One Plane Golf Swing or Two Plane Golf Swing?

What does the Explanar teach ?

Luther Blacklock, P.G.A. Master Professional and Inventor of the Explanar Golf Training System, answers today’s big question about teaching the golf swing.

Let me make it “PLANE”, the answer to the question is categorically YES. The Explanar is able to teach BOTH a one plane golf swing and a two plane golf swing! The Teacher or Student must decide which they prefer and then correctly adjust the Explanar to simulate the movement they have chosen.

It will be obvious to any qualified observer that the Explanar Golf Training System can teach a golfer how to use a “one-plane” golf swing movement. Only, an unqualified observer might not realise that Explanar can allow a “two-plane” golf swing as well! Let me explain why this is true, by first dealing with the “one-plane” golf swing and then the more subtle workings of the “two-plane” golf swing. To do so requires me to explain where the question comes from in the first place.

One of my teaching heroes is the legendary coach and wonderful gentleman, Mr. Jim Hardy. He has recently released a book entitled “The “Plane” Truth for Golfers.” which I can heartily recommend. In his book Mr. Hardy has shared his findings, gleaned from decades of teaching golf at the highest level; his book has released Tour Pros and Amateurs alike, to understand they have simply two choices of golf “Swing Plane” technique. From his clear explanation, hundreds of thousands of golfers across the globe have been able to decide whether a “one-plane” golf swing or a “two-plane” golf swing is best for their type of physique and ability. Not only that, Mr. Hardy’s book has stimulated valuable debate wherever the teaching of golf is discussed. I am indebted to Mr. Hardy for his positive impact on golfers and Teachers everywhere and his support and friendship towards me. Nowadays, often the first question I get asked regarding Explanar is “does the Explanar allow a “two-plane” golf swing?”

Beware that you don’t confuse the subject of “plane shift” with the “one-plane” or “two-plane” debate. Mr. Ben Hogan’s seminal book, “The Modern Fundamentals of Golf”, first published in 1957, illuminated the swing plane with beautifully crafted words and the stunning images of the ink and board artist, Anthony Ravielli. Mr. Hogan stated that he felt that he swung the club to the top of his back swing and then dropped the club to a flatter plane on the downswing as he approached the impact of the ball. “Plane Shift” describes a choice of movement for the GOLF CLUB during the swing”.

Mr. Jim Hardy’s book studies a different, but not unrelated aspect i.e. he defines a choice of movement available to the GOLFER’S BODY during the swing”.

With Mr.Hardy’s express permission, I would like to précis the description of these two areas of choice.

Firstly, in the “One-plane” golf swing, the golf club and arms move around the body in the way that spokes rotate around the axle of a wheel. The plane that spokes move in is at 90 degrees to the axis of rotation. In a “One-Plane” golf swing, the “spoke” of the arms and club move at 90 degrees to the “axle” created by the spine and torso. The “One-Plane Golf Swing” encourages a flowing coil of the shoulders and an oily rotation of the forearms. To encourage a “one-plane” swing, it is vital to have clearly defined posture at address; the arms should hang free from the body without the upper arms too close to the ribcage. Imagine the small, yet perfectly formed, physique of Ian Woosnam swinging a Driver. Here is the most natural example of an athletic, functionally powerful “One-Plane Swing”.

Now, let us suppose that we asked Ian to stand on a couple of “Breezeblock” bricks, some 9 inches thick! Providing “Woosie” does not compensate by leaning forward, but simply lets his arms and club drop, he will now be perfectly ready to demonstrate a “two-plane” golf swing. His arms would hang closer to his body encouraging them to swing back and through on a more upright plane; BUT, the shoulders would then function by coiling in a flatter, more rotational plane. Whilst this is an exaggeration, it clearly explains the separation in the “two-plane” swing between the coiling of the body and swinging of the arms. Imagine the great Jack Nicklaus swinging with a short club, like a wedge for instance. Here is nature’s best demonstration of a functionally accurate “Two-Plane Swing”.

So, whether you do, or don’t use an Explanar you can choose to teach either a “one-plane” or “two-plane” golf swing movement.

With or without video as a teaching tool, you still make the call on the choice of “one plane” or “two planes”.

It comes down to the way you set the pupil up at address; the posture, angle of spine and alignment are the defining factors.