Swing Plane Made Easy; #1 Most Popular Golf Teacher on You Tube Shawn Clement

[jennaethan]

I read jack nicklaus's golf my way. In the chapter about planes, he does mention that he like to keep the takeaway plane and the impact plane to be as close as possible. However he says that the backswing and forwardswing ARC is diffenent . So maybe I'll apologize to the one planers. My point is that the impact swing is different than the takeaway swing either buy plane arc or both.

[clemshaw]

@jennaethan Yes; of course; you will see that the width of the arc in the takeaway is much wider than in the downswing leading into the ball as you are supposed to be swinging towards the target which gives you that lag; this is why those PVC plane guides and the explanar units are not such a great idea...

Shawn

[jennaethan]

I read through Hogan's five fundamentals and I he had TWO planes. The forward plane which I'll call the impact plane was a bit flatter then his backswing plane which I'll call his takeaway plane. I may have look like it was one plane. But Hogan wrote in his book that it was distinctly different. I say this because I think it is more difficult anatomically and timing/tempo wise to have exactly one plane.

[DASH1ful]

Hi

Take a look at my video on You Tube: "Ben Hogan's Concept Of The Swing Plane is wrong"

[48lester]

My preference is a one plane motion (plane angle of shoulders and left arm about the same at the top of the swing), a full shoulder turn with the club short of parallel at the top with limited wrist cock (look at Stricker). On the way down at waist height the club appears released (no big Sergio lag) and the toe of the club appears a bit closed (not pointing to the sky) but square to the plane. From here you turn the body aggressively through the hitting zone with no need to time a release.

[clemshaw]

See comment below...

[steveneckersley]

now im more confused i thought that a 1 plane was around the body and a 2 plane was more in front of the body please correct me

[clemshaw]

This one plane 2 plane stuff is a complete crock!! Every shot you hit has it's own unique plane; hit a 7 iron with the ball above the feet vs 7 iron with ball below; you are going from a wedge swing plane to a 3 iron swing plane...you cannot find plane through manual positioning!!!!! The Central Nervous system does not learn in this manner!!! See my "golf pro lesson perpetual motion drill" to find the plane you need for the unique shot you have at any given time;

Shawn

[48lester]

Shawn, you have a beautiful 2 plane golf swing (as defined in the book The Plane Truth) My swing is a one planer and therefore requires different fundamentals, for example, I need to bend more at the waist . Have you read The Planr Truth?  I think its a breakthrough understanding of the swing. Look at Matt Kucher's swing for an example of a one plane.its where the plane of the shoulders and left arm are at the top of the swing that determines your swing plane. Jack was a 2 plane,hogan a 1

[clemshaw]

Thank you for the kind comment; and I did my research with Jim; it has numerous holes and is not the most efficient movement anatomically; it goes against the central nervous system, skeletal system and strains tendons and muscles around the shoulders with needless collapses; and Matt Kuchar's ball striking is not the reason for his win lately; look at his stats and you will see he got worse with the ball striking stats and way better on putting. Sorry...

[48lester]

You may be correct on your Hardy analysis and the reason for Kuchar's success; but what about Hogan? You have to admit that he was a true one planer(in the Hardy sense) . And let me say I am very impresssed by your swing and your teaching technique.

[tshoey22]

@48lester hogan was a shorter slim person with long arms..therefore a flatter plane was worked well for his build...like shawn says' every club is swung on a different plane" the driver is a flatter plane and the wedges more upright you should never try to groove a certain plane for all clubs.( ala Jim hardy's thoery of a one plane or two plane swing)...just give into gravity and don't worry so much about what plane your on...

[rw5791]

@tshoey22 wouldn't long arms make a 2 plane swing more likely.Look at the odd shape of moe norman.His legs were equal to his trunk and he had short arms.Even then he still had to modify his grip and stick his arm out unnaturally in order to achieve the one plane swing.

[MicrowavedHamster]

@clemshaw Dear Shawn, you said that the hands cannot be in the same place. This makes sense to me, but should the setup get my hands in that specific position, or should I feel that I'm "pushing" my hands away from my body with lets say a driver?

[clemshaw]

@MicrowavedHamster

You want to feel that the arm club unit is getting pulled away from the body towards the target; see "golf pro lesson set up with all clubs" and "golf pro lesson get amazing rhythm" and "golf pro lesson tilted twirl"; Shawn

[pr4nk5tr]

@clemshaw

I don't see the contradiction - every club can swing on its own glass plane, let's say a driver 45 degrees, sand wedge 60. Why can't the driver stay on its 45 plane throughout the whole swing and the wedge on 60? Just like your spinning ball, where you change the plane angle and gravity keeps it consistent throughout the swing.

