Decoding the Golf Swing Plane: The Striking Plane Swing Model

The technical aspects were sound.The drills were useful but not new.An accompanying video would be great to support the book.

In the modern history of the game, there have been two primary notable analyses of the golf swing from a strictly science-and-engineering approach: Cochran and Stobbs' _The Search For the Perfect Swing_, and Mann and Griffin's _Swing Like a Pro_. _Decoding_ takes its place alongside those, as far as I'm concerned. It's more specific than both of the other books, in that it's concerned with getting to the truth and falsehood of ideas about swing plane. What sets all these works apart from normal instructional books is their insistence on starting with observed and measured facts, rather than the reporting of "feels" from advanced players.During the years when I was teaching the game and playing competitively, I found both approaches to be valuable, but as far as I'm concerned, the "anchor" always has to be what is strictly and observably true. You'll get that with _Decoding_. He furthers the work done by people like Mann and Griffin and also by Haney, Leadbetter, et al. in their observations of how a theoretically on-plane swing is not the "sheet of glass" depicted in Hogan's _Five Lessons_ (although, to somebody who had no concept of plane at all, that image can be helpful to a great extent, and in fact _has_ helped millions). But Mo goes further in demonstrating how, although it might make sense in theory to talk about "two planes, one angle" in describing how the plane rises above the shaft plane at address as the club progresses past the approximate midpoint in the backswing and then matches the plane at address, in fact this doesn't happen with most great players, nor is it necessary or kinesiologically desirable. He also explains specifically how the right elbow and wrist joints make it impossible for the backswing to be otherwise, without unnecessary effort to contort the body. Mo further demonstrates how the shaft plane at address is not, and for most players probably should not be, the same as the shaft plane at impact.Tons of smaller observations also add to the tremendous value of the book. For instance, he notes how force applied on the downswing tends to make the club flex in a toe-down direction by impact, because the sweet spot is trying to get in line with the accelerating force on plane and is therefore trying to get into line with the upper part of the shaft, and therefore pushes the heel of the club (where the bottom of the shaft is, obviously) a little below the strictly-defined plane. If I were peer-reviewing this point for further editions, I would add two points here: 1) That same force also tries to straighten out the angle between arms and shaft seen at address in a down-the-line view; and 2) the other influence on toe-down flex through impact is the rebound seen in most swings as the club recovers from the toe-up flex that typically occurs at the change of direction, with pressure being applied to the club at the start of, and in the early stage of, the downswing with the club rotated in a matter that has the toe pointing away from the direction of the initial motion in the downswing.I'd love to see Mo able to do a second edition with further investigation and refinements on things like this. He might find, for instance, that what many have observed as that toe-up-to-toe-down rebound effect isn't actually due nearly as much to rebound as to what he has already demonstrated regarding how the accelerating force and the tendency of that force to try to pull everything into line according to its own center of gravity. I think some of his subpoints are somewhat arguable and are potentially revisable with further research, as would happen with any scientifically-approached subject, and I'd love to see that happen with a piece of work this valuable.I haven't seen anything more thoroughly researched, more accurate and more advanced on the specific subject of how the swing plane actually works. If you're interested in this sort of thing, this book is an absolute must-have. If you're a teacher and you care about knowing exactly how plane works, beyond self-reporting of "feel" and so forth, if you're interested in breaking away from long-held (and cherished) traditional ideas and into what is actually observable and accurate, you'll be at a disadvantage unless you have this book.

The author dismisses the Mo Norman setup in very few paragraphs. He says its easy to understand -- but is uncomfortable, looks funny, and doesn't hit the ball as far. Then he spends dozens of pages describing the complicated "standard swing" -- which is used "because everyone does it".This off season, being an engineer (like the author), I've experimented with a "Mo Norman looking" setup (not Mo Norman swing, just similar setup) on an indoor range. What I've found is the very upright extended arm, virtually single plane setup is straighter, longer, more consistent, and comfortable. It does look funny. Even so, I may be using it next year. At age 71, I added roughly 6 mph to irons and woods (108mph 42" 3 wood and 42.5" driver) -- more down the line and more consistent. So as not to mislead, there is a trick -- different muscles and joints are emphasized versus most teaching of the standard swing. I am not touting the entire Norman swing -- only the setup and nominally single swing plane. It seems like a real alternative for some of us -- which remains to be seen in my case.Anyhow, 3 stars because this book on swing plane dismisses "out of hand" a very promising "single swing plane" method -- no in-depth description to justify the dismissal. Then, the book takes dozens of pages to describe a complicated multi-plane standard method that needs much more practice to perfect. I bought the ebook because I thought it would be a "complete" treatise on the various swing plane concepts (plural). I had hoped for more detailed coverage of the true "single swing plane" swing -- to help me with my off season experimentation. However, for the majority of folks who want to "look like the pros" this book might help (a cheap lesson).

I have not had a golf book that I literally read at a go like this one. Incredible analysis and very clear explanations for the swing. Ot thoroughly explains why very "different" looking postures still present same results. The Book requires very good understanding of angles and a bit of very simple physics. It is written for the analytical minds more than anything else. It will open your eyes to certain things you have been doing wrong, update some of those incorrect conventional analysis I see during all these golf tournaments. The book must suit your personality to get the best out of it. It does suit mine. I am keeping it for continuous consultancy. I think I have just discovered my new pro in this book. Maybe my club pro needs to take a look at this too. Great job Mo and Dan. The book deserves more than 5stars but is the maximum available here.

Good, thoughtful review of what's been said about the swing plane and what the author has observed. Somewhat like Homer Kelley's The Golfing Machine, in that the writer is not an accomplished golfer but rather someone who is curious about golf and good at breaking down the mechanics. His main point is that the swing is only on a consistent plane at the set up and through the hitting or impact area, from when the lead arm is parallel to the ground on the downswing to about the corresponding position in the follow through.

The authors explain in great detail just what defines the golf swing plane, how to find it, and how to stay on it. I found the book to be very readable throughout, but I would caution that this book is for golfers who enjoy great detail. This is not a casual glance at the topic of swing plane. A number of typos were missed in the proofing of this book, but they are easily overlooked and prove to be no hindrance in the understanding or enjoyment of this book. It is a book that will stay on my tablet.

Fascinating analysis that cleared up some of the puzzles of the golf swing in a scholarly manner.

Too complicated KISS comes to mind

Easy to understand, a light bulb moment for me regarding where at swing plan is.

Nice read well worth the money spend....

For a long time I had problem in establishing textbook swing plane. After reading Mo decoding the swing plane it did correspond to what I was doing. So out with the swing guru and in with Mo's analysis and drills to get the clubhead to hit the ball at 90 degrees. The book is easy to read and not highly technical. It is of the right length. The graphics could be improved in the second edition. The author should include some links to swing model or include a DVD to help the readers.