GOLF: Upright Backswing Vs. Flat Backswing

[@ronsanchez9430]

This lesson is insane! I have watched tons of video lessons and followed up to practice the lesson on the range. The lesson you teach in this video is absolutely key. I never even realized there was a flat vs upright backswing and that you have to match it with the proper downswing. This has been my downfall for years, I never understood this part. I switched to a flat backswing and turned my body through the swing and the ball went flying so much that I had to significantly club down. None of the videos I have ever watched teach this. I think this is one of the first things golfers need to learn in order to proceed and develop.

[@CogornoGolf]

Glad to hear that Ron! Check out Kevin and Jim Hardy at Plane Truth Golf for more on this!

[@acctsgen]

Ive been struggling for years with a flat back swing and had issues with not turning properly and also early extension. I recently started swinging on an upright plane and immediately realised the benefits. I didnt fully understand the technical aspects until watching this video, its really helped me to appreciate my body and motion is much more suited to an upright arc. Thanks Eric for producing such a great video and the timing is perfect as im on a vaction golf tour with the guys in a couple of weeks.

[@CogornoGolf]

Love to hear that!! Our pleasure!!

[@pres3962]

Exact situation I’m in

[@michaelstrauss6918]

What an important video ! No wonder so many golfers , including myself , are confused . Trying to do the wrong matchups because one video says the arms have to rise and another saying you have to swing low around the corner . Many ways to do it but you have to make sure both pieces match up , common sense but I never even thought about it that way

[@CogornoGolf]

Hope this one helps Michael! Thanks for watching!

[@Gumballa87]

Pure revelation! Can’t thank you enough for making sense of this! Golf instruction on youtube makes plenty of assumptions it seems and oblivious as I was cherry picking tipps that don’t match caused loads of frustration. Now you cleared that fog and it seems so obvious now!

[@CogornoGolf]

Our pleasure :)

[@TheLastBabyBoomer]

This is perfect. I have been thinking about moving from an upright swing to a shallow swing. And the gentleman that did that little pre-swing drill was spot on. I did it and it just feels great! Thank you.

[@CogornoGolf]

Love it!!

[@huddwah]

10:03 early rotation like that is causing my over the top problem im trying to fix. great video

[@CogornoGolf]

👊Thank you!

[@johncreet1254]

Thanks for reposting this and the video about release style. I watched the original release video but didn't know enough about the golf swing to fully appreciate all the nuances. Watched it again recently and much more of it registered in my mind. This video adds another level. Two great lessons.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks, John. Good stuff from Kevin. Check out Jim Hardy and plane truth golf for more on this stuff

[@nguyenquangminh1202]

This is a truly eye-opening for me, as I’m experiencing the exact issue and doubting my backwing. Thanks a lot Eric❤

[@CogornoGolf]

Hope it helps my friend!

[@gre.m9044]

I've been suffering with the dreaded shanks for month's now and have changed to a more upright swing recently. The flat swing made me throw the club outside on the downswing, I didn't understand why the upright back swing would help me but watching this video its has made sense finally!! Thanks keep up the great work!!

[@CogornoGolf]

Glad this one helped my friend! Appreciate your support👊

[@2driverpls652]

You are my hero. Took a lesson from a guy who insisted on the flat swing. Ruined my game. Spent 2 hours at the range today getting my upright back. I am 6-7… lots of moving parts. I am also 64 years old. Not as limber as I used to be. Ex basketball player. So I need to keep my parts quiet and minimize rotation and twisting. After I did some work… I came out with the exact swing you described. With the wrist snap over at the bottom. Club finishes right down the line. I also crowd the ball a bit more. I love this video.

[@CogornoGolf]

Glad this one helped my friend! Thanks for being here with us!

[@howtoactuallyinvest]

Awesome video! This completely makes sense why I come over the top in the downswing.. rotating and firing the hips too early for how steep my backswing is

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks! Hope it serves you well!

[@geoffhunt7965]

Extraordinarily helpful video! Thank you!

