When your arms outrun your pivot or separate from your chest in transition, low-point control disappears. The result is a handsy release that flips at the bottom and produces thin and heavy wedge shots under pressure.
Golf Digest Best Young Teacher Angello Collins uses the TrueStrike foam block to lock your elbows and rib cage into a single rotational unit so your torso drives the club through impact.
See the full step-by-step station on the The TrueStrike Ribcage Connection Drill page, or watch Angello demonstrate the setup below.
The drill
Angello Collins (Teaching Professional at Casa Linda Oaks Golf Club; 2025: Golf Digest Best Young Teachers in America, Division 1 Golfer: Wright State University, Class A: PGA Member) uses the TrueStrike impact and connection trainer to give golfers immediate physical and visual feedback on every repetition.
This exercise uses the TrueStrike by pathpal Golf to solve the problem of "arm separation." By securing the foam block between your elbows, you force your arms to sync with your rib cage rotation. This eliminates a "handsy" swing and creates a wide, powerful arc that moves as one cohesive unit.
Setup
- Place the TrueStrike foam block around your neck using the adjustable string.
- Slide the plastic stop to secure it comfortably at chest height.
- Position the block directly between your elbows.
- Squeeze your elbows lightly together to hold the block in place.
How to run the drill
- Start with small, controlled swings, this is a feel drill, not a distance contest.
- Focus on rotating your rib cage back and through while keeping the block pinned between your elbows.
- If your arms separate from your body (the "Home Run Derby" move), the block will fall or feel unstable.
- Aim to hit shots only about 60 yards, focusing entirely on the "positive feeling" of staying connected.
- Practice until the rotation of your torso and the movement of your arms feel like a single, unified motion.
If the TrueStrike block slips or feels loose between your elbows, your arms have separated from your pivot. Keep light inward pressure on the block from takeaway to finish so your chest and arms turn together.
Watch the drill
View the full guided drill on pathpal →
Why it works
Most inconsistent wedge and short-iron players suffer from arm-pivot disconnection: the chest stalls while the hands and forearms throw the clubhead at the ball. Because small muscles in the wrists fire at different speeds from swing to swing, strike location and face angle become unpredictable.
When your elbows stay connected to your rib cage, your pivot controls the low point instead of your hands.
Securing the TrueStrike block at chest height with the lanyard gives your nervous system an immediate physical cue. You feel your rib cage moving the triangle of your arms back and through as a wide, cohesive unit.
Who this is for
- ✓Golfers who struggle with handsy pitching and inconsistent wedge distance control
- ✓Players whose arms separate from their chest in the backswing or downswing
- ✓Anyone who stalls their body rotation through impact and flips their wrists
- ✓Golfers looking for a tactile connection drill they can run with 60-yard shots
Try it
Secure the TrueStrike block between your elbows with a pitching wedge or 9-iron and run a focused 60-yard connection block before hitting full shots.
- Secure the TrueStrike around your neck and pinch the foam block lightly between both elbows
- Make 10 slow rehearsal swings from waist-high to waist-high, feeling your rib cage move the club
- Hit 15 controlled shots carrying roughly 60 yards while keeping the block pinned in place
- Remove the TrueStrike and hit 5 normal wedge shots, matching the unified torso-and-arm sensation
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 pathpal Takeaway Blocker
Taught by Matt Tindale. Stop Ripping the Club Inside and Achieve a Direct Takeaway Path. View drill →
TrueStrike Pitching Connection Drill
Taught by Brent Witcher. Stop Being "Handsy" and Master Your Pitching Rotation. View drill →
The TrueStrike & pathpal Low-Handle/Early Extension Fix
Taught by Jacob Tilton. Eliminate Early Extension and Hosel Hits While Maintaining a Low Finish. View drill →
About Angello Collins
Frequently asked questions
What does the TrueStrike Ribcage Connection Drill fix?
It fixes arm separation and handsy wrist action by keeping your elbows synced with your rib cage rotation throughout the swing.
How tight should I squeeze the TrueStrike block between my elbows?
Use light, steady inward pressure just strong enough to hold the foam block securely without creating excess tension in your shoulders or forearms.
How far should I hit the ball during this drill?
Angello Collins recommends hitting controlled shots that carry roughly 60 yards so you can focus completely on torso rotation and connection rather than raw speed.
What happens if my arms disconnect during the swing?
If your arms separate into a disconnected swing, the foam block will immediately shift or loosen between your elbows, giving you instant feedback.
Can I practice the Ribcage Connection Drill indoors?
Yes. Because it starts with compact, controlled swings and uses the lightweight TrueStrike foam block, it works well in an indoor simulator bay, garage mat, or living room.
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