Instruction
Swing path problems and how to fix them
In my previous story, I discussed Tiger Woods’ ongoing struggle with his swing path, which at times is too inside-out.
Because Tiger pushes the needle more than just about any other athlete in the world, many readers took the article as a personal affront to Tiger, and I fear that the message in the article may have been lost. So I want to take the opportunity to discuss the swing path in more detail for readers who may not have understood exactly what I meant.
There are three general directions that a golf club travels through impact:
- Along the base plane line (BPL).
- To the right* of the BPL, which is called in-to-out.
- To the left* of the BPL, which is called out-to-in.
*Note: For left-handed golfers, the directions are reversed.
Only one of these paths, No. 1, is an arc that moves in-to-in. The others are much straighter lines. The term “in-to-in” simply means the golf club is approaching the ball from inside the BPL and arcing back inside the BPL after impact. Is there an ideal swing path, golfers often ask me? That depends on the face angle of the golf club in relation to the path. But the shape of the in-to-in path is preferable because golfers play the game from “inside” the golf ball, or “aside” it if you will.
All golfers fall into swing patterns. I have yet to teach any player who swings the club easily both ways. Once golfers develop a swing, it is what it is until a concerted effort is made to change it. The problem with the in-to-out and out-to-in paths is they are both reliant on a matching face angle (one that is closed or open to that path). Can a golfer play with a swing path that is 6 degrees in-to-out? Sure, if the face is consistently 2 degrees closed to that path. But if the path is more consistently in-to-in, the face can be square to that arc.
Note: I have used the term BPL as opposed to the term “target line” simply because the ONLY time they are one and the same is when golfers set up perfectly parallel left of the target line. Many touring pros play from a slightly open position, meaning that their BPL is somewhat left by design. They do this to offset the “rightness” of their path, especially when hitting down on an iron. Remember that any golf club swung on an inclined plane is swinging right of the BPL when it is swinging DOWN. When a golf club is swinging left of the BPL, it is swinging UP.
Paths that are well right or left cause average golfers nightmares because they cannot match their clubface to the path consistently. So what can golfers do to get on a better path? Well, there are several contributing factors, but one of the things I see is that golfers are under the illusion that the body controls the club.
“Turn the shoulders away in the backswing and the hips through in the downswing” is what I hear from many golf professionals. And this is the desired body motion for most swings. But (and here is the point I was making in the Tiger article) the golf club is swung by the ARMS, which happen to be attached to the shoulders (NOT THE HIPS or any other part of the anatomy).
Yes, the body must get out of the way for the arms to swing, but the ARMS do the swinging. So if a player is suffering from an inside-out path, simply turning the lower body through impact is not sufficient. In fact, what I teach many of my players who are stuck under or have a swing path that is too far inside is to consider turning the UPPER body through. If you watch Tiger’s practice swing, the big difference is that his shoulders open early in the downswing, which allows the club to swing more left. Is this a universal prescription? Of course not. If your path tends to be too much to the left, it may suggest your shoulders are opening TOO early; again different strokes for different folks. The point is that many of my tournament players who get overly focused on rotating through the ball get even more under or inside their desired path.
I am not advocating playing golf with your arms; we all know the value of the body in the swing. I am merely suggesting that the role of the body, in addition to supplying balance, reacting to ground forces, adding power, etc., is to make room for the arms to swing and therefore move the golf club through the golf ball.
My favorite drill is this: If you have been on Flightscope or Trackman and learned that your path is in-to-out or out-to-in and you desire to change it, MOVE THE GOLF BALL DRASTICALLY IN YOUR STANCE. So, if you are seriously in-to-out and struggling with club face or bottom of the swing issues, move the golf ball WAY forward in your stance (like past your left toe). Do this for a week, and you will start to feel your reaction.
