one vs. two plane swing for bad back

[steve-o]

just wondering which swing would be better on my back. as i get older my back is not what it used to be,not that it was so great back then. im torn between the simpler one plane swing which seems to be harder on my back vs. two plane which is harder to time.any thoughts out there.

[LowPost42]

Re: one vs. two plane swing for bad back

Steve, I recommend following the "rotary swing tour" model over at rotaryswing.com

I turned a very good player in the area onto the rotary swing tour. He suffers from nerve problems and back problems exacerbated by his golf swing. He had to quit golfing halfway through the year last year because of it. After being turned on to the RST and doing the drills, he just completed a 4 day golf trip and only missed 9 holes due to miserable weather and being tight (coupled with 3 bad swings in a row - all his old motion that destroyed his back in the first place).

I know it sounds like an infomercial, but it's a true story.

[rogue]

Re: one vs. two plane swing for bad back

To be honest just do a 2 plane swing. every swing is 2 plane on tour. The only guy who was really one plane was More norman. I think there is one other guy on tour right now who is pretty consistent wit one plane but really, its only theoretically more consistent. Physics doesnt determine our consistency overall. There are a multidute of parameters. Psychology, Practice, Experience, How ingrained the swing is physiologically and mentally. And this is just the tip of the iceberg regarding consistency. Two plane can be very consistent as although it doesnt work directly with what physics would define consistency (club rotating around your body 90 degrees to spine aka mike bender) it sure does a hell of a lot better to work with our bodies. Tiger has been both and it worked fine for him.

Anyway, even if you do get a perfect one plane swing, so what. Where does the extra consistency come from? you still have to get the path and face in the right place at the right time. If anything the supposed benefits of the one planes' consistent back and through motion can easily be negated by the fact the path will be more arcing through impact than say a more up and down Jack nicklaus or Tiger woods ala butch harmon days motions.

The only reason i would reccomend a one plane is if a player needs it for their body type, usually poor shoulder flexibility makes a one plane more beenficial. But regarding your spine, a one plane swing tends to be more bent over requiring more back strength and putting more stress on the lumbar spine. Add to that the differential between the hip tilt and spine tilt and it could be said that a one plane swing is more harmful than good - although plenty will debate this i really dont care.

Golf is all about clubface control. too high (thin), too far behind (fat), too left, too right, too open, too closed. These are the only things u need to control consistently for good golf. IMO

[steve-o]

Re: one vs. two plane swing for bad back

thanks guys! well my clubface control must be horrible right now because i cant hit a golf shot to save my life. most shots thin and right. couldnt even hit half swings. maybe thinking of to many things instead of just swinging.

[kbp]

Re: one vs. two plane swing for bad back

The more "rotary" the spinal action is, the more stress and damage to the internal working of the spine.....the vertabrae and the discs between. The spine itself is not built for huge rotation between the vertabrae about its longitudinal axis. Another factor is that the spine does not have a straight longitudinal axis anyway. We have curve at the tailbone and lumbar and then a bit of opposite curve at the top. Pure rotation is not anatomical.

For ease on the back, I would consider a swing that allows more hip and knee movement, lateral and rotary, like the "classic" swings....Bobby Jones. etc. or a Mike Austin type. Bubba Watson is a modern example. Allow the front heal to release on the backswing. Use more free flowing weight shift, supple and quick, rather than tight, stretching and straining every part to it's elastic limit like a rubber band. You still can work against a rear "post" and some resistance, but the speed comes from moving the weight of your hips back and forth, like a swing bell. JMO.

[rogue]

Re: one vs. two plane swing for bad back

agreed. I think the advantages of the rotary swing are far outweighed. Sure this rubadub can find some guy in a white coat who says a more rotary action for the spine is better, but its a simple fact the more over the spine is bent, the more stress on the back. And like kpb said our spines are not meant for huge rotations.

[steve-o]

Re: one vs. two plane swing for bad back

that back and forth hip motion is what hurts my lower back more. the problem maybe more with my hips than my spine. after working with a 1 plane swing for 3 weeks now my lower back pain is very small,compared to years past where i have had to stop playing for months at a time. i may not be able to make huge rotations,but i still get plenty of power. plus the 1 plane swing seems to require less timing.

[kbp]

Re: one vs. two plane swing for bad back

That's too bad you have to deal with back pain. You certainly know more about what hurts YOU that I do.

Good luck to you.

[steve-o]

Re: one vs. two plane swing for bad back

thanks kbp. thankfully my back is feeling pretty good right now. hope it holds up.