[@CogornoGolf]

Our pleasure!

[@humbertocruz9376]

Great video! Understanding more about cause and effect.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks Humberto!

[@philippenonet9166]

Thx for this video, really helping me !

[@CogornoGolf]

Our pleasure, Philip! Great to hear this one is helping your game!

[@garthwebster6433]

Awesome video. I have a flat backswing but always wondered how to match the technique for impact. Throw release reminds me of Malaska. Thank. This is a gem.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks, Garth! Good stuff from Kevin

[@Spare84]

Brilliant. Thanks to the both of you. This is golden for me to understand the right moment to initiate my body rotation.

[@CogornoGolf]

You got it!

[@simon2wheeler]

Eric, Kevin has really helped me after I contacted him. Your videos have supplemented that help. Thank you both. Love to hear more from you and Kevin too..

[@CogornoGolf]

Appreciate it!

[@dadthumbsz5533]

This is a huge lesson - Trying to implement things that do not suit your natural back swing ect. Can't wait to get to the range

[@CogornoGolf]

Hope it helps!

[@gre.m9044]

Excellent video! Thank you

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks! Our pleasure!

[@Murf1802]

Wow Eric I guess my knowledge of the game and my game is right at this series you've filmed unbelievable how good these are for me! I'm watching these videos again and everything makes total sense , I'm an upright swinger idk I feel like an athlete with this type of swing , my downfall with the upright is over swinging to long with the back swing which I've corrected, I remember years ago when you talked about filming your swing and when I did I said that can't be me lol I was mortified at what I saw , you also had great videos about feels and what it actually looks like and I couldn't believe how exaggerated I needed to be to get the right feels! you gotta dig those videos back out and show them again,changed my whole golf game! so I'm going for an upright back swing with a throw release if that makes sense lol !! The face rotation I love the feel and sound of it but all over the place! Way to much timing for my skill level ! Great Great videos Eric perfect timing for my game!

[@CogornoGolf]

thanks Kevin :)

[@ar3387]

This video is golfing gold! Great job! Rarely do people mention the different swing styles.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks, Anwar! Credit to Kevin and the team at plane truth golf!

[@werquantum]

Thank you so much for this.

[@CogornoGolf]

Our pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@jamiesloan7259]

One of your best videos, I think. I’ll swing flatter when trying to hit a draw, and steeper when hitting the fade. This may sound weird but, I find it easier to cut the ball, standing taller, and swinging steeper. I’ll also weaken my grip a little. To draw it, I’ll reach for the ball a little more at setup. I almost have no choice but to approach the ball from the inside. I’ll also strengthen my grip a hair. Does this seem strange? It’s how I taught myself to work the ball, before instruction was so prevalent. One more thing… On my flat swing, I find it hard to post up, and extend my left side. The whole thing just feels too spinny. My left leg stays bent all the way to my finish.

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey Jamie---nope that all makes sense! I dont know if I would teach someone that way but if they could execute over and over again I certainly wouldn't change it!

[@tellwilliams4493]

This is the best video I have ever seen because it’s allowing you to find your swing and learn what your swing is supposed to be doing and feel like I think so many of us end up combining swings that are impossible to do

[@CogornoGolf]

Appreciate you watching my friend! So glad to hear you enjoyed this one!

[@MikeCrook-hv9qp]

Great video! I'm new to golf and wasn't even aware of the upright backswing as an option. It feels great to me (likely due to my physique: 6'2, 168lbs. longs limbs) whereas the flat backswing does not. Thanks again for covering this topic.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks Mike! Hope this one serves you well!

[@bennysjoborg5050]

Watched this and the previous video with you and Kevin... Summed up in one word: REVELATION!! 😃

[@CogornoGolf]

Love it Benny :)

[@beast-xq7xl]

I found this video while I was actively trying to go from a flat swing to an upright swing. Although I do still need to get a bit more upright just for consistency, I'm happy to know that I don't need to be mega upright to find a good golf swing.

