A golf swing plane is the path on which the clubhead moves throughout the swing. The more consistent the plane, the easier it is for a player to hit the ball solidly and long. Nationally recognized instructor Jim Hardy says a golfer's swing generally follows a single plane or separate planes for the backswing and downswing, and each method requires its own instructional approach.
One-Plane Swing Type
The one-plane swing is like a carousel, with the body rotating flatter around the static angle of the spine. This plane, instructor Jim Hardy says, typically is favored by more athletic players because the core muscles must be strong to support the body as it rotates at that angle.
One-Plane Swing Keys
The primary key for a one-plane swing is that the shoulders and arms rotate parallel to each other. It's easily seen from behind a golfer, looking down the target line. Another key to think of is that the left arm--for a right-handed golfer--reaches across the body on the backswing, and the right arm presses against the chest after impact.
Two-Plane Swing Type
The two-plane swing is more upright, like a Ferris wheel rotation. This swing, typically favored by taller golfers, means the arms rotate on a different, more upright plane than the shoulders.
Two-Plane Swing Keys
Hardy, the instructor who developed the idea of one-plane and two-plane swings, says users of the two-plane style view the ball as something that must be lifted off the ground. Hardy and other instructors note that the two-plane swing can become too upright and steep at impact, so they recommend a sweeping motion toward the ball to flatten the arc of the swing at impact.
Practice is the Key
Either swing can work well, but each requires practice. The mechanics of a one-plane swing are easier to learn but require a little more strength and flexibility. The two-plane swing has more moving parts, and the timing required to synchronize those parts can impair consistency.
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