Learning to get the golf club started back correctly does not have to be a mysterious move in golf. One of my Golfing Machine instructors, Ben Doyle, once said, "A golf club that is on plane seeks to stay on plane, and a golf club that is off plane seeks to stay off plane." This is a brilliant comment once you understand what on plane means. This month, I am only going to address the first move away from the ball and not the entire swing. The work station for this drill can be set up with alignment sticks or irons from your golf bag.
 |
| Picture 1 |
In Picture #1, notice how the alignment sticks are properly laid on the ground. The stick behind the ball is named the target line. The inside stick on my toe line is termed the stance line, and it must be laid out parallel to the target line for this exercise. A good mental image for this set up is a railroad track. The target line represents the outside track, and the stance line represents the inside track. The two tracks must be parallel or the train will derail.
 |
| Picture 2 |
In Picture #2, pay attention to the on-plane start up. The key with every club in your bag, from driver to the lob wedge, is that the club head must point at the target line for the first foot the club head travels away from the ball.
Picture #3 is the completion of the take away. It shows the club at waist height or when the shaft is parallel to the ground. There are several checkpoints in this position:
 |
| Picture 3 |
1) When the club you are swinging is parallel to the ground in the takeaway, it should also be parallel to the target line.
2) At this point, the toe of the club should be pointing up.
3) I prefer to see the hands and the club head on the same plane (in line) at waist height, but this is not a necessity.
Remember this drill can be performed with every club in your bag, and there is a universal checkpoint in the takeaway. The key is to set up your alignment sticks or shafts so your target line is parallel to your stance line. Finally, you must know where to stop the club--at waist height--to verify the on-plane takeaway.
Ted Frick
Owner/Director of Instruction
Classic Swing Golf School
2005 Carolinas PGA Section Teacher of the Year
TPI Level 1 Certified Golf Fitness Instructor
G.S.E.D., The Golfing Machine
tfrick@classicswing.com
