Swing Plane

I cannot seem to consistently correct the arc of my backswing; it's too steep and I end-up launching well struck balls left. It's mostly an issue on the tee. I've tried putting an extra tee down to force me to swing a little flatter but it doesn't always help. I've also tried laying a club down,too.

Thanks for any suggestions you make.
Mike

Hi Mike,

I often check my swing plane with the butt end position relative to the ball/target line. Here's a couple of videos which show this nicely. I go through the positions inside the house, or when at the range, to check if I'm on plane, or too steep or flat. In your case, you will find the butt end pointing inside the ball line, and even so far as your foot line.



This will also help you recognize how the wrists have to cock on the backswing and how lag is retained on the downswing.

Ted

I dont think it is an issue of being to steep on the backswing. Getting steep on the backswing is just whether you set your wrists early or late. Either way your top position should be the same. Check the position of the top of your backswing. Also If your well struck balls are pulls to the left then you are comming over the top. Make sure you start your downswing with your lower body and not your arms. If you dont start wtih your lower body you will come over the top every time. Now if you are to steep on your downswing this would lead to inconsistent ballflight, most likely a slice though. Give it a try and see if it works, remember start your downswing with a solid top position and from the ground up. Works everytime.

__________________
There are two types of criticism. They type you agree with, and the type you wont let yourself believe.

Whether either are helpfull is up to our own stubborness

I posted this info before on this website. Perhaps it might help.

Another good piece of advice about staying on plane is to keep the elbows as level as possible durning the back swing. If one is lower or higher than the other, it will be more difficult to find the correct down swing position to impact. More than a few instructors will not relate this position to their students for various reasons, but for the most part, most professional golfers will have this position in the back swing. Those who don't are adding "extra" compensations in their down swing to find the correct impact position. You can see level elbows in BrianW's post with the guy in the white shirt.

A way to check this position is to lay a club across the inside of your elbows, when your hands, in the back swing reach about shoulder high. If the rear elbow is higher than the front elbow, you might tend to hit a fat shot, a slice, or a weak pop up to the slice side. If the front elbow is higher than the rear elbow you might tend to have too flat of a swing, which could cause topped shots, low line drives, or not taking a proper divot.

This is one one those "for what ever it is worth" posts, and was taught to me by my instructor (RIP) many years ago, long before the subject of being on plane was being discussed."

Like I said I hope it helps, and can easily be done in front of mirror. GJs