A commonality among a large percentage of great ball strikers is that they have the club on relatively the same angle. Golfers who swing the golf club “on plane” tend to hit the ball straighter, further, and be much more consistent ball strikers. When a golfer has the club on plane, they are much less reliant on timing, so it is much easier for them to take their game from the range to the golf course.

The plane of the swing is defined by the angle of the shaft of the club relative to the ground at address. The club is on plane when the shaft of the club is either on that angle or parallel to it, but at the same angle, through out the swing. The club doesn’t need to be perfect, but the closer it is to being on plane, the more consistent and efficient the player will be.

Use these two check points for an on plane back swing.

• Take Away – When the hands are over the right foot, the wrist should be hinged about one third of the way and the club head outside the hands. With a shaft or rod on the ground placed along the left heal and right toes, the club should match or be parallel to the rod on the ground.

• To The Top – When the left arm reaches the point where it is parallel with the ground, it should be pointing down the target line, the hands should be centered with the chest, and the handle of the club should be pointing along an extension of the target line. If you place a rod or shaft on the ground under the hands and parallel to the target line and another one sticking in the ground, at the same angle of the shaft at address on the target line, the left arm should point directly down the rod on the ground and the club should be at the same angle as the shaft stuck in the ground.

Making slow motion swings or practice swings and concentrating on getting the club into these two positions can greatly enhance your ball striking. By getting the club on plane in the back swing, the down swing becomes much more consistent and efficient and the player is much more likely to deliver the club with correct alignments, striking the ball in middle of the club face and making good ball turf contact.