Tip From the Archives

Swinging on a Steeper Plane

Problem

You need to improve your ability to escape from the deep rough. You have a problem hitting more grass than the ball due to a flat swinging plane. This will cause you to close your clubface and the ball will fly left of the target.

Cure

You should work on swinging on an upright plane so that you can pick the ball up cleanly out of the grass with a sharp, descending blow.

Therapy

Each time you practice on the driving range, set aside a few minutes working on swinging on a steep plane. Since this creates a different swinging sensation, you might want to wait until you are down to your last 10 balls to work on it. Take a weak grip on a short or medium iron. To help establish the steepness of your swing, you should play the ball off of your back foot. Your wrists should hinge during the backswing. You should get plenty of distance when you bring the club down sharply onto the back of the ball. Remember, the further away you are from the hole, the more important it is to make a complete follow through.

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4 votes

 
Jim Benjamin | last year, mid-March

I find that if you stand up taller and get a little closer to the ball it is easier to swing more upright. I did this once to help a sciatic nerve problem and I started hitting the ball better. It seems I was swinging around myself too much and getting in my own way.



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