Can’t Compress The Ball? Your Trail Arm Is The Problem!

Name: Can’t Compress The Ball? Your Trail Arm Is The Problem!
Uploaded: 2026-03-11T19:00:59.000Z
Duration: 34 s
Channel: Kerrod Gray Golf
Description: In this guide, Kerrod Gray explains how poor trail arm positioning—specifically internal rotation where the elbow crease faces the target too long—prevents ball compression. He demonstrates a simple tactile drill using the lead hand to guide the trail elbow into external rotation. This adjustment creates more space at impact, allowing for cleaner ball-first contact and effortless power.

In this guide, Kerrod Gray explains how poor trail arm positioning—specifically internal rotation where the elbow crease faces the target too long—prevents ball compression. He demonstrates a simple tactile drill using the lead hand to guide the trail elbow into external rotation. This adjustment creates more space at impact, allowing for cleaner ball-first contact and effortless power.

Internal rotation of the trail arm (elbow crease facing target) causes the arms to pull around the body.
External rotation of the trail arm is essential for getting the club moving into the ground for compression.
The 'Waiter Tray' feel helps maintain a 90-degree angle in the trail arm during the downswing.
Using your lead hand as a physical block behind the trail elbow helps feel the correct 'roomy' impact position.

Go deeper

Waiter Tray Drill — Every coach who teaches it
Distance loss — Causes, drills and coaches for this miss
Downswing — The lesson, across every coach
Kerrod Gray Golf — Every video, sorted by what it teaches