Anyone heard of the one plane golf swing?

BogeyGolf · #1 04-26-2005

Supposedly all the rage now. Single plane golf swing article in May issue of Golf Digest and a previous segment of the golf channel describes this swing as it compares to the traditional 2 plane golf swing. Supposedly Tiger has been working on getting his swing plane much flatter such as that of a single plane golf swing. Check out www.oneplanegolfswing.com to see details.

I was wondering if this is a legitimate method of swinging the club. Theoretically it makes plenty sense. Anyone use this swing here?

theidioticbizarre · #2 04-27-2005

my swing goes back and forth on the same (or atleast very similar) plane.
its not a flat plane though...

Dave Ireland · #3 04-27-2005

Is that not a form of "Natural Golf" as professed by Moe Norman ?

BogeyGolf · #4 04-27-2005

I think the jist of this one plane golf swing is to try and maintain the original plane set by the shaft angle at address through out the swing. One of it's most notable traits is the left arm at the top of the swing is on the same plane as the shoulder which makes for a fairly flat plane. In principle it is similar to natural golf but the One plane swing uses traditional grip and swing and is very hard to discern from a traditional 2 plane swing. At least that's my understanding.

Dave Ireland · #5 04-27-2005

Yeah thanks Bogey ..... I'd be a firm believer in keeping the swing as simple as possible - worked for Faldo for years, mightn't have been pretty but won him 6 majors

BogeyGolf · #6 04-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Ireland

Yeah thanks Bogey ..... I'd be a firm believer in keeping the swing as simple as possible - worked for Faldo for years, mightn't have been pretty but won him 6 majors

I thought Faldo was a perfectionist and wasn't his swing a perfect representation of the 2 plane golf swing?

Here is a comparison of the 2 different types of swings. They are very difficult to discern.

http://www.oneplanegolfswing.com/p3_...two_plane.html

jim983 · #7 04-27-2005

According to that article, which I have read, there is a one plane and a two plane swing. The jist of it is there is a shoulder plane and an arm plane, which isn't anything new. Anyways, with a one plane swing your arms don't raise and you will have a lower and flatter swing, swuch as Peter Jacobson. Two plane swingers will turn there shoulders and raise there arms at the top of there swing. Its kind of similar to the laws of golf.

Bravo35223 · #8 04-27-2005

I read the article and quickly realized I am a two planer. And it looks like a two plane is more complex and harder to control...

I am going to ask my instructor about it today when I get my lesson.

There's probably no hope for me one way or the other.

He'll likely tell me I have a one and a half plane swing, which is an amalgamation of both.

BogeyGolf · #9 04-27-2005

Interesting stuff. I tried that one plane swing at the range this morning. I don't know if I was doing it correctly or not but I did gain about 5-10 yards on my long irons (3,4,5) but none on the short irons (G, SW, LOB). I hit the 5 iron about 180 with this one plane swing. I can't hit the driver at all with that swing. I had to start the driver down the line on the take away like I normally do and then make the turn before I could hit it decently. My ball flight for the short irons were draws and long irons were fades. This could have been due to ball placement. I will have to experiment more to figure it out.

jim983 · #10 04-27-2005

There isn't anything wrong with a 2 plane swing. Adam Scott has a two plane swing and it's gorgeous and effective as can be. YOU HAVE TO PICK PICK PICK THE ONE THAT FITS YOUR BODY TYPE. Neither is better than the other.

BogeyGolf · #11 04-27-2005

Didn't say there was anything wrong with 2 plane swing. David Toms has a great 2 plane swing. I am one of those that don't have a rythmic swing or the timing, and itchy to go at the ball from the top instead of pausing to wait for the elbow to drop into the slot. In a one plane swing the right elbow is glued to the side and not raised above the shoulder so you don't really have to wait for your elbow to drop into the slot. Anyway, I'm just investigating the alternatives to see if it works for me since I've been playing with a 2 plane swing for the last 10 years without much improvement.

