Common Swing Plane Flaws (and How to Fix Them)

June 23, 2025
Common Swing Plane Flaws (and How to Fix Them)

Mastering your golf swing plane doesn’t have to be complicated. Think of it as your club traveling on an invisible ramp centered on you—a path that keeps your shots consistent, accurate, and powerful. When your swing follows this “plane” snugly from take-away to follow-through, you hit better shots more often.

What Is the Swing Plane? ⛳

Your swing plane is an imaginary tilted surface that guides the club’s path throughout your swing. Ideally, both your backswing and downswing stay close to this plane—matching the shaft’s angle at setup. Deviations (like steep or flat swings) lead to slices, hooks, or mishits.


Why It Matters

Ball Flight Control:  A correct plane ensures your club approaches the ball on a predictable path, sending the ball where you intend. Wandering off the plane can push you into slices or hooks.

Solid Contact:  Staying on plane helps square the ball with the clubface at impact—crisp strikes and more distance follow .


Common Swing Plane Flaws

Over-the-Top (Steep)

Often results in an out‑to‑in path, slicing or pulling shots 

Fix:  Start your downswing by letting the club drop behind the plane, not coming over the top.


Under the Plane (Flat)

Leads to in‑to‑out swings, causing hooks or blocks 

Fix: Focus on a more upright follow-through, keeping hands inside the plane.


Simple Drills to Stay on Plane

1. Shoulder‑Turn Drill

Place a club across your shoulders and make a slow backswing and follow-through. Feel your shoulders tracking the correct path. 


2. Alignment‑Stick Check

Plant an alignment rod at your address angle. Swing parallel to it during practice—your club should mirror this path.


3. Wall Drill

Stand about two feet from a wall. Swing your backswing—if you’re too steep you’ll hit the wall. This reinforces the proper plane.



Build a Practice Routine

Weeks 1–2: Focus on the shoulder‑turn drill (5 minutes daily).

Weeks 3–4: Add the wall drill (10 minutes, 3× per week).

Weeks 5–6: Incorporate the alignment‑stick practice. Then combine all 3 once a week for mastery 


The Importance of Setup

Your swing plane begins before you even move. A consistent setup—posture, spine tilt, grip—dictates the entire swing path.

One‑Plane Swing: More bend at the hips (about 35°), strong spine angle.

Two‑Plane Swing:  More upright posture with hands slightly over the ball.


Mind + Body = Better Swings

Rhythm & Tempo: Treat your swing like a dance—smooth, consistent flow through backswing and downswing.

Visualization: Before each shot, breathe deeply, picture the plane, and trust your swing.


When to Seek a Coach

Sometimes the fastest progress comes with expert eyes. A coach can pinpoint subtle flaws and offer personalized drills well beyond what you’d see on your own.


In Summary

  • Define the swing plane as the club’s invisible guide from setup through follow-through.
  • Stay on it using posture, drills, and consistent rhythm.
  • Fix common mistakes with specific practice methods.
  • Set a routine to lock in lasting improvement.
  • Consider coaching for faster, tailored results.

Stick with it, and you'll see more solid strikes, straighter ball flight, and lower scores. Master the plane—and you’ll master much of your game.

