Flatten Swing Plane to Hit a Draw - Golf Tips
Stance and Club Position to Flatten Downswing for Inside Out Swing
Sep 15, 2009
Alter position of the golf club head at address to flatten downswing plane and hit the ball from the inside. How to change the downswing plane to hit a draw or a fade.
Many golfers know that their swing plane on the downswing is either too steep from the outside or too flat from the inside, resulting in unwanted hooks and slices. There are complicated moves and positions a golfer can practice to eradicate these faults, but there is also a much simpler way to make the downswing flatter or steeper. Altering the club head position at address or stance relative to the ball can have a dramatic effect on the plane of the downswing.
Flatten the Downswing Plane to Hit a Draw
- In an orthodox swing the sweet spot of the club head would be opposite the ball in the address position. But if a golfer normally starts the downswing with the shoulders and throws the club onto the outside, there is a simple change they can make that will naturally flatten the downswing onto the inside to hit a draw,
- At address, to hit a draw shot, instead of having the club directly opposite the ball, adjust the stance so the ball is opposite the heel of the club. From this position when a golfer gets to the top of the backswing they instinctively know they have to flatten the swing plane to hit the ball.
- Instead of the shoulders starting the downswing, the golfer will let the arms drop the club down onto the inside to correct the fault they set up at address. The more the ball is positioned out of the heel, the more the golfer will have to flatten the downswing. This is a simple change and one that happens instinctively - just swing away and let the downswing take care of itself.
How to Hit a Fade
The principle of adjusting the ball position to hit a fade is similar. By addressing the ball out of the toe of the club the golfer will instinctively make the downswing steeper by starting the downswing with the shoulders. This applies to both woods and irons.
Experiment to Find the Correct Ball Position
- As with all swing changes the more a golfer can exaggerate in practice the quicker they will become used to the new ’feel’. Try a few practice swings before you hit balls at the range and be willing to exaggerate.
- If you want to practice a draw swing find a daisy on the ground and stand with the club six inches past it, even further away than out of the heel. From the top of the backswing feel how the body has to work differently to drop the club onto the inside to flatten the plane.
- Conversely if you want to practice a fade swing stand with the club this side of the daisy.
- Adjusting the ball position relative to the sweet spot on the club can have a dramatic effect on the downswing plane.
The copyright of the article Flatten Swing Plane to Hit a Draw - Golf Tips in How to Play Golf is owned by John Hoskison. Permission to republish Flatten Swing Plane to Hit a Draw - Golf Tips in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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