Dave Ireland · #12 04-27-2005

Meant to say thanks for the link Bogey ..... I think I play with the single plane concept but still rely on the arms for power. Will try the 2 h/covers under each arm tip coz I just gotta find consistency/controlability with my irons.....thanks again

BogeyGolf · #13 04-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Ireland

Meant to say thanks for the link Bogey ..... I think I play with the single plane concept but still rely on the arms for power. Will try the 2 h/covers under each arm tip coz I just gotta find consistency/controlability with my irons.....thanks again

Hey here to help. Only wish I can help myself. Let me know how it works out.

VTDivot · #14 04-27-2005

Very interseting article Bogey thanks!

I'm a definite 2 planer... timing is a real PIA for the 2 plane swing and it is very hook prone (as I am experiencing now)

BogeyGolf · #15 04-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTDivot

Very interseting article Bogey thanks!

I'm a definite 2 planer... timing is a real PIA for the 2 plane swing and it is very hook prone (as I am experiencing now)

Are you going to try it out as well? Love to hear some feedback!

I noticed lower ball flight and an increase in distance for some clubs. I was pretty dead on with the wedges too even though i hit them pretty short. About 65-70 yards for lob and 7 to 10 yards more for SW.

honorerdieu · #16 04-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogeyGolf

I was wondering if this is a legitimate method of swinging the club. Theoretically it makes plenty sense. Anyone use this swing here?

I do, after realizing that my fundamentals for the 1 planer was mixed with the fundamentals for the 2 planer.

The idea of the 1 plane swing derived from the late Ben Hogan, who mentioned about the pane of glass in his Five Lessons book.

The main difference between the 1 plane and 2 plane swing is obviously the flatter plane, but also that timing is taken out of the equation for the 1 plane swing because no matter how hard you swung your body (with all the other fundmantels executed correctly), your passive arms will never go off path because it is on one single plane. For the 2 plane, it is opposite because timing is involved for squaring the clubface.

To accomodate for the flatter swing, you would increase your spine angle from 35 to 45 degrees, however, this would depend on your height (Ben Hogan stood erect with a flat swing because he was short).

The biggest changes for me was obviously the wider stance, increasing the spine angle, and handing over control to the body rotation. I struggled for consistency somewhat for a week, but the results were well worth it when I was finally able to get it right. I started making effortless swing with greater distance because of consistent ball contact, and the natural arc of the swing promotes a draw. The harder you rotate your body, the higher and farther the ball flight.

If you're interested in the one plane swing, I strongly recommend getting a copy of Jim Hardy's book, The Plane Truth for Golfers. It is only under 20 dollars.

BTW, for the one plane swing, it is simple as it can be. Only the following checklist are needed for me:

1. Neutral/Strong Grip
2. Wider Stance
3. Left armpit pinned against chest
4. Maintain spine angle throughout the swing
5. Full torso rotation (no manipulating the club with your hands to square the club, your body rotation takes care of that)

I would expect the checklist to get even smaller as soon as I have ingrained the feel of the 1 plane swing without thinking about it.

honorerdieu · #17 04-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogeyGolf

I can't hit the driver at all with that swing. I had to start the driver down the line on the take away like I normally do and then make the turn before I could hit it decently. My ball flight for the short irons were draws and long irons were fades. This could have been due to ball placement. I will have to experiment more to figure it out.

The clubhead for the driver should travel inside the line for the backswing. Traveling online the target line during the backswing means your left arm was moving independently of your body rotation. Going back straight along the line promotes an upright swing of the 2 planer.

Get a wood headcover or a spare glove and tuck it in your left armpit. The goal is to keep it tucked under your armpit during the backswing and downswing, until well after impact. Executed correctly, your arms would wrap around your torso instead of traveling up near your head. This is a drill that Vijay Singh does, who is definitely a 1 planer.

honorerdieu · #18 04-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogeyGolf

I thought Faldo was a perfectionist and wasn't his swing a perfect representation of the 2 plane golf swing?

Here is a comparison of the 2 different types of swings. They are very difficult to discern.

http://www.oneplanegolfswing.com/p3_...two_plane.html

I assume they are difficult because the comparison is of two players with completely different body build and height.

But, pay closer attention to how close the shaft is to the line drawn by Chuck and how parallel it is.

