Moe Norman was undoubtedly one of the best ball strikers of all time. However, anyone who is familiar with this legendary golf player all knows that his golf swing was relatively unique and unconventional.
Compared to popular techniques these days, he adopts a special method called single plane golf swing, which allows for ultimate correctness and consistency at impact. If this is the first time you hear about it, read on to learn more about this useful technique and a few useful tips to perform it on a golf course.
What is single plane golf swing?
When playing, you have to stand on the side rather than directly over the ball. This allows you to swing your club on an inclined path around the body. This path is also known as the plane in golf terminology.
In a single plane swing, your shoulders and arms should move on a single axis which matches the plane of the club. Golf Swing Basics and Golf Swing Analysis can also help the average golfer improve their swing.
In other words, you need to start the club on the impact plane. By doing this, the whole swing process would be simplified, thus multiplying the possibility of solid contact.
The key difference between the single plane and conventional golf player is the relationship between impact and address. The next sections will show you some basics about a single plane golf swing.
Address
Unlike the typical approach, a single plane golf swing basically mimics impact position during the address. This can help eliminate the needs for multiple planes. You should start with the hands placed in front of your clubhead to build a relationship with the club shaft and lead arm. This position should be in the same straight line which happens at impact as your club shaft and lead arm align.
Backswing
As traditional golfers often start with two angles during the address, they have to hinge their wrists to get the golf club to the impact plane. But in a single plane swing, you can directly move the club at the midpoint along an impact plane. This can be followed by simply ensuring the link between your lead shoulder and lead arm at address.
By doing this, the club can ride the plan to the top much more effectively. Make sure to notice how your hands hinge in a leveraged position and the width of your arms. The hips should be slightly rotated to keep your spine tilt as it is through address.
Impact
Though the impact position of the single plane and conventional approach looks quite similar, the main difference lies in the way they arrive there, via a single path or multiple planes.
To make a single plane swing, you don’t have to move your spine backwards or upwards or rotate the hips excessively. Instead, make sure to keep the spine angle and your trail foot stable on the course. During the swing, the key to consistency is minimal movements.
Release
Just like other movements in a single plane swing, the release is also very simple. It is based on a totally established lower body where your lead knee should be flexed yet stable with the minimal rotation of your trail hip. Since there is no need to lift your torso to impact, make sure to keep your trail foot still and stable on the ground during a released position. As a result, your arms would become an extended part of the golf club
Pros and cons of a single plane golf swing
– Pros
The most important benefit of a single plane golf swing is that it is simple to repeat. This technique allows for the hips, shoulders, arms, and hands to work in a single one unit through and back the ball. Compared to two-plane approaches, there will be no complicated combination of movements to reach the ball. Also, it can create perfect draws thanks to its flatter swing when rotating around the torso.
– Cons
For strong players, there is a significant loss of shot length when performing a one-plane swing. However, this isn’t an issue if you don’t strike long off the teeregularly. Also, keep in mind that this technique can make it challenging to fade the ball.
The bottom line
As you can see, the single plane golf swing is not as odd as you once knew. If you are struggling with consistency or correctness, it might be worth trying this technique to achieve a more solid impact position. While this is still a controversial issue, practicing it would at least help you simplify and improve your impact, which is one of the most
important parts of a swing. The key is to learn the whole set to make it work effectively.
