Swing Plane Alignment Stick Checkpoint Drill
Curated PGA Drill by Chris Ryan Golf
Backswing
3 sets of 10 slow rehearsal reps
Golf club, alignment stick (optional)
Advanced
Why This Drill Works (Kinetic Mechanics)
The club naturally wants to swing toward the balance point set by the hands' motion, so a laid-off top position tends to re-route the shaft steep in transition, causing an over-the-top move. These two checkpoints give real-time visual feedback on the shaft's plane at two moments in the backswing, training the feel needed to keep the club on-plane and stop it steepening in transition.
How to Perform the Drill
Follow these step-by-step instructions. Rehearse slowly to build proper motor patterns before adding full swing speed.
- 1
Step 1
Place an alignment stick on the ground on your target line, just behind the ball.
- 2
Step 2
Attach (or hold) a straight visual-reference device on the grip end of a club so it extends past your hands.
- 3
Step 3
Checkpoint 1: when the lead arm reaches parallel with the ground in the backswing, the device should point straight down at the alignment stick.
- 4
Step 4
Checkpoint 2: at the top of the swing, the device should point back parallel to the target line (toward the tee), not laid off behind you.
- 5
Step 5
Practice by exaggerating both extremes — swing so the device overshoots toward the stick, then the opposite way — to find the correct middle position by feel.
What Good Feels Like
Focus on smooth tempo and maintaining body connection through impact. Your body and club should move as a single synchronized unit.
Common Mistake to Avoid
Rushing transition before completing backswing or lunging upper body forward towards ball at impact. Keep movement controlled.
