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Questions & Answers
Responses from PGA/LPGA Teachers on FINDaLESSON.com                                                                                  << BACK
From Aaron Delao, golfer:

I would like some drills which will help get my takeaway started on plane. You see, my club gets inside and the clubface gets shut on the takeaway.  I would also like a drill that will help me establish the correct back swing plane. Thank You. I really would appreciate it.
PGA/LPGA TEACHING PROFESSIONAL RESPONSES:
Arizona
"Many people have the same problem with getting the club too far inside the line on the back swing. Most of them end up swinging too far inside because they lead too much with the body (either the shoulders or chest rotate AROUND the body). You will have a lot more success when you work on swinging the club (arms and club) "away" from the target instead of "around" the body. So here's a drill to help out. Start at your ball and then place 6 or 7 tees (each about a foot apart) in a straight line away from the target. (Golf balls or a chalk line work fine too). Address the ball. Now swing the club away from the target along that tee line while extending the arms down the line and pointing the club head at the "extended" target line at all times. The key is to keep the club head pointing at the tees (extended target line). Swing until the club is parallel to the target line, the toe of the club pointing up to the 
sky and the left arm fully extended. This is your check point. Make sure the toe is up and the arms are extending away from the target parallel to the line of tees. To finish the swing from here, you simply swing the hands (cocking the wrists) up over the right shoulder until you reach parallel at the top. Check yourself at the parallel position. If your club head is pointing right of the extended target line (behind you) then you have swung too much "around" and not enough "away". Work on having the club head point at the extended target line at all times until you reach the "parallel" position. Repeat this drill until the swing feels more natural extending down the line. One technical idea which will help out. In order to keep the club on the "plane", the part of the club that is closest to the ground will point at the extended target line at all times during the swing. Thus, on the first part of the back swing (up to parallel) the club head is closer to the ground than the handle of the club and must point at the extended target line at all times. At parallel, the club should be parallel with the target line (like railroad tracks - the target line being the outside track and your club being the inside track). From the parallel point up to the top of the back swing, the handle will now be closer to the ground than the club head and, therefore, will now start pointing at the extended target line. (hint: stick a golf tee in the butt of the club for easier reference). Hope this helps to keep you on plane." 
- Kevin Connole, Teaching Professional
British Columbia
"Aaron, thanks for your question. Your query is quite a common one, I'm going to assume the real reason you're asking this question is that you'd like to change your ball flight. It would be helpful to know what ball flight you are trying to get away from, ball flight too low? bleeders to the right? wild hooks? In either case begin with your start position, how much shaft lean do you begin with, try to start with the club more in the center of your body at address. Working in front of a mirror, tape a ribbon on the mirror to represent your starting shaft plane. Set up so the ribbon matches the shaft. Practice taking the club away with an arm swing that keeps the shaft on plane through to the mid point of your back swing, ensure your wrists are quiet. Blend in the turn of your body, sense that your body and arm have moved the same distance. A club that gets under the plane is the result of arms that have swung across the body. Work first with the plane and concern yourself with the club face second, again let your ball flight determine that adjustment. If you have been hitting bleeders out to the right the last thing we'd want to do is open your club face. Work the mirror exercise and get back to me with ball flight information and any other questions you may have. Good Golfing." 
