Understanding the path on which you need to swing
the club is one of the most important elements
of the golf swing.
The belief among a lot of golfers is that in
order to hit the ball straight they need to swing
the club back along the target line and through
along the same target line toward the flag. Although
this would appear to make sense, it is not how
you should move the club during the swing.
The correct way to swing the clubface is in a
circular motion, much the same as if you were
swinging a tennis racquet, with the clubface only
pointing at the target at the point where the
ball is leaving the clubface.
There are four excellent drills that can help
you understand this concept. Each can be performed
using two chairs and a long pole, a broom handle
or something similar. Be sure to place the chairs
far enough apart to support either end of the
pole.
DRILL 1
First, take your setup with the shaft of the club
resting against the pole. Next, move the club
back a short distance, keeping the shaft running
along the pole. Then, move the club forward a
short distance, again making sure to keep the
club running along the pole. Take note of the
circular path the shaft is moving on and the rotation
of the clubface.
DRILL 2
Take the same setup. Move the club back the same
way, but this time allow the club to move past
the pole until the shaft is parallel to the ground/pole.
At this point, the clubface should be vertical
with the toe up. Move the club slowly forward
as before, allowing the club to move past the
pole until the club is parallel to the ground/pole.
The clubface should be vertical. This should mirror
the backswing position. Take particular note of
the movement of the clubface. This is the foundation
of your swing. If it feels very different to your
normal golf swing, I would suggest going to the
range and hitting some balls just with this length
of swing.
DRILL 3
With this drill, allow the club to go farther
back until your left arm (for right-handers) is
parallel to the ground. The shaft should be angled
so that it is pointing at the target line. Move
the club slowly forward until the right arm is
parallel to the ground and the shaft is angled
so that it is pointing at the target line. This
drill shows how the follow-through mirrors the
backswing and how you swing the club on plane.
It can be performed on the course either on the
back of a sign or a tight-fitted rope.
DRILL 4
To simplify these drills and allow them to become
more dynamic, you need to set up with the club
as if you were playing teeball/baseball with the
ball at knee height. When you make a baseball
swing, the circular motion created is the same
as the one described in the drills with the pole.
Once you have made the baseball swing a few times,
simply lower the plane to that of your golf swing.
Again, note the circular motion of the shaft and
clubface.
After performing these drills, you not only
should have a better understanding of the proper
plane for the golf swing, but also be able to
implement it in your own swing.
