Drills To Get Your Golf Swing On Plane

Before we get into our expert drills to get your golf swing on plane, it's worth discussing what 'swing plane' means. This term refers to the angle or line at which your club swings on around your body. This is determined by your spine angle, and your physical ability, but these drills will help you make the necessary tweaks to improve your ball-striking.

In this video and article, Golf Monthly Top 50 Coach Katie Dawkins talks you through her expert drills to help you smooth out your swing plane...

Drills to Get Your Golf Swing on Plane

The key to improving your swing plane is making sure you don't over-complicate it. I want to help you avoid common faults, without losing your flow and rhythm, so keeping it simple is important. 

The club should move up and down on the same plane without deviating from that line drastically. This is an efficient way to swing the golf club, although some golfers do change direction in their swing. It's true, this can improve your clubhead speed, but it's very hard to control the direction of your shots.

Firstly, you need to check your golf swing fundamentals. Aiming correctly and creating an athletic posture are key, with a clear focus on your spine angle at set-up. If that angle is too upright, you will have to compensate for this in the swing as the plane won't naturally return the club to the ball. This requires additional energy and makes the swing far less efficient.

Shallow And Upright Swing Planes

You'll notice that if you stand up straight and replicate your golf swing, that your arms swing flatter around the body causing a topped or thin shot. Conversely if you tip your spine so it is parallel to the ground (so horizontal), you’ll swing your arms up and down more, this is an upright plane. What often happens in golfers that have had poor posture for some time, it they begin to compensate.

Swinging only the arms up and down in a bid to get back to the ball. That's why your posture and spine angle is so important here - set your upper body over the ball from hinging at the hips. This will create an athletic posture which encourages good turn, your arms are then more likely to swing round your body on a good plane. 

Get it right and this simple posture check will help you guard against coming over the top and cutting across the ball - two of the biggest issues in the golf swing amateurs suffer with. Both cause a slice.

Setting The Correct Swing Plane

Finding the right swing plane is not difficult, but first you need to check that the first part of your swing is on the correct line. This dictates the rest of your swing, so the takeaway is very important. Keeping the clubhead slightly in front of your hands means you can avoid an inside takeaway – the cause of a whole world of trouble.

Swing Plane Drill

I love a motion based drill, especially continuous motion. If your swing captures a bit of this free flowing essence you’ll begin to swing more on plane. A fabulous gadget that will do this for you is the orange whip swing trainer (shown below). If you don't own one of these then swing two clubs together.

Feel the extra weight take the club into a better swing plane naturally. You can't force the club into a poor position here - repetition with these sorts of drills will see better movement gently soak into your own swing.

Shoulder Turn Drill

A second great drill for working on your swing plane is placing a golf club across your shoulders, and turning back and through your swing. Turning your body, and repeating good rotation, will help the club stay on plane more often. Try this shoulder turn drill for yourself, if you get it right your swing should feel effortless.

Here's a complete guide to Women's Golf Swing Tips