The swing plane affects the direction the golf ball travels when hit and the trajectory of the shot. The plane is an imaginary flat surface used to describe the path and angle on which the club swings. The golf swing consists of the backswing plane and the downswing plane, and can be on plane, upright (above the plane) or flat (below the plane).
What is the golf swing plane?
Simply stated, the golf swing plane is the angle and path your club travels as you swing back from address to the top of your backswing and then back through the ball.
What is the backswing plane?
An imaginary line from the ball to the golfer's shoulder establishes the backswing plane. In his book, Hogan describes the backswing plane as "a large pane of glass that rests on the shoulders as it inclines upward from the ball." The swing should follow the plane.
What is the best plane to swing a driver?
For most golfers, it is going to be best to swing the driver along a relatively flat plane. This is true for a number of reasons. First, you have to consider the fact that the ball is up on a tee.
What muscles are used in single plane swings?
The key component in a single plane swing is the rotation of your body and how strong it is. This entails that you are flexible with strong rotator cuffs, abdominal, and latissimus muscles.
What is the correct plane for a golf swing?
0:568:10EASY TIP FOR A PERFECT SWING PLANE - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf we took a golf club. And we moved. Towards horizontal we would say that was a flatter Club shaftMoreIf we took a golf club. And we moved. Towards horizontal we would say that was a flatter Club shaft or a flatter swing plane. If we get it towards vertical we would say that Club shaft is steeper.
How do you swing a golf club with lower back pain?
2:525:33The BEST Golf Swing for BAD Backs - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo all you need to do is allow your ankle to move freely in the backswing. As you strike the golfMoreSo all you need to do is allow your ankle to move freely in the backswing. As you strike the golf ball start to follow it to target.
What starts the back swing in golf?
5:226:54HOW TO START THE BACKSWING - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then go straight back into making your backswing. So that feeling of applying some pressure downMoreAnd then go straight back into making your backswing. So that feeling of applying some pressure down into the ground into your left foot will then cause you to then push back into your right foot.
Are backswing and downswing on same plane?
In your backswing, your club will follow one swing plane. On the downswing, a golfer will drop their hands slightly below the backswing plane, while still remaining parallel to it.
Is a single plane golf swing easier on your back?
Due to the One Mistake in the address position of the conventional golf swing, stress is placed on the back and lower spine by the upward, backward, and rotational movement of the spine.
Is it OK to play golf with lower back pain?
For the millions of people who have long-standing low back pain, golf can still be an enjoyable sport. Using the right equipment, alongside a regular routine of stretching and low-impact exercise, will go a long way in helping maintain one's ability to play golf.
What is the first move in the backswing?
0:455:57The Keys To The First Move In The Golf Swing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd body should move back to get the club in the correct place or slot as we start to initiate theMoreAnd body should move back to get the club in the correct place or slot as we start to initiate the swing.
Should you start backswing with shoulders?
The shoulders begin the backswing by turning away from the ball until the hands are at waist high. This movement is called a “one-piece takeaway” and, because the shoulders move so early in the backswing, the arms are able to remain straight without tensing up until the hands reach that waist-high position.
Do the hips start the backswing?
Initiating the backswing The first move in golf is your backswing. You don't have to move your arms or hands -- at least not first. The initial move should come with your hips. If you are right-handed, start the swing by turning your hips to the right.
Does Tiger Woods have a single plane swing?
JH: Tiger is one of the very few players I've ever seen who changes his methods between his woods and his irons. With his irons, he has an extremely beautiful One Plane swing. His body is very bent over, in fact it even drops down a great deal as he attacks down on the ball while keeping his arms tight to his body.
Did Ben Hogan use a single plane swing?
Ben Hogan and Moe Norman both start and impact on the same plane. Therefore, both are considered to be Single Plane and according to Tiger, “Only two players have ever truly owned their swings: Moe Norman and Ben Hogan”.
Who uses single plane swing?
beginner golfersThe single plane swing is used by tons of beginner golfers because it is much easier to learn than the two plane swing. Many golfers who are just starting to learn the game will be more comfortable with the single plane swing.
What is a single plane swing?
One plane swing is also known as single plane swing. Many body parts are moving during a swing. Your left arm (for right-handed golfers) and shoulder should move in unison and follow the same plane that your golf club has. The key component in a single plane swing is the rotation of your body and how strong it is.
What muscles are needed for a single plane swing?
This entails that you are flexible with strong rotator cuffs, abdominal, and latissimus muscles. Having such strong muscles will help you unwind with ease to drive more power on your downswing. 2.
What happens if you don't hinge your golf swing?
If you do not hinge it correctly and at the right time, then your swing will be off plane. You should pay attention to how your hips sway and how your shoulder tilts and bends during your swing. Aside from mastering how your body should turn, you should also set and maintain your spine angle throughout your golf swing.
How to improve your golf swing?
Find out your ideal swing plane based on your body type, more particularly, by the length of your arms. Do the drills to improve your golf swing. Use training aids to speed up the process of learning how to swing correctly.
How to get back to the first plane on a downswing?