By Gerry Moloney December 21, 2025
Amended TMGC MC Minutes November 19th, 2025 1. Welcome and Apologies Meeting held at TMGC Meeting Room on Wednesday 19 November 2025 The Chair welcomed all present. Meeting opened at 1.04pm Attendees: Gerry Moloney (President), Kevin Arnold (Vice President), Peter Arnesen (Captain), John De Jersey (Treasurer), Katy Hewitt, Tony Cole, Simon Briggs Guests: none, Apologies: Kristo Bradley (Secretary) 2. ​ Ladies Report – none 3. ​ Veterans Report – None 4. ​ Professional Report - none 5. ​ Report from Bjorn re marketing - Laptop purchased for Club Captain’s use 6. ​ Minutes of Previous Meeting The following minutes have been circulated. Further suggested amendments. No amendments That the minutes of the meeting of 15 October 2025 be accepted as a true and accurate record. ​Moved by Simon Briggs ​​​​Seconded by. Kevin Arnold CARRIED AGM Minutes circulated by John de Jersey 12 Nov 25 That the minutes of the meeting of 8 November 2025 be accepted as a true and accurate record. Moved by Kevin Arnold Seconded by Simon Briggs CARRIED 7. Business Arising from October Minutes (not otherwise listed on Agenda) • Hole in One on honour boards plus Honour Boards in arrears Kevin & Alicia to follow up . Plus mention in Nov Newsletter of members who have had a hole-in-one since 2020 • Waiting for Installation of 2 Screen doors at back of clubhouse / one at front and insect screens on 3 windows at front of clubhouse. Payment has been made. Ladies and vets to contribute to the cost. • Truegrid plastic paver usage on course (see Course Report) 8. New Membership Approvals 9 new members were approved, as follows: Trent Whiting, Young Adult; Jay Evans, Country; Hamish Harvey, Young Adult; Joshua Litchfield, Young Adult; Harrison Free, Young Adult; Jett King, Young Adult; Timothy Preston, Young Adult; Alan Lopez, Weekday; Lene Mikkelsen, Weekday. Three members rejoined: David Lappan, Full; Joel Tane, Young Adult; Waverley Stanley, Full. This brings the total membership to 278. 9. Financial Report TMGC Trading A/C Opening balance $88705.16 - Closing balance $ 88 262.38. Balance in: 510 Visitors Ladies a/c $12 589. Vets A/C $10 244 Raffle profit November $70 – Meat trays YTD Profit $935 – $250 for practice mat = $685 10 Hams ordered for December raffle & 16 for Christmas cup @ $7.50 per kilo ($30 - $40 per ham). 10. Workplace Health and Safety Meeting room to be added to weekly cleaning roster Mexican tree ferns to be lopped by Rossco as per previous minutes 11. Competition Report: Local rules- pine needles around trees to be relief area and koala sanctuary area to have a drop zone. Root relief for club face only not interference with stance Simon and Todd have offered to support Peter in his new role. Examine weekly competition prizes and $12 comp fees 12. TMGC Strategic Action Plan on hold for the month 13. Correspondence in: TM Show Society re new office bearers GCDA re inter district comp starting 9/11/25 at Royal Pines GA re meeting with Gerry 9.30 am 9 Dec Certification received for new cart sheds GA Disaster Resilience Case Study Michael Fisher in conjunction with Gerry Waverley Stanley re smashed rear car window from mower $495 - committee agreed to pay for the damage 14. Correspondence Out To: Queanbeyan GC re Reciprocal Agreement / Andrew Leventis GA re meeting with Gerry ​ 15. ​ Course Committee Report: See attached 2026 Green Renovations 20/21/22 April and 31 Aug, 1 and 2 September 16. General Business 1. AGM minutes of meeting 8 November 2025 circulated and passed Moved by Gerry Moloney and Seconded by Katy Hewitt that John de Jersey be added to the TMGC NAB A/Cs. CARRIED John to sign Annual Report Form - Kristo to do next year Grants: Sport and Recreational Community Facilities Recovery Program – concrete cart paths - $370 000 + Energex Ergon Community Fund $10 000+ for a solar battery 2. GCDGA Champion of Champions: Owen, Bernie T, Brett W, Simon/Peter + Xmas Dinner Tue 9 Dec at Surfers Paradise GC 5.30pm (Gerry and Peter) 3. Course subcommittee. Gerry, Simon and Kevin along with Graeme Match Subcommittee - Andrew, Simon, Peter and Gerry 4. Competition Events planner Tues, Wed, Saturday - Andrew, Gerry, Peter, Simon and Michael Jones 5. Programs for Website (Ladies check 14/7/26 event & Vets 22/4/26 & 2/9/26 Renovation Days) All programs to be sent to Gerry for publication on website 6. Cart shed rentals + electricity usage fee. The Brisbane CPI went up by 4.7% in the last year and the electricity charge increased by 9%. It was agreed to increase buggy shed charges by these percentages, to avoid a larger increase next year and in recognition that there was no increase in the previous year. New charges are $480 for shed rental (up from $459) and $190 for electricity (up from $175). Thus, the fee will be $670 for electric buggies and $480 for petrol buggies. 7. Master Plan incl future parking needs- Kylie Bennett 8. Course Goals – Short / Medium / Long term – on hold 9. Stormwater pit on left side of 6th green (Simon / Kevin / Nick / Graeme) 10. Storage Shed near clubhouse on hold 11. Update CCTV for front deck. (Andrew Cafun) within the next 4 weeks 12. The two aluminium frames from inside Andrew's shed have been moved to the back of the cart sheds 13. Kevin and Katy to organise cart shed keys and numbering of sheds 16. Call of next meeting and Closure It was noted that the next scheduled meeting has been called for Wednesday 17 Dec 2025 The Meeting was closed by the Chair at ____3.25pm_________ Gerry Moloney President