Here’s why: When the golf ball is back in your stance, your instincts are to drop your arms and get the golf club down first. When the golf ball is well forward, your instincts are to open your body first and drop the club later. I have used ball position changes to redirect swing paths for years and if you do it long enough, you WILL change. Later you can gradually bring the golf ball back to a more standard position.
Remember this: Do not worry about the results of your shots when doing these drills. You are trying to change a motion, drills can help that. One of my favorite drills for under plane, shallow attack angle players is to hit drivers off the ground from a forward ball position.
One more thing: In my previous story about Tiger, I mentioned getting the club back out in front of you. This involves not only turning the body, but also rotating the arms. If you “drag the handle” or try to “lag” the club, it often stays behind you. Think about that for a bit and you’ll see what I mean.
As always, feel free to send a swing video to my Facebook page and I will do my best to give you my feedback.
The LPGA Tour is kicking off its 2026 season this week at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, and the pros are dealing with something most Florida golfers rarely face: freezing temperatures.
“It’s colder here than in the UK at the minute, which is a first,” said England’s Charley Hull during Wednesday’s media day at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
Even Lydia Ko, who lives at Lake Nona, seemed surprised by the cold snap. “We’re pretty much getting to below zero in celsius here, which maybe in other parts of the country they would be thankful, but when you’re in Florida it is a little bit of a surprise,” she said.
If the world’s best players are adjusting their games for cold weather, recreational golfers should, too. Here’s how to play smart when the mercury drops.
Understand What Cold Does to Your Game
Before you change anything, you need to know what you’re fighting against. Cold air is denser than warm air, which means your ball won’t fly as far. Period.
Hull noticed this immediately during practice rounds at Lake Nona. She mentioned hitting a gap wedge into the 18th hole during a previous win but needing a 4-iron during Tuesday’s practice round. That’s a difference of four or five clubs for the same shot.
Action item: Expect to lose 5-10 yards on every club in your bag when temperatures dip below 50 degrees. Plan accordingly and don’t be stubborn about club selection.
Layer Up Without Restricting Your Swing
Hull admitted she wore three pairs of pants during practice. While that might be extreme for most of us, staying warm is critical to playing well in cold conditions.
Your muscles need warmth to function properly. When you’re cold, your body tightens up and your swing gets shorter and faster. Neither of those things help you hit good golf shots.
Action item: Wear multiple thin layers instead of one bulky jacket. Look for golf-specific cold weather gear that stretches with your swing. Keep hand warmers in your pockets between shots. And don’t forget a good hat because you lose significant body heat through your head.
Take More Club Than You Think You Need
This is where ego gets in the way of good scores. When it’s cold, the ball doesn’t compress as well off the clubface. Combined with denser air, you’re looking at serious distance loss.
The pros at Lake Nona are dealing with a course that measures 6,642 yards but plays much longer this week. If they’re adjusting, you should too.
Action item: Take at least one extra club on every approach shot. In temperatures below 40 degrees, consider taking two extra clubs. It’s better to fly the ball to the back of the green than to come up short in a bunker.
Adjust Your Expectations on the Greens
Cold weather affects putting in ways most golfers don’t consider. The ball is harder and doesn’t roll as smoothly. Your hands are cold, making it harder to feel the putter. And if there’s any moisture on the greens, they’ll be slower than normal.
Ko mentioned that she still sometimes reads the greens wrong at Lake Nona despite being a member for years. Cold weather makes that challenge even tougher.
Action item: Hit putts more firmly than usual. The ball needs extra speed to hold its line on cold greens. Take a few extra practice strokes to get a feel for the speed before you putt.
Embrace the Mental Challenge
Hull said something interesting about cold weather golf: “I like the mental toughness of it.”
That’s the right attitude. Everyone on the course is dealing with the same conditions. The player who stays patient and doesn’t get frustrated by the extra difficulty will come out ahead.
Action item: Lower your expectations by a few strokes. If you normally shoot 85, accept that 90 might be a good score in 40-degree weather. Focus on solid contact and smart decisions rather than perfect shots.
