New Post #30 Technique Tuesday

Hi Friends

I told you so.

Remember?

No not that stuff about Brighton (very pleased that I told everyone I was Brighton fan and only 1 day later the Seagulls lose 7-nil. Cheers lads, nice one)

No, not that old rubbish

I told you all back in newsletter #12, the one all about the grip

I told you that Rory would come back and win down the stretch. Granted it wasn’t a major and yes, that will be the real test, but it was a dominant win in a stacked field at a major venue.

You see I keep receipts!

After last weeks newsletter all about Stack and Tilt (anyone try this? How did it go? let me know) I got a reply from a serial contributor, that “unless its Mo he doesn’t want to know”

So let’s take a look at Moe Norman and his golf swing, now being taught as the Single Plane Swing.

You will also remember from the very first issue, the one with the interview with double club champion Paul “Jacko” Jackson - that Paul had hit balls with Moe at Pinehurst and didn’t even know it was Moe!

So what are the basics of the Single Plane Swing? and where can you find out more about this method?

Basics of the Single Plane Swing

In a single plane swing, your club follows one plane from your backswing to impact, thereby minimising room for error. Imagine drawing a straight line from the club head at address, through the hands and extending that line to the horizon; this is your single plane. Your club remains on this plane creating a swing that’s smooth, efficient and akin to a well-oiled machine

It is also said to be kinder to your back so if that an issue for you maybe give it a try?

CLUB ANGLE AT ADDRESS

Club starts at the mid-spine plane of impact. You start at the same angle as impact.

TILT OF BODY

The tilt of the body starts at address similar to the tilt of the body at impact meaning less movement from the start to finish.

ARMS

Lead arm and trail arm are aligned with the club. The trail arm alignment is the same plane as the club shaft impact.

HANDS/GRIP

The lead hand is in a neutral and released position (ulnar deviated) where the back of the hand is parallel to the clubface. The trail hand is placed in a non-rotational position–similar to skipping a rock.

FEET

Feet apart for stability and farther away from the ball–provides room for the ideal high and natural impact plane.

BACKSWING

Arms and clubs move naturally to the inside onto the Single Plane.

LOWER BODY MOVEMENT

The lower body moves into a flexed
lead knee, reducing stress from the
lower back.

SHAFT ANGLE OF IMPACT

Club impacts on the same mid-spine plane. This is the same as at address, meaning less shaft lift into impact, meaning less compression on the back and spine

BODY POSITION AT IMPACT

The lead knee remains flexed and trail foot stays on the ground through impact. This reduces body lift into impact, which means less upward movement and stress into the lower back. This makes the Single Plane Swing easy on your back.

PAST IMPACT

The lead knee remains flexed and the trail foot on the ground, stabilizing the lower body keeping stress off the lower back. The extension of the club returns to the Single Plane.

FINISH

With the lower body stable and the upper body stabilised, the arms and body rotate, returning the club to the single plane.

Here is a great short video (only 7 mins long) that talks about Mo and the way he swung it.

We have now moved into Febuary and the promise of slightly better weather and hopefully a few less storms. So it’s time to start sharpening up the game and getting ready for a great season of golf.

It’s just around the corner now.

And remember “If you think you can or can’t, you’re probably right"!

Unless of course you have a “hurty” shoulder and can’t swing a golf club or a padel racquet

To be fair I’m on the mend and will be back at the range very soon.

Also keep an eye for this exciting project I’ve been working on, coming soon…………….

Have a great week and remember to stay humble! 😉