What is a shallow golf swing plane? A shallow golf swing plane is when the club shaft angles less steeply on the downswing compared to the backswing. This move helps hit the ball with the center of the clubface and produces a draw instead of a slice.
Many amateur golfers struggle with a slice. This common issue sends the ball veering sharply to the right (for a right-handed golfer). Often, the root cause is a steep to shallow swing issue, specifically where the club comes down too steeply from outside the target line. This creates an outside-in swing path, which is the recipe for a slice. To cure this, you must learn how to shallow the club. This guide will give you simple steps and drills to perfect your golf swing plane adjustments and achieve a powerful, straight ball flight.
Why a Steep Swing Causes Problems
A steep downswing means the club drops down sharply toward the ball. Think of it like dropping a bowling ball straight down onto the pins. When this happens in golf, the club approaches the ball from outside the target line.
When the club approaches from outside-in, it forces the clubface to be open relative to the swing path at impact. This combination creates the dreaded slice.
| Swing Fault | Path Direction | Clubface Action | Ball Flight Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steep Downswing | Outside-In | Open to Path | Slice (Big Curve Right) |
| Shallow Downswing | Inside-Out | Closed to Path | Draw (Small Curve Left) |
Fixing over the top is the main goal here. When you stop coming “over the top,” you naturally start shallowing the club. This allows for a more controlled, powerful strike.
Comprehending Swing Plane Basics
Your swing plane is the imaginary line the club follows during the swing. We talk about the plane in two main parts: the backswing and the downswing.
Backswing Plane
The takeaway sets the initial plane. Most good players take the club back on a plane that points roughly toward their target line or slightly inside it.
Downswing Plane
This is where the magic happens for reducing swing swing plane steepness. The club must drop onto a shallower angle than it took up on the backswing. This drop-in move is called shallow downswing. If the club stays on the same plane or gets steeper, you are likely coming over the top.
To fix your slice, you want the downswing plane to be flatter than the backswing plane. This promotes an inside out golf swing.
The Mechanics of Shallowing the Club
Shallowing the club is not about trying to force the club to the inside. It’s about letting gravity and body rotation position the club correctly. It happens mostly in the transition from the top of the backswing to the start of the downswing.
Hinging and Wrist Action
The wrist hinge is key. You want to maintain lag—keeping the angle between your lead arm and the club shaft for as long as possible.
- Too early extension: If you straighten your arms too early, the club gets thrown out and becomes too steep.
- Maintaining Lag: Keeping the wrist hinge stores energy. As your body unwinds, the club naturally drops into a shallow golf swing plane.
The Role of the Hips and Core
The lower body leads the shallowing move. This is often misunderstood. You don’t consciously drop the club with your arms. Instead, your hips clear toward the target just as you start down.
- Hip Turn Initiation: As you reach the top, your lower body starts unwinding before your arms start moving down.
- Creating Space: This hip rotation creates space for the arms to drop down and slightly behind you. This drop puts the shaft on a shallower angle.
If your upper body starts first, the arms have to throw the club outward to reach the ball. This instantly steepens the angle, leading to the outside-in path.
Simple Steps to Achieve a Shallower Swing Plane
Here is a breakdown of how to practice and implement these changes step-by-step. Focus on one feeling at a time.
Step 1: Focus on the Takeaway
A good takeaway sets you up for success. If you take the club too far outside on the backswing, it is very hard to bring it back inside later.
- Goal: Take the club back slowly. Keep the clubhead in front of your hands for the first three feet.
- Feel: Imagine you are trying to keep the club parallel to the ground for longer. This keeps the swing from getting too wide and steep early.
Step 2: Master the Transition
The transition is the small moment between the backswing stopping and the downswing starting. This is where shallow downswing happens naturally.
- Feeling the Drop: As you reach the top, feel like your hands are falling slightly down before they move forward. Think of a tennis player dropping the racket head before swinging forward.
- Avoid: Do not initiate the downswing by aggressively pulling your hands toward the ball. Let your lower body start the move.
Step 3: Promote Inside-Out Movement
Once the club is shallowing, the path naturally moves from the inside.
- Target Line Check: Imagine a line running from the ball toward the center of your body. You want the clubhead to approach the ball from inside this line.
- Ball Position Cue: If you tend to slice, try hitting balls off a slightly lower tee or moving the ball slightly forward in your stance. This encourages you to swing along the line of the ball position, promoting an inside out golf swing.
Effective Shallowing Drills for Swing Plane Correction
Practice is essential. These drills isolate the feeling of shallowing the club without the pressure of hitting a perfect shot.
Drill 1: The Towel Under the Trail Arm
This drill fixes many issues related to steepness caused by the arms taking over.
- Place a small rolled-up towel or headcover under your trail armpit (right armpit for right-handers) before you take the club back.
- Make half swings, focusing on keeping the towel tucked in during the transition and downswing.
- What it does: If you try to throw the club from over the top, the towel will fall out immediately. This forces your arms to stay connected and allows the body rotation to shallow the club naturally. This is a great shallowing drill.
Drill 2: The Pump Drill (Shallow Downswing Focus)
This drill hammers home the feeling of dropping the club onto the proper plane.
