Got An One-Plane Or Two-Plane Swing?
The idea of plane confuses some players. It also confuses some players that come to me for golfing lessons. Many are confusing about what it is and what its impact is on your golfing swing. Whether you understand the idea of plane or not, swinging off plane is rarely good.
Focusing on two points—spine angle at address and the position of the left arm on the downswing—clears up the confusion about swing plane and explains its effect on your golf swing and your golfing handicap.
One or two reasons exist for swinging off plane. Picking the club up with your hands or rolling the clubface open during the swing are two. The commonest reason for swinging off plane is adopting the incorrect spine angle at address, as I've frequently pointed out in my golf tips,
Spine angle forms the natural axis around which your shoulders should turn at a 90-degree angle. The backbone angle you set at address is critical because it decides the shape and plane of your swing. It’s the reason I concentrate on adopting the right backbone angle in my golfing instruction sessions.
If a player tilts too far over at address, the flatter backbone angle causes the shoulders to “tilt” during the swing. As a result, your left arm comes off your chest during your swing, your backswing becomes upright, and your swing plane too steep. Fat shots, deep divots, and pulls and slices are symptoms of a steep plane.
If a player leans too far back at address, the more erect backbone angle causes the shoulders to flatten in the swing. As a result, your left arm squeezes too firmly against your chest, your backswing becomes flatter, and your swing plane too shallow. Hitting behind the ball, thin shots, and loss of power are symptoms of a shallow plane.
Keep under consideration that a taller player has a naturally steeper swing plane than a shorter person does, and a shorter player has a naturally flatter swing plane than a taller person does.
While your shoulder turn and arm swing are related, a good backswing requires a left arm swing that is on a slightly higher plane than your shoulders. This arm angle allows your shoulders to have more of a free passage to the ball on the downswing. If your left arm swing is off, you will instantly be on the incorrect plane with your swing will be off.
Here's a test I use in my golf lessons to determine if a player is on plane with his/her swing. Take a club, presume your standard posture, and swing to the top. Hold that position for a second. Now, loosen your grip and let the shaft fall.
If the shaft hits you on the top of the right shoulder, your swing is on plane. If it hits you on the head or neck, your swing plane is too steep. Conversely, if it falls behind your back without hitting your body, your swing plane is too shallow.
Employing a straightforward move at the very top of your backswing ensures that you're taking the right swing plane as you start into the downswing. As you begin your downswing shift your weight onto your left foot while, at the same time, bringing your right elbow back down to your body. Remember to keep the angle of your wrist as you complete this move. It's the seat of power and the key to maximum distance.
As the weight shifts to the left and the elbow drops down, the club falls automatically into the right slot for the proper swing plane. This movement flattens the swing a tiny bit. It's the ideal position from which to swing the club down at the ball, delivering the clubhead precisely to the ball.
Fundamentally you're basically employing two swing planes to hit the ball properly, one marginally different than the other. The first comes from executing the correct take away. The second from dropping down your right elbow just before the downswing.
That slightly different swing plane is critical. It runs right thru the right angle of your backbone, the natural axis around which your shoulders should turn, enabling you to deliver a clean crisp blow to the ball with a square clubhead and good power. And that's the aim of all golfing instruction on swing plane.
I am hoping this essay clears up the puzzlement about swing planes. If you work on taking the club back on the right plane and on dropping your right elbow down during your swing, you may see results. That, in turn, will help you lower both of your individual golfing scores and your golf handicap.
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