Warm Up Longer and Smarter
This might be the most important tip of all. Cold muscles are tight muscles, and tight muscles get injured easily.
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul revealed she’s been protecting a wrist injury that bothered her late last season. Cold weather makes those kinds of injuries more likely if you don’t prepare properly.
Action item: Spend at least 20 minutes warming up before your round. Start with stretching, then hit easy wedge shots before working up to your driver. Keep moving between shots on the course to maintain body heat and flexibility.
The pros at Lake Nona this week will adapt and compete at the highest level despite the cold. You can do the same at your local course by following these tips and keeping a positive attitude.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
Brooks Koepka is back on the PGA Tour, and whether you love him or hate him, the guy knows how to win when it matters. After his LIV Golf stint, the five-time major champion returns this week at the Farmers Insurance Open.
What makes Koepka fascinating? He doesn’t fit the mold. His swing isn’t textbook. He doesn’t obsess over mechanics. Yet he’s won three PGA Championships and two U.S. Opens, regularly making it look easier than guys with prettier swings.
So, what can average golfers learn from someone who treats the game so differently? Quite a bit.
Stop Overthinking Every Shot
Koepka describes his approach as “reactionary” rather than mechanical. While most tour pros grind over swing thoughts, Brooks sees the target and hits it. No mental checklist.
This might be the most valuable lesson for weekend golfers who’ve watched too many YouTube swing videos.
How to actually do this:
On the range, hit five balls where you stare at the target for three seconds prior to addressing the ball. Don’t think about grip or stance. Just burn that target into your brain. You’ll be shocked at how pure you hit it when your brain focuses on where the ball is going instead of how you’re swinging.
Next time you play, give yourself a rule: Once you pull the club, you’ve got 15 seconds to hit. Koepka is one of the fastest players on tour because he doesn’t give his brain time to sabotage him.
If you feel tension in your hands at address, you’re trying to control too much. Koepka’s grip pressure is famously light. Loosen up until the club almost feels like it might slip, then add just enough pressure to hold on. That’s your swing thought: soft hands, see the target.
This approach works better under pressure. When you’re standing over that shot with water left and OB right, the last thing you need is a mental checklist. See it, feel it, hit it.
Play to Your Strengths (Even If They’re Not Pretty)
Koepka uses a strong grip that wouldn’t pass muster in some teaching circles. But he’s built his game around what works for him, elite driving distance and recovery skills. He doesn’t try to be someone he’s not.
Here’s how to build your game like Brooks:
Look at your last five rounds and figure out where you’re actually gaining strokes. Bombing it off the tee, but can’t hit greens? Lean into it. Play courses where distance matters more than precision. On tight holes, grip down on your 3-wood instead of trying to thread a driver through a keyhole you’ll miss seven times out of ten.
Koepka knows he can scramble, so he’s not afraid to miss greens. If you’re deadly from 50 to 75 yards, start leaving yourself those distances on the par 5’s instead of going for them in two every time.
Know when to take your medicine. Koepka in the trees at the PGA? He’s punching out to 100 yards, not trying to bend a 6-iron around three oaks. You’re in the rough with a flyer lie and water short? Hit your 8-iron to the middle and move on. That’s not playing scared, that’s playing smart.
Save Your Best for When It Counts
Here’s a wild stat: Koepka’s putting average in majors is often more than a full stroke better per round than in regular events. He elevates when pressure is highest.
How does an amateur tap into that gear? It’s not about trying harder, it’s about caring differently.
Here’s what actually works:
Decide which rounds matter to you. Club championship? Member-guest? That annual trip with college buddies? Circle those dates and treat them differently. Koepka doesn’t care much about regular tour events, but majors? That’s when he locks in.
Two weeks before your big round, change your practice. Stop beating balls mindlessly. Play nine holes in which every shot has consequences. Miss the fairway? Hit from the rough on the next hole too. Three-putt? Twenty push-ups. Koepka’s practice intensity ramps up before majors because he’s rehearsing pressure, not just swings.
