Relative to clubhead only, for simplicity I used to label a hitting platform as ‘bringing it’ and a swinging platform as ‘sending it’. The former I now consider ‘carrying it’.
I find the anatomical ‘carry angle’ a good way for correcting difficulties some have with proper clearance on the down stroke during the critical downswing juncture- the trail elbow-trail hip clearance window on the way down.
Started looking into this after seeing something in an old Masters video and had fun exploring how nature’s design carries a brilliant way of protecting ourselves when carrying a load.
See for yourself: stand erect in the fundamental anatomical position with arms hanging down naturally. Next, fully rotate both forearms externally so your palms face forward and notice how doing so creates the carry angle between the humerus and forearm.
The carry angle is set from the get-go, and maintained, until the snap of the wrists. Carry on…
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Great post I’m a Wright Balance professional and we also use “ Carrying Angle” in our teaching platform. A players carrying angle is directly linked to their stance width and balance point. It’s all part of our set up instruction getting the client to understand how important it is to have certain aspects in very good positions before they even take the club back. And carrying angle is one of the huge ones. When I go through the test with clients and we find their optimum stance width for balance then all of the other checkpoints are easy for them to adapt to because they are blown away to find out how important it is to have your feet set in your optimal core balance point. And there is a carrying angle that will match up with it.
When they ask questions I let them know this is science not guesswork and one of the reasons why methods only work for 33% of golfers worldwide sometimes . So we have to first find their optimum balance stance width which translates over to power and speed then we can match up grip, downswing patterns and carrying angles and they will gravitate to what ground force is natural for their tendencies and protocols.
There is a reason why the hall of fame is full of all sorts of players, these are the players that had the courage to swing their own swing and not be forced into gingerbread cookie cutter modes of swings which will fail for 75% of people regardless of how diligent they are. They are going against what is natural for them. Another reason why as a professional coach I am always focused on the client that is standing in front of me. Not some concept I vision the player turning into.
Again great topic of discussion and one that I am extremely passionate about.
Cheers
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I’m shocked that this post is not getting more interest, carrying angle is proven scientifically and anatomically. It actually goes back to 1865 medicine. It was a measure of forearm health. It is a sleeping giant in golf instruction and once a player is guided to the benefit they always say “ why has none of my other coaches ever told me about how important this is “ and I always reply you can’t teach what you don’t know about or ignore. I pulled out all my notes and research from carrying angle after seeing your post and went through all of it like a refresher course.
Cheers
Putting thoughts and ideas on the ABS message board not only helps my own clarity but may provide, or at least offer, companion reading time for those interested during that morning slurp of coffee whether that interest number be few or many, because when using forearm rotation any movement in that regard will engage that anatomical certainty unless we counter it in some fashion like Abe Mitchell did, but even then a few degrees of reaction will sneak in, so we may as well be aware of what we’re dealing with.
I take hold of a club at eye level directly in front of me as it hooks the arms up better. However, here’s a Masters screen grab showing a player placing his trail hand on the instrument while accommodating the anatomical carry angle at the same time- offset from directly in front of him and lower to ground. Coincidence? Speaking of coffee…it’s time. 
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Not a coincidence at all, many players stumbled onto the importance of the carrying angle and never veered away from it even if they could not explain it they knew it was important. It’s another one of those very important factors that is cloaked in the set up.
Side note I really like the way you set it as in this photo it just makes tons of sense.
Cheers
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Here’s the video, time stamped to where and how this player established a hold upon the club.
Not sure if he was demonstrating something else to someone in front of him but it certainly seems like knowledgeable compliance to a carry angle and/or knowing that dynamic needs to be addressed for its appearance within the downswing thus keeping the elbow in check.
Just in time for the Masters.
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Spot on I have DR Wright on speed dial and he always responds immediately anytime I have a question for him. I just pulled out the ebook on carrying angle early this week and was going over my notes again.
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