One Plane Swing - Short Irons

Question
QUESTION: Hi Ed,

I've been trying to switch to a one plane swing for more consistency.  It's been working great for the driver and longer irons (through the 7 iron) but I'm having lots of issues with the short irons.  Swinging around the body with the shorter irons just doesn't seem to work very well.  However, I really don't want to have two different swings.  Are there any drills or swing tips for using a one plane swing with the shorter irons.

Thank you in advance,
Mike

ANSWER: Hi Mike:

What are your issues?  Do you not hit it solid, hit it fat, hit it thin, etc.  What is happening with the shorter irons that doesn't seem to happen with the longer clubs?  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Ed,

My short irons are usually hit very thin and low and left using the one plane swing.  If I stand more upright and use a two plane swing I can hit the short irons better but I'd like to use the one plane swing for all my short.

Thank you!
Mike

Answer
Hi Mike:

Sorry to keep asking questions, but being honest, I have not studied the one plane swing methods, although I am familiar with them.  Rather, I want to know what is happening to your ball, to your contact and to what you feel.  Remember, the ball reacts to only what the club tells it to do.  Let me address your answer to my first question, and let's just work with the club, so picture this as I explain.  You said your irons are usually hit very thin and low and left using the one plane swing.  With that said, the club is approaching the ball on too shallow of an approach (can't get down to bottom of ball and turf) and is closing or is hitting the outside part of the ball which will send it left and perhaps curve it to the left as well.  With a one plane swing, if the club is approaching the ball from too far inside, it will be too shallow of an approach which tends to hit the top half of the ball.  In your effort to get the club back to the ball, I am guessing (without seeing you) that you are using your upper body too much, which is causing the club to move out and around the ball too much causing thin and left.  You'll need to allow your arms to fall more down towards the ball as you begin the downswing (forward swing).  If your body is trying to turn too fast to get the club back to the ball, it would in turn keep the club on too shallow of an approach to the ball.  Instead, go hit some balls and once you are at the top of the backswing, in slow motion to start, let your arms fall down more towards the ground so you can sense the proper angle.  Obviously we want to blend the two together (turning of the body and the swinging of the arms), but it seems to me that your club is moving too level instead of on more of an angle.  Try to allow your arms to fall more towards the ground and see if your contact does not improve.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member