Am I a 1-Planer or 2-Planer?

jportz · April 10, 2006

How do I know what's best for me?

I'm reading all these tips that say to do these things if you're a 1 plane swinger and do some different things if you're a 2 plane swinger (and never combine the two). Then it says if you're caught somewhere in the middle you'll never be very good.

It says 1-planers are your 'hitters' (strong, broad shoulders, muscular) and 2-planers are your 'swingers' (thin, narrow shoulders, long arms)

How do I know what I am or what's best for my body type?

I think I'm built to have a 1 plane swing (short, stocky, strong) but heck....how would I know?

oldpalchamp · April 10, 2006

Your best bet would to be to get Jim Hardy's book, and compare video of your swing to his theories. Most people have elements of both 1-plane and 2-plane swings. The primary difference is a 1-plane swing features the arms swinging around the body with very little lateral movement. In a 2-plane swing, the arms move in more of an up and down motion, while the body moves back and through. This is a very simplistic explanation of the differences, but his book makes a great read.

jportz · April 10, 2006

Does he stereotype which swing is better for different people? If I'm stuck in the middle of the two how do I determine which way to go?

ferrispgm · April 10, 2006

http://www.oneplanegolfswing.com/

this is a good site to visit. I started going to this site and my swing has improved A LOT!!!! I converted to a one plane swing in the winter and have done a lot of research on it, and it is definitely easier than the two plane. But you do need flexability in the one plane swing for it to work.

taylormadefan · April 10, 2006

Does he stereotype which swing is better for different people? If I'm stuck in the middle of the two how do I determine which way to go?

I've studied Mr. Hardy's literature and teachings pretty extensively in the past six months. The only two swing coaches I've ever had are associates of Mr. Hardy. I'm a strict Hardy one plane swinger.

There's no stereotype or body style that really fits either swing. Both are two different ways of delivering the clubhead to the ball in the same fashion. You can be a powerful two planer and you can also be an accurate one planer. As you said before though, the danger comes when the two "planes" meet.

However, if you're flexible enough and can perform the required moves, Mr. Hardy reccomends the one plane swing, the reason being that it's less injury prone and better for your back in the long run. However, in his own words the one plane swing requires, "a fair degree of elasticity, especially in the midsection" at the top of the backswing.

Here's a quick primer for you, if you can't pick up Plane Truth Right away.

http://www.golfdigest.com/search/index.ssf...wingplane2.html

I've found the book to be a good reference, but I don't htink you can learn the one plane swing without solid instruction.

Also take a look at his website, his forums are an awesome place for info. Although he doesn't check them that often, the people there do know their stuff:

http://www.jimhardygolf.com/

Here's a list of his associates and people who he's trained to properly teach his theories:

http://www.jimhardygolf.com/Default.aspx?tabid=54

Mr. Hardy is coming out with a new DVD I believe in May or June to accompany and clear up some of the things that he didn't address in Plane Truth. I'm very excited about seeing it, it sounds like it has more drills to help students of his swing theories.

If you do adopt the one plane appraoch the best piece of advise I can give you is to udnerstand the hierarchy of importance of the one plane swing (this was the thing taht lead to my breakthrough in understanding the one plane swing).

1. Posture is the most important, without proper posture you will NEVER be able to recover and make consistent and solid contact. If you can't maintain your posture throughout the swing you will struggle with contact.

2. Your shoulders and hips are the next important thing, if your shoulders don't work in the right fashion around your body you will have a VERY difficult time recovering.

3. Your arms are somewhat important, you should feel your left arm pinned against your chest at the top of the backswing, but on teh downswing they should feel "dead" while your shoulders and torso throws them around your body and through the ball.

4. Forget about the club, it doesn't matter, if 1-3 come through correctly so will the club. If you do think aobut the club, you will either cast and hit it fat or come out of your posture and hit a big hook.

Hope that helps, any more questions, let me know.