The one plane swing allows the club to move down the target line longer than the conventional swing, thus creating solid, straight shots
The one plane golf swing is not new. Amateur golfers have been using it successfully for a long time, and so have tour players Steve Stricker, Brian Gay and Carl Pettersson been using a similar method.
Today, though, the one plane swing is finally getting the recognition it deserves and it is growing in popularity because it creates a swing that is more repeatable to help you make more consistent shots with fewer hooks and slices. Another advantage is that the one plane swing puts less strain on your back.
We believe it is the ideal model for all golfers to follow because it…
- Eliminates much of the rotation in the conventional golf swing
- Allows the club to move down the target line longer than the conventional swing, thus creating solid, straight shots
- Is a swing that can be repeated with less effort… and…
- Golfers can expect better ball striking, which leads to improved accuracy and distance
The legendary Moe Norman, arguably one of the best ball strikers of all time, developed the one plane golf swing, and he was amazingly successful with it. He could pound the ball down the fairway about 280 yards every time he stood at the tee using this swing. And his successes didn’t stop there. During his impressive career he accumulated an impressive playing record and awards…
- Canadian Amateur Championship winner (1955, 1956)*
- 55 career Canadian Tour and other Canadian event victories
- Canadian PGA Championship winner (1966, 1974)
- Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship winner (1979–1985, 1987)
- 33 course records
- 17 holes-in-one
- Several exhibition rounds under 60 (perfect round)
- Inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 1995
- Inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2006
- Two appearances by invitation as an amateur in the Masters Tournament: 1956 scored 75-78 then withdrew; 1957 scored 77-74 to miss the cut by one stroke
*Source: Wikipedia
One-Plane Swing vs Conventional Swing
The one plane swing eliminates much of the rotation in the conventional golf swing and allows the club to move down the target line longer than the conventional swing, thus creating solid, straight shots, it is a swing that can be repeated with less effort, and you can expect better ball striking, which leads to improved accuracy and distance. Much of the success of the one plane swing begins in the set up. It only makes sense to begin your swing where you ultimately make contact with the ball and that’s called being on plane.
The conventional swing is significantly more complex, takes considerably longer to learn, requires long hours of regular practice and places substantial stress on the back. While in the two plane swing setup, you’ll notice that you start out on one plane and during the downswing, you’re required to re-route the club in order to swing freely on plane and make proper contact. This process is necessary in order to compensate for the change in distance between you and the ball from setup to impact.
To make things more complicated, traditional instructors of the two plane swing focus on what your body should be doing during your swing, with 100’s of muscles all moving at the same time. You are asked to keep your head still, turn your shoulders, move your hips, keep your left arm across the chest, keep your wrist cocked, your back elbow folded, your right knee flexed, your left knee extended, your head still not to mention your tempo. This is a lot to manage in a 3 second swing and still look cool.
The one plane swing is easier and quicker to learn, easier on your back and after you apply the seven club positions that will put you on the proper swing plane, you’ll make much better contact with the ball resulting in straighter golf shots. The one plane swing is more focused on what the club should be doing throughout the swing not so much your body.
You see, consciously knowing what you want the club to do will unconsciously allow your brain to freely make it happen. This process eliminates all the frustration normally found in the two plane swing…simple by changing your focus. This one plane swing therefore starts you out on the identical swing plane that you finish making contact on. No more trying to remember all this extra timing and body movements as required in the two plane movements. Now your playing golf and having more fun!
Simpler and Easier for Everyone
If you are completely happy with the golf swing you currently use, don’t fix what ain’t broke. But if you’re having some challenges with the conventional swing method, the less complicated one-plane golf swing might be the answer for you.
Vanilla Gorilla Golf (a.k.a. Learn The One Plane Swing) will provide you with professional golf instruction using tested and proven methodologies that will help you master the game more quickly, simply and easily, and in so doing, enable you to enjoy the game of golf more. You will be encouraged to relax and enjoy the game with friends and family to enhance your quality of life AND you will experience faster improvement and lower scores right away.
About Bobby Lewis
Are distances fairly similar to what would be achieved using a conventional swing? I’m about 150 with an 8 iron. Should I expect similar distances with the one plane swing? Thanks. Tim
Hello Tim, thank you for your question.
“Are distances fairly similar to what would be achieved using a conventional swing? ”
As a general rule, your distance increases on average due to more consistent ball striking on the center of the club face. Without viewing your swing, I would say you probably play the ball position center or slightly back of center. This de-lofts the club face creating more distance because your 8 iron becomes a 7 iron or even as much as a 6 iron.
Ball position has a profound effect on distance because it adds loft being forward and decreases loft when played back. What’s important is that you make contact with the ball at the bottom of your swing, with your head and sternum behind the ball.
The one plane swing set up is such that you position the ball 5 inches inside the front heel and all your irons are to be played there on your full swing. Chipping and pitch shots…the ball is played back in the stance. Driver, 3 wd…the ball is positioned a little forward towards the front toe.
“I’m about 150 with an 8 iron. Should I expect similar distances with the one plane swing?”
To answer your question more directly, if your hitting your 8 iron 150 yards consistently and it’s straight, your closer to a single digit handicapper and the one plane swing may not be your choice. I can share with you that it took my game over the top and it’s consistency allowed me to become a professional tour player. There’s always room for improvement.
Hope this helps answer your question, Tim…if you have any other thoughts…let me know.
Thanks!…:-) Bob
Do you teach the Jim Hardy method One Plane Swing or the Moe Norman method One Plane Swing?
Steve,
Although I teach the Moe Norman swing and it’s setup, I incorporate a portion of the Jim Hardy swing where there’s a mild rotation of the lead arm. But the emphasis of the swing I teach is based on Moe Norman’s one plane swing. Feel free to give me a call if you have any more questions about this.
I am recovering from back surgery and am an ardent golfer. Will this swing take pressure off my back?
Where are you located?
Bob… first, I wish you a healthy, complete recovery. As for the one plane swing taking pressure off you back, I can only tell you the swing is much easier on your body because there is less movement. My strongest suggestion is to consult with your surgeon. I don’t want you to do anything that could potentially hurt you.
My best to you…