Develop a between-shot routine that resets your brain. Koepka is famous for his blank expression after bad shots. Try this: After any shot, take three deep breaths while walking, then find something specific to notice, a tree, a cloud, someone’s shirt. That’s your reset button. By the time you reach your ball, the last shot is gone.
The Bottom Line
Brooks Koepka’s return reminds us there’s no single path to success in golf. His “substance over style” approach proves that results matter more than looking good.
You don’t need a perfect swing; you need a reliable one that holds up under pressure. You don’t need to hit every shot in the book; you need the shots you can count on. And you don’t need to play great every time; you need to play great when it matters.
Welcome back, Brooks. Thanks for the reminder that golf is ultimately about getting the ball in the hole, not winning style points.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
Blades Brown made a big impression last week in the California desert, and not just because he’s only 18. He put up numbers that would catch any weekend golfer’s attention. Most of us won’t hit 317-yard drives or find 86% of our greens in regulation, but there’s a lot to learn from how Brown managed his game at The American Express.
Here are three practical lessons from his performance that you can use on your own course this weekend.
Step 1: Give Priority to Accuracy Over Distance Off The Tee
Brown’s driving stats are impressive. He averaged almost 318 yards off the tee, ranking 12th in the field. More importantly, he hit 76.79% of his fairways, tying for fourth place in the tournament.
Think about that ratio for a second. Brown could have swung harder, chased more distance and tried to overpower the course. Instead, he played smart golf and kept his ball in play.
Your Action Item: Next time you’re on the tee box, ask yourself a simple question before pulling the driver. Do you need maximum distance here, or do you need to be in the fairway? If there’s trouble lurking or the hole doesn’t demand every yard you can muster, take something off your swing. Grip down an inch. Make a three-quarter swing. Do whatever it takes to find the short grass. Brown’s approach illustrates that fairways lead to greens, and greens lead to birdies. He made 22 of them last week, along with an eagle.
The math is simple. When you’re hitting three out of every four fairways like Brown did, you’re giving yourself legitimate looks at the green with your approach shots. That’s when scoring happens.
Step 2: Commit To Hitting More Greens
This is where Brown really separated himself. He hit 62 of 72 greens in regulation, an 86.11% clip that tied for first in the entire field. Read that again. An 18-year-old kid tied for the lead in one of the most important ball-striking statistics in professional golf.
How did he do it? By keeping his ball in the fairway (see Step 1) and giving himself clean looks with mid-irons and wedges.
Your Action Item: Start tracking your greens in regulation. You don’t need a fancy app or a statistics degree. Just mark down whether you hit the green in the regulation number of strokes. Par 3s in one shot. Par 4s in two shots. Par 5s in three shots.
Once you know your baseline, set a goal to improve it by 10%. If you’re currently hitting five greens per round, aim for six. The beauty of this approach is that it forces you to think strategically about club selection and shot shape. Brown’s strokes gained approach number was positive (0.179), meaning he was better than the field average. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be on the dance floor more often.
When you hit more greens, you eliminate the need for heroic short game shots. Brown only had to scramble 10 times all week, and he got up and down 70% of the time. That’s solid, but the real story is that he rarely put himself in scrambling situations to begin with.
Step 3: Minimize Mistakes And Stay Patient
Here’s the stat that jumps off the page: Brown made only three bogeys all week. Three. In four rounds of professional golf against the best players in the world.
He also made just one double bogey. That kind of clean card doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you play within yourself, avoid the big miss and trust that pars are never bad scores.
Your Action Item: Before your next round, decide that you’re going to play boring golf. No hero shots over water. No driver on tight holes just because you can. No aggressive pins when there’s a safe side of the green.
Brown’s performance shows us that consistency beats flash every single time. He didn’t lead the field in any single strokes gained category, but he was solid across the board. That’s how you post numbers and cash checks.
