What Is VSP in Golf?

You’ve probably heard the term VSP thrown around on the driving range or during a golf broadcast, and it’s one of those technical acronyms that can sound more complicated than it is. In reality, understanding what VSP means is a major step toward understanding the unique DNA of your own golf swing. This article will cut through the jargon and explain exactly what VSP is, how it affects your shots, and how you can figure out what kind of swing plane will work best for your game.

So, What Exactly Does VSP Mean?

VSP stands for Vertical Swing Plane. To understand this, let’s first clarify what a swing plane is in general. Imagine a large, tilted hoop of glass running from the ball, up through your shoulders, and back down again as you swing. Your club head should, ideally, travel along this pane of glass throughout your swing. The angle of that pane of glass is your swing plane.

A "Vertical Swing Plane" refers to a more upright or "steep" swing. Think of it like a Ferris wheel - it moves mostly up and down. Golfers with a VSP tend to lift the club more vertically in the backswing and bring it down on a steeper angle toward the ball. This is in contrast to a "flatter" swing plane, which is more like a merry-go-round - it moves more around the body.

Most golf swings aren't purely vertical or purely flat, they fall somewhere on a spectrum between the two. However, golfers and coaches use terms like VSP to describe the dominant characteristic of a swing’s shape.

Is a Vertical Swing Plane Better? The Pros and Cons

This is the million-dollar question, and the answer is: not necessarily. There is no one “perfect” swing plane. Legends of the game have succeeded with both vertical and flat motions. The best swing plane is the one that is repeatable for you and produces the shots you want to hit. A vertical plane has its own unique set of advantages and challenges.

The Benefits of a More Vertical Swing

• Potential for effortless power: A vertical swing gets its power from gravity and leverage. By lifting the club high, you can let it "fall" down into the ball, creating a powerful release with less rotational effort. For some players, this feels more natural and powerful than a swing that relies on core rotation.
• Promotes a downward strike on the ball: A steeper angle of attack (how the club head approaches the ball) is a hallmark of a VSP. This is fantastic for iron play, as it helps you hit the ball first and then take a divot, which is the key to crisp, compressed iron shots.
• Keeps the club in front of you: For players who struggle with getting the club "stuck" behind their body, a more vertical swing can feel simpler. Keeping the arms and club more in front of the chest can be easier to synchronize on the downswing.

The Challenges of a More Vertical Swing

• Prone to slices: A very common fault associated with a steep swing is the "over-the-top" move. This happens when the downswing starts with the shoulders and moves on a path outside the backswing path, cutting across the ball and putting slice-spin on it.
• Can be less forgiving: Because the club is coming down so steeply, if your timing or body position is slightly off, it’s easier to hit the ball "fat" (hitting the ground first) or "thin" (hitting the equator of the ball). There’s a smaller margin for error at the bottom of the swing arc.
• May be difficult for some body types: Golfers who are less flexible or have shorter arms might find it difficult and uncomfortable to lift the club to a high, vertical position without sacrificing balance or stability.

Vertical vs. Flat Swing Plane: A Tale of Two Swings

Understanding the difference helps you identify your own tendencies. As mentioned, think of it as a Ferris wheel (vertical) versus a merry-go-round (flat).

Vertical Swing (The Ferris Wheel)

• The Feeling: Feels more up-and-down. The arms are felt to be lifting more than wrapping.
• The Look: At the top of the backswing, the lead arm (left arm for a righty) is more upright, often above the line of the shoulders.
• Famous Pro Examples: Justin Thomas and Bubba Watson are great examples of players with very vertical swings.
• Common Ball Flight: Tends to favor a left-to-right shot shape (a fade) when executed correctly.

Flat Swing (The Merry-Go-Round)

• The Feeling: Feels more rotational and "around" the body. The club feels like it’s wrapping behind you.
• The Look: At the top of the swing, the lead arm is more across the chest, often on the same plane as the shoulders.
• Famous Pro Examples: Matt Kuchar, Jon Rahm, and historically, Ben Hogan had flatter swings.
• Common Ball Flight: Tends to favor a right-to-left shot shape (a draw) when executed correctly.

Finding Your Ideal Swing Plane

Instead of trying to force a VSP or a flat swing, it’s better to discover what motion works best for your body. Here’s what to consider:

1. Your Body Type and Flexibility

Generally speaking, taller players with longer arms (like Justin Thomas) often find it more natural to swing on a vertical plane. Shorter players, or those with less shoulder flexibility, often benefit from a flatter, more rotational swing that doesn't demand such a high arm position.

2. Your Common Miss

Your ball flight tells a story about your swing plane and path.

• If you slice the ball: Your swing path is likely "out-to-in," a common issue for those who are "too vertical" or come over the top. You might benefit from feeling a flatter, more around-the-body swing to get the club coming more from the inside.
• If you hook the ball: Your club is likely coming too much from the "inside," a common result of a swing that gets too flat and stuck behind the body. You may benefit from feeling more a vertical lift in the backswing to keep the club more in front of you.

Simple Drills to Feel and Adjust Your Plane

Working on your swing plane shouldn't be about getting into exact geometric positions copying a tour pro. It’s about finding a feeling that works for you. Here are a couple of very effective drills to help you explore your plane.

Drill 1: The Alignment Stick Plane Guide

This is a classic for a reason. It gives you immediate visual and physical feedback.

1. Take your normal setup to a ball with a 7-iron.
2. Place an alignment stick in the ground about two feet behind the ball, tilted at the same angle as your club shaft at address and pointing directly down your target line.
3. To feel a flatter swing: On your backswing, swing so your club head passes underneath the alignment stick.
4. To feel a more vertical swing (to combat getting too flat): On your backswing, practice keeping the club head above the alignment stick.

Don’t hit balls at full speed at first. Make slow, deliberate practice swings, focusing on the feeling. This drill makes you aware of whether your natural tendency is to lift (vertical) or wrap (flat).

Drill 2: The Two-Handed Backswing Check

This simple checkpoint drill helps you understand where "vertical" comes from without overcomplicating things.

1. Take your setup without a club.
2. Sperate your hands by about six inches and place them together in front of your chest as if holding a large ball.
3. Without letting your arms disconnect from your body, rotate into your backswing. Notice how your arms naturally lift and move across your chest. This is your body’s natural plane.
4. Now, try to only lift your arms straight up without turning. That feels unnatural and weak, right?
5. Next, try to only turn your chest without letting your arms lift at all. This feels restricted.

The lesson here is that a good swing plane is a blend of body rotation and arm lifting. A VSP simply incorporates a bit more "lift" than "rotation," but it must include both. Use this drill to find your comfortable blend.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the Vertical Swing Plane simply means knowing whether your swing operates more like a Ferris wheel or a merry-go-round. Neither is "right" or "wrong," but knowing your tendency gives you a valuable roadmap for improvement, helping you troubleshoot bad shots and build a swing that’s powerful and repeatable for you.

Feeling these different positions is great on the range, but applying that insight on the course is what really matters. If you find yourself in a tricky situation out there - maybe a tough lie that demands a steeper or shallower approach you're not used to - you need reliable advice. With our app, Caddie AI, you can snap a photo of your ball's lie, and we’ll give you instant, personalized guidance on the best way to play the shot, turning strategic questions into confident swings.