Golfers typically swing the club on a plane that lies between their shoulders and hips as shown in the below picture of Tiger Woods. A smaller angle with the ground indicates a flatter swing plane typical of a one plane golf swing that moves in the same plane back and through.
What is a proper golf swing plane?
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.
How to swing a golf club properly?
The golf club is intended to swing up on the plane and back down on the plane for maximum results. Sometimes golfers will swing a club upright, and this will cause them to be above the plane line. Other golfers will swing the club too shallow and end up under the plane line.
Where should your shoulders be during a golf swing?
At the top of the swing your arms should be on the same plane as your shoulders and the angle of your shoulders should be pointed down on a line that runs just past the golf ball. 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.
How can I make my golf swing flatter?
The key for flatter swing planes is to maintain their spine angle as much as possible to avoid altering the downswing plane, negatively affecting the shot. Master your setup, and your swing will improve dramatically. Getting the club head started adequately in the first two feet of the backswing is arguably the most crucial part of the swing.
What is a good swing plane number?
A golfer's height and dynamic posture will have an effect on swing plane. A driver typically has a swing plane between 45-50 degrees.
How do I find my swing plane?
2:345:42How To Find YOUR NATURAL Swing Plane - Golf Tip - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFind it like a big lip on the bunker. Dress the lip in the bunker. I just feel okay i can feel aMoreFind it like a big lip on the bunker. Dress the lip in the bunker. I just feel okay i can feel a circle. And then what we would do then is slowly tilt it slightly.
How do I know if my golf swing is too flat?
A swing is considered flat when the left arm forms an angle of less than 45° with the ground at the top of the backswing (when viewed looking down the target line). In other words, it's more horizontal than vertical, the opposite of an “upright” swing. To be sure, a flat swing isn't necessarily a bad thing.
What is the most natural golf swing?
Natural Golf is, as the name applies, a natural way to play golf. The club is placed in the palm of the hand, not the fingers. Instead of an angle in the wrists at address, the leading arm forms a straight line down through the shaft, mirroring the position at impact.
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 golfers use one plane swings?
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.
What happens at the top of a two plane swing?
At the top of a two plane swing your shoulders will not be tilted down as much as in a one plane swing, and they should point out past the head of the driver on the ground. The downswing begins with a slight forward bump of your hips while your shoulders remain passive.
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.
How to do a downswing?
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.
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 does it mean when your arms swing 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 same plane as your shoulder tilt at the top then you are a one-planer. The more up you swing on a steeper plane, the less around you swing. If your arms swing up and onto a steeper plane than your shoulders at ...
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.
What is the difference between a swing plane and a club path?
The red marks that the club made during the swing form the swing plane. On the other hand, club path is the direction that the club head takes at impact.
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 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 .
Angling the Plane
In Hogan’s concept, the edge of this “plane of glass” touched the ground along the target line where the ball sat.
A Second Plane
But Hogan also believed that a player’s plane changed on the downswing.
Modern Variations
Times change, and other competing swing theories have resulted in other ways of looking at the swing plane. Single-plane concepts are based only on Hogan’s backswing plane. Some use two parallel planes based on the position of the club shaft at address, which results in a much flatter plane than Hogan used.
How to do a swing plane?
3 key movements to a great swing plane 1 Rotation – Rotating moves the golf club around the body which gives the swing plane its depth and finishes the takeaway. 2 Elevation – Bending your right elbow (right-hander) creates most of the height and vertical movement in the swing plane. 3 Flexion - This follows on from elevation with the bending of the right elbow which gives that additional height needed to complete the backswing.
How to fix a golf swing plane?
A simple fix to get the correct golf swing plane. To get the best results in fixing your golf swing plane it's ideal if you can work in front of a mirror or video your golf swing from down the line. You'll be able to see where the club travels throughout the golf swing. 1. Ensure your takeaway comes back straight with a very little wrist break ...
How to get a golf club to come down?
Let the big muscles of the chest and shoulders do most of the work. 2. On the downswing ensure you drop your hands enough so the golf club stays on plane and doesn't come down too steep. Ensure your lower body (legs) are starting the downswing . quick pin this tip.
Why do I struggle with my golf swing?
Most golfers struggle with their golf game because at some stage during their golf swing they come 'off plane'. The common reasons I see on the golf course are when a golfer takes the golf club too far back on the inside or too far outside on the takeaway.
Why is it important to have a good swing plane?
Having the correct golf swing plane is vital if you want to see any sort of improvement in your golf game. If your swing plane is either too steep or too flat then there is a very good chance you are not hitting the golf ball consistently well. This is of course unless you are making some sort of adjustment to get the golf club in ...
How to get a good elevation on a golf club?
Take the club with your right arm only and lift the club up with your shoulder and then flex the elbow. The club should be moving in a vertical direction. This is the elevation you need.
What is Jim Furyk's swing?
What about Jim Furyk's golf swing? 2003 US Open winner Jim Furyk has one of the most unusual golf swings in world golf. He breaks the mold by having a very steep position (off plane) at the top of the golf swing but then drops his hands suddenly on the downswing to get it back on plane. Watch his golf swing here.
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;
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 factors affect the swing plane?
Each golfer has his own swing plane, determined by his body type and the club he is using. 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) ...
Is a 5 foot 2 golfer flat?
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 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.
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 ...
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.
Why do pros swing golf clubs so smoothly?
One of the reasons pros swing the golf club so smoothly is because the club swings with no correction or compensation with the hands.
How to get fewer hands in golf?
Need a simple drill? Take a yardstick or an alignment stick, place it on the ground, and take your address position. Take a club and place the sole on the stick, and work on keeping the hands quiet for those all-important first 18 inches of the takeaway. Practice the takeaway 10 times, then hit 5 practice shots, focusing exclusively on your takeaway. Repeat the process three times.
What is the role of hands in golf?
The role of the hands in the golf swing is important, yet often misunderstood concept. Most of what you’ll find in golf instruction literature will focus on the configuration of your hands on the club, and how certain types of grips affect the ball flight, etc. However, the hands do so much more than just grip the club.
What is the next step in golf?
Once you’ve established a grip style that is comfortable to you and suits your game , the next step is to understand your hand’s role in the golf takeaway. With the exception of a few specialty shots (i.e. buried lies, divots), the hands will passively follow the shoulders and arms as you initiate the backswing.
What is the commonality between bad players and good players?
Aside from years of practice, one commonality between all of them is their use of the big muscles, rotating back and through, and their hands do nothing more than holding the club during the swing. It’s not an easy skill to develop, and it very well could be the one thing that separates bad players from good players.
Do golfers have one in a million reflexes?
But unless you have one-in-a-million reflexes, the results of hand manipulation are usually sub-par at best. Professional golfers know you have to limit the role of the hands in the golf swing and let the big muscles do the work.