Give these three steps a try. Your scorecard will thank you.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “The Starter” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
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Ron J.
Jun 5, 2014 at 3:10 pm
Thanks for the great tip on encouraging an in-to-in swing path (moving the ball well forward). When I am trying to ingrain swinging down and through on my irons I have trouble maintaining the in-to-in path: I tend to swing out-to-in and sometimes I will shank. Do you have any suggestions or drills for maintaining the in-to-in path in this situation?
ENyst
Jun 3, 2014 at 8:14 am
Hi Dennis,
I’ve struggled for years with an in to out path, leaving the door open for the dreaded snap hook or push fade miss. A few lessons stressed swinging “left” which I really struggled with mentally. The ball position far forward seems to make great sense, are there any other tips for helping build a more natural in-to-in path? Thanks!!!!
Manu Martinez III
Jan 31, 2014 at 5:40 pm
Dennis, why did you say that the only time the target line and BPL are one in the same is when one is aimed perfectly parallel left of the target line? Where I align my body doesnt dictate where my actual swing plane will point at impact. I can set up perfectly parallel left of the target and have a swing plane the points left or right once impact occurs. Please advise. Great article just confused on that one detail.
Dennis Clark
Feb 11, 2014 at 9:06 pm
Just noticed this….yes I see your point. If I’m aimed parallel left but my HSP is left at impact, I have “shifted” my BPL to the left. My comment was more set up oriented.
Bailey Cottle
Jan 24, 2014 at 10:32 pm
Hi Dennis,
only just saw this article and i have been having a bad hooking problem even when weakening my grip which must mean a serious case of in to out swing path, just a question,should it feel like i pull my left shoulder into a slightly open position as i make my downswing? as this is what i feel costs me a lot of shots i still manage to shoot rounds in the 70s but i feel as though i should be mid-high 60s e.g 66-69.
thank you,
Bailey
Dennis Clark
Feb 11, 2014 at 9:11 pm
I might have you opening your upper body more from the top and a forward ball position.
Sam Soonthorn
Jan 9, 2014 at 8:31 am
Hi Dennis,
I played golf for about 35yrs+. Just got a chance to hit on Trackman for the first time with my driver. The results are..attack angle 2.6 degrees, Club path 7.5 degrees, Face angle 1.3 degrees and Face to path -6.2. My situation pretty much draw to hook.
Would you agree if I set myself to an open stance and aim a little left with ball forward, Will I overcome my hook shot?
Last but not least, Do you have any swing thought drill that I can use while I play to prevent me from hooking the ball?
Sam
Dennis Clark
Feb 11, 2014 at 9:15 pm
For a drill I might hit some drivers off the ground from a very forward ball position. As far as the path is concerned it appears the club is getting too far behind you either going back or coming down.
JAMES CONROY (JD)
Dec 15, 2013 at 9:22 am
Dennis, although I just finished reading your article, on swing path problems it was a “Eureka” event for me. Although, I have been a student of the game for over 60 years, I have never before encountered your innovative lesson on the profound effect that ball position has on swing path. I am a “blocker” (in-to-out) and only recently stumbled on the effect of ball position by trial and error. Reading your excellent article has reinforced and confirmed my suspicion. Thank you for your incite.
Dennis Clark
Dec 26, 2013 at 9:04 am
Thx Im glad it helped. Sorry for the delayed response.
Dennis Clark
Nov 20, 2013 at 8:04 pm
Thx everyone. Ball position is the oldest, easiest and still the best fix for swing path. Back for out to in and forward for in to out works WONDERS. I know because I see it every day. Another simple one is hills-moguls. Out to in can benefit from an uphill lie and in to out can be helped on a downhill slope. These hills work great for attack angle too. Good luck. Send me video anytime.
