How do you keep your swing on plane?

[senorchipotle]

lately, i've been trying some different swing positions and methods in order to find out how i can be most accurate and consistent with my iron shots. i had a friend who plays professionally look at my swing and he said i need to get more width and turn my hips more. so now, on the backswing, i try to keep my clubhead going back along the target line and in front of my chest to a hinged position above my right shoulder. on the downswing, i try to keep the width and feel like my hands are going straight down at the ball from the top. i don't know if this is what's considered a one plane swing cause i haven't taped it yet, but i do feel like i'm swinging more horizontally than vertically.
this seems to be working right for the moment and i hit some pretty good shots at the range today with it. what are your thoughts on your own swing plane? is it a conscious thought process for you on the range/course?

any tips/advice/anecdotes appreciated.

[shortstop20]

I find if my takeaway is good, it's pretty easy to get on the correct plane.

Most people screw it up right off the bat.

[iacas]

The title of this thread is "how do you keep your swing on plane?" Here's a great way NOT to do it:

so now, on the backswing, i try to keep my clubhead going back

So there you go. The clubhead (and your hands) should go BACK, UP, and IN in the backswing. All three. Along the target line is "back" and eventually "up" but it doesn't get the "in" part at all.

[senorchipotle]

The title of this thread is "how do you keep your swing on plane?" Here's a great way NOT to do it:

well, i keep it going on the target line until the club is parallel. then, my object is to keep the club in front of my chest on the backswing, and because of my shoulder turn the club comes in. sorry if that thought wasn't properly spelled out.

[iacas]

well, i keep it going on the target line until the club is parallel. then, my object is to keep the club in front of my chest on the backswing, and because of my shoulder turn the club comes in. sorry if that thought wasn't properly spelled out.

My point is simple: if you take the club (and your hands, and the shaft, etc.) back along the target line, they're off plane the instant they start that movement and are further off plane with each bit that they continue to move along the target line (or one parallel to it). The plane goes back, up, and in. You're not getting any of the "in" if you're remaining parallel to the target line.

[grantc79]

Easiest way is right fore arm takeaway.

Using the right forearm and right forearm only, do not alter the wrists or anything else, fan the right forearm to the right until the club is parallel to the ground. The club should be parallel to your shoe line basically at this point assuming you have fanned the right forearm only.

Once you reach this point, fan the right arm upwards. The feel for this is basically having the right forearm rotate up over the elbow. Looking in a mirror your right hand should be directly over your elbow and you should be able to draw a straight line from your right hand down to the ground.

That line should be more or less perpendicular to the ground.

The rest of your body basically just follows the lead of the right forearm.