Understanding Swing Plane and Club Path
July 25th, 2011 | 
Author: There are important differences that occur at impact when a golfer hits either down or up on the ball (attack angle). I have always espoused that golfers hit down on all clubs, the driver included, but my research with Trackman has convinced me otherwise. The ball should be struck with a subtle downward blow with all shots off the ground (irons, hybrids and fairways), but the driver should ideally be hit with an upward strike for optimal trajectory and spin patterns. I will attempt to explain the differences in the direction the clubhead travels (relative to the target line) as it moves both down, and up, into the ball.
Firstly, it is important to understand the difference between swing plane (also referred to as swing direction) and club path, because too many golfers believe they are one and the same. Let’s view swing plane as the hula hoop in the pictures below - it is the angle upon which the arc of the swing travels. Club path is the direction the clubhead is travelling in, relative to the target line, at the moment of impact.
Hitting down on the Ball:
PGA Tour golfers hit down on a 7 iron with an average attack angle of slightly more than 4 degrees. You should be able to tell to what degree you hit down on the ball simply by analyzing your divots - too much dirt being moved and you’re more than likely 8 degrees down, no divots would mean a flat or neutral attack angle.
When a golfer hits down on the ball with a neutral swing plane (straight at the target) notice how the pencil (used to illustrate club path) points right of the target. The table’s edge indicates the target line.
- Hitting down…
- Down with a neutral plane…
This means that with a straight plane/swing direction, when the clubhead travels down, it is also travelling from in to out relative to the target line.
- Left swing plane for neutral path…
In order to neutralize the club path, the swing plane must actually be rotated to the left. Thus, with a descending attack angle, in order to create a straight club path, the swing plane must be rotated to the left of the target line (for right handers).
Hitting up on the Ball:
Better drivers of the ball tend to hit up on the ball – anywhere from 1-5 degrees up. This reduces the amount of spin on the ball and increases the launch angle – thus increasing both carry and roll distance.
When a golfer hits up on the ball with a neutral swing plane (straight at the target) notice how the pencil (club path) points left of the target.
Hitting up...
Up with a neutral plane...
In this example, with a straight plane/swing direction, when the clubhead travels upward, it is also travelling from out to in relative to the target line.
Right swing plane for a straight path...
This out to in path can be neutralized by rotating the swing plane/direction to the right (for right handers). Notice how the pencil (club path) is now straight.
So if somebody ever asks you if the swing with the driver and the irons is the same, just smile and say, “No, not really!”
Any thoughts? Questions….
Posted in Long Game, Practice, Swing Philosophy | 
Tags: attack angle, carry distance, club path, d plane, hitting down, hitting up, in to out, in to out path, out to in, out to in path, roll distance, spin, straight irons, swing direction, swing plane, target line, trackman, trackman article, trajectory, up on the driver
Glad to see another pga instructor in the know about the D-Plane. I noted that you did not note the term “D-Plane.” Neither did you cite who taught you this, but just a reference to your own “Trackman research.” The inability to explain the specifics of how to hit a golf ball straight is still a spectre for PGA professionals, especially in the U.S.
Hi Andrew is your friend from Venezuela,that’s why I am great driver and weak iron player,and now I got how on the weekend I was hitting a lot of greens stif to the pin I was thinking in an out to in path with the irons ( Was great ) but this doesn’t work with the driver,I was hitting weak shots to the left and right,pretty high.
I will practice this afternoon,and work in my set -up,the driver even the weight,right shoulder a little lower,and a slightly lose stance like Hogan.
Irons weight favoring my left side,shoulders almost same level,feeling my right arm over my left.and slightly open stance.
Great game you learn something new every day.Thank you
Hi Andrew I found why I am a great driver,becouse we learn an inside to out swing, and I am very bad iron player.
If you look my swing from the back in direction to the target,looks inside out,my arms,hands all going right,so I hook or push the ball.So I am going to feel more with my irons like out to in swing,more like Trevino,for that My stance is going to be more level,at my shoulders,and the weight favoring my left side,and work in clear my left hip on the downswing.
I let you know German
Hi Scott,
Thanks for reading. I am ashamed to think how many years it took me to learn this information. Justin Padjen from Trackman has taught me a tremendous amount. I tried to stay away from D-plane as I always found it to be somewhat of an intimidating term. The information is not too difficult to grasp and thus I tried to key in on terms most golfers are comfortable with – plane and path.
Cheers,
Andrew
So are you saying one should have 2 different swing planes for a driver and an iron. If so, how do you manage and control that?
Graham.
Correct Graham! Assuming you are actually hitting up on the driver and down on the irons the easiest way to manage that is the same manner in which Ben Hogan did – stand a little closed for the driver and slightly open with the shorter clubs. Not too complicated really…
Alternatively, play a baby draw with the irons and a baby fade with the driver.
Hi Andrew!
Realy impressed with your explanation and demostration, easy to understand and easy to see. Good move of mine to follow you on Twitter. Cheers
Thanks for checking in Sid!
Very good description using the hoop and pencil – have a look at the “in to out” and “out to in” entries – I think they need to be swapped over. Anyway, I am a PGA Pro and was trained by Michael Bannon in the 1980′s – I remember his description of how to hit irons was very much along these lines.