Learning About Your Swing Plane

The route your club takes when you take a swing at the ball is known as the swing plane.  The next time you are playing the game with a fellow golfer make sure you take a long look at the angle with which their club shaft meets the ground.

Request to see a slow motion practice swing and you will see that the angle of the club shaft goes behind, down and through all in one constant motion.  What you are witnessing here is your friend's own unique swing plane.

The Best Swing Plane

Most of what you need to know about the swing plane is really good common sense. A golfer's swing plane will vary depending on their build, but there is no exact formula for how steep or shallow your swing plane needs to be. In general you will notice that for a given club size, a shorter player will have a flatter swing plain than that of a taller player. But note again, that this is only a generalization and will apply to no more than about 75 percent of golfers.

Joint stiffness and inflexibility can also affect the golfer's swing plane. Those players more senior in years who have tighter joints will have a steeper swing plane, even if they are considered short in height when compared to flexible younger players.

The Difference a Club Makes

Never allow your swing plane to differ too much during the move and you will be able to use various swing planes very successfully. It is acceptable for your back swing to be a little steeper than your downswing, so long as their differences are exaggerated.

The size and type of club that a golfer uses will change his/her swing plane  For example, a golfer that is using a relatively short club like a sand wedge is going to have s swing plan that is much steeper than the same player using one of the longest clubs in the bag such as a driver. The drivers will alway have the flatest swing plan of all your clubs.

A Good Tip - Your position will determine the achievement of the right swing plane for you as an individual.  To avoid allowing your swing plane to become too steep, try not to tilt your upper body to the opposite side of your handedness and never stand too near to the ball.