When your torso stops rotating through impact and your arms try to steer the golf ball on their own, two things happen: your lead elbow pulls apart into a 'chicken wing' through the hitting zone, and your strike point wanders all over the clubface.
LPGA Coach of the Year Stef Ferguson places the pathpal TrueStrike foam trainer between the forearms just below the elbows to sync your arms with your chest rotation all the way to a balanced, full finish.
See the full step-by-step station on the The truestrike Forearm Connection Drill page, or watch Stef demonstrate the setup below.
The drill
Stef Ferguson (Lead Instructor at Commonground Golf Course; 2024: LPGA Coach of the Year, 2026: LPGA Top 50 Best Teachers, 2021-2024: Golf Digest Best Young Teachers) uses the TrueStrike impact and connection trainer to give golfers immediate physical and visual feedback on every repetition.
Eliminate disconnected, "arm-sy" swings with this simple connection drill. By placing the pathpal TrueStrike impact trainer between your forearms, you'll immediately sync your upper body and arms, forcing you to rotate your chest fully through the shot to a complete finish.
Setup
- Separate your pathpal system to utilize the TrueStrike impact trainer component.
- Place the TrueStrike trainer securely between your forearms, just below the elbows.
- Apply light inward pressure with both arms to hold the trainer comfortably in place.
- Address the ball (or prepare for a practice swing) maintaining this initial forearm compression.
How to run the drill
- Take a normal stance and feel the connection between your arms and your chest.
- Begin making swings while focusing entirely on keeping the TrueStrike held securely between your forearms.
- Focus heavily on rotating your body all the way through the shot, allowing your chest to turn fully toward the target.
- Finish your swing in a balanced position with your chest facing the target, keeping the trainer in place until the club stops.
Keep the TrueStrike compressed between your forearms until the club stops at the finish, and your chest is forced to turn all the way to face the target.
Watch the drill
View the full guided drill on pathpal →
Why it works
A 'chicken wing' (where the lead elbow bends and separates away from the trail arm after impact) is almost always caused by a stalled chest turn. When the rib cage stops rotating, the arms have nowhere to go except to fold up and pull across the body.
Keep the TrueStrike pinned between your forearms from setup to finish, and the chicken wing cannot happen.
By placing the TrueStrike impact trainer between the forearms just below the elbows with light inward pressure, Stef Ferguson locks the forearm triangle together. To move the club through impact without dropping the foam block, you must rotate your chest completely toward the target.
Who this is for
- ✓Golfers who struggle with disconnected, 'arm-sy' swings and inconsistent contact
- ✓Players whose lead elbow breaks down into a 'chicken wing' through impact
- ✓Anyone whose chest rotation stalls through the ball, causing thin or weak strikes
- ✓Golfers who want a comfortable, soft foam connection trainer for irons and wedges
Try it
Place the TrueStrike foam trainer securely between your forearms just below the elbows, apply light inward pressure, and grab a short or mid-iron.
- Tuck the TrueStrike trainer between your forearms just below the elbows with light inward pressure
- Make 10 practice swings focusing on turning your chest all the way through to face the target at the finish
- Hit 15 controlled iron shots keeping the TrueStrike held securely between your forearms until the club comes to rest
- Remove the TrueStrike and hit 5 full shots, maintaining the same connected chest-and-arm finish
This drill uses the TrueStrike trainer from the pathpal training system. Shop the TrueStrike or explore the Complete Training System to get everything you need in one kit with Free U.S. Shipping.
Related drills
If this drill matches what you are working on, these three guided drills build on the exact same movement pattern:
The Vertical Swing Plane Drill
Taught by Tim Cooke. Cure the "Stuck" Downswing and Flush Your Irons. View drill →
The Ascending Path Driver Drill
Taught by Joe Stago. Alleviate Your Slice and Launch It High with an Upward Angle of Attack. View drill →
The Steep Attack Short Game Drill
Taught by Joe Stago. Stop Bottoming Out Early and Master Crisp, Compressed Wedges. View drill →
About Stef Ferguson
Frequently asked questions
Where do I place the TrueStrike for Stef Ferguson's Forearm Connection Drill?
Place the TrueStrike foam trainer directly between your forearms just below the elbows and apply light inward pressure with both arms at address.
How does this drill cure the 'chicken wing' swing fault?
A chicken wing happens when the lead elbow separates from the trail arm and pulls apart through impact; holding the TrueStrike between your forearms keeps both arms connected while forcing your chest to rotate open.
How long should I keep the TrueStrike between my forearms during the swing?
Keep the trainer held securely between your forearms from setup through impact and all the way until your chest faces the target in a balanced finish.
Can I hit full-speed driver shots with the TrueStrike between my forearms?
This drill works best with wedges, short irons, and controlled three-quarter mid-iron swings where you are training arm-to-body sync and impact structure.
Why is the TrueStrike comfortable for forearm connection work?
Unlike hard plastic balls or rigid straps that dig into your arms, the TrueStrike is made of soft, lightweight high-density foam that conforms comfortably to your forearms.
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