[pr4nk5tr]

@clemshaw

Like this guy with different clubs: One plane swing, nevertheless he does not swing the iron as shallow as the driver. Would you see he is manipulating against gravity?

[pr4nk5tr]

@clemshaw

watch?v=hQ8Su5Vh01Q

watch?v=sc4K58tpNm4

[thelumberjackjohn]

hey shawn thanks for the vids.. iv been playing for about 3 years and taking lessons now one of the things that iv had to practice is taking the club back in a swipping motion rather then comming up right away it helps but its hard to change my whole swing style do you think thats its a good lesson..

[bluejfk]

My one weird problem is that I am 6' 3" with very broad square shoulders and when I get a full turn with my driver my left shoulder briefly blocks the sight of the ball on the back swing. I noticed the with the full turn with the tilt that your shoulders are much flatter than the x-factor based backswing. I think that this in combination with my body type is causing this.

I can still hit the ball though.

[clemshaw]

This is just awareness of posture staying forward during the backswing and into the downswing; like in my "Golf Pro lesson the insanity of golf" video, I talk about how you want to allow the arm-club unit to swing freely to the target but also being aware that the ground is in play with the sole of the club; this will keep you forward in your posture so that you may keep the vision intact; Shawn

[Eccehomo12]

Hi Shawn. I completely understand what you're saying here, and it makes a lot of sense. It follows, then, that if your plane gets either flatter or steeper (with a given club) than what gravity dictates, that you're doing something to manipulate the club rather than letting gravity guide it. No one is perfect, including Hogan. His results were close to perfection, but his swing was HIS and worked for him based on his unique body, tempo, etc. Let's stop trying to merely copy other players.

[clemshaw]

Thank you for your extremely well described comment! You get it!!

Shawn

[Jfire707]

Sir I just started playing 3 months ago and got into to play with my brother and father. I'm 26 no kids, and a firefighter so I have a great schedule tk allow me to practice. How can I develop a proper swing to become consistent. Thank you for your videos and any help you can give

[clemshaw]

Hey jfire! Not to sound like a sales pitch but you are the reason why I produced a DVD that is 4 hours over 3 discs that covers all the important aspects of the swing technique in PRIORITY SEQUENCE; disc #3 has all shots executed on course in detail from the driver to the putter; and only $40.00 which is 25$ less than a 1/2 hour lesson with me; well worth it! Thanks for the comment and question! Shawn

[ellieisveryimpressed]

shaun, plane does look a touch steep, i.e arms go above shoulders on back swing. Ben Hogan no go area!!!

[clemshaw]

Tell this to Jack Nicklaus, Vijay, Bobby Jones, Scott Hoch, Scott Verplank, Kenny Perry, Bubba Watson, Sam Snead and the list goes on and on; listen to your body!! Ben Hogan was shorter with longer arms and stood taller...I am tall with short arms; listen to your body! Shawn

[clemshaw]

What is important to understand is that the arm-club unit should never rely on the body for placement, they should always rely on gravity! See 'Golf Pro Lesson perpetual motion drill" and "golf pro lesson feet together drill" and "golf pro lesson golf swing medicine"; to swing with heavy momentum is bliss! Shawn

[cmsima]

I struggle with this. If I abandon the club to gravity and let it do "what it wants" - the shaft - in the backswing - tends to parallel the plane established at address (one plane, shallower swing?). Your shaft does that for a while - then suddenly moves onto a "steeper" plane at the top of the backswing (two plane swing?). I THINK I may be reacting to the weight/momentum of my right arm in my backswing and allow it to pull my shaft onto a shallower plane as I near the top. Comments?

[clemshaw]

Feel how things move in the "feet together drill"; then see the "golf pro lesson momentum toss" after you watch the "golf pro lesson golf swing medicine" video; Thanks for the observation! Shawn

[hackfest4]

Thanks for the referring me to this vid. I know these concepts will help me to stay "on plane" with the perpetual motion drill.

Dan

[clemshaw]

Yeah Man!

[ledgeie]

Hi Shawn, just wanted to let you know you have been an inspiration to me an my game, all your videos are very clear and have helped me and my game so much, i just ordered your dvd, cant wait to check it out, keep up the good work, your the best!!!!

[clemshaw]

Thank you for the great comment and you are most welcome!

Shawn

[whatchett]

Shawn,

Are you basically saying that the idea of 1 plane or 2 plane swings doesn't really exist...

