The Forward Swing Plane Match

Correct Your Exit Path to Eliminate Slices

Sticks: 1

Config: Together

Focus: Full Swing

Drill Objective

Most golfers focus entirely on the backswing, but the forward swing (the "exit") is what ultimately dictates your ball flight. This drill uses pathpal to help you visualize and feel the correct exit plane, preventing the steep, "out-to-in" motion that causes the ball to curve to the right.

Set-Up

Position the pathpal base unit on your target line, but place it slightly forward of where the ball would be (in the follow-through zone).
Set the padded rod to match your desired swing plane—typically matching the angle used for your backswing, such as 60°.

Instructions

Impact to Exit: Start with the club at your impact position and move slowly into the follow-through.
Match the Shaft: As you swing forward, focus on matching your club shaft to the angle of the pathpal padded rod.
Avoid the "Pull": Ensure the club doesn't move too far to the left or get too vertical (90°) immediately after impact, which indicates an out-to-in path.
Incorporate the Backswing: Once you feel the correct exit, start from a half-backswing, move through impact, and finish by matching the rod on the forward side.
Go Slow: Perform these movements in extreme slow motion to rewire your motor patterns. If you can't do it slowly, you won't be able to do it at full speed.

Benefits

Encourages In-to-Out Path

Improve Swing Plane

Prevent Slices

Brian Jacobs

Teaching Professional

Brian Jacobs Golf

2012-2016: GRAA Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional
2020-2021: GRAA Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional
2019-2023: Golf Digest Best Teachers in State

""I find myself using it daily which is uncommon for most aids""

Brad Pluth PGA Master Professional

""Countless how many applications you can use for it""

Jake Reeves Director of Instruction, Fox Den Country club

""Million different ways to use this to help your golf game. I'm really enjoying using it with my students and I hope you grab one and use it as well.""