Notice at the top of the backswing, David Tom's has a bit of a flying right elbow, while Vijay's tricep is parallel to the ground. For the true 1 planer like Jim Hardy, his tricep would be nearly pressing against his torso.

Then at the downswing, compare Tom's delivery of the shaft which is outside of the plane so he would have to drop it like he did at impact, which would require timing to square the clubface. Vijay's delivery is right on the plane and would require very little effort to square the clubface with his hands.

VTDivot · #19 04-28-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogeyGolf

Are you going to try it out as well? Love to hear some feedback!

I noticed lower ball flight and an increase in distance for some clubs. I was pretty dead on with the wedges too even though i hit them pretty short. About 65-70 yards for lob and 7 to 10 yards more for SW.

Are you mad???? I have enough problems with the swing I have now

**buddha33** · #20 04-28-2005

Jim Furyk has a one plane swing.

BogeyGolf · #21 04-28-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddha33

Jim Furyk has a one plane swing.

I thought Furyk had an 11 plane swing!???

Rosco · #22 04-29-2005

you can surely only have one plane???

BogeyGolf · #23 04-30-2005

Was it an Epiphany? I just got done on the range again. The session started OK with the wedges but when I got up to the 5 iron I started pulling everything and more often than not hitting a fatty. Desperate to correct my problem, I started to experiment. I found that if I let the club face open naturally on the way back instead of trying to keep the face pointing at the ball, I get much better result. It seems when I do this my left arm goes across my chest instead of moving up my chest and the club stays on plane. From there I just let it whip and you get a shallow plane back to the ball and an effortless draw. I found that my 5 irons were going about 190 to 195 yards now. That is a vast improvement over my 180 yard 3 iron.

Stuff like this happens sometimes and you think you finally figured it out but usually this is not the case. So I'm going to keep my excitement in check until the next session.

VTDivot · #24 04-30-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogeyGolf

Was it an Epiphany? I just got done on the range again. The session started OK with the wedges but when I got up to the 5 iron I started pulling everything and more often than not hitting a fatty. Desperate to correct my problem, I started to experiment. I found that if I let the club face open naturally on the way back instead of trying to keep the face pointing at the ball, I get much better result. It seems when I do this my left arm goes across my chest instead of moving up my chest and the club stays on plane. From there I just let it whip and you get a shallow plane back to the ball and an effortless draw. I found that my 5 irons were going about 190 to 195 yards now. That is a vast improvement over my 180 yard 3 iron.

Stuff like this happens sometimes and you think you finally figured it out but usually this is not the case. So I'm going to keep my excitement in check until the next session.

Your dedication to your game is impressive.. keep it up.

I'm bringing a snorkel to the course tomorrow...

BogeyGolf · #25 04-30-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTDivot

Your dedication to your game is impressive.. keep it up.

I'm bringing a snorkel to the course tomorrow...

Doing a little diving eh? Well, I am as dedicated as anyone could be for getting out to the range once a week.

WarriorPoet · #26 04-30-2005

I tried this too, and was impressed enough with the improvement in ballstriking (especially in my driver and hybrids, which were tending to the erratic side the more I locked in with my irons) that I'm going to try incorporating it fully. I can't really comment on the distances, since I was hitting into gusting winds from grass tees that didn't have marked distances, but it felt good, and effortless, and the power was still there.

Can't wait to try it on a slightly calmer day.

BEEFAROANI · #27 05-01-2005

I have been using a version of the Jerry Heard Super Swing for about 5=6 years. It works pretty well for me. I didn't gain or lose any distance and I feel my accuracy really improved. I moved from the low/mid 80's to the upper 70's low 80 range. I use a strong left hand and a weak right hand so that the palms are about parrallel. You can still cock the wrists from this position. The grip is a baseball grip with no interlocking or overlapping of fingers. Keep more weight back in the stance and move forward through the hitting area to release. I think it keeps the lower body quiet. Do a search for the Heard super swing and you can probably find a video & book for a reasonably price. Good Luck

Tee'd Off · #28 05-01-2005

This one plane swing sounds like what Jimmy Ballard was saying way back in the 80's. IT sounds like nothing new just old stuff being rehashed.

