The Best Free Golf Video Lessons565 Free Golf Lessons from the Best ProsOver 120,000,000 views
565 lessons from professionals, selected and summarizedOver 120,000,000 views across all videos
Address Posture / Stance at AddressSwing and Swing Plane All clubs Intermediate ⏱ 2 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Hank Haney's Golf Swing Plane: Parallel to Address

The swing plane is at the heart of Hank Haney's teaching philosophy. In this Golf Digest Tips Plus segment, a presenter explains his approach: swinging on planes parallel to the shaft angle at address, and adjusting the swing if the posture deviates from the norm.

▶
GD
Golf Digest · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

16 minSame problemHow Rory McIlroy Hits His Irons: Technique and AimRory McIlroy · Intermediate4 minSame problemReading Greens with Your Feet, Justin Rose's WayJustin Rose · Intermediate11 minSame problemLow Chip with Spin: Matthieu Pavon's Mayo MethodMatthieu Pavon · Intermediate / Expert

What the lesson shows

For Hank Haney, the swing plane is swing along planes parallel to the angle of the club shaft at address. This angle depends mainly on your stance. At address, the the club's sole lies flat On the floor, the club points toward the middle of the body, at waist level, and when viewed from behind, the arms hang directly below the shoulders.

You can certainly play well with an unorthodox stance, as long as you adjust your swing. Too hunched over, the club sits more flat, and the tendency is to lift it up; instead, you should swing it more around your body. Too straight, the club is more vertical and the tendency is to swing flat: you need to raise the club higher. But the simplest solution is still to work on your stance for better contact.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Place the club's sole flat on the ground.
  2. Make sure the club is pointing toward the middle of your body, at your waist.
  3. When viewed from behind, let your arms hang down below your shoulders.
  4. Locate the angle of the handle: this is your reference plane.
  5. Swing while staying parallel to this angle both on the way up and on the way down.

Key Takeaways

The swing remains parallel to the angle of the club shaft at address.
Posture determines this angle.
Feet flat on the ground, club toward the waist, arms under the shoulders.
Too hunched over: rotate more around your body.
Too straight: position the club more vertically.
Good posture makes everything easier.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Align at the address, then raise the club.
  • Stand too upright, then swing the club flat.
  • Place the club on the toe or the heel.
  • Ignoring the posture even though it determines the plan.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Verifying the profile address in front of a mirror or via video
  2. Slow swings, making sure the club shaft remains parallel to the angle at address
  3. Comparison of a hunched posture and an upright posture

Your Questions

What is Hank Haney's swing plane?

Swing the club along planes parallel to the angle of the shaft at address. This angle depends mainly on your address posture.

How do you position yourself correctly at an address?

The sole of the club is flat, the club points toward the middle of the body at waist level, and the arms hang below the shoulders when viewed from behind.

Can you play well with an unorthodox posture?

Yes, but you have to adjust your swing to stay parallel to the takeaway angle. If you hunch over too much, you’ll rotate more around your body; if you stand too straight, you’ll bring the club up more vertically.

Learn More

All videos on “Stance / Address Posture” →Find the lesson that's right for youAll “Swing and Swing Plane” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Bryson DeChambeau's Swing: Grip, Triangle, RotationDeChambeau breaks down the basics of his swing (a comfortable grip, arms locked in a “triangle,” and chest rotation) and then demonstrates how to apply them to a beginner. How Rory McIlroy Hits His Irons: Technique and AimRory contrasts irons and driver: more tilted, ball toward the middle, he covers the ball with his chest and aims at the widest side of the green. Tiger Woods Corrects Amateur Swings: His TipsTiger comments on a dozen swings by fans and points out a flaw and a simple cue for each one: left buttock back, left arm against a window…

Video posted on YouTube by its creator. Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.

* Amateur competitions with guidance from the pros