Aug 27 • General discussion
Flat Shoulder Plane in the Golf Swing: Why It Happens and How to Fix It
If you’ve ever felt like you’re losing power in your swing, topping the ball, or slicing it out to the right, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with a swing fault called flat shoulder plane.
Many golfers are told this is a “swing path problem,” but in reality, it often comes down to your body—not your swing. As a physical therapist who works with golfers every day, I see this issue show up again and again, and the fix usually has less to do with your swing mechanics and more to do with how well your body can move.
In this post, we’ll break down:
- What a flat shoulder plane is
- Why it happens
- Three key physical limitations that cause it
- Simple exercises to help you fix it for good
What Is a Flat Shoulder Plane?
In a healthy golf swing, your shoulders rotate on a plane that’s perpendicular to your spine—meaning they tilt down toward the ball as you turn.
With a flat shoulder plane, your shoulders rotate too horizontally, pointing more toward the horizon than down at the ball. The result? Loss of power, inconsistent contact, and common swing faults like slicing and topping.
Why Does a Flat Shoulder Plane Happen?
The most important thing to understand is that most golfers don’t flatten their shoulders on purpose. Instead, it’s a compensation for physical limitations. If your body can’t support or allow proper rotation, your shoulders will adjust to “make the swing happen”—and that’s when faults creep in.
Here are the three biggest physical issues behind flat shoulder plane:
1. Weak Hips and Glutes
Your hips and glutes are your engine for holding posture in the swing. If they don’t have the strength to support you—especially as the round goes on—your body will instinctively “stand up” out of posture.
This is often linked with early extension, which goes hand-in-hand with flat shoulder plane. When your hips push forward, your shoulders follow by tipping up and flattening out.
Fix It: Hip Hinge with Rotation or Deadlifts
- Start with a kettlebell or club across your hips.
- Push your hips back, hinging like you’re about to sit in a chair.
- Keep your back straight and rotate your upper body while staying stable in your hips.
This builds the strength you need to hold posture and rotate on plane.
2. Limited Hip Rotation
Even strong hips won’t help if they don’t move. Without good hip rotation—especially in the trail hip—your body has to “borrow” rotation from the upper body. That usually means the shoulders turn flat to compensate.
Fix It: 90/90 Hip Mobility Drill
- Sit on the floor with both knees bent at 90 degrees.
- Lean forward to stretch the front hip, then rotate your pelvis toward the back hip.
- Hold 30 seconds per side, 3 times each direction.
This simple stretch, when done consistently, restores the hip mobility you need for a full, powerful turn.
3. Stiff Thoracic Spine (Mid-Back)
Your thoracic spine is the part of your back that allows rotation. When it’s tight, your shoulders simply can’t turn correctly—so they default to flattening out.
Fix It: Open Book Stretch
- Lie on your side with your knees stacked.
- Reach both arms out in front, then open your top arm as wide as you can, rotating your chest toward the floor.
- Repeat for reps or hold for 20–30 seconds.
This improves mid-back mobility, allowing your shoulders to rotate naturally on plane.
Putting It All Together
A flat shoulder plane isn’t just a swing fault—it’s your body’s way of compensating for weak hips, limited hip rotation, or a stiff thoracic spine. By addressing these areas, you’ll find it much easier to rotate on plane, generate more power, and hit the ball more consistently.
The takeaway: stop obsessing over swing path and start focusing on your body. Improve hip strength, unlock hip rotation, and build thoracic mobility—and you’ll eliminate flat shoulder plane for good.
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Flat Shoulder Plane in the Golf Swing: Why It Happens and How to Fix It
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