Swing Plane Explained

The swing plane is a term used to describe the path that your
club travels in when you make your swing. The next time you are
on the course playing with a friend, take a look at the angle
in which his club shaft meets with the ground.

Have your friend then make a practice swing in slow motion.
You'll notice that the angle of the club shaft goes behind,
down, and through, all in a relatively constant motion.
That would be your friend's individual swing plane.
Every golf player has his or her own unique swing plane.


What Is The Best Swing Plane To Have?

There is no right or wrong swing plane. Some golfer's angles
come in steep, while others are shallow. Although not set in
stone, you'll notice that shorter people whom use standard
length golf clubs will have a shallow swing plane. And taller
men and women who use standard length clubs tend to show a
steep swing plane in comparison.

Of course these are just generalities but you'll find them
to be true with at least 75% of those playing golf.

Other differences which may affect a person's swing plane
is joint stiffness and flexibility.  Some older men and women
who have tighter joints will also have a steeper swing plane,
even if they are considered short, as compared to younger
players or older persons who are very flexible.


The Type Of Club Also Makes A Difference

A golf player's swing plane may also be affected by the size
and type of golf club being used. For example, when a player
is using a sand wedge (a very short club as compared to a driver),
they will have a considerably steeper swing plane than when
using the driver. In fact, the driver is the longest golf club
in your bag and will always have the flattest swing plane.

You can use different swing planes, each with good success,
so long as you never allow your swing plane to vary too much
during the swing. It is okay if your backswing tends to be a
little steeper than your downswing, so long as they have
exaggerated differences.

Last Minute Tip: Achieving  the right swing plane will be
determined by your position, or setup. Try not to stand too
close to the ball and never tilt your upper torso too far to
the left (right-handed golfers), or too far to the right
(left-handed golfers). Doing so will make your swing plane
a bit too steep.

For further golf tuition go to http://www.learninggolfswing.com

Wayne

Getting Your Hands Through At Impact

Have you ever thought about what your hands and forearms are actually doing at the moment of impact? If not, please give this a try because it's one of the most important parts of the swing. The Simple Golf Swing explains this move, and others, in much more detail.

Try to get into the impact position, like you are about to make solid contact with the ball. Now flip your trailing wrist like you were casting a fishing pole. This is referred to as a wrist break, and it's not a move that you want to make in golf. So if you are trying to "flip" your hands through the ball at impact, this tip may help you understand the correct way to make this happen.

If you put a wrist watch on you'll be able to visualize the correct moves to make. As your leading arm approaches impact the watch face should be getting close to pointing exactly down the target line, or to the flag. Now simply ROTATE the watch face so it's pointed at the ground. With a club in your hands, you'll see that this move makes your trailing wrist and forearm "flip" on top of your leading wrist and forearm.

You also see that this will help to "close" the face of your club nicely, that will both reduce your slice, and add distance. This is the correct move to be completing through impact.

It's important to note that your forearms should be working together as well. Try to keep your forearms as close to each other as possible through the impact zone. If you can master this move, you'll find increased distance and it will also do wonders for your slice.

If you want further golf tuition go to http://www.learninggolfswing.com

Wayne

Dont Let Poor Chipping Cost You

Short chips are critical to going low. Run one by the hole and it can cost you big time. That's why pro golfers practice incessantly. They can't afford to run one by the hole. Neither can you. If your chipping leaves something to be desire, you may want to change your technique. The simple technique described below improves your chances of chipping it close.

Below are six keys to this chipping technique:

* Choose your club
* Adopt a putting grip
* Play the ball forward
* Set the shaft on its toe
* Keep the body still
* Use a pendulum swing

Credit the late Paul Runyan, who beat Sam Snead for the PGA Championship in 1938, for inventing the chip-like-a-putt technique.

The technique's mechanics are straightforward. Use your normal putting grip, play the ball inside your front heel, and set the club on its toe. Then use a pendulum like swing to chip the ball onto the green. If the ball is sitting down, place more weight on your front foot. This move encourages a slight angle of descent through impact.

The key to this shot is setting the club on its toe. Simplifying your motion, it helps replicate your putting stance. It encourages the club to slide through the grass. And it promotes hitting the ball near the club's toe, which softens the shot and increases feel.

In addition, make sure you keep your body is still when swinging. Swing the club up with your arms going back, then let it swing down.
If poor chipping is costing you strokes, try Paul Runyan's chip-as-you-putt technique. It will take the fear out of chipping and put the feel back in. You'll be shocked at how many strokes it saves.

===============================================
2) How To Drain More Putts
===============================================

Putting is all about control. If you can control the putterhead, you'll sink more putts. If you can't, you'll sink a lot fewer--and the ones you sink will be because of luck. It's that simple. To boost putterhead control, determine which hand is your controlling hand. Then practice one-handed putts with this hand.

Use this five-step drill to find your dominant putting hand.

1. Drop a ball 3-6 feet from the hole
2. Hit 10 putts with one hand
3. Hit 10 putts with the other hand
4. Determine which did best
5. Practice putting with that hand

To improve your putting, find out first which hand is the controlling hand. Here's how:

Drop a ball from 3 to 6 feet from the hole. Take your stance. Put the putter in one hand. Then putt one-handed. Hit 10 putts with this hand. Keep track of your success. Now switch hands. Hit 10 putts with this hand. Keep track of your success. Whichever hand sunk more putts is your controlling hand.

Often the controlling hand is your naturally dominant hand. If you're right handed, your dominant hand is your right hand. If you left-handed, it's the left hand. Few golfers think their non-dominant hand controls the putterhead.

For more golf tuition visit http://www.learninggolfswing.com