FORE! (If you yell this a lot, try a lesson!) Can you hit this thing right every time?

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Questions & Answers
Responses from PGA/LPGA Teachers on FINDaLESSON.com                                                                                  << BACK
From John, golfer:
What does it mean to swing on plane? Thanks!
PGA/LPGA TEACHING PROFESSIONAL RESPONSES:
California
"First of all the Swing Plane is an overused concept. The so-Called swing plane is in relationship to hip high and at the top of the back swing. Second, the so-called swing plane is different on the takeaway than on the downswing. Third, the so-called swing plane is different for every club. The swing plane is an effect created by the proper Contributing Causes. The Static Contributing Causes that effect the So-Called Swing Plane are the following; 1. Proper Pre-shot Alignment, 2. Proper hold on the golf club, 3. Correct Body Set up to the target line and correct Body Set Up to the Ball."
- Robert J. Veroulis, Teaching Professional
California
"'On plane' is an extremely precise term used to describe the direction or path of the golf club when a golf swing is made. A swing that is on plane will go on the same path for the back swing and the downswing.  Most swing planes change slightly during the transition form back swing to downswing.  Many variables are involved.  Imagine a sheet of ply wood set next to you at address positioned at the same angle of as your club shaft. As you move through your swing, the club would travel back and through on a path directly parallel to the ply wood. The direction of the plane is established by the aim of the shoulders in three variations; (Descriptions are assuming the player is right handed)
1.  Square - Shots start on line after impact.
2.  Open- Shots start to the left of the target line (Pull, over the top)
3.  Closed- Shots start to the right of the target line (Push, laid off)
Try to let your set dictate when the plane will go and work on shorter more precise motions to develop feel about where the golf club is during your golf swing. Get a lesson from someone who uses video and you will understand the premise immediately. Good Luck." - Mike Davis, Teaching Professional
Florida
"John: Look from behind a player. To swing on plane means that the shaft stays on the same incline (angle) from set up to follow thru." - Sean Gorgone, Teaching Professional
Florida
"Hello John:  Imagine the ice skater spinning rapidly in place. Now imagine placing a plane of glass (with a hole for the head) on the shoulders. As the skater extends his arms, they would remain at right angles to his spine and underneath the plane of glass. Now imagine the golfer with a plane of glass on his shoulders at the same 90 degree angle to the spine. As he bends to reach the ball, the glass would tilt to maintain the 90 degree relationship. As the golfer swings, his shoulders, arms and the club should travel under the glass without making contact. This is what's called swinging on plane and the shaft of the club should be parallel to the target line at the top of the swing. If it isn't, it has either been laid off or is crossing the line. Both instances would break the plane so to speak. The club head wouldn't break the plane on a laid off swing, but an extension of the club at the grip end would. Hope this explains it John. Fairways and Greens!" - John Brott, Teaching Professional
Illinois
"John: The "Plane of the swing is simply the angle of inclination of the circle of the swing". This circle is not vertical and not horizontal but is right in between the two. The angle of inclination, or the plane of the swing, is dependent on the posture at address. If the shoulders turn correctly on both the back swing and the downswing as the arms feel like they are swinging up and down, you will be on plane.
Good luck." - Dr. Jim Suttie, Teaching Professional
Indiana
"The best advice I can give you John comes from a book (Ben Hogan's 5 easy Steps). Your plane is circular in nature and is relative to your shoulders, spine, and the ground. Take a look at Ben Hogan's book because it gives an excellent illustration regarding plane, and yes your plane is an extremely important aspect of your swing." - Bruce Cohen, Teaching Professional
Michigan
"John - as you are standing at address, notice the angle of your club's shaft. If you extended this line through your body and out your back, this is your swing plane. Ideally if you keep the club on this line throughout your swing, and return it to impact with a square club face, you will hit a straight shot. Any variation/combination or a swing off the plane, or without a square face, and you will curve the ball and/or start it off line." - Nathan Oake, Teaching Professional
Minnesota
"It means that your arms and the club swing back and through to the finish on approximately the same angle to the ground that the individual club that you are using dictates. Your woods are about 55* and your wedges are about 65*; so on average this angle is about 60* from the ground up to the bottom of the shaft. If your swing is too steep, it is more than this angle, and if your swing is too shallow, it is less that this angle." - Jim Manthis, Teaching Professional
Nevada
