Tracing straight plane line observations

[bcoak]

Hit balls this afternoon and it was the usual search until I noticed white lines that were on the range telling people where they should hit. I lined up to the white line and started tracing it with a 3/4 swing. I was really trying to keep the butt end of the club on the line for a long time on the downswing and noticed how little (if any) I had to turn my arm and how "right" I needed to feel like I was pointing the butt end to keep it online. The club would then just automatically release and I started hitting nice draws.
So, are 3/4 swings tracing a good drill? Why did it feel like I was pointing it so right? Is that a correct feeling?

 

[Jim Kobylinski]

Hit balls this afternoon and it was the usual search until I noticed white lines that were on the range telling people where they should hit. I lined up to the white line and started tracing it with a 3/4 swing. I was really trying to keep the butt end of the club on the line for a long time on the downswing and noticed how little (if any) I had to turn my arm and how "right" I needed to feel like I was pointing the butt end to keep it online. The club would then just automatically release and I started hitting nice draws.
So, are 3/4 swings tracing a good drill? Why did it feel like I was pointing it so right? Is that a correct feeling?

Best training aid device ever, however you can learn to trace a straight line with an off plane right shoulder so be careful of that BUT other than that, i love it.

Most people that i give the lasers to find out how "flat" they really are on the backswing and how inside/out it tends to make them on the downswing. For those people the swing will feel more "up" and less "out". Obviously it will feel the opposite for people who swing a little OTT and too far left.

Learn how to trace that line (through impact) with an onplane right shoulder and the ball will behave much more how you want, promise.

 

[rmadden]

shaft angle vs left arm position

how do i find what the ideal blend is between how much "inside" the left arm swings with the shaft angle? obviously if i swing my arms way inside on the backswing i will need a flatter shaft angle to trace a straight plane line and vice versa...do i just need to think of swinging up to the TSP position and that will "guide" me through the correct backswing? do i just go with pop instruction, "keep the arms in front of the body"??

 

[Jim Kobylinski]

rmadden, that's what you need a decent instructor for. However you should find what type of downswing you make "naturally." Then learn to trace that on the downswing. As far the backswing, make whatever backswing you need too, so that you can trace that line.

 

[rprevost]

Jim, The picture that you have in post # 2 seems to be from a company marketing a laser product named GTA Laser II. Is that particular product the best training aid device ever, or are you saying simply that *a* laser plane trainer is the best aid device? I keep thinking that I want to get one, but am torn between buying one or trying to make my own.

 

[Jared Willerson]

I made my own out of 2 flashlights and duct tape....cost= $8. I don't have one that will clamp on to a club though.

Jim is right, it is very easy to manipulate the straight plane line with a high right shoulder. Even when using this device, make sure you are doing it right.

 

[Jim Kobylinski]

Jim, The picture that you have in post # 2 seems to be from a company marketing a laser product named GTA Laser II. Is that particular product the best training aid device ever, or are you saying simply that *a* laser plane trainer is the best aid device? I keep thinking that I want to get one, but am torn between buying one or trying to make my own.

It was a laser trainer marketed by Butch Harmon, that site is simply selling them. However the product (to my knowledge) is not being sold anymore so you will have to find it somewhere where they still have some. The original site for this particular laser trainer was www.lasertrainer.com but their site stopped working a long time ago.

I feel, and i have tried MANY lasers, this was is the best because of the way it attaches to the club and because the matt doubles as a putting matt where you can actually see if you trace a straight line with your putter.

I once made 52 in a row on that matt from 7 feet w/o missing because of how well i traced the line, it was simply a matter of putting the ball in the right spot so the face was at the right angle for my stroke.

 

[bcoak]

RM,
I think you just need to careful not to manipulate the club too much going back. As Brain has said before, just think about where you want your hands to be at the top of the BS and put them there.

