A shallow golf swing is a technique used by many golfers to help them hit the ball farther and more consistently. It involves a flatter swing plane, which can help reduce the chances of slicing the ball and increase the chances of hitting a draw or a straight shot. If you’re looking to develop a shallow golf swing, here are some tips to help you get started:
Understand the swing plane: The swing plane is the angle at which the clubhead travels around your body during your swing. To achieve a shallow golf swing, you need to swing the club more around your body, rather than lifting it up steeply.
Focus on your takeaway: One of the keys to a shallow golf swing is starting the swing on the correct path. During your takeaway, focus on keeping the clubhead low to the ground and moving it back in a straight line. This will help you maintain the correct swing plane as you start your backswing.
Keep your hands low: As you start your backswing, focus on keeping your hands low and close to your body. This will help you maintain the correct swing plane and prevent the club from getting too steep.
Use your body: To achieve a shallow golf swing, you need to use your body to rotate around your spine. This will help you maintain the correct swing plane and generate more power in your swing.
Practice drills: There are several drills you can do to help develop a shallow golf swing, such as the “under the tree” drill or the “shaft plane” drill. These drills can help you feel the correct swing plane and develop the muscle memory needed to maintain it.
Seek professional help: If you’re struggling to develop a shallow golf swing on your own, consider seeking help from a golf professional. They can provide you with personalized instruction and feedback to help you improve your swing.
Avoid over-swinging: Many golfers tend to over-swing, which can cause the club to get too steep and result in a loss of power and accuracy. To achieve a shallow golf swing, it’s important to avoid over-swinging and focus on making a controlled, smooth swing.
Keep your head steady: Keeping your head steady during your swing is important for maintaining the correct swing plane. If you move your head too much, it can cause the club to get too steep or too shallow, leading to inconsistent shots.
Use the right equipment: Using the right equipment can also help you achieve a shallow golf swing. Look for clubs with a flatter lie angle, which can help promote a flatter swing plane. Additionally, using a lighter shaft can also help you swing the club more easily and shallowly.
Practice regularly: Developing a shallow golf swing takes time and practice. Make sure to practice regularly, both on the range and on the course, to develop your skills and improve your swing.
Film your swing: Filming your swing can be a great way to identify areas for improvement and monitor your progress. Use a smartphone or camera to record your swing from different angles and review the footage to see where you can make adjustments.
Develop a pre-shot routine: Having a pre-shot routine can help you prepare mentally and physically for each shot and ensure that you’re setting up to the ball consistently. Your pre-shot routine can include visualizing the shot, taking practice swings, and aligning your body and clubface to the target.
Practice with different clubs: Practicing with different clubs can help you develop a feel for the correct swing plane and promote consistency in your swing. Try hitting balls with different clubs, such as a pitching wedge, 7-iron, and driver, and focus on maintaining the same swing plane for each club.
Incorporate drills into your practice: There are many drills you can use to help develop a shallow golf swing. One popular drill is the “water bottle drill,” where you place a water bottle just outside of your target line and practice swinging the club under the bottle. This can help promote a flatter swing plane and prevent over-swinging.
Focus on impact: The most important part of the golf swing is impact, where the clubface contacts the ball. To achieve a shallow golf swing, focus on making solid contact with the ball and keeping your hands ahead of the clubface at impact.
Practice on the course: While practicing on the range is important, practicing on the course can help you develop your skills in a real-world setting. Try playing different shots from different lies and distances and focus on maintaining the correct swing plane for each shot.
Shallowing the Club on the Downswing
Drill Name
Description
Benefits
Difficulty Level
Equipment Needed
“The Bucket Drill”
Place a bucket or towel under your back foot on the downswing.
Promotes the feeling of shallow club delivery
Beginner
Bucket or towel
“The Balloon Drill”
Inflate a balloon and place it between your arms on the downswing.
Place an alignment stick behind your trail hip on the downswing.
Encourages proper hip rotation
Advanced
Alignment stick
“The Pool Noodle”
Place a pool noodle on the ground next to your lead foot.
Helps create proper swing path
Intermediate
Pool noodle
“The Mirror Drill”
Practice your swing in front of a mirror to monitor your path.