- Mike Vanderwolf, Teaching Professional
California
"Aaron, here are two drills to help you with your swing: 1.) Keeping the club face square to the path is important on the take away. To get the feeling of this, you need a book. Hold the book between your hands with the palms open and facing each other so you can read the title of the book when looking down at it. The pressure of you pushing the palms against each other will keep the book from falling to the ground. Get into your address position and move through the first 2 to 3 feet of your takeaway. Make sure you can read the title as you move the book back. If your hands are too active in the takeaway closing or opening the face, you will feeling the sensation and will not be able to read the title. The first 2 to 3 feet of the takeaway is crucial. This drill needs to done many times and it forces you to keep the book hands and arms in front of your chest during the takeaway. 2.) Get a weighted club. Most tour players use some type of weighted club. All the pros here at Pelican Hill use them. The weighted club helps to develop feel of the path during the entire swing. Do the same drill as with the book for 2 to 3 feet of your takeaway. Keep the club in front of your torso as the club moves back. The turning away with the chest and not the use of the hands develops a pretty good path (plane). Do not swing the weighted club at full speed. Injuries could occur. The weight of the club will make you feel if the path changes during the swing or if it is "on plane". The trick is to do the drill many times and hit plenty of balls before you pass judgment on the results. Good luck and Let me know if I can help more in the future." - Michael Davis, Teaching Professional
California
"Aaron: I recommend strongly that you be careful what you are focusing on which is how to get the club on the proper swing plane. Your swing plane based on your physic will be different from the next person. Truly understand what you want to do and what you are doing. What shot pattern are you trying to correct to lead you to believe you are inside and hooded? Is it your take away that is causing it? What shot pattern do your prefer? Keep me updated and would love to hear from you. Great Golfing." 
- Paul Holtby, Teaching Professional
California
"I would first address your problem with more information concerning your Posture, alignment and grip. For every effect there must be a Cause. The club moving to far inside during the takeaway is the effect. Just like a doctor we must find the root cause. I would first need to get some more information. Please describe your hand position on the golf club. Is your left thumb stretched out so the thumb nail is past knuckle of your left hand. Are your hands positioned more the right of center on the club or left of center. Concerning your posture -- Are your hands under your shoulders at address or are they stretched out. Concerning your alignment I am going to have your pick a target on the range. Once your are set place your club on the ground so it is matching your heel line. If your heel line is aiming right of the target line you will have a tendency to move the club too far on the inside during the takeaway. Please email me with the above information so I can help you further."
- Bob Veroulis, Teaching Professional
Florida
"Draw a line on the ground parallel to the target line that runs through the balls of your feet. Stick a shaft in the ground on the line so that when you make your back swing, the hosel of the club you are swinging will hit the shaft. Halfway back or at the 9 o'clock position, your club should be over the line you drew on the ground that is parallel to your target line. The toe of the club should also be facing up to the sky. This will keep you on plane and the face square. Good Luck." 
- Mike Clayton, Teaching Professional
Florida
"Believe it or not, one of the best drills in my opinion for this problem is the split hand drill. This simple drill will help with your takeaway as well as your through swing. Simply hold the club with your normal left hand grip (assuming you play right handed) and slide your right hand  down the club 3-4 inches. Make sure you hold the club more in the fingers of the right hand and let the right hand get involved in the swing. As you take the club away try to keep the butt end of the club pointing inside of your path on the back swing. This will help keep the club more in balance and allow for a more upright swing plane.  The shut clubface problem should take care of itself. Try small swings at first and then lengthen it out. Good Luck." - Mike Dopslaff, Teaching Professional
Florida
"Try a one piece take away where both of your arms move back as a triangle, and the club stays out in front of your chest." - Jess Frank, Teaching Professional
Florida
"A great drill is to swing with a wall behind you. Take your stance with your heels one foot from the wall. If you take the club inside the club head will hit the wall. At hip level the club shaft should be in line with your toes. The weight of the club head should start hinging your wrists. The club shaft should be over your shoulder at the top. If the clubface is shut, check your right hand grip. Your palm at address should face the target. Make sure the club rests diagonally across your fingers. At hip level the toe of the club is pointing up." - John Pallot, Teaching Professional
Florida