BogeyGolf · #29 05-01-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tee'd Off

This one plane swing sounds like what Jimmy Ballard was saying way back in the 80's. IT sounds like nothing new just old stuff being rehashed.

Great! If that is true then it is a proven swing which will erase any doubt I may have in making these swing changes permanent.

Tee'd Off · #30 05-01-2005

This one plane swing sounds like Jimmy Ballard's teachings. The lower body starting backswing and the downswing and everything above the waistline is reactive. It is nothing new it goes way back! Ballard took his swing theroies from Percy Boomer who wrote the book 'On Learning Golf' way back in 1946 and it has been reprinted 15 times! This so called new onel plane swing is just an update to these thoughts. See if you can score a copy of Boomers 'On Learning Golf' and Ballards 'How to Perfect your Golf Swing.' These are all in the one plane swing school! I'm a one planner mainly because with the two plane I find myself struggling with timing which is essential! I find the one planer to be more consistant. It is nothing new though......

Rosco · #31 05-01-2005

i didn't know it before but i have a one plane swing and this site can actually help me inprove it thanks!

Tee'd Off · #32 05-01-2005

It is interesting to see this subject brought up since we have all known that alot of golf instruction is often at odds. I have found myself more along the one plane type but have gotten sort of mixed up with the two plane swing fundementals. I will have to stick with this one plane swing and see what comes of it.

Tee'd Off · #33 05-14-2005

Well my latest update with the one plane is here! So far it has been going ok! I have managed to increase my distance on the tee and from the fairway. Recently I have found I have not been bending forward enough! At 6'1" my mind can't quite accept the fact I have to get the spine at 45 degrees! Hence I cheet up and the plane is thrown off! Been drilling to stay down at the right angle! The swing itself is not very complex and easy to tune up!

Billy Pilgrim · #34 05-20-2005

Just found this forum....great stuff...feel compelled to make my first post

Just getting back into golf after a fifteen yr absence - was single figure handicapper as a boy but haven't played since....

First steps back in my re-hab was a visit to the local pro...who saw my swing and has started to offer a number of pointers to get me swinging 'correctly'...

In the last month or so I managed to hurt myself playing football - so no golfing - so I spent a bit of time reading various forums / articles on the internet...

This thread made me look further into the one plane swing and a number of things have jumped out at me...
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On my re-introduction to golf I realised I had no recollection of how I used to swing a club.....so was setting up probably nothing like I used to do...but swung the club naturally....like I did before.......so when the pro saw me he immediatelly altered my stance - I was FAR too narrow and VERY upright - so got me over a few degrees more about (to 25 degrees bend at the hips I'd say)

Next he started me swinging more upright (I was far too flat and around myself...and was also rotating the left forarm clockwise on takeaway)

The last time I saw him I was asked to work on a number of things - swing wide and get the arms away from the body...whilst getting weight onto the back heel (which I was also failing to do)...

After recent readings I now realise that he is trying to ingrain into me a 'two plane swing'.....and what I used to do as a kid (the rolling left forarm on backswing, weight staying more centrally and not back onto right heel, flatter swing) was try to swing more one plane. I'm finding it REALLY difficult to stop all of my 'swing faults'

So tonight I am going to forget all he has told me, get my spine angle at address near to 45 degrees, get my arms out a bit more infront of me...widen the stance further.....and swing those shoulders like a baseball player

BTW I'm taking nothing away from the pro's teachings......if i'd turned up on his doorstep and set up and swung one-plane from the start I'm sure he'd have not tried to train me into using a two plane swing...

Results posted on here once I've given it a try

jordoo · #35 05-20-2005

Good luck I am a convert from 2 to 1 plane and its been great for me if u can get ur hands in front of ur left hip before u fire the lower body u will find an extreme amount of power.

I am tall however and have to be careful not to get my hands too close to my body it gets me swinging flat or coming outside the line.

Hope it works out 4 u

Golfer12803 · #36 07-07-2006

Guess I'm late on this bandwagon, just trying it out. Anybody wish to share current experience/results with this one plane swing?
Thanks

Jim Neathery · #37 03-25-2008

I am considering a change to the "One Plane Swing" because of a woren out left knee. Has anyone received any relief from a change over like this.