[@CogornoGolf]

Hope it serves you well!

[@juanka68]

I recently moved from flat/neutral to more upright and it worked like a charm, way more consistent score, my guess is that it fits to me more because my hips are not very flexible, I can’t turn easily in the back swing. Great video.

[@CogornoGolf]

Love to hear that! Thanks Juan!

[@Neilmalps]

This is an amazing video! Distinguishing between flat vs upright and throwing vs twist have opened up a totally new appreciation for my swing. I have a baseball background and naturally have a lot of flat rotation in my swing which I now understand needs a throwing release to match up. Prior to this video, trying to release the “correct” way I unknowingly attempting to match my flat swing with a twisting release which has resulted in bigger hooks and slices and generally not feeling comfortable at impact. Tried the throwing release on a launch monitor today and instantly had better numbers, more swing speed, tighter dispersion, and felt like I could be athletic and aggressive in my swing again. Thank you!!!

[@CogornoGolf]

You got it Neil! Good stuff from Kevin. Check out Jim Hardy and Plane Truth golf for more on these concepts!

[@povrtsux1]

This is excellent 👏👏👏.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks, Omar!!

[@michaelb6801]

This was a great visual, as someone who has an upright backswing, good to know I shouldn't obsess on turning as much.

[@CogornoGolf]

Hope it serves you well!

[@michaelb6801]

@@CogornoGolf it will EC, your tutorials have single handedly changed my swing for the better.

[@CogornoGolf]

Love it Michael!!

[@Spikesbluecollargolf]

Thanks for the info, I have a son that is 40 reps for Mizuno, that thinks I need to be on a flatter plane. I am 65 with a 4 way neck fusion and a L1-L2 cage and titanium biscuits. My new vertical swing works for me just fine and Doesn't hurt my body. I struggled with a slice for 50 years till he gave me a lesson and fixed the chicken wing, then I discovered keeping that elbow in tight to my chunky body and found IT. LOL We hit in My Blue Collar Golf Sim Yesterday, He hit his 9 iron 135 to 140, I hit mine 130 -135. I think 5 yards for 25 years and all this hardware, is ok, LOL He asked me yesterday where I found that power, told him my right elbow and a straight left arm. I still can't hit a driver over 190 to 210, but can hit my 4 hybrid almost that far, ??

[@CogornoGolf]

Hope this one helps ya!!

[@barbnorton9128]

Went to the range today and used this tip with my flat back swing.....wow...it really works.

[@CogornoGolf]

Love it!

[@benlawson8445]

This has opened my eyes up so much Now I understand my swing style Upright I’m absolutely hopeless with the flat round style Thank you Now I know my style and will practice and practice can you please advise if this style will allow me to improve my distance It has improved my accuracy

[@CogornoGolf]

Love it!! Our pleasure!

[@ciaranohagan6444]

Have switched to high hands. Very effective in wind and consistent here on Irish links…..

[@CogornoGolf]

Def one way to do it!

[@muriellc1154]

This lesson is so so good!! The explanation and match up are great, I finally understand some things about my swing since I changed to a more upright backswing and wanted to have the same « rotation » as before with my flat swing 😩 Now the question is: should I go back to a flatter backswing 😅

[@CogornoGolf]

:) Happy to hear you enjoyed this video! Thanks so much for watching!

[@billgrather6509]

Love your friend in the background near the end.

[@CogornoGolf]

:)

[@jack-hq7gr]

Very interesting - Matches some of your Malaska discussions as Mike talks I believe about the the out from the top since he Rotates upper arm behind on backswing and is perhaps more behind relative to shoulders - Starting to see match up with many of your varied instructor concepts- Steve Pratt “throw out “ as well?

