Prelude-V8

Prelude - The Plane Truth

This information was published in New Horizons Golf Approach
Pocket Coach Volume 8 - The Plane Truth. Copyright 2002, 2005
by EA Tischler. All rights reserved.

Prelude

This volume of the New Horizons Golf Approach Pocket Coach Series is dedicated to the topic of
swinging on plane. Golfers often talk about swinging on-plane as if there is only one plane to properly
manage.

The fact is, there are two basic swing planes in the golf swing, and most golfers manage these swing
planes by shifting, between them. I know this may sound strange, but by the end of this pocket coach
I’m sure it will be clear why it is necessary to shift between these two planes.

The key to managing your swing plane is learning how to deliver the swing on plane. Although it is
recommended to either swing on one plane or shift between the two basic planes, it is not an absolute
necessity. Players such as Fred Couples, Jim Furyk, Raymond Floyd, and Nancy Lopez have all
played great golf while swinging off plane during the backswing. However, they all reroute their
swings so to deliver the club on-plane thru impact and into the extension. With this said, the more on-
plane you manage your swing throughout the whole swing, the more likely your shots will display a
tight ball flight pattern.

If you recall reading volume 4 of this pocket coach series, you may remember the trace the line drill.
While describing the drill I recommended tracing the line during the takeaway and forward swing.
However, I also mentioned it was not necessary to trace the line during the backswing and the forward
swing. It is only necessary to trace the line in the forward swing. This is exactly the same concept
with swinging on plane. So, if you find it too difficult to swing on-plane during the backswing, don’t
worry. You can focus your attention on managing your swing plane thru the ball toward the target.

So, the key to managing an effective swing plane is to be more concerned with delivering and
releasing the club on-plane than you are hinging and loading it on-plane. If you can first develop an
on-plane delivery, it will be easy to determine what type of top-set you need to deliver the club on-
plane. Some players work so hard training a perfect backswing that they never figure out how to
deliver the club on-plane thru to the target. This seems totally backwards to me. I don’t buy into the
theory that you need a perfect backswing to make a great swing. Too many professionals break this
rule.

However, every great player knows how it feels to deliver the club on-plane, and they spend a good
deal of their time perfecting an on-plane delivery. It is also clear that golfers, including professionals,
who focus too much on the backswing become mechanical and stagnant in their swing motion.

Therefore, if you want to be a good player, learn to deliver the club on-plane. Only after becoming
aware of the proper delivery process do I recommend you focus your attention on learning how to
load and set the club on-plane during the backswing. Finally, as you read thru this pocket coach,
notice that there are many viable options for managing your swing plane pattern. Though some
people may believe one option is more ideal than another, the golfing world is not a utopian place to
play. This means, you are free to find your best way to play.

Beyond the score, golfers are also concerned with issues such as performance, enjoyment, and
personal fulfillment. So, as you develop the your technique, do so naturally, with performance and
enjoyment in mind. Lastly, avoid buying into a swing plane theory because you think its style looks
good. Looking good won’t help you reach your performance and enjoyment goals. Although, it may
please your ego.

As usual, I apologize to the left-handed golfer. This volume, more than most, is described in right-
sided terms. The simple fact that these pocket coaches are condensed, makes it too difficult to
describe the process from both sides of the ball.

This is the table of contents from The Plane Truth. It may give you
some insights as to the topics covered in the New Horizons Golf
Approach Pocket Coach Volume Eight.

Table Of Contents

Prelude

Part One – What’s A Plane?

Creating A Plane
Center of Gravity Plane
Shoulder Plane
Shifting Planes

Part Two – Swinging On-Plane

C.O.G to Shoulder Plane
Direct Shoulder Plane
C.O.G. to C.O.G. Plane
Shoulder to C.O.G. Plane
Loops And Re-Routes

Part Three – Develop The Skills

Nature’s Design
A Mechanical Design
Swing Plane Training
Delivery Plane Training
Your Method Of Play
Let’s Play Golf

Let’s Play G-O-L-F TM

Playing for a target score is only one way of implementing an on course strategy. I believe to truly
play the game you cannot worry so much about your scoring strategy. I think everyone is aware of
how well they are scoring, and they know they need to score as low as they can. So, since the idea
of scoring is always present you do not need to focus on it. Instead, focus on playing the game.

Truly playing the game involves feeling a game that fascinates you. It involves striving to play the
type of game you usually dream of playing. It’s about finding out your potential and
manifesting it in your play. It’s about engaging yourself in the ongoing drama of sport. It’s about
absorbing yourself into the possibility of expressing your true potential.

It’s about Gaming Out Life’s Fascinations.

So, when you walk out on the golf course, I’m inviting you to take the plunge, to go for it. I’m inviting
you to play golf without putting so much emphasis on scoring low. Win or lose, score low or high,
enjoy the adventure, keep a good attitude, and take something away from every round that makes
you a more accomplished golfer.

New Horizons Golf Approach
I n n o v a t i v e C o a c h i n g F o r G o l f e r s