John