[@CogornoGolf]

some similar stuff Jack Yep

[@cpv3golf]

Excellent, excellent instructional video. So awesome but I still cannot understand why when teachers have such a hard time using the correct swing terminology for each swing plane. It would help the student better understand his or her swing when researching for the correct funndamental that he or she is fundamentally made for which is clearly talked about here and there is a simple test to determine that. The 'Flatter" or more layed off swing is the "One Plane" swing fundamentals and the more upright is the "Two Plane" swing fundamentals. I believe all swings fall into those two swing fundamentals. I believe you cannot mix the two fundamentals into one swing and I'm sure that is where the student does not understand when they are struggling because they are unable to research the proper swing they have because they are unaware of the proper designated swing they have. All in all this is a well taught video on each type of "plane swing". Great Job!!!!

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks, Cal!

[@garlundclayjr7426]

i was wondering if there is some further information on flat back swing mechanics. As far as takeaway, top of backswing, what initiates down swing?

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey! Check some of these out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJOzo2N8n7F4pJo&pp=ygUrRXJpYyBDb2dvcm5vIHN0ZXZlIHNpZXJhY2tpIGFybXMgYmFja3N3aW5nIA%3D%3D kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6O7mI1-fN55eLM&pp=ygU1RXJpYyBDb2dvcm5vIHN0YXJ0IGRvd25zd2luZyByaWdodCBhcm0gc3RldmUgc2llcmFja2k%3D kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3-sppWwbJZ4rKs&pp=ygUrRXJpYyBDb2dvcm5vIHN0ZXZlIHNpZXJhY2tpIGFybXMgYmFja3N3aW5nIA%3D%3D kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3qciZmleaelZpI&pp=ygUrRXJpYyBDb2dvcm5vIHN0ZXZlIHNpZXJhY2tpIGFybXMgYmFja3N3aW5nIA%3D%3D

[@garlundclayjr7426]

@@CogornoGolf thanks

[@ryandavidtrapasso]

Love the pairing discussion. As far as choosing how upright you are, I like the mike adams method: forearm length shorter than upper arm is flatter, forearm to upper arm equal is average, forearm longer than upper arm gets upright. I’m flat and if I try to get upright I basically can only do that by barely turning my body. Not ideal

[@prestonphillips3375]

Uhh what?

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey Ryan! All good---agreed.....thats one way

[@peterchou9095]

Great video Eric, I really like the these videos because they are explained in simple ways that are easy to understand. Not being very athletic or flexible, my swing thought has always been to take my backswing back 50% to where my shoulder is. I've always been able to hit the ball farther and more consistently this way than if I try to take it higher (like above my ears), now I know these are two different types of swings. My question is, for the flat swing, where should the wrist hinge occur and should I have that feeling of "right palm towards the sky" at the top of backswing? It seem like if I try to get my palms up for a flat swing, I can't get the shaft parallel to the ground.

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey Peter! Check out Jim Hardy and Plane Truth Golf for more details on this

[@ironsideeve2955]

This is very interesting.... Id really like to see data on swing catalyst from the two different styles... I'd bet upright is more lateral and vertical driven and rotational is more torque driven with possibly a bit of vertical

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks for watching!

[@rayray8212]

Since distance seems to be the big focus these days, I would have to ask which swing style, upright or flat, seems to produce the greater distance,(club head speed), if either? Excellent video guys!

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey Ray Ray! I have seen BOTH hit it a long way. If the player has enough of the DEPTH part....getting it more vertical.....with the depth....I would pick for max distance.

[@Arminian100]

​@@CogornoGolfwould this be because it creates more overall distance for the club to pick up speed, as well as that twisting at the end resulting in more angular acceleration?

[@easyswing007]

I'm definitely a upright swinger I find it easier on my body. Do you swing your shoulders on a flatter plane with a upright swing?

[@CogornoGolf]

GENERALLY you could see that yes but not always (Justin Thomas)

[@TheKeinan96]

This was great. Makes me miss my swing coach.

[@CogornoGolf]

:) Thank you Keinan!

