Another common swing fault that needs to be discussed is the flat shoulder plane. This swing fault is part of “loss of posture”. The “flat shoulder plane” or “turn” is described by the Titleist Performance Institute as the angle of the shoulders as the student turns to the top of their backswing. They state that at address the spine is tilted because of the forward bend of the hips, allowing the golfer to obtain the proper setup position. With the ideal swing the golfer’s shoulders will move perpendicular to the tilt of the spine during the backswing. A flat shoulder plane occurs when the shoulders turn on a horizontal plane instead of the original spine angle.
This swing fault can cause the club to be out of position during the backswing which will create a shift in the swing planes which reduces the efficiency of the entire motion. Because of this the player has to make numerous compensations during the downswing to square the club face. This can cause loss of power as well and inconsistent ball striking.
After becoming certified by the Titleist Performance Institute Dr. Haggerty is now able to help treat muscle and joint imbalances that lead to these swing faults. Dr. Haggerty advises that if you are looking to change your biomechanics be sure to work closely with your golf instructor so he can help you adapt your swing to your new abilities.