WTSisco

I went through something similar a couple years ago; like you, I decided I needed a flatter swing plane (I don't really remember why), and my swing with longer clubs, especially the driver, looked a lot like yours. By taking the club back so flat (below your shoulders), it's very difficult to keep your right arm connected (as others said), and you're forced to pull the club around with your torso-- coming over the top is usually the result (always was with me). It may also make it more difficult to release the club in time, resulting in an open club face at impact (again, it did for me). What helped me was to actually go two-plane for a while-- I took the club away high, then let it "fall into the slot" to begin the downswing. I had success with it, and I guess my swing evolved from there. Eventually, I took my normal back swing and stopped at the top in front of a mirror, and what felt like a high takeaway was actually right on plane. Anyway, a good swing thought I picked up at the time was to "swing around your neck, not your body"-- that is to feel like your neck is in the middle of the "circle" traced by your club head That may not be the most mechanically efficient or orthodox way, but it worked for me-- but then, I still only shoot in the mid-90s, so what do I know. I hope it helps! Also, don't rush your downswing. I think that might be what the whole "rhythm" post was about.

If you are right-handed, as your profile indicates, and you are hitting it left, then I think you are pulling the ball, not pushing it. The OP is a righty who is hitting the ball to the right of the target line, which is a push. Pulling or hooking the ball (hitting it straight left or curving left, respectively, for a right-hander) can definitely be the result of placing the ball too far forward in the stance. I sometimes run into this problem with my woods off the tee. To the OP, I don't really know how placing the ball too far forward could result in a push. A straight push would be the result of an in-to-out swing path accompanied by a clubface perpendicular to the swing path at impact. With an in-to-out swing path, I would think placing the ball too far forward would more likely result in a draw or hook, as your club face will tend to be more closed farther forward in your swing. Perhaps it has more to do with your distance from the ball at address? I remember last year watching something where Martin Kaymer explained that when he wanted to hit a draw with his driver he stood farther from the ball at address, and when he wanted to hit a fade he stood closer to the ball at address.