| The concept of plane confuses some players. It also | | | | arm swing is off, you'll automatically be on the wrong |
| confuses some players that come to me for golf | | | | plane with your swing will be off. |
| lessons. Many are unclear about what it is and what | | | | Here's a test I use in my golf lessons to tell if a |
| its impact is on your golf swing. Whether you | | | | player is on plane with his/her swing. Take a club, |
| understand the concept of plane or not, swinging off | | | | assume your normal posture, and swing to the top. |
| plane is never good. | | | | Hold that position for a second. Now, loosen your grip |
| Focusing on two points-spine angle at address and | | | | and let the shaft fall. |
| the position of the left arm on the downswing-clears | | | | If the shaft hits you on the top of the right shoulder, |
| up the confusion about swing plane and explains its | | | | your swing is on plane. If it hits you on the head or |
| effect on your golf swing and your golf handicap. | | | | neck, your swing plane is too steep. Conversely, if it |
| Several reasons exist for swinging off plane. Picking | | | | falls behind your back without hitting your body, your |
| the club up with your hands or rolling the clubface | | | | swing plane is too shallow. |
| open during the swing are two. The most common | | | | Employing a simple move at the top of your |
| reason for swinging off plane is adopting the wrong | | | | backswing ensures that you're taking the right swing |
| spine angle at address, as I've often pointed out in | | | | plane as you start into the downswing. As you begin |
| my golf tips, | | | | your downswing shift your weight onto your left |
| Spine angle forms the natural axis around which your | | | | foot while, at the same time, bringing your right |
| shoulders should turn at a 90-degree angle. The spine | | | | elbow back down to your body. Remember to retain |
| angle you set at address is critical because it decides | | | | the angle of your wrist as you complete this move. |
| the shape and plane of your swing. It's the reason | | | | It's the seat of power and the key to maximum |
| why I focus on adopting the proper spine angle in my | | | | distance. |
| golf instruction sessions. | | | | As the weight shifts to the left and the elbow drops |
| If a player tilts too far over at address, the flatter | | | | down, the club falls automatically into the right slot |
| spine angle causes the shoulders to "tilt" during the | | | | for the correct swing plane. This movement flattens |
| swing. As a result, your left arm comes off your | | | | the swing ever so slightly. It's the ideal position from |
| chest during your swing, your backswing becomes | | | | which to swing the club down at the ball, delivering |
| upright, and your swing plane too steep. Fat shots, | | | | the clubhead squarely to the ball. |
| deep divots, and pulls and slices are symptoms of a | | | | In essence you're actually employing two swing |
| steep plane. | | | | planes to hit the ball correctly, one slightly different |
| If a player leans too far back at address, the more | | | | than the other. The first comes from executing the |
| erect spine angle causes the shoulders to flatten | | | | correct take away. The second from dropping down |
| during the swing. As a result, your left arm squeezes | | | | your right elbow just before the downswing. |
| too tightly against your chest, your backswing | | | | That slightly different swing plane is crucial. It runs |
| becomes flatter, and your swing plane too shallow. | | | | right through the correct angle of your spine, the |
| Hitting behind the ball, thin shots, and loss of power | | | | natural axis around which your shoulders should turn, |
| are symptoms of a shallow plane. | | | | enabling you to deliver a clean crisp blow to the ball |
| Keep in mind that a taller player has a naturally | | | | with a square clubhead and good power. And that's |
| steeper swing plane than a shorter person does, and | | | | the goal of all golf instruction on swing plane. |
| a shorter player has a naturally flatter swing plane | | | | I hope this article clears up the confusion about swing |
| than a taller person does. | | | | planes. If you work on taking the club back on the |
| While your shoulder turn and arm swing are related, a | | | | right plane and on dropping your right elbow down |
| good backswing requires a left arm swing that's on a | | | | during your swing, you'll see results. That, in turn, will |
| slightly higher plane than your shoulders. This arm | | | | help you lower both your individual golf scores and |
| angle allows your shoulders to have more of a free | | | | your golf handicap. |
| passage to the ball on the downswing. If your left | | | | |