FreakOfNature · #38 03-26-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Neathery

I am considering a change to the "One Plane Swing" because of a woren out left knee. Has anyone received any relief from a change over like this.

I don't think a one plane swing will offer you any advantages over a two plane swing in regards to being easier on your knee. I too have bad knees (I often play wearing a knee brace), and the only thing I've found that helps (the left one) is to flare my left foot open about 40 degrees and NOT straighten and lock the left knee on the downswing and follow through like you see a lot of the younger pros doing (you may have read that this move is a power source - utter BS). Locking a joint then placing the majority of your weight on it and then TURNING over that joint is a great way to hurt yourself. Flaring the left foot open reduces the amount of torque on your knee as you follow through, protecting it from unnatural motion and thus damage.

That's the best I've got. Hope it helps.

FON

Jim Neathery · #39 03-26-2008

Looks like time has caught up with my knee and I. I've tried with very open left foot with some good results. Thanks for your comment. Jim

daveperk · #40 03-26-2008

Late to this party, but--

I am certain I'm a one plane guy. In fact, I'm almost a Rich Beem, in that my swing almost comes UP to a second plane.. rather than dropping down, like any GOOD golfer.. :-)

But when it works well, I can see on video that I am pretty much on the exact same track down as up. I've tried 'dropping into the slot' a la Garcia or even Furyk (although he drops more than anyone), but all it does is make me into a happy hooker.

I play a tiny little fade when I'm at my best, and the plane is dead on single.

Kiwi Player · #41 03-27-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreakOfNature

NOT straighten and lock the left knee on the downswing and follow through like you see a lot of the younger pros doing (you may have read that this move is a power source - utter BS).

FON

I read about that, snapping the left knee for extra power, but couldn't understand the concept at all and haven't tried to apply it?

And after reading this I won't!

Not a hacker · #42 03-27-2008

The acknowledgement of the one plane swing has been a huge step forward in golf teaching. Anyone who ahs been around for a while would remember not too long ago all pros taught the same swing to everyone i.e the 2 plane swing, whether it fit your natural swing or not. There is no right or wrong way to swing a golf club. For some people the 2 plane swing will work better, for some the one plane. Personally I find the one plane swing much easier and more natural and have improved out of sight over the last 5 or so years now that every pro who sees my swing doesn't immediately say it's wrong and tries to force me to swing a 2 planer.

The bottom line is they both work equally well when applied correctly. The trick is finding a pro with an open mind who can help you decide which way to go based on your natural movements.

**pingman360** · #43 03-27-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreakOfNature

I don't think a one plane swing will offer you any advantages over a two plane swing in regards to being easier on your knee. I too have bad knees (I often play wearing a knee brace), and the only thing I've found that helps (the left one) is to flare my left foot open about 40 degrees and NOT straighten and lock the left knee on the downswing and follow through like you see a lot of the younger pros doing (you may have read that this move is a power source - utter BS). Locking a joint then placing the majority of your weight on it and then TURNING over that joint is a great way to hurt yourself. Flaring the left foot open reduces the amount of torque on your knee as you follow through, protecting it from unnatural motion and thus damage.

That's the best I've got. Hope it helps.

FON

a OPS requires you to straighten/lock your left leg...

Thomas45 · #44 10-22-2009

I have written my experience with the one plane golf swing in my blog

One Plane Golf Swing

alangbaker · #45 10-22-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogeyGolf

Supposedly all the rage now. Single plane golf swing article in May issue of Golf Digest and a previous segment of the golf channel describes this swing as it compares to the traditional 2 plane golf swing. Supposedly Tiger has been working on getting his swing plane much flatter such as that of a single plane golf swing. Check out www.oneplanegolfswing.com to see details.

I was wondering if this is a legitimate method of swinging the club. Theoretically it makes plenty sense. Anyone use this swing here?

Given that all you need to do is look at a golfer at address and realize that to swing even a short iron (the club with most vertical shaft), the club would be behind the golfer and well below the shoulders, one can quickly see that no swing can really be one plane.

If that's the case, then why is one gradation of not one plane more correct than another? I suspect it isn't.