Swing too upright

[ScottL]

Buddy and I went to a little 9 hole walking course yesterday to just practice. Didnt even keep score, but played 18 holes. We brought a video camera with us and taped each others swings a few times.

One thing we noticed about mine is, my swing path it pretty upright. Like I take the ball straight back and up, instead of a little outside.. Does that make sense?

Anyway, Im thinking this may be causing some of my slice/hook issues. What can I do to try and get a better swing path?

[FistPumpGlory]

can you post the video?

[zanga254]

Try to imagine that you are swinging a baseball bat. Just hold your club like normal and take a couple of swings like normal with your club parallel to the ground. Then hold your club in front of you like you're about to set up. then bow down to the ball from the hips. Take a swing that emulates your baseball swing. Im not a teacher but i hope that helps.

and make sure that your swing is on plane, as in your backswing path matches your downswing at about a 45 degree angle.

[HackerD]

Faldo drill might help. Address ball normally, then cock wrists as they would at the top of the swing, just don't take arms back. Club should be parallel to the ground, pointing straight back from the direction you're aiming. Hands are still directly in front of you. Now to take your swing, you just turn shoulders back and through like a normal swing. Gets you on a more proper swing plane.

[Bristol]

Are you standing too upright? If so, try bending over more. I find that if I am too upright I can hook and slice a lot more easily. If I bend over properly it's actually hard for me to hook it even if I'm really trying to.

[becksfan2185]

Really hard to tell without seeing your swing - actually it's pretty much impossible. But I'd be happy to share my similar experience.

I have a vertical swing plane as well, and recently took a long series of lessons. I started with a few easy changes to make, including standing further from the ball (forces a flatter swing) and some other issues with my address and posture. But the main message of the instructor was to make sure I was coming back down on plane. Whether vertical or flat, just keep it on plane. I was prepared to make some major changes to my swing, but I was a little surprised to hear him say that an upright swing is OK (within reason of course). After slight changes to my position at the top of my swing and some work on creating an "inside" downswing, I have a swing that on plane. It is still upright (although less than before), but more importantly it's on plane.

I completely recommend getting lessons... even with your own video analysis, it helps to have a professional make a plan of action for any swing changes.