| The first question most people ask when introduced | | | | Mastering a great swing plane is the result of |
| to the golf swing plane is "what is it?" Well, before | | | | mastering the proper swing fundamentals. |
| we get into the mechanics let me just say that if | | | | Firstly, you must master your stance. You should be |
| understood and the techniques I mention below are | | | | bent forward at the hips and not hunched at the |
| applied, the swing plane will help improve a golfers | | | | shoulders with your back flat and your knees slightly |
| game no end! | | | | bent. Keeping your back flat will stop you swinging |
| Golfing idol Ben Hogan was one of the biggest | | | | with your arms (big mistake) and will enable your |
| advocates of maintaining a controlled swing plane and | | | | back to act as the axis. Turning your shoulders as |
| for good reason as his shot consistency improved | | | | you take a backswing will create the torque and |
| and he went on to become one of the best hitters | | | | bringing your club down will release the torque at the |
| on the PGA tour. | | | | waist, with your arms merely guiding the club. |
| Imagine that your swing is a pendulum. Ideally, you | | | | Make sure you also don't swing your hips and body |
| want your club head to follow the arc of a pendulum | | | | backwards during your back swing - this is a very |
| when you take your club back, through your | | | | common mistake and will take the club head |
| downswing, on impact, and on your follow through. | | | | off-plane and most likely result in a slice. Focus on |
| That is your swing plane. If it's offline to the left or | | | | keeping your hips still and twist at your wait during |
| right, you're going to be hooking or slicing. | | | | your backswing. Don't move your hips forward either |
| If you're off your swing plane, you will be making | | | | as this will have the opposite effect and result in a |
| constant adjustments during your swing - whether | | | | hook. |
| you know it or not. These could be subtle and | | | | Here's a final tip to help you maintain your swing |
| not-so-subtle movements made so you hit the ball | | | | plane. Take two wooden sticks or broken clubs and |
| squarely. Too far outside? You will pull in your arms | | | | stick them in the ground about 3 inches from each |
| or straighten your stance. Too far inside? You may | | | | hip. Practice your shots and concentrate on not |
| have to lean forward slightly to try to make contact. | | | | touching the sticks. If you can master this, you're |
| All of these corrections are damaging because they | | | | beginning to master your swing plane! |
| take focus and power away from your shot. | | | | |