A Simple Drill to Check the Angle of Your Plane Takeaway
My name is Jason Carbone, I am one of the Lead Instructors here at the Jim McLean Golf School. I would like to talk to you a little bit about working on your takeaway. Why it is important and a way that we can practice it so that you can get some feedback and get better quickly.
Jason Carbone's Takeaway Drill
First thing that makes golf so difficult is that it is hard to know when you are doing things correctly and when you are not. This little setup will tell you right away if you are doing things correctly.
- What you want to do is take a golf ball, put a club on the ground behind it and pointing at the target.
- Behind that set your stand bag tilted in towards the target line.
- The golf club that you choose should roughly match the same angle as the golf bag.
The Right Club for a Takeaway
I have a 5-iron here which is pretty much at the same angle that this golf bag sits. When I step up to the golf ball, before I hit each ball, I can make two practice swing watching the golf club track right up the golf bag. If I see the clubhead go above the golf bag I will know that the club went outside the target line.
If I see the clubhead go down towards the stand I will know that the club went too far to the inside. So if I just make two practice swings right up the golf bag and then go ahead and swing for each ball. If you do that you know you will know that you are on-plane with your takeaway.
About the Instructor

451 North Litchfield Road
Litchfield Park, AZ 85340
Tel: 623-535-5600
wigwam@jimmclean.com