Hank Haney introduces new PlaneFinder training aid
August 18, 2011

The concept of swinging the golf club on the proper plane was first articulated by Ben Hogan in his classic 1957 instructional book, "Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf." Years later, legendary teacher Hank Haney has made swinging on plane the cornerstone of his work with Tour players and high handicappers alike. And now, along with inventor Rusty Pies, Haney has created The PlaneFinder, a unique and innovative device that provides immediate feedback if the club deviates from the proper plane on both the backswing and downswing.

The PlaneFinder is a sturdy device that sits on the ground and essentially straddles the golfers' target line. Two indicator arms, which move if contacted, face away from the golfer; three more face the golfer. In between is a channel several inches wide that is the path for the club to pass through when the club is club is traveling on the proper plane. If the golfer swings under the plane, the shaft will make contact with one or both of the arms facing away. If he or she swings over the plane - the dreaded over-the-top move - contact is made with the arms facing the golfer. Feedback is instantaneous. And as the golfer's swing plane improves, The PlaneFinder's channel can be adjusted to make the drills more challenging.

"Besides your grip and setup, swing plane is by far the most important fundamental," said Haney. "The beauty of The PlaneFinder is that you find out immediately what you're doing right and what you're doing wrong,. And then by making subtle adjustments to the swing, every golfer can quickly discover their proper plane and how to remain on it. There's a big difference between "feel" and "real" and the PlaneFinderT never lies."

Six-time PGA Tour winner and now NBC golf analyst Gary Koch is also a fan of The PlaneFinder. "The revolutionary PlaneFinder allows you to learn with three of your senses: feel sight, and sound." When you come in contact with the indicators, you can feel that you hit them, you can hear that you hit them and you can see which ones have moved."

Tour players and golf instructors alike know that swinging on the proper plane is the key to effortless power, laser-like accuracy and, most of all, consistency. Golfers can improve all of those aspects in very short order as their path improves. Not only can they use the PlaneFinder during practice sessions at the range but at home as well. And, the device works equally well with every club in the golfer's bag, from lob wedge to driver. It's the next best thing to taking hours of lessons with Hank Haney himself!