One and two plane golf swings

[NickSwan]

Hi all,

Just posted a write up about how I got on with the one and two plane golf swings. I didn't realize there were different planes and swing types until a chance tweet I saw about Matt Kuchar!

One Plane Swing

The book I mention in the write up is probably the best book I've ever bought about the golf swing in general. It explains why a lot of tips you read will work for one type of swing, but not for the other.

What type of swing plane are you? One or two plane?

Cheers
Nick

 

[HomerJSimpson]

At the moment it probably has more planes than Heathrow. It's never been a thing of beauty and is mis-firing at the moment. Roll on the winter overhaul

 

[Region3]

What type of swing plane are you? One or two plane?

Cheers
Nick

How would I tell?

 

[NickSwan]

Best thing to do is get a recording of your swing from behind and then see if your arms and shoulders are on the same angle at the top of your back swing.

Nick

 

[JustOne]

I am a one plane swing, as far as I'm concerned it's the ONLY way a golf club should be swung. Two plane swings are waaaay too 'armsy' for Joe Public to be consistent with, hence we have a world full of hackers

You can see below all the moves required in the 2 plane swing that you have to get perfect to hit the ball.... head moves back, hips forward, drop the club inside etc etc, way too complex to be consistent in my opinion.

2 plane
http://www.planetruthgolf.com/Blog/tabid...n-the-Line.aspx

1 plane
http://www.planetruthgolf.com/Blog/tabid...n-the-Line.aspx

 

[percy_layer]

I'm of the opinion that you should go with your natural tendency as regards one or two plane. It is right that some elements can only work with one and not the other when developing a consistent and powerful swing.
It is possible to change a player from one type to the other but it may take a long time and a lot of hard work. Plus the physical demands of the new style of play may be beyond some players.

I like the book, very clearly written and easy to understand.

 

[JustOne]

I'm of the opinion that you should go with your natural tendency as regards one or two plane.

I agree, so I have to ask... what is natural? Two plane looks about the most UN-natural thing you can possibly do with a stick in your hand

I can't see future generations being taught in the same way as the past 40yrs, but if you've got something ingrained I guess you might be best advised to stick with it.

[I would add that I think changing from 2plane to 1plane is easier than the other way round, in my opinion]

 

[percy_layer]

Everyone has their own natural way of swinging a golf club. Some prefer to stand tall and swing up, others prefer to stand far away and swing round. Some of these preferences are by choice and some are necessary due to physical limitations.

The one plane swing requires good core strength and the two plane swing requires good timing. Also the two plane swing is more powerful for a player that lacks strength.

I have no preference either way

 

[Region3]

I still have no idea which I am, but I don't think it's worth knowing because I've been playing too long to want to change.

From Charlie's comment above I'd guess I'm two plane, just because I'm more timing than strength.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'm guessing I'm two planed but given I've this horrid lifting action in the downswing its pretty hard to say with any authority. I guess it has a lot to do with how you've been taught. I can't ever remember a teaching pro spending too much time either as a beginner of when I got back into it after a long break ever paying too much attention to the plane and were more concerned with set-up, takeway and weight transfer

 

[NickSwan]

I think it is important to know as a lot of the tips you read in magazines like Golf Monthly may not apply to you if you are a one plane type swing (and vice versa). In fact trying to implement a tip that should only be used for a 2 plane swing could really mess one planers up?

Nick

 

[Region3]

Do many people really try to implement tips from a magazine?

The only ones I've ever took any notice of were short game.

 

[JustOne]

Do many people really try to implement tips from a magazine?

I've used a few from Razzle!

 

[Swinger]

I use both. One plane for full shots and two plane for putts and chips.

 

[theeaglehunter]

Interesting thread. I've always, like the OP's link mentions, tended to swing naturally more around my body, whilst suffering from an overswing which reaks havoc with my consistency. Having now looked at a video I took during my practice session on Wednesday (first time I've played golf since the start of July)I think I would definitely say I am closer to a one plane swing (not something I've noticed before) and given that this was me playing for the first time in a long while, maybe this is the swing I should look to develop and build upon. Rather than trying to make changes towards a more commonly preferred two plane swing as I was considering before reading this!

Here's a link to a video I've uploaded to youtube if somebody more knowledgeable wishes to confirm it is more of a one plane swing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXRu8_DXjtg

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I used to be a 2 planer and hit the ball pretty well doing it - but it was hugely inconsistent and I couldn't trust it under pressure.

I've spent all year working on a one plane swing and it is definately the way to go. My ball striking is more consistent over 18 holes rather than falling apart towards the end of a round like I used to.

With 2 plane swings, there are way too many corrections required to get from one to the other and unless you can practice all day every day, it will never be consistent enough to realise your full potential.