Eric
Jun 2, 2014 at 3:51 pm
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Jeremy
Nov 11, 2013 at 2:20 pm
Dennis…Great Article! I am a lefty and am having issues right now with inconsistent strikes. I feel like my hands are really flat halfway through my backswing and come way inside out. Would the forward drill correct that you think?
Ray Welsh
Nov 7, 2013 at 9:48 pm
Great article.
What drill would you recommend for a too steep/out to in path?
Ray Welsh
Nov 7, 2013 at 9:47 pm
Wonderful article.
Your drill for solving a very in to out, shallow path is great. What drill would you recommend for the opposite case ( out to in/ steep swinger?
Golfer X
Oct 29, 2013 at 7:59 pm
Like naflack, I am a sweeper, no divots whatsoever. I, also have short arms, but big biceps so I am strong enough to get a ball out there. My swing path is in to in, like a true arc, so for me ball position is of the utmost importance. My question is how do I position myself so that I pick the optimum ball position for my swing path during a round? Its easy at the range but during a round, is another story.
Dennis Clark
Oct 29, 2013 at 9:30 pm
“working” the ball requires a ball position change: back for a draw, forward for a fade. You’ll know if the ball is positioned correctly if your shots are not curving.
Dave M
Oct 14, 2013 at 11:23 pm
Hi Dennis, when performing the “ball forward” swing path drill do you recommend using a particular club or work through the bag? Try to finish posted up in balance or step through like Gary Player?
Pete
Oct 12, 2013 at 12:27 am
Dennis, I definitely get stuck on my downswing. On video, when I start my downswing, my hips turn so fast that my rms get stuck behind me. Maybe you are saying the same thing but I thought I should drop my arms down first trying to keep my shoulders closed longer and not rotate the hips too early with my arms lagging behind. Would it also be good for me to play the ball forward in my trance?
Dennis Clark
Oct 12, 2013 at 8:17 pm
Its different for everybody, of course. If I have taught you, or you’ve heard me say “get your arms down early and keep your shoulders closed longer, it is because someone is over the top. Not stuck or under. Quite the opposite really
Stan
Oct 11, 2013 at 2:57 pm
Dennis, I have problems hitting a lot of pulls and some pull hooks, and when I do hit it well, it’s often a slight pull and very high ball flight.
I take it from your piece that a good drill for me would be practicing with the ball well back in my stance?
Dennis Clark
Oct 11, 2013 at 4:29 pm
Yes from your ball flight description. Also check your lie angle(s) (too upright) and shaft flex (too soft). good luck
BA
Oct 15, 2013 at 2:43 pm
Dennis,
Like Stan, I get a case of the pulls. Through experimentation and lots of balls, I am pretty sure I open both the lower body and the shoulders far to quickly from the top. Of course, I can feel and see myself coming from out to in and hitting the outside of the ball. My cure, which has worked wonderfully has been to do no conscious turning of the hips or shoulders and simply swing the club back on the path I used on the backswing to hit the inside of the ball. It feels as if I am using no hips and hitting the ball with my back towards the target. Obviously this is not the case, but I have significantly slowed down my hips and shoulders. The momentum of the swinging club and arms pulls the body around to the finish. In my sense, the body has become totally responsive. Does this make sense?
craig@tourimpactgolf.com
Oct 9, 2013 at 11:20 am
Great Article. Actually used a ball position outside my left foot with the driver for a very long time to cure a nasty in-to-out hooking problem.
Dennis Clark
Oct 10, 2013 at 7:21 pm
It’s a great drill particularly for the better player.
Marcus
Oct 9, 2013 at 7:09 am
Hi Mr. Clark,
Thank you for a great article, I have a question since i’m a heavy in-to-out swinger.
1.: I have been struggling with early release, as to compensate I have a slightly too forward motion in my upper body, similar to the one Hunter Mahan haves, which previously could result in shanking quite a bit. How do I use your drill and place the ball more forward in the stance and still ensure my upper body and head is not moving too much down the line during the downswing ?
