golfrewind.com

I'm trying to dev and use a one plane swing. At address for full shots, I place my hands even w/the ball. I know there are lots of opinions/technicques, but I wanted you feedback on the " hands slightly forward" approach. Not de-lofting but slightly opening the clubface. Anyone use this set up?

I'm not sure how much the position of the hands matter at address with a one plane swing?

Hands even with the ball with the driver yes. With the pitching wedge no. I don't think it makes a difference wether it is single or two-plane swing. Somebody may correct me though. I am a two planer.

I belive the general rule of thumb for iron shot are to have the hands slighty ahead of the ball to promote a decending blow.

Driver level or behind or even slighty forward if you want to keep a lower ball flight. Have a play around at the range as people like it different ways. I prefer to have my hands about 1" inch in front of the ball for irons, its what just works for me

I keep my hands to the left of my zipper, hands slightly ahead of the ball for a standard iron shot...hands same place with ball even with hands for standard driver...

Don't know the answer to that other than don't grip the club, only hold it. especially at the top of the backswing.

try and get the club shaft roughly, not exactly in line with your left forearm if your a righty and youll have just enough forward press on every iron.

For a one plane swing the position of your hands is dictated by the ball position. That being said, for a one plane swing, you do not want any intentional forward press of your hands at address. With a wedge your hands will be ahead of the ball because the ball is in the middle or slightly back in your stance. If you forward press it will cause you to be across the line at the top of your backswing. A good checkpoint for you is at waist high, the club should be parallel to the ground and even with a line drawn down the center of your feet (not your toes as you might have read in some publications).

I do use a single plane swing. So let me start with a few things that we all need to remember.

First, there are positions in a proper fundamentally sound swing. We have to reach these positions, to insure we can reach the next desired position. One that is crucial of course, is the impact position. It is probably the one thing that all the best do pretty much the same. At impact we need to be in a position that allows the hands to be leading the club head. Now this is actually very simple. At address if I were to draw a line from the center of the ball , up to the outside of my left shoulder, then that line represents the contact position for my upper arm( that shoulder point) my forearm, and the shaft of the club. Now, whatever position the ball was on, my hands have to be in front of the club head. The reason is that outside or the left shoulder is the closet point of my body to my target. This straight line, is the impact position.

But prior to this position is a very important position, that allows the player to consistently get to that perfect impact position. This is know as the delivery position. This is the position most AM's usually forget, or don't even know about. We all have heard that the longer you hold the break in the wrist (keep the shaft 90 degrees to the forearms) the more speed we generate, right? Well ,a our club shaft comes down to parallel to the ground a couple things need to happen. First, the trailing elbow should drop in front of the right front pocket. The reason is if our lower body is cleared, we are now approaching from the inside line, and our angle of attack, Also the trailing knee starts to move towards the left as well. All these happen together and are known as the delivery position. Now the delivery is from the inside, the "L's" are being held, and the lower body is now driving the shot. That position allows the player to get to impact positions in a concise and consistent way.

Now if your lead arm, forearm, and shaft are straight at impact the hands will always be leading the club head. You don't manipulate this, it's just the physical connection between your body and the club. No leaning of the club shaft involved at all. So now we get to your question.

The hands position is dictated by your grip to be frank about it. That grip is so important, that most instructors, if not all of them start with this very issue. Too strong a grip, and the player tends to place his hands out front of the leading leg. Too weak and it's usually behind the zipper somewhere. But a neutral grip affords the players hands to be positioned just inside of the left front pocket or just left of the zipper. So the hands lead, but the shaft really doesn't get forced over so much. Actually about 1 inch is all that is needed. As you get to the impact position, that lead arm straightening, stands the club up, positions the leading edge to "cut" a divot (not rip one), and sets the loft at the correct angle. It is all automatic, if you are in position. No manipulation at all. That standing of the club face by the way, affords the shot to carry explosive power, and penetration. It sort of de lofts the club just a bit. Now if you hit a utility wedge let's say, the ball comes out slightly lower, and because the energy is not being wasted trying to gain elevation, the ball lands with more spin rate, has more stopping power, and can actually back up for the player. No pounding down, just a normal swing after you learn the technique. Golf is not brute strength. It is all technique. Controlling trajectories and spin rates included.