As we learned in the last section to cure your slice you must change your thinking of how the backswing begins. The swing begins with our arms, and the hands, shoulders and body react to the weight of the golf club swinging back. The top of the golf swing is an important phase of the swing. Why? Because we can easily evaluate our swing since the swing is traveling relatively slowly at this point also because the transition, or change in direction, from the backswing to the downswing occurs at the top of the swing. Let see what we need to analyze.
Thumb Under the Shaft

The thumb of the target side hand should be under the shaft at the top of the back swing. For right handed golfers this is the left thumb. The exact opposite of where the club was in the toe up position. Why does the thumb need to be under the shaft? Simple the thumb supports the weight of the golf club at the top of out swing and without the thumb there the golf club would feel much heavier and become harder to control.

To be more precise on the thumb position, the club should rest slightly more to the inside of the thumb. Being able to do this leads us to the next point….

Target Hand Position in Relation to the Target Wrist

If we literally place the thumb directly underneath the shaft we will create a cupped wrist position. Meaning the angle created between the leading hand and wrist is less than 180 degrees. This cupped position equates to an open club face position.

Allowing our club to rest slightly to the inside of the thumb will allow the back of the target hand and wrist to become relatively flat or close to a 180 degree angle. If we gripped the club with a neutral grip at address the club face will be square at this point. The leading edge of the golf club should virtually be parallel to the back of the target hand.

Get the back of the target hand and wrist into a flat position at the top will increase your chances at squaring the club face at impact. To make it easier to get into this position then get the club to rest slight to the inside of the target hand’s thumb.

Check the plane

In the backswing we can visually monitor the swing plane when the club arms become parallel to the ground. A swing that is plans will have the butt end of the club point at or slightly inside the target line.

At the top of your swing we can also check out swing plane. We need to ask ourselves, where are your hands in relation to your shoulders?

To check this out, swing the club to the top of your swing, and soften the grip to allow the shaft to fall very gently. Where did the club first touch? On the top of the swing does the club touch: near the top of the shoulder closer to your neck, or nearer to the shoulder blade? If we swing the club on a place that is too flat the club will touch closer to the shoulder blade or behind the top the shoulder. Ideally the club should touch near the top of the shoulder.

Getting the thumb of the target hand in the right position under the shaft and having the back of the target hand and wrist in a flat position focus on the proper club face angle. Remember that club face angle is the single biggest factor that determines the ball curvature. Plane relates to the path of the golf club. Focus on getting the club face angle positions correct first and then concentrate on the swing place.