By Gerry Moloney November 25, 2025
Minutes of Tamborine Mountain Golf Club AGM, November 8, 2025. The meeting had been called according to the Constitution and was held from 12 noon between the Saturday competition fields . Opening, attendance and apologies. The meeting was called to order by the President Gerry Moloney, in the Chair, at 12.09 pm, noting that a quorum had been achieved. The meeting was attended by 71 members, who signed attendance sheets and were given the voting paper. Voting for the position of Captain and for three Management Committee members was conducted as members arrived, signed in and were given a ballot paper. Apologies were received from Todd Blocksidge, Di Lilley, Alan Myers, John Youngman and Dion McRae. President’s and Captain’s Reports. The President’s Report had been pre-circulated. Highlights of the year’s activities were scrolled in a power point presentation. Gerry listed achievements including installation of a comprehensive irrigation system, construction of 11 new buggy sheds, completion of the new roof on the back deck and construction of a shelter shed and two hitting pads to facilitate lessons and practice in the practice tee area. Gerry thanked Team Revie, our greenkeeper Graeme Andrews, and the Management Committee especially retiring members. He also thanked all volunteers for their efforts, especially the mowing team (Barry, Roscoe, Maurie, Paul, Todd) and our sandman, Kristo. The Captain’s Report had also been emailed to members. A significant challenge had been moving to the Golf Connect system which was achieved with only minor hiccups. The two reports were moved by Gerry, seconded by Andrew Curtis, carried unanimously. Financial Report for the Financial Year Treasurer Ross Barnes spoke to the 2024-25 Annual Financial Report, which had been audited by Eagle Taxation. The report indicated that it had been a successful year and that the Club continued to be in a sound financial position. The report was moved by Ross, seconded by Terry Burke, carried unanimously. Election of Management Committee. The President Gerry Moloney, and the Vice-President, Kevin Arnold, are continuing into the second year of their two-year terms. Two nominations had been received for the vacant position of Captain (from Peter Arnesen and Scott Legge) and four nominations for the three vacant membership positions (Simon Briggs, Tony Cole, Katy Hewitt and Tim Kerr.) Warren Carseldine, Carl Pearce and Leon Radunz were appointed to serve as scrutineers for the ballots. The scrutineers’ report was announced by the Chair and showed that Peter Arnesen had been elected as Captain and Simon Briggs, Tony Cole and Katy Hewitt had been elected as Management Committee members. There was only one nomination for Treasurer, John de Jersey, and he was declared elected after a show of hands. Election of Chair of the Appeals Committee. John Youngman was nominated for this position from the floor by Kylie Bennett, seconded by Tony Cole. There were no further nominations and John was declared appointed after a show of hands. Election of Life Member. Gerry Moloney had been nominated to be a life member by Leon Radunz, seconded by Katy Hewitt. For this item of business, Gerry relinquished the Chair in favour of the Secretary John de Jersey. John noted that the nomination had been considered by the Management Committee, as required by the Constitution, and had been strongly endorsed. The nomination set out the great contributions Gerry had made to the Club over many years, including successful terms as Captain and President. The nomination was put to the vote as a Special Resolution of the AGM, requiring 75% support from members present and voting. A show of hands revealed this % had been easily achieved and Gerry was declared a life member by acclamation. Appointment of Auditor for the 2025-26 financial year. The President moved that Eagle Taxation be appointed, seconded by Andrew Curtis, carried unanimously. Financial Remuneration. The Constitution requires that any remuneration or other benefits given to any member of the Management Committee, to any of their relatives, to any senior employees of the Club and any of their relatives be disclosed to the AGM. The Chair told the meeting that no such remuneration or other benefits had been paid. The President closed the meeting at 12.24 pm. Minutes prepared by John De Jersey 
By Gerry Moloney November 25, 2025
The course will be closed on the following days for renovations. 20 - 22 April 2026 31 August -2 September 2026
By Gerry Moloney November 25, 2025
Explore our 2026 event.
January 10, 2025
The course will be closed on the following days for renovations. 26-28 May 2025  1-3 September 2025
By Gerry Moloney January 10, 2025
Explore our 2025 event.
Tamborine Mtn Golf Club
October 31, 2024
Graeme Andrews AKA Gee In his time at the club he has done an amazing job on improving the golf course by enhancing the experience for the golfer by creating great definition between fairway and rough Gee has also been instrumental in improving and maintaining the clubs bent grass greens Gee has recently received the honour of the award for best superintendent in Qld’s at the recent QLD golf industry awards night
February 11, 2024
Explore our 2024 event.