[@Kmax051]

Was converted from upright to flat. Very consistent, very straight but seems to be shorter ball flight. Any ideas how to hit further as like the consistency? Would love a follow up video with Kevin and his hip turn and ideas to increase ball flight. Love your videos

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks, Ken! Make sure the butt of the club gets as far from the ball as possible even when deeper. More upright I have seen can produce more speed and distance as well....but you have to weight out pros and cons between direction control, consistency, etc

[@stevenhorn6903]

What swing would be better for someone who had lower back problems? More upright or the flatty swing...

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey Steve! I wouldn't say either per see.....would need to see your swing and other variables.....send swings to www.cogornogolf.com and we can help get it sorted...or find good coach in person to work with to help work through the details of the lower back and swing pieces

[@dubya2010]

Excellent video Eric! My question is even if you take more of an upright position, aren’t you dropping the club, or better known as shallowing out the club, right as you start the down swing, therefore creating a flatter plain during the downswing anyway?

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks! Yes you are....just some different moves to shallow from vertical compared to deeper/flatter....but always shallowing!

[@ralphsomack7110]

For someone with a modest swing speed will the flat swing yield the same same distance as the higher swing path? I’m more comfortable with the flat swing

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey Ralph....it depends on several factors but I would say if I HAD to pick the more upright tends to lead to more distance.....IF....they still have enough depth

[@tacticaltruth8118]

Very interesting. Which one of these swing styles generates more club head speed at impact?

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey! Check out my reply to other comments on this topic!

[@edogaktop]

Since the throwing style release is very straight when compared to the twist release, what should be the swing thoughts/setup when someone like Kevin actually needs to slice/hook it on purpose like to avoid trees etc? Thanks.

[@CogornoGolf]

you could add some twist for that scenario OR just change it via setup (aim more right and close face at setup for hook....opposite for draw)

[@rjswish]

Both styles require more of a throw release?

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey there! I'd say the release type depends primarily on two variables: 1) club face angle (open to closed to shaft/plane) 2) body movements The more the club face is square/closed on the way down...the more throw style, less twist style The more you trail side bend and rotate on the way down...the more throw style, less twist style kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaewmp2MdstsfKs Hope this helps!

[@djelalhassan7631]

Great

[@CogornoGolf]

Thank you!

[@joneskendrick2084]

Love the big ass doe deer calmly walking out and grazing in the background at the end. 😁😁

[@CogornoGolf]

:)

[@ericvincent1204]

With the flat swing, would you consider the downswing move that Kevin promotes to be a casting feeling?

[@CogornoGolf]

Appreciate you watching, Eric! I would not think of it as a casting feeling. I'd think of it more as a "twist" feeling, as demonstrated in the video below... kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2Xam2qpqdmHqKc Hope this helps!

[@ericvincent1204]

@@CogornoGolf thank you!

[@supersoniq3506]

This may sound strange, but I have found that on the long clubs like driver, fairway, I'm much better with a 'flatter' feeling type swing. The over the top effect goes away and I hit it straight or even a little draw. On the shorter clubs, I don't have to focus on it to get a good result.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thats fair! Part of that is length of club, lie angle of club and turn amounts required.

[@jerryyu5122]

How about upright backswing, then lower the club head, transition to flat down swing? So you have the benefit of both?

[@CogornoGolf]

You can do that

[@sontan3124]

would this be the same as 1 plane (flat) swing and 2 plan (upright) swing? really great to understand that you have to match the release with your style of swing! thank you for this video

[@CogornoGolf]

Lots of similar stuff for sure Aliza!

[@ryancobb3792]

I've got a VERY similar flat backswing and I have a scooping problem because I don't rotate my lower body on my downswing, its like it freezes. He makes it look so easy! For whatever reason my flat swing on my driver is no problem - I "sweep" the ball and am in the fairway nearly every time. Question for you - when you see people with a flat backswing, do you try to teach them to swing more upright, or work with their flat backswing?

