The term One Plane Swing (OPS) has evolved today into apparently different meanings, which have caused some confusion for many. Several camps teach the one plane swing that is similar yet contains differences. I encourage and support all golfers who swing on one plane regardless of the differences between these teaching methods.
The best One Plane Swing (OPS) definition I can give you is….. A One Plane Swing is when the player sets up in the same plane, they will be at impact. More precisely, the One Plane Swing is when the clubshaft angle at address matches the clubshact angle at impact, as you see in the picture above with my driver swing. When viewing the swing from Down-the-Line, you should see at setup the clubshaft is on a straight line to and through the trail elbow. this should match at impact, where again, the clubshaft is on a straight line to and through the trail elbow.
That's it. It's straightforward, yet today there remains some confusion between different teaching groups. In spite of these differences, this simple definition is the fundamental baseline of one plane swing thought and is consistently the foundation of all its teaching.
There are many teachers who advocate their version of the one plane swing and becoming proficient in their system can improve a golfer's ball striking and enjoyment of the game. Regardless of the camp of OPS (One Plane Swing) thought, I will always advocate for all golfers who choose to pursue their golf games with the OPS! Scott Groves, the Founder of the Facebook group, One Plane Golfers, was taught by his first teacher, Herman Keiser, the One Plane Swing in 1981. Herman Keiser won the 1946 Masters Championship and was using the OPS long before Moe Norman began his professional career in 1957. Some will tell you that you have to swing like Moe Norman or that you have to swing like Bryson Dechambeau, or swing exactly like some model player...these statements are false. Moe had a unique way of going about it, but no one can swing like another player. You can try, but you are not Moe Norman or Bryson Dechambeau.
OPS teacher Kirk Junge's setup4impact teaching system has allowed many golfers to experience a method of swinging on one plane while customizing it to their swing. His OPS system teaches how to setup with the hands and wrists raised in an uncocked position (ulnar deviation) so that the club shaft angle, at address, matches the club shaft angle at impact.
Currently, the PGA tour has Bryson Dechambeau, who many one plane experts consider a great example of playing with this philosophy. Other tour pros, such as Steve Stricker, could be regarded as OPS players.
So, the OPS has been around for over 100 years. Do we know where it started? Probably not. Should anyone own the name One Plane Swing or any version of it? I say no, since it's been around longer than anyone who has used that name. I support and encourage all OPS method and respect all the different teaching systems.
Dr. Chris Nix
**For more information on the One Plane Swing the One Plane Golfer eBook is available on the for sale on the home page of this site. It's a beautifully illustrated description of the One Plane Swing and how to apply it to your game.