"Dear Aaron, It sounds as if you are beginning your back swing by taking the club away with your hands. This causes the club to get inside too soon, from there...anything can happen and none of them are good! My drill for you is to lay a club down on the ground parallel to your feet. from here you want to concentrate on beginning the swing with the bigger upper torso muscles for the first foot or so, maintaining the triangle formed by your hands , arms, and shoulders. At the point that the club is about half way back, check to see that the club is toe -up and parallel to the club on the ground and the club head slightly outside of your hands, ( your current take away would have the club head inside of your hands and face pointing toward the ball). The rest of the sequence is the wrists start to hinge the club up and the shoulders finish their turn. However, Hit balls doing this drill toe -up on the back swing and go through to toe-up on the forward swing for a while before you go to the full back swing. You will find that you will begin to find the center of the club face more consistently and less shots off the toe of the club. Good luck." - Freddie Scorza, Teaching Professional
Florida
"Aaron, To answer your question, begin with a club on the ground parallel to your target line. Take the club away and make sure as the club gets to hip high The toe of the golf club points toward the sky and the shaft is parallel to The shaft you have on the ground. If the clubface is closed the face will be pointing at the ground. Another practice drill you can use, have a friend stand behind you with a club or broken shaft. Again, using the alignment guide on the ground (club parallel to target) have your friend hold the club or broken shaft in his hand parallel with the club on the ground. Make sure he holds the club about knee high. Slide your golf club back the shaft, keeping your club working back the line.  Last drill, set up taking normal position, take a broken shaft and stick it in the ground to your right, approximately two feet away from you right leg and shaft should be hip high in the ground. If you take the club away inside the line you will knock the shaft out of the ground.  Hope these tips help, good luck and lots of practice." - Robbie Shaffer, Teaching Professional
Georgia
"One drill is to get in front of a mirror so you can get your whole body in. Take the club back to where it is parallel to the ground, look in the mirror and you want to see is club head with the toe of the club pointing straight up, and the outside of your hands with no shaft showing. So all you see club head and hands no shaft." - Bin Brandon, Teaching Professional
Maine
"Dear Aaron: At Target Zone Golf, one of our main goals is to get people started on the correct path.  Try this simple drill which we creatively call...Toe up - Toe up. Start by taking your normal golf stance. Place a shaft or stick in the ground parallel with your target line and about a foot two feet away from your right and left foot (on either side). Begin you swing by turning your shoulders away from the target. At hip height, the toe of your club should be pointing to the sky and barely touching the shaft. At this point, your clubface will be in a square position and your swing should be on plane. If you hit the shaft in the ground before your club gets to hip height, then your takeaway is too far to the inside. Before starting this drill, make sure your grip is correct. More often than not, a closed clubface is due to a grip that is too strong...meaning your hands are rotated too far to the right. (for the right handed players). Good luck and I hope this helps!"  - Chris Christie, Teaching Professional
Michigan
"Aaron: Thank you for the question. I like to lay a club on the ground to check my alignment. Next I would check your grip to insure that it is not too strong. Next I would check your posture at address by placing a club behind your back (your body should touch the club from head to hip. Once these things have been addressed I would begin working on the path the club is traveling on. Try starting out with small smooth swings, keeping the club moving down your target line. Work on creating a straight ball flight in this drill. As you feel comfortable let your swing out a little meaning add some more hip and shoulder turn to your swing. This should help a little if not let me know and we'll work on a few other items. Good luck." - Shaun Bezilla, Teaching Professional
Michigan
"If you need a drill for swing plane because you are too flat and shut on the take away. Try this one- take a 7 iron and find a wall that is brick or wood. Take your stance and have the wall about 18 to 24 inches behind you. Now make a good turn with the shoulders and let the club head touch the wall. If you do it correctly the club head will touch the wall when it reaches about waist high. Now run the club head up the wall to the top of your swing. This will give you the correct feeling of turn and arm swing in the golf swing. Practice this multiple times until you can do it with ease without looking at the club. Then move a few more inches away from the wall and do the same thing without touching the wall with the club head. You want to do it with just missing the wall. Come as close as you can without touching the wall. If you keep hitting the wall, you are still too flat. Like I said, do this drill multiple times. You must retrain yourself on where your arms are going as you turn back to the top of the swing. Eventually, you will be able to swing the club full without touching the wall and you will be on plane." 
- Jack Seltzer, Teaching Professional
Michigan
"Try putting a club on the ground parallel to your toe line. Let you takeaway only go back until you club is parallel to the ground and parallel to the club on the ground, with the toe of the club up. From this position you can then cock the left wrist so the butt of the club points at the target line (the line thru the ball), and this will give you the initial tools to get the swing on plane. Hope this helps!" 