Or, am I taking it to mean that you want to find the right 1 plane swing for each club in your bag

[clemshaw]

All right!! That is correct!! I was waiting for someone to finally realize that there is only one possible plane for each club and in each situation; how to find it? PERPETUAL MOTION DRILL!! GRAVITY AND CENTRIFUGAL FORCE FIND THE PLANE, NOT YOU!

Thank you for the comment! Shawn

[tsmith109]

Shawn, Is it important to keep the same plane on your release and the finish of your swing. Also is it important to have a complete backswing?

[clemshaw]

Yes on both but it is not your job! You job is to give the control to gravity and centrifugal force and allowing the swing to revolve around a steady axis tilted away from the target and braced against the forward side; this takes care of the follow through; and if you don't complete the backswing then you can't give the control away to gravity in the downswing as you will feel the need to help the shot...major short circuit! I have many videos on this!! Shawn

[scott4525]

Would you say that the club should set between your ear and shoulder?

[clemshaw]

That would be a good spot!

Shawn

[monty4171]

Shawn

I am making progress since changing to this swing except I find that I am pulling sometimes (right handed). Is it because I am opening my hips too fast?

[clemshaw]

This is a timing issue or a tilt issue; have a look at my "golf pro lesson braced tilt part 1 and 2" as well as "Golf Pro lesson proper spine tilt angle"; then go to "Golf Pro Lesson Downswing weghtshift" "2008 Golf Swing review" part 1 and 2" "one Leg drill" and "Timing and tempo update"

I would get my dvd series too while you are at it! :)

Shawn

[kovalcik17]

hey shawn,

my budies always tell me im to flat but on camera it looks pretty good, i mean at the top of my backswing my left arm is always above my right shoulder. also, whenever i try to get more upright i wind up pushing the ball and my left arm is well above my right shoulder. but when i get more flat i hit it straight, but it bugs me because i know that my swing is to flat and it wnt stand up in competition. any help with

[atarom]

Also, you should create a facebook page so that more people can see these videos. They've been a great help to me. I'm sure others would love to see them as well.

[atarom]

You're a champ, Clem.

[dozu888]

let me throw in a wrench... just read Jim Hardy's Plane Truth, now everything makes so much sense about Shawn's teaching, regarding letting gravity do the job and let arms levitate in the backswing. I believe these are characteristics of a 2-plane swing. Although Jim Hardy argues that a 2p swing is harder time the arm swing with the rotation of the shoulder, I believe Shawns teaching in the swing transition, i.e. pushing a kid on the swing makes the timing much easier to control.

[clemshaw]

You Bet!!

BTW, there is only one plane for each club in each situation (Up Hill, Down hill, side hill) and the only way to find it is by truly abandoning the club and arms to gravity.

Shawn

[uwedinho]

shawn shawn! so you have to keep the spine angle the same for all clubs regardless of its length and swing plane??

when can we pay for the download version of your dvd????~

thanks...

[dozu888]

This is a question I have also, regarding the spine angle across all clubs... I am guessing that the spine angle can stay relatively constant thru the ba, because of the arms up-and-down motion in Shawn's model, as long as the body is in balance, and there is enough room in front for the arms assembly to fall thru.

Shawn can you give a pointer here?

[clemshaw]

In the "Analyze your own swing" and the "transition" videos, you will see that there is a slight upward motion of the body in the backswing and then a settling of the body against the left side in the downswing; you should see it in the "Downswing Weightshift" and in the "hockey golf" videos...

Shawn

[clemshaw]

Yes on the spine angle; you must feel that ground leverage like in the "Don't keep the head down" part 1 and 2 as well as the "Taut swing philosophy" and "set up for all clubs"

I am working on getting a downloadable version right now;

Thanks for the question! Shawn

[molsondrive1970]

I'm following up from the feedback from training aids 2. I haven't got a weighted club yet, but when I'm swinging the club back and forth it feels pretty good but my on my follow through my wrists flip the club up a little- you don't do that. And I think hitting the ball effortlessly and cleanly but with a hilarious slice - I can almost feel my hands keeping the club face open but I can't seems to change it! Any feedback is greatly appreciated... Thanks!

[clemshaw]

Hey Molsondrive!

I have many videos to help: Go to my website's "you tube Shawn" page and see the following:

-Contact and spin

-Pronation Supination

-Compress through the ball

-Taut arms (For that Baseball Snap through the ball)

-Arm Motion

Those should do the trick! Shawn

[molsondrive1970]

Thanks for the remedies. I'll focus on those videos and practice!