Thx
Marcus (hcp: 0)
Dennis Clark
Oct 10, 2013 at 7:19 pm
In to out and early is a not a compatible combination. You’re right that moving ahead of the ball is often a function of releasing too early, particularly from the inside. What might be best for you is to try and play from an open position. You will have to get away from playing the inside. It is very difficult to change a release point, much easier to change a path…
phil graeber
Oct 8, 2013 at 9:45 pm
My experience has been that the more focus you put on the club head actually hitting the ball means more success in the result. The next time you’re at the range, try remembering the divot after you’ve made the swing. The difficulty in seeing or remembering the divot instead of the shot it self is the key. When you can do this the tempo is right for you. Almost always and in every stroke-including putting.
My 2 cents/
tmk
Oct 8, 2013 at 11:04 am
Very interesting article. Thanks. I’ve always had an in to out path, but this year I’ve been working on a steeper shoulder plane both on the backswing and downswing. It has caused my path to be closer to in to in, though I do sometimes get a bit too far out coming in to the ball. Just curious, do you find that a steeper shoulder plane is generally helpful in getting someone to an in to in plane?
Dennis Clark
Oct 10, 2013 at 7:27 pm
well in to it is not a plane, it’s a direction, but in answer to your question: a steeper shoulder turn CAN help, but does not guarantee it. I see steep shoulders, and flat arms and club sometimes too. I am always leery of steep shoulders because I see it cause a poor weight distribution (reverse pivot.
invisaman
Oct 7, 2013 at 12:38 pm
This is article is just wanted I needed. You confirmed that the problems I have are all related.
A few months ago my swing had many pushes and push fades. I started turning my lower body more and the ball started more left but ended up right. Then I made my grip slightly stronger I got pull and pull hooks. I went back to the neutral grip and turned my lower body (hips) faster and most of the time I will get snap hooks or a push.
A fellow golfer told me I need to roll my hands more but the timing of the roll is difficult and my results were bad. So, recently I tried turning my upper body (shoulders) more in the downswing. Since the shoulders move the arms and the arms move the hands I starting to get better results. I am still working this part and I know it takes time.
Now the other part is loft. Based on the launch monitor readings I am swing down but still adding loft in my full swing!? Most of the time with irons I have shallow or no divot with irons. I think this is a weight shift or lateral movement issue. I thinking I am not leaning forward (left) enough at impact. I will try your “hit drivers off the ground from a forward ball position” drill.
I know this was bit long winded but read this article right after I came back from the range and it touched my “pain”.
Thanks!
Dennis Clark
Oct 7, 2013 at 5:00 pm
IM glad it helped. The adding loft sounds like an early release…
invisaman
Oct 18, 2013 at 12:06 pm
I have been working on the weight shift on the downswing doing just dry swings. The other day I went to range and I am compressing the ball. It seems to pop of the face with my irons. I hit some good shots but some bad one just the same. I have to get use to it. Thank you for writing this article!
Mike
Oct 6, 2013 at 5:07 pm
I have had a lot of success this year with a focus on my swing plane. I do every now and then hit my absolutely couple of terrible shots per round. These shots usually go of to the right with a slice spin and don’t ge to far. If I could eliminate those I would be in pretty go shape.
Dennis Clark
Oct 7, 2013 at 5:01 pm
Sounds like out-to-in with a severe open face.
naflack
Oct 6, 2013 at 1:37 pm
i have always been an in to out sweeper and any attempt to deviate not only negatively impacts my scorecard it also negatively impacts my body.
1) is it fair to say that our body type determines what swing type and path we use?
2) should i be gripping the club more neutral or strong with my swing type?
thanks
Dennis Clark
Oct 7, 2013 at 8:24 am
I can’t see how body type would play a role in path per se. And making a grip change suggestion without seeing your ball flight is difficult. But in-to-out needs a closed face so, depending on your hand action, just go by ball flight