Shaft plane at impact

[shortstop20]

Some instructors believe/teach that the shaft plane at impact should be slightly higher than it was at address while others believe/teach that at impact, the shaft plane should match the shaft plane set at address.

Does each philosophy fit a certain type of swing method(such as one plane vs. two plane) and/or face angle(toe up vs. toe and heel level at address)?

[senorchipotle]

i go with whatever hits the ball the straightest. when you sole the club, it tells you the plane on which you should come... backswing really doesn't matter, it's all about where you start the downswing and your position at impact.

[Shanks A Million]

Some instructors believe/teach that the shaft plane at impact should be slightly higher than it was at address while others believe/teach that at impact, the shaft plane should match the shaft plane set at address.

Yeah, it's a two plane swing vs a one plane swing. The two plane swing is by far the most common, and this one has the club toe up at address. The one plane swing is not so common, but guys like Moe Norman used it. This one has you sole the club at address the same as it will be at impact.

[iacas]

Yeah, it's a two plane swing vs a one plane swing. The two plane swing is by far the most common, and this one has the club toe up at address. The one plane swing is not so common, but guys like Moe Norman used it. This one has you sole the club at address the same as it will be at impact.

That's not entirely the case. The shaft is bound to be in a different position simply because impact is more FORWARD.

Most everyone comes into the ball with their hands higher. Their left shoulder is higher through the ball and since their left arm was straight at setup and is straight at impact, it's a bit higher too. Other factors like club droop play a role too. Technically, every club swung at a reasonable rate is flatter just before impact than it was just sitting at address because of club droop.

[Shanks A Million]

That's not entirely the case. The shaft is bound to be in a different position simply because impact is more FORWARD.

I've noticed that clubs are made with a forward shaft lean. My PW, for example, leans a lot further forward than my 3 iron. Do they take this into account when designing the clubs' lie angles (relative to eachother)?

[iacas]

I've noticed that clubs are made with a forward shaft lean. My PW, for example, leans a lot further forward than my 3 iron. Do they take this into account when designing the clubs' lie angles (relative to eachother)?

Clubs are not made with forward shaft lean. Your PW has more bounce and loft than your 3-iron, but that's about it, and it's not "more forward shaft lean."

[Fatphil]

I use that swing thought all the time. To return the shaft as close as possible to the address position. Works for me.

Club Droop,,,cracks me up everytime.