Fulton Blog: How to use the swing plane effectively

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Yes sir, Adam Scott, congratulations on your impressive win at The World Golf Championship - Bridgestone Invitational. With a new caddie - Steve Williams - on the bag, Scott pulled away from the field on Sunday to capture his biggest title since winning The PLAYERS back in 2004.

Over the weekend, Peter Kostis of CBS did a good analysis on Adam Scott's swing, analyzing how Scott uses the swing plane perfectly during the entire swing. We often use Scott's swing at the TOUR Academies to demonstrate how the entire club shaft from the butt-of-the-grip to the clubhead works throughout his swing.

When learning to move the entire club shaft "on-plane" like Adam Scott, it's helpful to understand some key checkpoints that you can reference during certain points in the swing. Although these checkpoints can be the same for all of us, what we feel to get to these checkpoints may be different. For example, some players need to learn to get the club shaft more laid-off at the top of the swing, where others may need to feel it more vertical; always keep that in mind that it's all relative.

At the TOUR Academies, one of the most important educational segments is what we refer to as the "Dynamics of the Swing." During this segment, we break down the golf swing to seven steps where players can once again reference the club shaft. As you reference these seven positions, you will notice how the club shaft is either parallel or pointing at the target line at all times.

Here are the seven positions as well as a few thoughts to consider:

Position #1 (Backswing) Checkpoint: Club shaft parallel to the target line.

There's no question that one of the most common errors during the initial backswing is for the clubhead to get behind the hands before the entire club shaft reaches parallel to the ground. Adam Scott is a great example of someone who keeps the clubhead in front of himself initially so the entire club shaft is not only parallel to the ground, but also the target line.

Position #2 (Backswing) Checkpoint: Club shaft points at the target line.

The most common error during this three-quarter position is for the club shaft to be too vertical. If this is your predicament, chances are you need to work to rotate the lead forearm more towards the sky so the club shaft "lies" down and points out towards an extended target line. This is a critical position because it not only establishes the relationship from the club shaft to the target line, but also aligning it with the trail forearm.

Position #3 (Backswing) Checkpoint: Club shaft parallel to the target line.

My advice here; don't worry about this position too much. The key thing here is to complete your shoulder turn and stay in your spine angle. The reality is that most of us don't need to go much further then Position #2. Work to get the club shaft on plane at Position #1 & 2 and you will be well ahead of the game.

Position #4 (Downswing) Checkpoint: Club shaft parallel to the target line.

What goes "in" at Position #1 usually wants to come "out" to Position #4; therefore, the most common error coming down initially is for the club head to get outside the hands, resulting in a downswing path that works from out-to-in. Therefore, the key here is to feel things work "down" first through the trail shoulder and elbow so the club shaft can once again align itself with the trail forearm and re-establish its parallel alignment to the target line - as it was at Position #1.

Position #5 (Impact) Checkpoint: Club shaft pointing at target line and leaning forward.

The key component at impact is for the club shaft to return leaning forward; the most common error at impact is for the club shaft to be leaning away from the target. This "casting" motion can be very inconsistent and a large loss of power because of the effect to the clubhead and effective loft of the clubface at impact. Like all other professionals on the PGA TOUR, Adam Scott is a good example of someone who returns the club shaft forward at impact to maximize consistence and power.

Position #6 (Post-Impact) Checkpoint: Club shaft parallel to the target line.

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Once again, the club shaft is parallel to the target line. Post-impact is largely a result of everything leading up to it. We often see players with a "chicken wing," who unfortunately are unable to fix this problem until they improve upon the positions before it. In order to get the club shaft on-plane post-impact with good extension and release, be sure to learn the positions before it.

Position #7 (Finish) Checkpoints:

From Position #6, the club shaft will once again point back to the target line and exit through the lead shoulder. The most common errors during the finish are the club shaft exiting well below the lead shoulder as a result of the path working too much from out-to-in, or the club shaft exiting too high and through the neck area as a result of a path that works too much from in-to-out on the downswing. Again, how the club shaft exits into the full finish is largely a result of all prior positions and manuevers.

This is a lot to take in, and although the swing plane is complex and dynamic, it can be learned by all. The key is to understanding where you currently are and what position or positions apply to you. When establishing the plan, don't be afraid to work on these positions "statically" first; move the club shaft to the checkpoint and hold, referencing the position. Do this a number of times slowly so you can establish the right feeling while achieving the right position. Then, start to blend the positions together slowly while hitting golf balls. This is a great approach to learning to move the entire club shaft on-plane just like Adam Scott.

Just Because

The final major is here as the stage is set for the PGA Championship. There are certainly lots of scenarios that can play out as professional golf has become as wide open as it has been for quite some time. As I mentioned last week, I think we are in for some great stuff over the next two months as the city of Atlanta takes center stage this week for the PGA Championship and then once again in September to finish up PGA TOUR Playoffs.

Here are my picks for the 93rd PGA Championship:
Rickie Fowler -- He seems to be getting closer to his first win......might as well make it a major
Luke Donald -- World's #1......could be his time
Sergio Garcia -- Slowly regaining his form
Tiger Woods -- Why not

Travis Fulton is PGA TOUR Academy's Director of Instruction and one of Golf Digest's Best Young Teachers for 2010-11. His views do not necessarily reflect the views of the PGA TOUR. To learn more about the TOUR Academy, click here.