You’ve likely heard countless discussions about swing plane in golf over recent years. It’s a hot topic, and understanding it is crucial for consistent and powerful shots. However, the concept of swing plane is often made far more complex than necessary. Many golfers get bogged down in technical jargon and complicated drills, losing sight of the fundamental feel required to get on the right plane.
In this guide, we’ll simplify swing plane by breaking down a couple of easy-to-grasp motions. These motions will help you intuitively find your ideal golf swing plane for both your backswing and downswing, without overthinking or getting lost in complicated mechanics.
The Secret is in Your Forearms: Mastering Rotation for Swing Plane
One of the keys to achieving a proper swing plane lies in understanding how your forearms rotate during the golf swing. This rotation isn’t about manipulating your wrists in a complex way, but rather about a natural movement that you already understand from everyday actions.
Let’s talk about “door knob to the right” and “door knob to the left.” Forget about confusing terms like pronation and supination for a moment. Instead, picture yourself turning a doorknob.
Imagine you’re turning a doorknob to the right, clockwise. That’s the feeling you want to cultivate in your backswing. Now imagine turning a doorknob to the left, counter-clockwise. That’s the feeling you want in your downswing and follow-through.
It’s this simple! You don’t need to get caught up in the anatomical names of forearm rotation. Just focus on the familiar feeling of turning a doorknob. This action naturally engages the correct muscles and movements needed to get your club on the right plane.
What’s actually happening is your forearm bones, the radius and ulna, are rotating. You can feel this yourself by gently gripping your forearm and rotating your hand back and forth. You’ll notice those bones rolling over each other. This forearm rotation is the engine behind the “Turn The Doorknob Golf” technique.
“Doorknob Right” for the Backswing: Setting the Club on Plane
In your golf setup, your hands should be in a relatively neutral position, palms facing each other. As you begin your backswing, initiate the “doorknob to the right” motion. Think about turning a doorknob clockwise with both hands.
This action will naturally rotate your forearms in the backswing, helping to set the golf club on the correct swing plane. You’ll feel your wrists hinge naturally as your forearms rotate, and the club will move into a position that is conducive to a powerful and on-plane downswing.
Golf swing plane visualized: The 'turn the doorknob' motion for correct forearm rotation
Observe your palms as you practice this. You’ll see them rotating open as you perform the “doorknob to the right” motion in the backswing. This palm rotation is a visual cue that you are correctly engaging your forearms and getting the club on plane.
“Doorknob Left” for the Downswing: Releasing and Staying on Plane
As you transition from the top of your backswing into the downswing, the motion reverses to “doorknob to the left.” Think about turning a doorknob counter-clockwise.
This “doorknob to the left” action in the downswing allows you to release the club naturally and maintain your swing plane as you approach impact. It helps you avoid coming over-the-top and promotes an inside-out swing path, crucial for hitting straight and powerful golf shots.
Again, watch your palms. As you move into the downswing and perform the “doorknob to the left” motion, you’ll see your palms rotating closed. This visual confirmation helps ensure you’re releasing the club correctly and staying on plane through impact.
Practice the “Doorknob Golf” Feel
To integrate this “turn the doorknob golf” technique into your swing, practice is key. Take some time to make practice swings focusing solely on the “doorknob right” in the backswing and “doorknob left” in the downswing motion.
Perform around 100 practice swings, just focusing on this forearm rotation and the associated feeling. This repetition will help you ingrain the motion and make it feel more natural. You want to develop the muscle memory so that this “doorknob” feeling becomes intuitive in your swing.
While swing plane is important, remember that it’s just one piece of the puzzle. Don’t get overly focused on achieving perfect swing plane at the expense of other fundamentals. However, understanding and applying the simple “turn the doorknob” technique can significantly improve your swing plane and lead to more consistent and powerful golf shots.
By focusing on this straightforward “doorknob golf” concept and practicing the associated forearm rotation, you’ll develop a more intuitive understanding of swing plane. This will allow you to release the club with more speed and accuracy through impact, ultimately leading to better golf. Go ahead and put in those practice swings and feel the difference!
