Right Arm Injury: How It Affects Ball Position and Swing

by Monty
(Virginia)

I am retired now, but have always and still do love to play golf. I have rounds and periods of consistent ball striking as well as poor ball striking.

In my early years (20's) I played professional baseball as a pitcher. After my second year, I had right elbow surgery and then pitched for five more years. I came away from baseball with a right arm that can not be straightened. In fact, from elbow to wrist, this part of my arm is basically at a 45 degree angle to the upper arm. Needless to say, I have struggled with consistency over the last 6+ years that I have been retired and playing more and more golf.

Prior to my retirement, I was, at best, a "weekend warrior" for the most part and only on Saturday usually. So, with the 45 degree angle to my right arm, are there specific tips/adjustments that I should make to my ball position for all shots and in general my backswing and downswing?

I tend now to shoot in the 80's but have had scores between 76 and 83. I believe I can better my score and handicap (currently 16) if maybe I finally come to grips with my crooked right arm and how it relates to best playing this wonderful game.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and hopefully you will offer me your best tips/instruction for playing with such a right arm.