- Brent Veenstra, Teaching Professional
Minnesota
"Drill for correct takeaway and plane:  Keeping your arms extended as they are at address, slide your hands down the shaft until the butt end sticks in your belly button. Turn your chest to the right, keeping the club stuck in your stomach until the club goes halfway back. You should be able to feel and see the club head staying "outside" your hands.  At approximately this point, allow your wrists to break and your arms to raise slightly and you should be able to see and feel the correct plane." 
- Jim Manthis, Teaching Professional
Missouri
"Aaron Delao: When you set up to the ball, take note of were the butt of the club is pointed to on your body.  (Ex. PW at belly button). Take the club back to about the 7 O'clock position. Is the butt of the club pointed at the same location as address? If not, it should be. A Drill: At address, notice that your arms form a "V". Take the club back to the O'clock position. The left arm and shaft should be parallel to your target line and the club face should be the same angle as your spine. If the club is inside your hands at this position, you are rolling your hands on the takeaway. For this they say to try and keep the right hand on top during the start of the takeaway. An easier and more productive way is to just focus on your right elbow. Don't let it bend until the O'clock position. You will kill more birds with one stone. Hope it helps." - David Mulso, Teaching Professional
Nevada
"Dear Aaron: Let me be as candid as I can as this the most direct method I know of over some 30+ years of teaching to get from A to B quickly. Sound like a great 'Golf Shot' to you? "A to B". Remember, every 'Golf Shot' should ideally be a straight 'Ball Flight Line'! Golf is just 'Distance and Direction'. Golf is just 'Compression and Line Of Compression'. Keep it simple. My "Candid' is that when I hear too many words from a student like "On Plane", "Shut Down", "Back Swing Plane", etc. he or she are likely thinking too much and is too 'Mechanical'. The 'Golf Swing' is a very natural event and when you allow it to 'Happen' rather than to 'Make It Happen', you will fall into the correct sequence of events rather easily. 'Let It Happen'! I know you are diligent, but don't practice bad habits or the wrong moves. When we read all the magazines and watch all the videos, we get lots of information, rightly or wrongly. Then we assume we are doing the correct thing. Rightly or wrongly! The 'Golf Swing' is a very simple sequence of events if we allow them to be so. First, if you are indeed 'Shutting Down' your clubface in the Take Away you need to stop that right now! Why would you ever 'Close The Clubface' in the first five inches or even two feet of the Take Away. That takes hard work! Shutting down your C/F is generally a 'Manipulation'. You have to physically make it happen. Relax your 'Wrists and Forearms' and make an effort to create a 'Straight Line Back Down the Target Line Take Away' allowing the 'C/F' to 'Open'. You already know that your 'Club Head Toe' should be pointing generally 'Up' when the 'Club Shaft' is horizontal to the ground and parallel to the Target Line. This is what I call the '3 o'clock' or 'Swing Sequence #3' in my golf books. It is a very important position to know and get to. You need to make these exercises 'In Slow Motion' for a few days. Train your Motions always 'In Slow Motion' first. Like learning to drive a car. Slowly at first and keeping it between the ditches! Don't 'Manipulate'! Secondly, get a nice straight 2X4. Set it on the ground on its 2" edge. Pretend this is your 'Target Line'. Make some 'Slow Motion Take Away' with your 'C/H Toe' in contact  with this piece of wood. The toe should keep in contact for the first five inches or so. This will start you 'On Path and On Plane'. Remember your 'Take Away' or moving the C/H aft on the 'Horizontal Aspect' is a 'Rotational Motion' that is absolutely made by your 'PIVOT' (Lower Body Machine) and NOT with your Hand, Wrists, Forearms and Upper Arms! 'FEEL' like you are 'Taking The Club Head Away' with your 'Hips and Body Trunk'. If not, you are likely 'Manipulating'. The other very useful 'FEEL' you should develop is that of taking your 'Brace Hand' to your 'Brace Shoulder' while turning your 'Brace Hip' aft and behind the location from which it started; the 'Body Line' Set-Up or Address Position. The proper 'Isolate The Parts Sequence' is 'Brace Hand To your Brace Shoulder' in the Back Swing with your 'Brace Foot' pushing  or thrusting ('Brace Leg Drive') early and through the entire Front Swing all the way to 'Stand Up'. (Follow Finish) Breathe Out while your Club Head is in Motion or certainly during your entire 'Front Swing'. Remember, 'The Ball Goes Where Your Hands Go'. You really need to come and see me or find a local 'Proven' golf teacher who can help you 'Hands On' for a few minutes. Until you get these 'Components and Procedures' correct, you are going to spend some time in 'Golf Purgatory'! No need to do so when talented help is available for about the cost of one round of Golf! The rest of your life (its quality) is in your control!  - Karl M. Fischer, Teaching Professional
New York
