For many weekend warriors a flat golf swing can be their downfall. The typical result of this type of swing is a slice and is probably one of the most common problems among golfers who only occasionally get out on the course. Of course, Ben Hogan, who is considered one of the best ball strikers of all time, used a flat golf swing and while going against everything known about hitting the ball became one of the top players in his time.

An ideal golf swing will have the club travel an opposite path on the down swing that it had during the back swing. Basically, the swing will come straight back, with no hesitation at the peak of the swing and then follow the same path on the way to the ball. With a flat golf swing, the swing looks like a small figure eight, coming flat on the ball at take away, gets pushed away from the body at the top of the swing, bringing the club on a path from outside to inside, pushing the ball to the right for right-handed golfers.

Thinking of the golf swing like cracking a whip may help you overcome the flat golf swing and provide straighter shots off the tee or from the ground. At take sway, the club is usually square with the ball and, following a slightly circular path, should be in a position to hit the ball with the same alignment at impact.

Cracking Whip Too Early Determines Ball Directions

When a person uses a whip, they do not allow it to crack over their head, rather their hand slowly brings the whip’s handle down slowly and then cracks at as it reaches the bottom. The same technique can be used to help eliminate a flat golf swing. At the top of the back swing the golfer should not have a death grip on the club. Allowing the club to free fall during first few seconds of the downswing will help you find the correct spot to increase the pressure and whip the club head into the ball at the moment of impact.

Remember the golf club is supposed to feel like an extension of your arms and not a weapon used to kill the ball. Keeping the correct line from take away to the moment the club strikes the all will help provide better shots than a flat golf swing can provide, regardless of what Ben Hogan was able to achieve.