[STG44tiger]

@molsondrive1970 you are coming over the top of it. Your right elbow is flying away from your body. Take it back less inside, and don't come over the top

[clemshaw]

@molsondrive1970 You will see in the 2 videos I write down here that the most efficient way to hit a golf ball WHEN THE BALL IS YOUR TARGET; is over the top; you need to polish 2 things: The feel of the action to target which is the release of the shot and your focus staying on where you want to start the ball. See "ridiculously easy part 1 and 2; shawn clement" and "Over the top in Abu Dhabi; shawn clement"...another good one is "How to focus part 1 and 2; shawn clement"

[gorgor1313]

I just started golf from being a former hockey player (I realize most pro hockey players golf too... Fro good reasons), and it's like literally 'relearning the game'!

My best friend started about a year before me & has been trying to give me some great advice tips, but is still learning 'his' game too. These videos are some of the simplest & well broken-down golf advice tips that I have come in contact with.

Thank you!

[powerpig]

Great videos. Really loved them and just ordered your DVD. One problem I have right now is that I tends to hit the ball at the heels of the club face, even after I address the ball using this method. What would be my problem here? Or should I just address the ball at the toe of club face?

[clemshaw]

Hey Powerpig!

Thanks for the order and the comment!

Have a look at my "Golf Pro Lesson Fix Your Shanks" video which will give you some insight and also have a look at the "Through the ball" and "Posture Integrity" videos...

Shawn

[powerpig]

Thx. I believe it came from an unstable setup. I have been making a lot of adjustments to my grip/setup/back swing. I think I went too much ahead of myself and messed up a little. Now I can not wait for these DVDs, so I can do it step by step.

[clemshaw]

Hey Smartest man alive! I am honored and blessed that you took the time to grace this page with your wonderful insight on the golf swing;

I wish you well! Shawn

[colin10987]

hahaha

[taylorwigg22]

This makes a lot sense. Can u pleeez come to scarboro for like a day in the summer?? scarboro golf and country club that is ....

[ThePutterKingJr]

Guess I was one of the lucky ones, got the gravity thing straight away and it led to drastic improvements. Wonder if you could treat us to a how to fade/draw. I think I know the basics, but you haven't made a video that hasn't helped my game yet. Cheers, Shawn.

[clemshaw]

Great! Thanks for the comment! For the fade and draw go to "Golf Pro Lesson Hooks and Slices"  and let me know...Shawn

[samgigliotta]

ya but do you notice his legs they are moving up and down. I don't thik that is gravity!!!

[clemshaw]

Yes, this is the cause for many of his losses this year I am sure...you can check out the "Golf Pro Lesson Tiger's Platform" for that explanation; although he was swinging pretty sweet at the PGA; his timing was much better! Thanks for your comment, Shawn

[backbones88]

Hi Shawn...really like your videos. I know it's been asked a couple of other times whether you are a one planer or two. Golf Digest says mixing and matching the fundamentals of these swings can mess a player up. Makes it difficult to know which tips are good for you or bad for you. Have you avoided answering this directly because you teach under the premise of 'letting gravity take over', and don't want to be pigeon-holed?

[clemshaw]

I have seen the reasoning behind the one and two plane swings and can see how it can help some golfers through some good nuggets...they say Tiger is playing with a one plane shoulder turn and two plane arm swing...I much prefer to explain it the way I do because most everyone can understand it that way; and have you noticed how Tiger likes the perpetual motion drill too? :) Shawn

[kingalexing]

Also, if you were to draw an ideal plane line, at address, from down the ling, where would it be. Would it be the Hogan plane, or more of the angle of the shaft at address.

[kingalexing]

so do you prefer the two plane swing then? Or is that what you teach?

[kingalexing]

hey, i kind of get it but how do i let gravity take over? Do i just turn my body open? I always get into that flat, and laid off position.

[clemshaw]

Have a look at the "Golf Pro Lesson Catapult Power" "Hogan Power Move" and "Hogan Power Drill" videos...you are letting your posture raise up in the backswing which will change your plane...

Shawn

[ronaldco]

So many information out here, but you make it look easy. I've been trying to learn to play this game 3 years ago and end up more frustrating then everything. I have games when I know I can't miss, and games when I know i won't be able to hit a ball solid. Have you ever had someone that couldn't learn to play this game.

[pecky1234]

thanks shawn. mabye i was looking into this a bit too technically. i just think that say, with a driver, you mite want the shoulders on a slightly steeper line to that of ur shoulders, for example. is this example correct, does it therefore correspond to the rest of my clubs or shud i stop thinking? lol

[zaphod2]

"stop trying to control it and manipulating it on a certain plane.... many students have the sensation of losing control. yes, your giving control away to gravity and letting gravity do the work for you."

very important to understand that. i found how much easier to swing the club now.

[itubeutude]

"your giving control away to gravity and letting gravity do the work for you."

easier said than done.