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Titleist Instruction Series- Bill Wogden

Canadian Golfer Magazine Presents the Titleist Instruction Series

 

Bill Wogden

Joining the Canadian PGA in 1979, Bill Wogden had the good fortune to be an Assistant Golf Professional at the National Golf Club in Woodbridge, Ontario from 1981-1990. Bill was able to study and learn from one of the best golf professionals in the business – Ben Kern. “He was a mentor for me and key to my development both as a player and as an all around golf professional” said Wogden. Since 1992 Bill has been the Head Golf Professional at the Barrie Country Club in Barrie, Ontario. He received the greatest honour for any Canadian golf professional when he was awarded and recognized as the 2008 Ontario PGA Club Professional of the Year as well as the Canadian PGA Club Professional of the Year. Bill has won numerous tournaments, volunteers his time and ensures his members and guests are fully serviced and have a great golf experience.

---START THE CLUB BACK "ON PLANE"---

The initial motion of taking the clubhead away from the golf ball determines the plane of the golf swing. Getting the club moving on the proper plane gives the golfer the best opportunity to move the club smoothly on plane throughout the swing motion, which leads to hitting shots on line to the target.

A simple practice drill to improve your plane is to check the position of the clubface and shaft at waist high on the takeaway. From your address position, swing the club along your usual path until the shaft is at waist height. Check the following to see if the club has started on plane:

• shaft should be pointing away from the target
• shaft should be parallel to the ground
• sole of the club should be pointing straight up in the air

At this early point in the swing motion both feet remain solidly on the ground and in great balance. Setting up with a driver (as in the photos) the ball position is forward in the stance, which positions my head behind the ball. As the motion begins, my arms swing the club back and my upper body begins to rotate. My head, weight distribution and balance remain steady. An extended left arm helps to create a proper arc to the swing and the right elbow stays at my side to allow the club to find the correct plane. If at waist high the clubface is closed (facing more to the ground) or is open (facing more to the sky), the golfer will have to make a compensating move on the downswing to return the clubface to the target at impact.

Being relaxed and allowing your arms and body to turn so that the club swings back on plane, will give the golfer the best opportunity to let the club flow through the impace position and send the ball on line to target.

  

  

 

 

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