Tuition
The Plane Truth
Part 6 - In three balls you could cure your slice
If your downswing is too steep and too narrow coming in to the ball then, like the majority of club golfers you probably suffer a weak, ugly slice. If so, here’s a 2-minute lesson that could transform your ball-flight. In fact, I’d go as far as to suggest that, in just 3 balls, working on a One-Plane action can help you to play better and more consistent golf If you swing the club ‘straight back’ and like to think of getting your hands ‘high at the top’ the chances are your swing is too steep... ...with the result that your downswing is on track to approach the ball from out-to-in – which causes a slice
By Chris O’Connell VICE PRESIDENT / THE PLANE TRUTH
Part 1 - Plane Talk - Interview with golf swing coach Jim Hardy
Part 2 - The Matrix & My Profile - A revolutionary vision for online golf instruction
Part 3 - One & Two Plane Golf Swings - A rough guide
Part 4 - Matt Kuchar - Natural Born One Plane Golf Swing
Part 5 - Leading Plane Truth certified pros in the UK give their verdict
Part 6 - In three balls you could cure your slice
Now, in my experience, if we can get a player to change a fundamental character of their technique (either shallowing the swing if it is too steep, or steepening it if it's too shallow – basically using the +/– system devised by Jim Hardy) we can change the ball flight very quickly. There are only so many permutations that go on between the golf club and the golf ball – and once you understand that you are quickly on track to make real improvement.
The steep, out-to-in swing that you see me demonstrating above is probably the most common fault in golf. It's the primary cause of the slice.And logic tells me that if a player is coming in to the ball too steeply and from outside the ball-to-target line, I need to focus on getting him to swing more from the inside, hitting more level to the ground. Typically, the slicer will have his arms too much in front of the body and come down to impact too steeply. So, to cure the problem I would immediately look to get their arms working around their body – that way I know that I can get them swinging the clubhead into the ball from the inside.
More satisfying still, you replace that weak, cutty slice with a penetrating draw-shape off the tee.
...that allows you to approach the ball from a more powerful inside path and deliver the clubhead squarely to the back of the ballTHE BUCKET DRILL
Here’s a simple exercise I want you to try if you feel you may be a candidate for the One Plane style swing– i.e. you feel that you could be comfortable swinging your arms more around your body. Take a bucket, and hold it so that it is inclined as per the shaft of your driver at the set-up. Now, from that starting point I want you to swing your arms and the bucket as far behind you as possible – but with the opening remaining in that same plane. Return to the starting position and repeat this exercise a number of times – like all good drills this one exaggerates the movement, and with repetition it will help you to make a good One-Plane backswing when you go in search of the same sensations with a club in your hands.