"Swing plane" is one of the most-used phrases in golf instruction, and one of the most confusing. Simply put, it describes the angle and path the club travels on around your body. A club that swings on a reasonable plane approaches the ball from the right direction and is easy to square up. A club that is far too steep or too flat leads to compensations, poor contact and curving shots. You don't need a perfect plane, but understanding it helps you diagnose your swing.
Directions are for right-handed golfers. Left-handers should reverse them.
What is the swing plane?
Imagine a large sheet of glass resting on your shoulders and leaning down to the ball at address, along the line of the club shaft. The club swings back, up and through roughly along that sheet. The angle of the sheet is the plane.
Your plane is influenced by:
- Your height and posture. Taller golfers who stand closer to the ball swing more upright. Read golf posture at address.
- The club. Shorter clubs have a more upright lie and swing on a steeper plane; the driver is flatter.
- Your body turn and arm swing.
Steep vs flat
| Too steep (above plane) | Too flat (below plane) | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical path | Out to in | In to out |
| Shots | Slices, pulls, fades | Hooks, pushes, draws |
| Contact | Deep divots, fat shots, pop-ups with driver | Thin shots, shallow or no divots, fat shots from too shallow |
| Common causes | Arms lifting without turning, over-the-top downswing | Arms whipped inside, too much rolling of the forearms early |
Read how to fix a slice and how to fix a hook.
One-plane and two-plane swings
Coaches often describe two broad styles:
| One-plane | Two-plane | |
|---|---|---|
| Arm swing | Flatter, arms on a similar plane to the shoulders | More upright, arms above the shoulder plane |
| Posture | More bent over | More upright |
| Feel | Rotational, body-driven | More arm swing, more vertical |
| Typical ball flight | Draw or straight | Fade or straight |
| Suits | Flexible golfers who like a rotational feel | Golfers with an upright build or more arm swing |
Both styles have produced great golfers. Choose the one that suits your body and stick to it, rather than mixing elements of both. A coach can help. Read golf lessons: choosing an instructor.
Checkpoints
Takeaway (hip height)
At hip height in the backswing, the shaft should be roughly parallel to your target line and to your feet, with the toe of the club pointing up. If the club head is well outside your hands, you are likely to go steep; if it is well inside, too flat.
Top of the backswing
At the top, the lead arm should be roughly on the line of your shoulders (one-plane) or slightly above (two-plane), and the shaft should point roughly parallel to the target line, not well right (across the line) or well left (laid off).
Downswing (hip height)
On the way down, the shaft should be parallel to the target line again, or slightly flatter than on the way back, approaching from the inside.
Use video to check these positions. Read golf swing video analysis.
Drills
Alignment-stick plane drill
Push an alignment stick into the ground at the angle of your club shaft at address, just behind the ball. Make swings that move under the stick in the downswing, not over it.
Headcover drill
Place a headcover just outside and behind the ball. If you swing over the top, you'll hit it. Train a path from the inside.
Wall drill
Stand with your back near a wall and make slow backswings without the club hitting the wall. It stops the club getting too flat and stuck behind you.
Pump drill
Swing to the top, then pump the club down to hip height, checking the shaft is parallel to the target line. Repeat, then swing through.
Split-hand drill
Grip with your hands apart and make slow swings, feeling the arms and body work together on plane. Read how to release the golf club.
Plane and equipment
The lie angle of your clubs affects where the club sits at address and how it reacts at impact. If your lie angles are wrong, you may compensate with your swing plane. Read golf club lie angle and length.
Frequently asked questions
Is a flat or upright swing better?
Neither is better. What matters is that your swing is consistent and delivers the club on a good path to the ball.
What is "over the top"?
Starting the downswing with the shoulders and arms so the club moves outside its backswing plane, causing an out-to-in path, slices and pulls.
Should I copy a one-plane or two-plane swing?
Choose the style that suits your build and natural movement, ideally with a coach's guidance.
How do I know my swing plane?
Film your swing from down the line and check the shaft position at hip height and the top.
The bottom line
The swing plane describes how your club travels around your body. Too steep and you'll fight slices and pulls; too flat and you'll fight hooks and pushes. Choose a style that suits you, check your positions on video, and use simple drills to groove a consistent plane. For more swing basics, read golf swing fundamentals.