You can do this by focusing on your body rotation as the main driving force behind hitting the ball instead of your hands or arms. Hinge your wrists properly to create motion.
How to hit a golf club with a 45 degree angle?
STEP 1: Position the shaft of your driver at a 45 degree angle relative to the ground during address . STEP 2: Swing your club to the right until your left arm is across your chest and the shaft is parallel to the ground, more specifically, the target line .
What is the ideal plane?
Your ideal plane is the one that best complements how your body is built. By simply focusing on the length of your arms, you can know the ideal plane that you should use.
How to improve your golf swing plane?
Your spine angle at set-up determines your swing plane. Having more bend in your posture encourages a flatter, one-plane swing while standing taller encourages a more upright two-plane swing. Regardless of what type of swing you choose, you should practice the set-up until it becomes second nature. If you adjust your set-up to help produce a different swing plane it can potentially throw off your alignment, so practicing it becomes that much more important. Maintaining your spine angle throughout your swing is critical, and rehearsing it to develop the muscle memory to execute consistently on the golf course is essential. An important aspect of a proper golf swing plane is maintaining your spine tilt as you rotate, which means your arms and torso need to be strongly connected for a one plane swing, and well synchronized for a two plane swing. Seeking the help of a professional instructor or using a golf plane aid like the Swing Align are great ways to understand and improve your swing plane.
What is a one plane swing?
What is a one-plane golf swing? The one-plane swing is flatter and works around your body and your lead arm remains on the same plane as your shoulders at the top. Strong rotation from your shoulders, chest and hips, and maintaining your posture are the keys to a one-plane swing.
Why is Swing Plane Important?
The below points highlights why finding the right technique and improving your swing plane is so important to becoming a better, more consistent ball striker - the goal of most golfers!
What is the spine angle of a golf swing?
The set-up for a one plane swing generally has more spine angle with the golfer being bent over around 35 degrees with even weight distribution on each foot. During the backswing your shoulders turn on a steeper angle than your hips because you are bent over more.
Why do people use one plane swings?
Both one plane and two plane swings can create power and accuracy. In general, the one plane swing is good for players that have strong flexibility and recoil. A two plane swing is good for players that may not be as flexible but have timing and rhythm. Many top modern golfers have migrated towards one plane swings due to their specialized golf strength and flexibility. Many top instructors advocate for a one plane motion as being able to produce more consistent distance and accuracy.
How to do a golf downswing?
A good drill is to put a driver on the ground outside of the ball and perpendicular to your target line and imagine your shoulders pointing inside the head of the driver. To start the downswing rotate your hips and torso with your arms following in a more passive role. Remember the downswing plane is the same as the backswing plane so just return the club the way you brought it back paying particular attention to keep your spine and shoulders on the same tilted plane. At the finish your trail shoulder has rotated through and is pointed at the target and your arms and hands have rotated around to be above your lead shoulder.
What does it mean when your swing plane is bigger?
A larger angle between your swing plane and the ground indicates a steeper swing plane which is typical of a two plane swing where the arms swing up onto a steeper plane at the top. The golf swing moves both up and around. The less it moves up, and the more it moves around, the flatter your swing plane. If your arms swing around and stay on the ...
What is a golf swing plane?
The plane is an imaginary flat surface used to describe the path and angle on which the club swings. The golf swing consists of the backswing plane and the downswing plane, and can be on plane, upright (above the plane) or flat (below the plane). Former PGA Tour professional Ben Hogan popularized the swing plane in his 1957 book "Five Lessons;
What happens if a golf club is on a plane in the downswing?
If the club is on plane in the downswing, the club will travel straight down the target line. The result will be a straight shot--if the clubface is square, or facing the target at impact.
Why is a flatter swing better?
The flatter swing has a better chance of staying connected, making it easier to time the swing. It also causes the ball to come off the clubface on a lower trajectory with a tendency to draw, if the clubface is square to the target.
What is the pattern of a golf swing?
The golf swing follows a circular pattern, or arc.
Does the length of a golf club affect the angle of the shaft?
The length of the golfer's arms, legs and torso affect his posture; the length of the club affects the angle of the shaft at address. A 5-foot-2 golfer holds a 40-inch-long club at more of an angle (flatter) than a 6-foot-2 golfer; therefore, a shorter golfer will tend to have a flatter on-plane swing than a taller golfer. If that same 5-foot-2 golfer swings the club below that plane, his swing is flat in relation to the plane.
What plane do you swing on in Hogan?
For Hogan, the correct plane depended on the player’s height. Tall players swing on a steeper or “more upright” plane; short players swing on a shallower or “flatter” plane.
What happens when you swing a golf club?
When you swing a golf club, it makes a circle around you.
Is the downswing plane flatter than the backswing plane?
This downswing plane was always a little flatter than the backswing plane. This “two plane swing” concept dominated golf for many years, and many teachers still teach it.
What is the swing plane of a golf club?
Swing plane is the angle the club is swung round the golfer’s body during the swing. The overall plane is dictated by the stature of the golfer – whether they are tall or short will influence either a flat or upright plane. But once a golfer is standing to the ball the success of being able to swing the club onto the most effective plane lies in the amount of rotation in the left forearm during the backswing.
