Is crossing the plane at the top bad?

[gordo1007]

 

I haven't been playing golf for too long, only about 4yrs now and I can not seem to fix my back swing at the top. I have worked really hard to stop crossing the plane but when I do it seems to do more harm than good. Should I really worry about this and do what I can to fix it even if it means paying a coach. Or should I just work with what I've got? Please let me know what you think. I've been torturing myself over this for a long time now.

Edited October 25, 2015 by iacas
embedded video properly

[jbishop15]

From what I understand, being across the line usually means the club has gotten too inside on the backswing, and as a result points to the right of the target at the top. 

What happens to many players (myself included) is that it can drop too far underneath the plane on the downswing, causing big draws and hooks. There have been a lot of good players who played with an across the line backswing and hit really good shots. Jack Nicklaus is a prime example, and even Tiger in the early 2000s got a little across if I remember correctly. 

In my profile picture, you can see the top of my backswing. You can go onto my swing thread and see that almost every video from the last two years shows me with an across the line backswing, except for the most recent one. If I were to give one tip on how I did it, I'd say to feel as if the right arm stays on top of the left during the first part of the backswing, and then flip the arms over and really exaggerate that laid off feeling; a good visualization (and drill!) is to take a plate or basket, get into a stance, and as you take the plate/basket back, is to feel like it points at the target (the right arm on top feel), and then as you get to the second part of the backswing, feel as if you were dumping the plate/basket behind you (getting the left arm on top of the right). If my explanation doesn't quite resonate with you, there are plenty of YouTube videos to explain what I mean. A teacher could also assist you proficiently; there are many on here who can help as well as out where you live. 

But I want to express this strongly: you CAN play good golf from there. It's not a game-killer, and you can learn to play with it. But if you are interested in changing that (as I was), it is possible. I wouldn't torture yourself over it, though. You are already a four handicap, haha. 

[gordo1007]

Thanks a lot I appreciate it. I am trying to fix this mainly because I suspect it is affecting my accuracy. I have a lot of trouble hitting my irons and especially wedges close to the pin. I feel it might be what's holding me back. I rarely birdie probably only twice a round and only on par 5's. I will try your advice and see how it helps. Thanks again!

Edited October 25, 2015 by gordo1007

[iacas]

Any time you get "off" the plane on which you're trying to swing, you'll need to make a compensation to get back "on" that plane. Most often, you'll then over-do that compensation slightly, thus requiring another compensation. And so on.

Though there have been PGA Tour players and major winners who are off plane on the backswing, very, very, very few good players are off the plane for very long if at all on the downswing.

(Everyone who makes contact with the ball is "on" a plane that intersects with the golf ball at impact…)

[Kenny Lee]

I'll try again . . . 

gordo- you asked if you should "pay a coach". The answer is YES. A coach is much more likely to help you with your swing, as opposed to seeking advice on an internet forum.

If you need legal advice- hire a lawyer. If you have a medical problem- see a doctor. Don't try to solve your problem on an internet forum. Same for golf.

You don't see Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, or Bubba rushing to TheSandTrap for help with their swings. They have coaches. Do what they do.

My advice should not be misconstrued as a personal attack to the people here.

  

 

[iacas]

If you need legal advice- hire a lawyer. If you have a medical problem- see a doctor. Don't try to solve your problem on an internet forum. Same for golf.

You don't see Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, or Bubba rushing to TheSandTrap for help with their swings. They have coaches. Do what they do.

That advice ignores the fact that some of the instructors here have worked with PGA Tour players, not to mention a few hundred or thousand players who are of the OP's level. Heck, I've trained Top 100 and Top 50 instructors.

Not to mention that he didn't ask if he should see an instructor (which is always my advice… if you can find a good one). He asked if it's something he should fix. I believe it is, @gordo1007. First, though, make sure it's your priority.

And even if you do (hopefully) end up working with an instructor, @gordo1007, start a Member Swing thread (there's a template and a naming convention we'd ask that you follow) to note and track your progress, feels, thoughts, drills, etc.

[Mr. Desmond]

It looks as if your shoulders stop, but your hands keep on going for a fraction, which causes the crossing the line. Stop the shoulders, stop the hands/arms. You probably do not do it on a practice swing or in your living room, but when a ball is there, everything changes.

Stop the video where it appears your shoulders stop - your hands are okay.

As to the comments about the internet, yep, it's best to find a personal instructor, everyone here will offer you that advice. Finding a good one is tough. And even when you have an instructor, you have to do the work. You must figure what you are doing that places you in a poor position. Look at every aspect of your swing in slo mo, in front of the tv, on the patio, etc. An instructor can only do so much.

[Dave325]

All good advice here. throughout my life... and whatever it is I wanted to be good at.... I set two directives: Learn from everyone, wherever you can find it and secondly... never throw the baby out with the bath water. Meaning, take the good advice that can help you and let the other stuff fall away.  And since golf is a game... have fun with it and learn what you can.

On instructors... there is great advice here. Love the forums here. I also recommend Evolvr to get more personal help. I use it and it has helped me incredibly in just a couple months. In fact I have a new problem.... Key 2: weight forward has caused me to hit the ball better and straighter... but 20 yards over the green (I put a couple on the next tee last night). Now I have to refigure the lesser club to use. a good problem, I guess (smile)

Regards,

Dave

[gordo1007]

 

@Mr. Desmond, You are exactly right that's what's so frustrating! When I practice in front of my mirror and record practice swings on my phone it looks perfectly on plane. But when I go to hit a ball I cross the plane every time. Been watching videos on YouTube and trying to fix this myself for about 4 months now. 

[Mr. Desmond]

@Mr. Desmond, You are exactly right that's what's so frustrating! When I practice in front of my mirror and record practice swings on my phone it looks perfectly on plane. But when I go to hit a ball I cross the plane every time. Been watching videos on YouTube and trying to fix this myself for about 4 months now. 

I think the right elbow collapses a tad at the last second. Relax - may be too much tension.