 

[rmadden]

good points. thx Jim, Coaks

 

[bcoak]

Just came across this new laser trainer. Hope ok to post BM.
http://www.smartstickgolf.com/

 

[James Marshall (Hogan1953)]

For me one of the most important things that using a laser trainer or similar shows is that lifting the left shoulder too early in the downswing points the laser way outside the base-line.

Other things I've learnt is how different shoulder tilts need to be matched with compatible arm swings to keep the club on plane.

 

[DennisG]

It was a laser trainer marketed by Butch Harmon, that site is simply selling them. However the product (to my knowledge) is not being sold anymore so you will have to find it somewhere where they still have some. The original site for this particular laser trainer was www.lasertrainer.com but their site stopped working a long time ago.

I feel, and i have tried MANY lasers, this was is the best because of the way it attaches to the club and because the matt doubles as a putting matt where you can actually see if you trace a straight line with your putter.

I once made 52 in a row on that matt from 7 feet w/o missing because of how well i traced the line, it was simply a matter of putting the ball in the right spot so the face was at the right angle for my stroke.

I got one from here: http://www.diamondtour.com/butch-harmon-laser-swing-trainer-p-1449.html

Reliable transaction and good price

Dennis

 

[Brian Manzella]

VERY IMPORTANT!

Some of the patterns that I teach, and soem of the best patterns of all time, DO NOT TRACE the target parallel plane line on the backswing!

 

[golfbulldog]

Some of the patterns that I teach, and soem of the best patterns of all time, DO NOT TRACE the target parallel plane line on the backswing!

What advantages does this have mechanically? or is it just that they have such long standing preferences that it is not worth changing it... after all, like you say, you don't hit the ball on the backswing.

But there must, on average, be some benefit ( feel wise ) in having a sense of being "on-plane" in the backswing as well as the downswing - no?

 

[bcoak]

Some of the patterns that I teach, and soem of the best patterns of all time, DO NOT TRACE the target parallel plane line on the backswing!

True, but would you suggest that the student start with tracing it straight back and then manipulate it if it isn't working or something else works better?
I know I love swinging like Trevino and Couples, feet open, club back on feet line and drop it. But I ma not very consistent.

 

[Jim Kobylinski]

What advantages does this have mechanically? or is it just that they have such long standing preferences that it is not worth changing it... after all, like you say, you don't hit the ball on the backswing.

But there must, on average, be some benefit ( feel wise ) in having a sense of being "on-plane" in the backswing as well as the downswing - no?

Sometimes to trace the line through the ball FOR YOU, you might have to have an off plane backswing so that you can make that downswing you want.

 

[JeffM]

Surely one only needs to trace the straight plane line in the pre-impact and post-impact phase of the swing, and there is no absolute need for the club's butt end to trace the straight plane line in the upper half of the backswing/downswing.

Jeff.

 

[golfbulldog]

Surely one only needs to trace the straight plane line in the pre-impact and post-impact phase of the swing, and there is no absolute need for the club's butt end to trace the straight plane line in the upper half of the backswing/downswing.

Jeff.

In terms of performance - i guess the only bit is the impact interval that REALLY matters...

BUT why have great natural players NATURALLY traced a straight plane line through this region...

I think it is because they are sensing the forces appropriately... the COG of the clubhead is sensed... they have learnt that directing that sensation at inside aft quad of ball gives the straight shot....

If the sensing of the COG is the real thing that matters ...why not sense it earlier... leaves less manipulation ??

 

[bcoak]

Surely one only needs to trace the straight plane line in the pre-impact and post-impact phase of the swing, and there is no absolute need for the club's butt end to trace the straight plane line in the upper half of the backswing/downswing.

Jeff.

True, but the less manipulation the better, IMO. Especially under the gun.

 

[moreira85]

just to make sure i have this correct, on the down swing the butt end of the club should trace a line extended from the ball from behind it and go through the ball until the club reaches paralell to it then the club head will trace this extended line through the ball. . the line is a straight line through the ball.