7 min
Flat Shoulder Plane Swing Fault
1 min
The ability to maintain posture is important in golf swing mechanics, because it makes the motor pattern of the swing more efficient and easier to repeat. When you lose posture during your backswing and stand up, your shoulders turn on a flatter, more horizontal plane. The problem with this, as explained in this video by Titleist staff member and TPI co-founder Dave Phillips, is that you now have to build a second move into your swing to get back down to the ball.
To eliminate the need for this kind of compensating motion (which is very difficult to repeat with any consistency) Dave shares a great drill that you can practice right from home.
1. Hold a golf club or alignment stick across your chest.
2. Place a golf ball on the ground for reference and bend from your hips, getting into your address posture.
3. Turn back, simulating a backswing and watch where the end of the club or stick points (beyond your lead shoulder).
4. If the stick is pointing level with the horizon, your shoulder plane is too flat. Instead, feel like your lead shoulder is moving down toward the ground and then across.
5. When the stick is pointing beyond the golf ball but down at the ground, you've made an efficient, on-plane backswing without losing posture. Your odds of striking the ball cleanly will greatly improve.
To eliminate the need for this kind of compensating motion (which is very difficult to repeat with any consistency) Dave shares a great drill that you can practice right from home.
1. Hold a golf club or alignment stick across your chest.
2. Place a golf ball on the ground for reference and bend from your hips, getting into your address posture.
3. Turn back, simulating a backswing and watch where the end of the club or stick points (beyond your lead shoulder).
4. If the stick is pointing level with the horizon, your shoulder plane is too flat. Instead, feel like your lead shoulder is moving down toward the ground and then across.
5. When the stick is pointing beyond the golf ball but down at the ground, you've made an efficient, on-plane backswing without losing posture. Your odds of striking the ball cleanly will greatly improve.
