Driver--around; iron--up and down

I have had trouble with consistency in hitting my metal woods and irons. If I was making good contact with one, I would be having a problem with the others.

My solution seems to have come about by making a more around-the-body swing with my woods and a more up-and-down swing with my irons. At least, this is what it seems to me.

Am I using a one-plane swing with my woods and a two-plane swing with my irons? Or, can this still be a consistent one-plane swing and it only seems that I am going up and down with my iron swing because of the difference between the lie of the irons and the fairway woods?

(I realize a video would be helpful, but I don't have a way to do that.)

Thanks,
Bill

I had that very same problem for a long time, after switching to a one-plane golf swing. The anwswer for me, after a long time struggling, turned out to be very simple. I keep the ball further away from my toes using the driver and fairway woods, but still using the one plane takeaway to the inside. I fill this promotes more of a sweeping action that you want with your driver and fairway woods. I stand a little closer to the ball with my irons, probably a little closer then Jim Hardy stresses for a one plane swing, but It has worked wonders for me. I feel that standing closer to the ball with my irons, I still use the one plane swing but It becomes steeper and you get that good compression by swinging down on the ball. I want to stress that you still want to come from the inside with your irons and maintain that one plane swing takeaway. I hope this helps.

I think you're right. I suspect because I stand straighter with the woods, I "feel" that I swing more around the body. Also, because I increase my spine angle with the irons, I "feel" like I'm swinging more up and down.

Thanks.

Bill

A Driver has a longer shaft than a pitching wedge, should the ball be placed the same distance from your feet? Should your swing plane alter with the the two clubs?

Rhetorical questions?

Angle of the shaft should dictate the plane it should be on, your swing should be the same for all your clubs. Atleast thats what i have been told.

Works very well for me. One key item has been is spine angle--more upright for irons more lean back for long irons and woods. Same swing. Swinging around yourself is a serious power eater and can promote shoulder lead down swings and slices. my ten cents worth..

Hi Bill,

Woods and the longer irons, ie, 2,3 and 4 irons a sweeping motion is required because your hitting the ball on the up, as the ball position is nearer the front foot.

As for the shorter clubs an upright swing is required in order to hit down on the ball as the ball position is centre of your stance.

If thinking round and up and down works. Keep doing it. Bare in mind the ball position though. Trust the club.

Good hitting.