Upright Golf Swing Vs Flat Golf Swing

You may have played golf with other people who’ve commented that your swing was too upright or too flat. You may not be entirely sure what they meant and whether you need to do something to fix it. In this post are be looking at an upright golf swing vs flat golf swing

What Does Swing Plane Mean In Golf?

You may hear people talking about swing plane when they are discussing their golf swing. The swing plane is the imaginary surface on which the golf club travels around the body. Imagine a pane glass resting at an angle on the ground with the player’s head and shoulders popping through a hole. The golf club should swing along the swing plane on the backswing and downswing, and make contact with the ball at the bottom of the swing. This was the classic illustration in the Five Lessons book by Ben Hogan.

The swing plane becomes more upright as the length of the club gets shorter. The swing plane for your driver will be much flatter than the swing plane for your wedge.

Most golfers, especially beginners, have a natural tendency to swing the club on an outside-to-inside path, which usually results in a slice. The club head is traveling above the imaginary pane of glass during the backswing and downswing before impact and moves underneath afterward.

To correct this, you need to be aware of your swing plane and make sure you are swinging on a squarer path with the club head keeping to the plane or slightly inside it.

Swinging on the correct plane is one of the most important aspects of a good golf swing. Remember, it’s not just about how fast you swing your club, it’s also about how well you hit the ball! To get the best strike you need to be on-plane as much as possible through the swing.

Swinging over the top takes you way outside the correct plane.

What Is An Upright Golf Swing?

An upright swing is one in which the club is swung in an upright, or vertical, plane. At the top of the backswing, your left arm would be more vertical than your shoulders.

This type of swing is often seen as the most efficient and effective way to hit the ball, as it allows the golfer to use the full weight and momentum of the club head to strike the ball. The backswing is a key part of an upright golf swing, as it sets up the club for impact in a way that wraps around the back and provides maximum power. When executed correctly, an upright golf swing can help a golfer hit the ball longer and straighter than with a flat swing.

An example on the PGA Tour would be Justin Thomas.

Pros And Cons Of An Upright Swing

An upright swing would tend to suit taller, leaner more athletic players. It’s ideal if you’re looking for a long backswing to generate plenty of power.

What Is A Flat Golf Swing?

A flat backswing is one where the player’s hands are quite low at the top of their backswing. The angle of the left arm is less than the angle created by the shoulders at the top of the backswing.

An example on the PGA Tour would Matt Kuchar.

Pros and Cons of a Flat Swing?

This type of swing is better suited to players with a thicker upper body because it is more difficult for them to lift and then drop their arms into the correct positions required for an upright swing.

One of the pros of using a flat swing is that it can help a golfer hit the ball straighter and with more accuracy. Kuchar is one of the straightest hitters on tour for example. It can also help a golfer generate more power in his or her swing.

Ultimately, it is up to each individual golfer to decide whether or not to use a flat swing. If you are struggling with your game and are looking for a way to improve, then using a flatter swing may be worth trying if you have the right body type. However, if you are happy with your game as it is, then there is no need to change anything.

Can a Flat Swing Be Good?

A good swing is one that repeats and delivers the club squarely to the ball, it doesn’t matter if it’s flat, upright or neutral. So in that sense, a flat swing can be good.

How to Fix a Flat Swing

If you have a flat swing, it means the club head is traveling more around your body rather than up and down. This can cause your shots to go off course to the right if you don’t square the club face. To fix a flat swing, you need to take the club back more upright and make sure your shoulder rotation is correct.

Upright vs Flat Swing