- Take the club to the top of your backswing.
- Pause briefly.
- Move your arms down slightly, allowing the club shaft to drop dramatically onto a shallower plane (mimicking the desired shallow golf swing plane). You do not need to swing fully. Just feel that drop.
- Return to the top.
- Repeat this “pump” 3 to 5 times, feeling the club dropping behind you slightly.
- On the last pump, swing through and hit the ball. This helps ingrain the feeling needed for reducing swing plane steepness.
Drill 3: The Gate Drill (Path Correction)
This drill uses alignment sticks to physically demonstrate the correct path. This is vital for swing plane correction.
- Place one alignment stick on the ground pointing toward your target. This is your path line.
- Place a second alignment stick slightly inside the first one, angled slightly away from you (towards your body). This forms a “gate.”
- Your goal is to swing the club through the gate, making sure the clubhead passes between the two sticks toward the target.
- If you are fixing over the top, your club will hit the outer stick. If you are successfully shallowing, you will pass cleanly through the gate, promoting an inside out golf swing.
Analyzing Your Current Swing Plane
How do you know if you are too steep? Video analysis is your best friend. Film your swing from down the line (behind you, facing your target line).
Steep vs. Shallow Visual Check
| Backswing Position | Shallow Downswing Appearance | Steep Downswing Appearance (Over The Top) |
|---|---|---|
| At the top, the shaft points slightly outside the ball or on the line. | The shaft drops visibly flatter than the backswing plane during the initial move down. | The shaft remains on or steeper than the backswing plane. |
| Hands drop slightly behind the head/shoulders. | Clubhead trails the hands initially. | Clubhead moves ahead of the hands quickly. |
If you see the club shaft pointing too far across your body or way outside the ball (too flat), you might be going too far the other way. But for most slicers, the issue is too steep, meaning the shaft points too far inside the ball at the top, or it steepens further on the way down. We are aiming for that perfect steep to shallow swing.
Common Misconceptions About Shallowing
Many golfers try to fix their slice by feeling like they need to swing harder from the inside. This often leads to new problems.
Misconception 1: Swinging Harder
Trying to force the club inside with brute arm strength usually results in instability or a flip at impact. Shallowing is a positional change, not a speed change. Speed comes naturally once the path is correct.
Misconception 2: Making the Backswing Flatter
If you make your backswing too flat, you might compensate by getting even steeper on the downswing trying to get back to the ball. Focus your efforts on the transition and downswing feeling, not radically changing your backswing shape unless it is extremely steep already.
Misconception 3: Rotating the Clubface Early
Some players try to get the inside out golf swing look by rolling their wrists open early (casting). This leads to pulls or hooks, or a mishit off the toe. Lag must be maintained until just after impact. The clubface squaring should be passive, a result of the body rotating correctly.
Impact of Shallowing on Ball Flight Control
Once you master shallowing the club, you gain control over your shot shape.
- The Draw: A properly shallow downswing naturally creates an inside out golf swing path. If the clubface is square to this inside path at impact, you get a slight draw—the longest and straightest shot shape for most players.
- The Fade (Controlled): If you slightly adjust your body rotation to slow down the hip turn just a touch, you can hit a controlled fade. You are still shallow, but the path moves slightly less in-to-out, and the face matches that slightly straighter path.
Shallowing moves the low point of the swing forward, ensuring you hit the ball before the ground (divot forward). This compression is critical for distance and consistency.
Equipment Checks Related to Swing Plane
While technique is primary, sometimes equipment exaggerates swing plane issues.
- Shaft Flex and Weight: A shaft that is too stiff or too light can make it harder to maintain lag and cause the club to “kick” out too early, leading to steepness. If you struggle mightily with reducing swing plane steepness, discuss your shaft fitting with a professional. A slightly softer tip section might help the club drop into the slot.
- Club Length: Oversized clubs can encourage players to stand too far away or move their hands too far out during the swing, contributing to fixing over the top.
Integrating Shallowing into Your Practice Routine
To make this change permanent, integrate these feelings into your practice sessions.
| Phase | Goal | Drill Focus | Repetitions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warm-up | Feel the connection and movement. | Towel Drill (Half Swings) | 15 Swings |
| Mid-Session | Grooving the transition. | Pump Drill (Full Swings) | 10 Swings, hitting 5 balls |
| Pressure Practice | Applying the change. | Gate Drill (Full Swings) | 10 Balls, aiming for clean passage |
| Cool Down | Solidifying the feeling. | Focus on a smooth tempo, feeling the shallow downswing. | 5 Balls |
Consistency in tempo is vital for successful golf swing plane adjustments. A jerky transition often leads to a steep drop because the body tries to compensate for a rushed start. Keep your tempo smooth, perhaps aiming for a 3:1 count (3 counts up, 1 count down).
Fathoming the Sequence for a Steep to Shallow Swing
The sequence is everything. Think of it as a chain reaction starting from the ground up.
- Ground Force: Pressure shifts to the lead foot.
- Hip Rotation: Hips start turning toward the target, leading the body unwinding.
- Arm Drop (Shallowing): Because the body is moving away from the arms, the arms fall slightly down and behind the body, achieving the shallow golf swing plane.
- