How To Improve Your Club Path Golf Lesson

[@ralphbartlett6850]

Thanks Mark for all your hard work! I've been studying your videos for several months now. The way you describe things is by far the best I have seen on-line. This video is a great example of that - quite a technical little issue, but one that could be tremendously useful for helping cure the out-to-in swing (which I suffer from). Anything you post about the hands really helps me. Please keep up the good work and don't worry about posting 'difficult' issues.

[@MarkCrossfield]

How to improve your club path with unseen footage of Ben Hogan

[@sdreed25]

Mark, watched this today after always struggling to 'understand' plane and why I was always coming over the top. Had a few lessons over the years and they never really got me to understand the issue. This video is perfect, also made me understand that despite coming from the inside I was still not striking it well as the shaft way still vertical. Worked on this a bit at home with a mirror and then went to the range and tried the drill, worked a treat! Thanks so much for this video mate.

[@jtsutherland03]

Your vid you published on hitting your driver farther by swinging harder right before impact really had me crushing my drives this past weekend and not only did it have me hitting long I found more fairways and it felt almost more natural. I tend to think about swinging to soft and precise with my driver soo this really helped me get my driver feeling the way it should with that CRUSH! Thanks brosky!

[@muckers24]

This video has really helped me transform my game. It takes time and a lot of practice but well worth it. I'm now a cat 1 golfer!

[@jeffw1434]

Finally i have found something that i have understood better, took up the game 1 year ago and my HC is 19, but always struggled with my big fade from the Tee Box hopefully this is going to bring my HC down more now. Cheers Mark, keep up the good work all you's guy's do..

[@njaysee]

Yes, i totally agree with this, i always find that i hit better shots and it feels more natural and effortless,when i let my drop flatter like you have just mentioned in the down swing sequence. You're number 1 !!

[@richardsherry3015]

Great video and drills. I started doing this today at a local indoor range ( since its -4 degrees outside) and it helped me with my woods. I was a terrible over swinger/ caster with my woods and now I hope to start the spring season with more confidence with my driver and fairway woods.

[@Dtyler171]

I wish I could like this video 100 times. Extremely helpful video Mark. You are making the world better golfers.

[@MrJhill76]

I just told my brother to do that exact move about two days ago. That should really help the slice. Great teacher you are Mark

[@richie8240]

Might be the best single bit of golf advice I have ever had - thanks!

[@SuperMozzman]

Mark I finally got this to work yesterday and I think this is easily the best and most important piece of golf instruction you have ever done, the sensation of feeling the club "falling behind you" at the top of the swing takes a bit of practice but the result is amazing, a very noticeable in to out swing path and shots like I haven't experienced before. fabulous stuff, and thankyou.

[@Squirrels122]

+SuperMozzman Concur. Definitely helps if you take a smooth backswing (don't rush), do your transition (i.e. the video tip) and then accelerate through the swing. I credit this tip for dropping my scores from 95-100 to sub 90 this season - i am actually able to go for GIRs.

[@9tube1]

Good video Mark. While a bit more complex, you have me thinking about where the club is in relation to my hands, something I haven't considered in the past. Loved the 1953 video. Thanks

[@lelandma]

Thought I have heard every subtlety about the swing there is but this clip is just EXCELLENT via such a great explanation. Thanks Mark!

[@williamlloyd9557]

Watch all your content, came across this as recently tried to sort out my swing Can i say that this is THE BEST advice i have received about in-out. Tried the drill, instantly started improving everything to do with shape, contact of ball. It just feels correct when playing like this, my coach has been trying to go down at the top of the backswing, and i just can not do it and make good contact. But this is so much more simple for me Thank you Mark

[@712anglers]

Wow... why didn't I see this video sooner. I've hit like this before off and on and it felt amazing, I just didn't realize exactly what I was doing. I have literally been on the green every par three this week dropping the path like this. it really clears my mind from the 100 of other thought and I'm loving it. previously i was trying maintain a perfect backswing and follow threw and always always never failed took me 15 yards left. I tried everything from grip changes to stance and even new irons when all I needed was to understand that dropping the path a but feel ammmmmazing on contact and ball flight is pure. great great video. wow.

[@mike12skater]

Where have you been in my hole golf life !! Thanks for you’re videos I have seen a massive improvement this week just by watching 5 or 6 of you’re videos thanks you so much

[@paulmaloney6244]

had a eureka moment watching this video . It really works in tandem with the changes im working on in lessons. Thanks Mark for the great content

[@antnbc]

The penny dropped after watching this vid. I just applied this to a recent video of my swing and sure enough I was doing everything you had trouble trying to do. I'm hitting the driving range first thing tomorrow to starting correcting it. Cheers!

[@jeffreygrantsmith]

Great explanation of the relationship between hand plane and shaft plane... very helpful. I'm looking forward to using the drill.

[@yanistsiopani2120]

This is the one... this one hits the spot. The best articulated vid in history. Or in other words, feel like the shaft is pointing left at the fence on the range 😁👍👌

[@blueR2Golf]

Makes good sense to me, I've been struggling with my irons and felt that if I just go inside out all should be good, but I think this hit it on the button that just because you're inside out, the shaft plane still counts. Thanks Mark!

[@MarkCrossfield]

How To Improve Your Club Path Golf Lesson: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3WYlZmojqtgjLc

[@DGrydell]

Hi Mark Why is "over the top" a "wrong" clubpath? I would much rather hit a fade, than a Draw..

[@benjaminsmith7060]

Its whatever gives you the most controlled consistent shot. Majority of recreational golfer have a terrible slice. Mainly due to an over the top (or casted) swing. This accompanied with poor club face contol is a recipe for disaster. It hit a controlled fade as well, mainly with my irons, cause its gives me more accuracy around the green. Im sure people could say the same for a controlled draw. But the fade works for me.

[@Dtyler171]

DGrydell​ I would much rather be able to hit any shot shape necessary. I can shape it however I like...and my natural shot shape was a hook. That all is irrelevant, though. His point was that an over the top swing will cause inconsistencies, and in many golfers, an uncontrollable slice. It's not what you do, it's how well you do it. 

[@oscarc618]

DGrydell because yanking a wedge or short iron to a green is a horrible feeling.

[@neova2]

Thanks for the clarification! I've tried laying off the club at the top of the swing but now that you pointed out this is the initial part of the downswing males perfect sense and helps increase the lag angle!

[@thomasgill1]

Great Video Mark! I really like the example of old and new pros. It proves that the old ideas are always the best.

[@ZeroSumJ1]

This is exactly what I've been struggling with lately. Thanks for this vid. Helps a lot. Also, might wanna add that another thing that makes laying the club down easier at the top of the downswing, is relaxing your grip pressure a bit. It's hard to do that move where the shaft gets flatter if you're squeezing the hell out of your grips.

[@timcline1912]

After 2 year layoff, having played to a 5, I am rebuilding the swing using your instruction. 1 month in and last session was much better by concentrating just on this drill.

[@123nickmaier]

The best video I have ever seen. Feels like it completely changed my swing... thank you mark

[@justinkkg]

Watch this video for the fifth time 5x, Excellent video. Thx and keep going !!!

[@BFran89]

I'm 71 Been taking lessons for 50 and no one, I mean no one has ever explained the downswing plane like you have..I have never understood and could not execute "dropping the hands"...Flattening the club make alot of sense to me although I can see one executing loops which is not good either..I can't wait to get to the range....Thanks Mark, I think correct swing plane is my goal for this season

[@bannockburn1001]

Dreama40........you are right I'm sure a 'new student' of the game would find this particular instruction confusing BUT at no point did Mark claim it was aimed at new golfers or a beginners guide. As an experienced golfer I found this piece very interesting and helpful. Keep up the good work Mark....best instruction on the net.

[@minhluu302]

Great lesson. I struggled coming over the top and this lesson fixed the problem immediately. Amazing because I tried everything else without success.

[@jimsheehan4328]

Hi Mark, I really enjoyed your training session on club path. I've struggled with an out to in path for sometime now. Heading out to the range to practice your drill. More to follow...

[@MarkCrossfield]

How to improve your club path with Mark Crossfield AskGolfGuru

[@matthewcrawfoot256]

I really like what your were showing in this video. Only request I would have is if you showed the swing from the rear to see exactly what the shaft looked like as you laid it back. Great videos and thanks

[@rikkiola]

Great video Mark, exactly what I'm working on now and the last major fundamental adjustment for me.

[@ThOrnton42421]

I noticed this last weekend at the range with some shots my divit was at a slight angle out to in. I'm going to try this drill this weekend. Great video

[@ebadolil]

I think Marks lessons in general are great.Very helpful...really helped my game.This one however to complex for me.You can get to technical which can lead to paralysis through analysis....beware

[@mikearnold899]

I would like to thank you for this and the 2 release the club videos. These are excellent and I will share with my High School golf students

[@MrMannydac]

I think i have a better understanding after watching this. Been struggling for a while with just understanding what I should be doing. This video has helped me understand the mechanics of the downswing alot better. Thanks.

[@MarkCrossfield]

That's great :)

[@tracesofnut]

This earlier release of Mark is as good as the current one. Although I expected more hair and thicker rims. Cheers Mark, I think you explained something my previous coach tried, without context, to teach me.

[@andrewmshall2000]

Hi Mark - great video! Thanks for all the videos you've posted. Flattening the club path like you talk about is something I've been working on for a while with little success. Can you explain a little further how you are flattening it? Is it your wrists that are moving? Could you possible show the drill again but from a different angle? It's hard to see what you're doing. Thanks again for all the effort you put into these videos!

[@chasgav4728]

Best feeling contact I’ve made in a long time. Thank you so much

[@wantonjr1]

Pro , this tip is one of the best ever ! I can't hit hit any better ! Wish you were here in the States

[@fnecj3]

This is a great lesson! Mark you are the man! Keep up the good work

[@seligd]

great explanation something to practice over the winter thanks Mark

[@justinkkg]

Indeed a great video with much key fundamentals. Thx for sharing !!!

[@roberthenderson1222]

Going to range tomorrow weather permitting,looking forward to trying this.

[@TheCodejuice]

Can't wait to try this. This past month I've started getting this habit, except at the bottom I quickly shove my hands and path out to the right so my swing appears to be 7 degrees inside! Hooks on hooks! But it starts with the over the top then the correction near the bottom. Thanks!

[@ryanw4006]

Thanks this helped out a lot. Driver and irons have been locked on but i seem to be losing some power. Do you flatten the shaft plane on a wedge shot? Like an approach from 100 with a SW would you also flatten the plane? I tried and i seem to continuously push/shank the ball. Other than wedges this tip has so far worked wonders. Thanks for your help

[@coseilgenio]

Great. Thank you for elaborating the tipoc in depth!

[@ironman2648]

Hey mark great tip only tried a couple of swings but instant success, thanks

[@0bleary0]

This helps me a lot thanks, especially after reviewing Sasho Mckenzie's findings on the golf swing - hand plane vs shaft plane. Cheers.

[@lanndonkane]

As mark said this helped me instantly. It feels very weird to do and doesn't feel like im going to even hit the ball. It basically feels like at the start of the downswing i start to point the club further behind my back by rotating my right palm to face the sky. The club feels like it's doing a big loop, and i was very surprised to see on video that the club isn't looping at all, but coming straight back down the correct path (in contrast to a big over the top move that causes a fade that i could never seem to get rid of. I start the downswing properly with the lower body but still have an over the top, steepening of the club path downward). so far this is the only move that actually cures that, and first time i tried it the ball was flush with a slight draw (and i struggle to hit a draw).

[@thegood9]

Great video! As a beginner I have struggled with an OTT swing for my short career. I can do the "gate drill" and get it fixed (seemingly), but I always eventually go back to the OTT swing. My current instructor has broken me down back to the beginning such that my swing is completely being rebuilt now trying to conquer this horrible habit. Mark's videos have helped as much as anyone. I'm thinking now that repetition and ingrained muscle memory is now the only thing that can bring me out of this slump. Problem is, I'm so confused about what I should be doing now and what i should "feel" during my swing, that my muscles are constantly being confused. I need to find a couple "cues" that I can KNOW will give me the swing I'm looking for....

[@Aiakiling]

Works very well as a alternative take on Ben Hogan's left wrist stupination. If we try to release the club by flipping over our forearms as some instructors describe the move. Does more harm than good. This works very well. Good drill!!

[@mattm9099]

Hi Mark, I relatively new to your sites and I enjoy your banter whilst throwing in the golf analysis! On this video, the one thing I couldn't follow from what you were saying is what is the correct body move to flatten the shaft angle on the downswing - if the hand path stays the same, then what should I be moving the flatten the shaft - is it the lifting of my right elbow? Many thanks! Matt

[@JamesRobertWright]

Incredible explanation. Simply brilliant.

[@keithbaines6094]

Mark. When the ball is struck, (if it is struck correctly) the shaft will try and align itself with A the forearm of rear hand and B at 90* to the golfers spine. All golfers will have to drop their hands on the downswing in order to do this. Shoulder flexibility will determine the position of the right elbow (for a right handed golfer) and the hands at the top of the swing. Bone lengths is also a factor. The elbow plane is the place Ben,Sam and Justin are trying to get back to.

[@dazdavy]

Great video back in the day Bruh.... u certainly know your stuff.... 👍🇬🇧🇦🇺

[@gregfisher2553]

This is totally me! Thanks Mark - will work on this drill.

[@MrVinbie]

This is fantastic, exactly what I was after! Thank you Mark!

[@pureprotea1]

Thank you thank you thank you!!! This is why im so inconsistent! Great lesson! Should be on TV!

[@MarkCrossfield]

thanks for watching

[@kurtmilla1994]

finally a video for this :D when theres a ball in my path i hit it dead center... but without a ball there my club path is horrible. and really sets up slices... for some reason when a ball is there i do something to prevent that.

[@norriekinloch5961]

That was a very well explained tip. Will defo give that a try.

[@mmetzger79]

Mark, I've sliced badly (I suppose there's not a "good" way to slice) all my life. Completely abandoned the game when I was about 20. Now, 30 years later I've decided to make a serious go of it. Always heard the "outside in" swing fix, but could never figure out exactly how to do that and still hit the ball right. Your explanation of the hand vs. shaft plane is brilliant!

[@philippatience6762]

Hi Mark, would another way of feeling this flattening of club plane, be like rotating your glove hand to the sky? Love the videos. I might even make the 150 mile journey for a lessons one day soon. You have a great no nonsense approach to fixing things. thanks very much...Phil

[@randolphsettles8592]

Mark. Wonderful HD videos. You're the best. I've seen this move described elsewhere in Hogan-related material, but no explanation of why it works. Can you explain more detail about the move? Thanks

[@thegravelist]

Mark -- great insight! If by laying the club back do you mean letting your top hand wrist hinge more at the top (up/down hinge)? Almost in a setting fashion? Or do you mean letting your bottom wrist hinge in almost a Dustin Johnson (side to side hinge) ? Hard to explain...

[@Mofo2404]

Seeing this from dtl would help me understand the movement more Mark

[@AndewsAdventures]

mark, have a burnt left hand so i obviously cant play golf at the moment, any more indoor drills that are helpful? and preferably doable with one hand!! keep up great work!

[@DeNisBaStArAcHe]

Hey Mark... good video! I'd really love it if you could describe the idea behind Jim Furyk's tendency given his swing pattern. It's unorthodox, but yet seems to work well for him.

[@Tennessee-Tuxedo-g61]

Great lesson!

[@greenadam21]

another good video mark...u may have been asked this a dozen times already but I wonder, as u are currently using nike, what your anticipation level is to try the new covert. I 've been hearing great things. tour version small head low launch and very muted sound.

[@dickyrock1]

Nice one man, good video, nice point shown well.

[@YoungDukYoon]

What a great Video!! You are genius in golf teaching ~

[@dallasbrock7447]

great video. I believe this will make improvements

[@ericayala2421]

You should do a video on the Ping Scottsdale putter. It looks magneficent.

[@ricardopassarelli6015]

David Leadbetter (and probably others as well) teach that the lower body (left) bump starts the downswing and that move actually forces the club to shallow on the down swing. This is very similar to what you present here with a slightly different "chicken-or-egg" hypothesis. PS Love watching you and your mates play.

[@fnecj3]

This is a great lesson

[@caryanthony]

It's important to start the downswing after completing the backswing. At the completion of the backswing, the weight of the club flattens the shaft, leading to a flatter shaft plane like Mark mentions. If you start the downswing before your hands come to a full stop in the backswing then you are working against gravity and you'll tend to hit out to in or at a steep angle. Is that right, Mark?

[@kerrinbiddle9768]

made it to scratch with this over the top swing path ..cant wait to be hit more pure strikes with this swing thought.

[@slimmsg7]

Makes sense, I was doing this naturally, similar principles in swinging a bat ...

[@pcoxbst]

That was a great video! Question: does it matter how high the hands are at address? is there a perfect location for the hands at address? it seems like if my hands are low at address I hit a lot of thin shots, if I raise the hands at add, I reduce the angle between the forearms and the shaft and tend to strike the ball more solidly...any thoughts???

[@n3qdz]

let me see if I have the feeling right. I think (as a right handed golfer) I want to use the right hand as a sorta hinge and the left hand as the part that applies force and pushing up to make the club shaft flatter?

[@VinegarWithAnAttitude]

My question is similar to Iceman's below. Funny thinb Mark, is when you were trying to make the incorrect upright downswingt--you were saying how hard it was? It's EASY for me! I have a bunch of video of myself making that move! Seriously though, that's why I'm loving this video. It's a move I've tried so hard to get rid of but didn't know how. This video seems like its custom for me. But like Iceman asks: Does the weight shift and hip turn a big part of getting the hands to drop?

[@leonfrodsham4358]

Hi Mark, this makes sense to me now. I've seen tall friends swing in this way with a languid natural ease, and results. I've always tried to mirror my downswing with the takeaway plane. Does my downswing plane necessarily have to match my takeaway or is it a case of what ever works for me? Either way has inspired me and going try it on the range this week, and get some lessons - thanks.

[@daveatebh]

Mark, Excellent and informative video lessons, but any chance you can do a session contrasting/comparing better player irons i.e. Callaway XHot Pro with Mizuno MP59 and Ping i20's? Perhaps you could comment on how these stack up in relation to handicap (low to mid handicaps). Regards Dave at EBH

[@martindebrun]

Mark what do you think of the Moe Norman swing, he was considered the straightest ball hitter ever but he has less moving parts in his swing now I'm follower of the golfing machine book which is all about the geometric of golf and breaks all the moving parts off your swing down so you get a consistent swing

[@caryanthony]

Another great video Mark. Thelceman is right isn't he Mark? . When I start the downswing before completing the backswing, I tend to come ove the top. What I noticed is that when I pause at the top of the backswing ( ever so slightly) the weight of the club causes the shaft to fall flat. Then I start my downswing by turning my lower body as you suggest and my arms drop automatically. I'M still working on getting this right, but I've noticed that slower is better..

[@rickcicalo410]

Good video. Always like watching footage of the legends of the game. Although the "shallowing the club" move at the top of the backswing helped your student, it seems to me trying to consciously do this move would be difficult. Perhaps a more "automatic" way of doing this is to ensure that on the backswing the club head stays outside of the hands at least until hip height when viewed from down the line. Think of Jim Furyk or Matt Wolff which are extreme examples of this idea. It does not need to be so extreme. If the club face is outside the hands going back, when the change of direction happens it automatically whips the cube "under" the hands which would be coming from the inside (ie: shallower). Instead of thinking of the shallow move at the top, the transition makes it happen automatically. You can't avoid it. It also helps if you don't fan the club face open on the takeaway. Just a thought. What do you think? Love your content.

[@Svergara1]

This was a great bit of info!

[@stuyboy]

Talking about hogan and Sneed, can you address the differences between a one plane and two plane swing? I note you've never really done a video about Jim Hardy's theories about the fundamental differences between them.

[@Nicho2177]

Really good tip

[@rstaples]

Hi Mark, So the hand plane should remain the same? I worked with something similar to this last week with an instructor and now I'm hitting big hooks. I went from my miss being a slight block, to left going way left. It all started from going outside on the takeaway. I still brought the club down great, but the club was somewhat shut. He has me coming back inside a bit, and it's causing me to drop down way inside on the downswing. I haven't found the happy medium. Thanks for the great videos!

[@VinegarWithAnAttitude]

Dang...this might be the magic tip for me....I REALLY REALLY wish you'd record this "laying back" of the club drill from the down-the-line view point. Really like to see the club "lay back" and how the hands move. PLEASE.

[@KMAN10694]

Another great Video!

[@Deadwuvly]

I tried this today and I could see the difference when I connected with the ball; the flight was better and was definately more on target, however, I really struggled to incorperate this into a full swing with out the pause at the top!

[@mike1957a]

Great video. I'm off to the mats in the morning to try this out. I've always tried to "pull the club handle down- I'll try this instead. Maybe you can change the camera angle next time - your hands were blocked!!

[@RonSissons]

MARK: When you "rest the club back" (when you helped your student do it), was it a hand move, or is it a move that automatically happens when your hips move toward the target effectively lowering the right shoulder/elbow/hands collectively? A camera shot from the back would have been able tobetter show what you did when you "rest the club back"