Helps ensure proper technique
Beginner
Mirror
Body Movements for Shallowing the Golf Swing
Drill Name
Description
Benefits
Difficulty Level
Equipment Needed
“The Step Drill”
Take a step towards the target on your downswing.
Encourages proper weight shift and hip turn
Intermediate
None
“The Belt Drill”
Place a belt around your hips and focus on rotating them on the swing.
Helps maintain a proper swing plane
Intermediate
Belt
“The Pause Drill”
Pause at the top of your backswing to encourage a smoother transition.
Promotes a smoother and more consistent swing
Beginner
None
“The Leg Work Drill”
Focus on using your legs to initiate the downswing.
Helps create power and speed in your swing
Advanced
None
“The Hip Bump Drill”
Bump your hips towards the target on the downswing.
Encourages proper weight shift and hip turn
Intermediate
None
Improving Swing Path for a Shallow Golf Swing
Drill Name
Description
Benefits
Difficulty Level
Equipment Needed
“The Tee Drill”
Place a tee in the ground on your target line to encourage proper path.
Helps promote an inside-to-out swing path
Beginner
Tee
“The Gate Drill”
Place two tees on the ground on either side of the ball to create a “gate.”
Encourages a straighter swing path
Intermediate
Tees
“The Hula Hoop Drill”
Place a hula hoop around your waist and swing through it.
Encourages a more circular swing path and proper turn
Advanced
Hula hoop
“The PVC Drill”
Use a PVC pipe to practice your swing path.
Helps train your muscles for the correct swing path
Intermediate
PVC pipe
“The Impact Bag”
Use an impact bag to practice hitting down and through the ball.
Encourages proper impact and swing path
Beginner
Impact bag
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Shallowing Your Golf Swing
Mistake
Description
How to Correct
“Over-the-Top Swing”
When your downswing is too steep, resulting in a swing path that comes over the top of the ball.
Focus on keeping your backswing compact and initiating the downswing with your lower body. Practice drills that promote an inside-to-out swing path.
“Casting”
When you release your wrists too early on the downswing, resulting in a loss of lag and power.
Focus on creating a “lag” or “delayed release” in your downswing, using drills that promote proper wrist hinge and arm rotation.
“Scooping”
When you try to help the ball into the air by “scooping” or “flipping” at impact, causing a loss of distance and accuracy.
Focus on hitting down and through the ball with a descending strike, using drills that encourage proper impact position and release.
“Sliding”
When you slide your hips laterally during your downswing, causing an inconsistent strike and loss of power.
Focus on rotating your hips and maintaining a stable base, using drills that encourage proper weight shift and hip turn.
“Poor Set-Up”
When you have a poor set-up position, such as incorrect ball placement, stance width, or alignment, which can lead to a variety of swing faults.
Focus on establishing a consistent and repeatable set-up position, using drills that promote proper ball placement, stance width, and alignment.
Benefits of a Shallow Golf Swing
Benefit
Description
“More Power”
A shallow golf swing promotes a smoother, more efficient transfer of energy, resulting in increased clubhead speed and distance.
“Better Accuracy”
A shallow golf swing encourages a more consistent swing path, which can lead to improved accuracy and tighter shot dispersion.
“Improved Contact”
A shallow golf swing encourages a more descending strike, resulting in cleaner and more solid contact with the ball.
“Reduced Slice”
A shallow golf swing promotes an inside-to-out swing path, which can help eliminate or reduce the common problem of a slice.
“Less Stress on Body”
A shallow golf swing can reduce stress and strain on the body, especially the lower back, by minimizing the need for excessive twisting and turning during the swing.
In conclusion, developing a shallow golf swing takes a combination of technique, practice, and mental preparation. Focus on maintaining the correct swing plane, using your body to generate power, and developing a consistent pre-shot routine. Incorporate drills and practice on the range and on the course to improve your skills and see results on the scorecard.
Ray Barnes, our Senior Staff Writer and a Golf Analyst with a PhD in Sports Analytics, is a beacon of insight in the golfing world. With a deep understanding of the sport's nuances, statistical analysis, and a talent for demystifying complexities, he provides in-depth analysis and captivating narratives that engage golf enthusiasts worldwide.