"Aaron: This is a bit difficult to explain, so bare with me. It's a drill I use all the time to teach beginning students. Assuming you are RH, Assume the address position, with any club. Without moving any part of your body or arms, pick up the club by cocking your wrists until the club is parallel to the ground, toe pointing up or ever so slightly closed. The club should be pointing away from you over the ball. Again, with as little body and arm movement as possible, rotate your wrists to the right, placing them about 6-8 inches away from your right thigh. The club should be parallel to the ground and your target line, pointing directly behind you with toe pointing up or slightly closed. Now move your arms up, rotating your shoulders so that your left shoulder comes under your chin. If any part of your left arm forces your chin up, then let your arms swing a little more inside on the way up. Try this with a towel under EITHER arm. The idea is to allow the arms to follow your natural rotation, staying connected to your body. As you get comfortable with the drill, begin eliminating steps, starting with #2. It is of utmost importance that you be very disciplined about the drill...do not melt one move into the other. It will be very mechanical, but you would be amazed how people hit the ball using the drill. If you have trouble finding the top of your back swing out of this, give us another call. Good luck." 
- Robert Whetsell, Teaching Professional
Oregon
"Loop it. Make a path from the club being behind the ball straight back about two feet then do the loop. Take it three inches outside the path curve it back another foot and then as you come down the club should take a nice inside path." - Tom Blair, Teaching Professional
Pennsylvania
"Aaron: First of all, let it be said that very seldom will you hit the ball with the back swing. Don't over think it. As long as you get to a good position at the top, you are all set. Getting bogged down with take away thoughts really hurts your ability to focus on the move that really counts--the downswing. Hence so many very different looking back swings on tour but such similar downswings. That said, if you really want to improve your back swing, try this: Taking the back swing too far inside is always a result of leading the back swing with the club head, rather than with shoulder turn. By that, I mean that you are using your hands too soon, sort of flipping the club head behind you, and that can cause real problems if your shoulders don't then make a full turn. To fix this, think of the butt of the club pointing at your belly button at address (a little left of it, toward the target, is fine). As you turn your shoulders to begin the back swing, keep the butt of the club pointed at your belly button until the club becomes parallel to the target line. Carry on about the back swing and you'll be fine--but that won't make the downswing anywhere near automatic!!!  A great drill you can try is to stick an old shaft in the ground where a ball would be were you to be in address position. Tilt the shaft to the same angle as your club shaft at address but then also angle it 45 degrees away from the target. If you were looking face-on in a mirror at address, assume the club shaft at address is at 12 o'clock, the "teaching" shaft would then be at 10 o'clock. When it's set properly, you will have a nice little plane trainer to help you with the takeaway. I hope that helps. Happy Golfing!" - John Dunigan, Teaching Professional
Pennsylvania
"Try practice swinging standing in front of a hedge or bush of some sort. Have the bush behind you about 2 feet and when you swing make the effort to miss the hedge with your club going back and also on your follow through. If you are lucky enough to find a practice facility with a bush that you can back up to, try to hit a few shots until you start to get your confidence. Then imagine something in back of you when you play." - Robert Sheppard, Teaching Professional
Pennsylvania
"Dear Aaron: The best drill for proper clubface position and swing plane for a right handed player would be a right hand only drill (or left hand only if you play left handed). For a right handed player, first make sure that your when you grip the club with your right hand, your palm matches up with the clubface. In other words when you hold the club in the air with your left hand, so the club shaft is parallel to the ground, make sure the bottom groove of the clubface is perpendicular to the ground. Now, take your right hand and open it up so that the palm of your hand is flat, and is also facing directly to the side. Your palm should not be angled towards the sky or the ground, it should be facing "sideways". Then, bring your right hand alongside the grip and close your hand around it. Essentially, when you place the club to the ground, your palm and clubface should be facing in the same direction (in the direction of your target). Once your grip is properly situated on the club, then set up to the ball with just your right hand on the club (left hand if your playing left handed). Hit balls now with just your right hand. Gradually sweep the club away from the ball, up in the air (so that your right hand is in a "throwing position"), and then throw the club head down thru the ball and to your finish (over your left shoulder). Practice this drill first without a club, then with a club, and then with a ball. As you are practicing just be aware of the path of the club. Try to take the club away and through on the same path! Good Luck!" 