"John: Short question with a long answer! Set up at 'Address FIX' or 'Address Ready'. If you draw a line from the base of the hozel on your Club head (at the end of your Club Shaft where the Sole meets the ground) up the shaft past the butt of your grip to where it meets your body, that is the 'Address Shaft Plane'. Now swing your Golf Club very slowly through its 'Back Swing' or better still, watch someone else do it. Track the 'Club head and Club Shaft Line'. It is always there! That is the 'Shaft Plane' which is indeed the 'Swing Plane'. It is circular in shape and if you were to be able to track it in slow motion and stop action, the Plane would look like a big flat disk or sheet of plywood that was sloping and almost resting on your shoulders. You will have to use your imagination a little here. Most golf instructional books have images of this 'Swing Plane'. There are more than one 'Swing Plane' but more later. They are the 'Club head Plane', 'Shaft Plane', 'Hand Plane', 'Forearm Plane', 'Elbow Plane', 'Shoulder Plane'. Let this 'Club head and Shaft Plane' suffice for now! When you 'Swing On Plane', the Heel of the Club head and the Club Shaft will seem to keep in contact with that imaginary sheet of plywood. A good associate of mine built a variable plane sheet of plywood that gave you a physical 'Swing Plane' in which to swing. It was a very large two pieces of plywood with a hole in the middle through which you placed your standing body while swinging. Shoulders, Arms, Hands and the Golf Club were on top of the adjustable upper surface. A bit of a cumbersome device but very useful. I cannot mail it to you! Remember, the movements of the Club head and most parts of your entire 'Golfing Machine' are circular in shape. This swing is about the 'Geometry of the Circle' and the 'Physics of Rotation'. You might do well to purchase a copy of Homer Kelley's book called ' The Golfing Machine'. It is available at all major book stores. It will challenge your intellect and desire to learn. Hope this helps answer your question." - Karl Fischer, Teaching Professional
New York
"This is different for everyone because each of us addresses the ball differently due to size and arm length differences and our posture at address. If you can see yourself at the address position and imagine a giant CD with you at the center, positioned around your chest, at the same angle your arms are forming as you address the ball that is the plane. If you can make your swing without breaking through the CD you will be swinging " On Plane" Your consistency will improve in spades if you can do this simple improvement." - Ron Venturini, Teaching Professional
Oregon
"John the place where the shaft is at address is the area you would like to return to. You would like to keep it in the parameter between your neck and shoulders and the set up position of the shaft at address during the swing. If you cross over one of these areas you would be off plane. I really like to see the club return to a good spot 18" before and after the ball is struck. It is sometimes called the moment of truth." - Penny Larsen-Gebauer, Teaching Professional
Pennsylvania
"Hi John: You'll need to use your imagination if you will....Once you have made a fundamentally sound set up, imagine if you will a plane of glass starting from the bottom of your club and continuing up the shaft and through your midsection if you will, also imagine another plane of glass which would run from the same spot on the ground, and continue up thru your neck so that your head would be on top. In my studies of better players, the golf club travels somewhere between these 2 planes on the back swing and returns beautifully  along the lower plane on the downswing.  If you have issues of keeping your golf club on plane on the downswing, you'll always struggle. Feel free to contact me for a personal description, I use video and have plane lines on the TV to show my pupils." 
- Mike Dynda, Teaching Professionals
Pennsylvania
"John: Please take a look at my website http://www.golfbetterproductions.com for a detailed description of swing plane and much more. In short, swing plane refers to the angle formed between the club shaft and the ground when the club is soled flat on the ground. It is at this angle that the club is square. When swinging the club, the ideal is to keep the club on this angle or "Plane." The problem with the golf swing is that it's not possible to make a full swing and remain on plane throughout the motion, so at the top of the back swing, the plane automatically and nearly imperceptibly shifts to a more vertical (and quite destructive) angle. The key is not just to return the club to its original angle but return the club as soon as possible to the plane so that it travels along the plane through impact. Hope that helps." - John Dunigan, Teaching Professional
South Carolina
"John: Swinging on plane simple means that the club is traveling in such a way that it resembles an ellipse, rather than a circle (when looking directly at someone). It also stays relatively angled to the ground, similar to the angle the club sits at when you take your address position (when looking down the line of the shot). I could get more technical. By keeping it this simple, it will be easier for you to see
in other's swings, and easier for you to feel in your swing. Let me know if I can help you further."
- John Hughes, Teaching Professional
Texas
"The plane that the club swings on is merely a relationship between your posture and the golf club. As a player you don't need to worry about it while you are swinging a club. Perfect your posture and you will swing on plane. Stand tall at attention. Yes your knees are slightly flexed. Now hold the club in front of you at waist level. If you were to swing the club from there like a baseball bat it would swing on a horizontal plane. You will notice that your belt and the shaft of the club are both horizontal. To get to the golf ball properly, simply bend forward from the hips until the club head rests behind the ball. The shaft and your belt will have moved the same amount. The plane is maintained. Have fun and good luck." - Dave Baron, Teaching Professional