Plane and Simple: Understanding the Swing Plane
To optimize your chances of hitting solid shots, you need to be on plane. The swing plane is the path of the club and your hands through the back and downswing. Ideally, you want the planes to match – although the downswing plane is slightly under the backswing plane.
As you begin your downswing, the shaft is bisecting my forearms and the butt of the shaft is pointing at or just near the ball. If the shaft was closer to my left forearm, I would be above the plane – resulting in an over-the-top steep path. If it is below (shaft touching right forearm), I would need to flip my hands through impact – resulting in a duck hook, or conversely, a blocked shot to the right.
ABOVE THE PLANE
If your swing plane is above your ideal swing plane, then you will most likely come over the top – resulting in a weak-right or banana-shaped slice ball flight.
BELOW THE PLANE
A takeaway that is too inside can result in a swing plane that is below your ideal swing plane. You may suffer from the dreaded duck hooks with this plane.
ON PLANE
You did everything right with a connected takeaway and shoulder turn. Staying on the swing plane makes the golf swing easy breezy.
Take a video of your swing, and check to see whether the shaft is bisecting your forearms on the downswing.