What happens when you swing a golf club on the correct plane?
Once the club has been swung onto the correct plane the arms drive up on that line to the top of the backswing while the shoulders complete their turn.
What is the secret to a good golf swing?
The secret of good golf lies in building a swing that is easy to repeat – a swing that can be relied on when needing a straight shot. Most golfers who struggle to hit the ball well have a swing that changes line from the backswing to downswing which needs great timing to control. The secret to a perfect swing with good technique is one which travels up and down nearly on the same line or plane.
What happens when you sweep your arms inside the swing?
However, if the arms continue to sweep inside the swing will end up impossibly flat. At some time during the backswing the arms have to be swung onto a new plane, and the muscle group responsible for finding the new plane are in the left arm.
How far should the left fore arm rotate?
Although slightly different for tall and short golfers the left fore arm should rotate approximately 45 degrees before the club reaches half way back.
Where would a bullet hit a golfer?
If carried out correctly the body of the golfer will not have moved but if a bullet was shot out of the shaft of the club it would hit the golfer at the top of the left thigh.
Why use a flat plane for golf?
Another benefit to using a flat swing plane with your driver is the increased swing length you can achieve by taking this path. It is hard to make a long backswing when you pick the club up high over your head. When rotating along a flatter plane, however, you should be able to wrap the shaft of the driver well around your back before changing directions and heading down toward the ball. This longer swing length will give you more time to accelerate into impact, leading to improved distance overall.
How to flatten out your golf swing?
Upright posture. This point might seem counterintuitive, but you can actually flatten out your swing plane by standing up into a relatively upright posture. This part of your stance influences your plane because of the involvement of your shoulders in the swing. If you are bent significantly from the waist, your shoulders will form a steep plane and the club will naturally follow that path. On the other hand, if you stand up straight with plenty of flex in your knees to support the swing, you will make a flatter turn and the club will wind up behind your back. If you are unsure of how your posture looks currently, find a full-length mirror and stand in front of the mirror in your golf stance. With just a quick look at the mirror, you will have a great understanding for how your stance looks currently and what you need to do to get into a better position.
What is the best way to swing a golf driver?
Swinging your driver on a flat plane is almost certain to be the best option for your game. Not only is this type of swing highly repeatable, it also offers a number of ball flight advantages – such as the ability to reduce the backspin on your drives. If you are currently swinging on an upright plane, get to work on flattening out your swing during your next practice session. Once your swing has been flattened, you should begin to see benefits in the way the ball leaves your club out on the course. It may take a bit of time and effort to get from here to there, but you will love the results when all is said and done. Good luck!
Why is a steep swing plane unnecessary?
In the content above, we mentioned that using a steep swing plane is unnecessary because you will not be hitting down on your driver at impact. With the advantage of a tee on your side, you can simply sweep the ball off the tee and out toward the target. Being able to play from a tee to start each hole is a tremendous advantage, and it is the main reason why you can swing your driver differently from the rest of your clubs.
How to swing a driver?
First, you have to consider the fact that the ball is up on a tee. When hitting a driver, you are not hitting down as you would when hitting irons from the fairway. Instead, you are going to sweep the ball off the tee with the club head moving roughly parallel to the ground at impact. Since you don't need to worry about hitting down, there is no need to use a steep swing plane. Such a plane would be effective for a short iron, but not so much for a driver.
What is a flat swinger?
Flat swingers typically hit the ball with a pronounced inside-to-out swing path, imparting right-to-left (draw) spin.
What is the swing of an upright swinger?
Upright swingers tend to swing only slightly inside-to-out, or straight down the target line, producing left-to-right (fade) spin.
What is the shoulder plane in golf?
What is the shoulder plane in your golf swing and why does it matter? Shoulder plane is an important component of the swing. In order to check your shoulder plane, simply get in front of a mirror. Set up in your golf posture with a club across your chest. When you turn into your backswing, is your left shoulder or the butt end ...
How to check shoulder plane?
In order to check your shoulder plane, simply get in front of a mirror. Set up in your golf posture with a club across your chest. When you turn into your backswing, is your left shoulder or the butt end of the golf club pointed more at the ground or is the club more parallel to the ground? If your shoulders are more parallel to ...
What causes a golf club to be steep?
Steep shoulders can also happen in either the backswing or the downswing. When the shoulders get too much angled toward the ground, it can cause the club to also be steep and result in early extension, fat shots, slices and more erratic shots. This is certainly a less common problem for mid to high handicap players, but something to be addressed if this is an issue in your swing. Whenever your shoulder plane (or any part of your swing for that matter) gets too far from what is generally considered acceptable, you have to include other moves to compensate. When there are compensations in the swing, especially for amateurs, it makes it difficult to make consistent contact with the golf ball.
Can shoulder planes help you play better golf?
When there are compensations in the swing, especially for amateurs, it makes it difficult to make consistent contact with the golf ball. Fixing your shoulder plane, relative to your individual golf swing, can certainly help you play better golf.