[@Arminian100]

I'd guess he teaches them to improve with the flat backswing. Only bc he specifically tells his partner "and that's why you're such an amazing teacher" when his partner says that he works with what the golfers body is doing.

[@tangot8549]

The flat backswing reminds me of Mike Malaska’s “Over the top from the inside.”

[@CogornoGolf]

Great coach!

[@jeffbehringer1262]

Yep. He’s the man.

[@durchschnittlicherfpsjoe6251]

What's that exactly? Can you share a link?

[@jdido4470]

Which is easier for the “mature “ player?

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey! I dont think either per say

[@geraldsturgis6686]

Eric I’ve had an upright swing forever, but have struggle in the last few years since I have become very thick chested. Would a flatter throw release work better for my thicker body type?

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey Gerald! Honestly I think either could work---I would need to see you swing to see the other variables involved to say for sure

[@BusterFreak111]

I’m a 7 handi and struggle with thin irons shots with a flat back swing. The right palm down feels so flush

[@CogornoGolf]

Hope this one serves you well my friend!

[@ratmuff1]

Just went and hit three drivers in my backyard smashed them on upright swing. Hopefully this Carrie’s through to the range and course

[@CogornoGolf]

Love it Jeremy!

[@mrm700]

Please get Mike Adams to do a tutorial with you Eric. That would pair so well with this.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks Matt! Maybe!

[@Burkeyboy77]

Malasla style. Interesting

[@CogornoGolf]

:)

[@philliphenderson1497]

🔥 🔥 ❤❤!

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks!

[@courvilleg1]

Excellent upright swing use more vertical forces

[@CogornoGolf]

:)

[@jwild5360]

The big thing with swing plane is anatomy. 99 percent of the plane will be determined by the length from your shoulder socket to your elbow and length from elbow to wrist. Sure you can manipulate it a very small amount but your natural arm plane at the TOP will always be very very similar. Justin Thomas will never look like Ricky Fowler and vice versa. Trying to make Ricky look like JT would ruin each of them. I think u said it best their at the very end. Whatever backswing plane you have at the top roll with it and learn to deliver the club square. Lastly I don’t think I’d agree with the guys who are flat or “deep” in the backswing needing any specific release pattern. Just bc your shallow in transition doesn’t mean the club face is toe up coming down or vice versa. Tons of guys esp now days shallow the club and the club is square (face down) halfway down in transition. I don’t think arm plane and release pattern go hand in hand quite like y’all want to believe here. I’m 100 percent confident they do not. What style Release you would need will solely be determined by face angle. You can have an open face with an upright plane just the same as you can have a closed face with a flat plane. Just no correlations between the 2. If the club face is closed in either position upright or flat and you release the club with the “twisting” motion as u guys described it it’s going left. If club face is open from flat or upright obviously the opposite will happen ball goes right. There’s Way too many guys on tour that are open and closed from both swing planes to try and say one release style belongs with a certain swing plane.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks for the feedback--lots of good stuff in there

[@diuneimaaaaaa]

I swear everytime I have the yips or have lost my way the cure pops up

[@CogornoGolf]

We're keeping an eye on ya :)

[@oolaspalmas]

I'm upright swinger and have been trying to make my shots go straight when I just need to allow that ball naturally draw. Wasted years of trying to do wrong thing 😢

[@CogornoGolf]

Hope this one was helpful my friend!

[@nikekido23]

I wish he would explain the feel or lining the club face back up int he flat swing . He says twisting motion but doesn’t go into it

[@j1238066]

More flat for driver,3wood,hybrid. Irons are more upright especially pw-8

[@CogornoGolf]

👊 Thanks for watching! We go over that very topic here kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4a2fYGfabSGeLc&pp=ygUbRXJpYyBDb2dvcm5vIGRyaXZlciB2cyBpcm9u

[@trayniners3439]

Can you break down my swing?

[@CogornoGolf]

Would love to----join www.cogornogolf.com and lets work together

[@larryweathermon2906]

Don't hit the dear

[@CogornoGolf]

:)