- Ralph Viola, Teaching Professional
South Carolina
"The best drill I could give you incorporates both your takeaway and back swing into one drill.  After all, that is normally how you would start your swing. 1) Put a club down on the ground between you and the ball. 2) Set-up to the ball, so most of the club on the ground is in the rear of your stance. 3) Start the takeaway with your front shoulder, pushing the club back to a position that is parallel to the ground. In this position, the club should also be parallel to the club on the ground, and the toe of the club should be pointing to the sky. There should be small to moderate wrist cock, but not a complete wrist cock.  By repeating this movement in slow motion and holding the parallel position, this will help promote a good takeaway. 4) From this position, you can make a complete shoulder turn to place the club to the top of the swing. Do not use the hands to turn the club, but do cock the wrists. You should also have loaded almost 75% of your weight to the back side of your body. And the front arm should have good separation from the body, promoted by good extension of the arm. Holding this position and trying to maintain balance as you hold the position will help your mind and body remember the image of a good back swing plane." - John Hughes, Teaching Professional
South Carolina
"Take your set up posture with your butt gently touching a wall ..Take your back swing without touching the wall with your club head." - Doug Weaver, Teaching Professional
Texas
"Mr. Daleo: In answer to your question, if your hands are taking the club inside too early on the back swing the club face is actually opening on the back swing. The path is inside also. This causes the player to start the forward swing with the hands and get the path out to in causing a pull. The affect of the club face is a closing through impact, adding a hook onto the pull. What you need is a move away instead of a take away. If you watch tour players on the back swing, the chest, arms, and club head all move away from the ball at the same time. You may want to consider making a waggle like Karrie Webb does before you swing to confirm the good path. Also take a 5 foot piece of nylon twine and tie it to golf tees on the ends. Then place the tees in the ground so that the string is pointed to your target. You can hit practice balls right off the string. If the divot is on the string, square to the target and the front of the divot is straight, you have what you want. Square path that makes the shot start straight and a square club face that doesn't allow it to curve. Thanks for the question." 
- Dave Baron, Teaching Professional
Texas
"Dear Take Me Away: The best way to learn and feel the proper takeaway, is to take a stance with 
your feet touching together. Then, rotate your chest while holding the club (with the club head at waist high level in front of you) using complacent hands and wrists. The club's leading edge should be perpendicular in front of you (at address position) and also the leading edge of the club face perpendicular to the ground when turning your chest so the club is still waist high at ninety degrees from its original position. Simply stated, the club is "toe up" at address at waist high and also "toe up" with chest rotating the club ninety degrees to the right. Now, put the club in its normal setup position and find the same "toe up" position at waist high on the back swing. The butt of the grip should point parallel to the target line and the bottom of the shaft should be parallel to the ground. First learn this much of the back swing and mirror image this position on the follow-though. Swing the golf club like a pendulum back and forth without stopping the natural "swinging" motion. With a little investment of time practicing this drill, you will soon "find" the correct plane and learn to stay on it naturally! This is one plane you can get on without fear... Good luck!" - Dan Howard, Teaching Professional
Virginia
"First, look at your posture. If you have poor posture, your take away can't be fixed. If you have good posture, make sure that the toe of the club is to the sky at waist high and that the club head is out side your hands." - John SanGiacomo, Teaching Professional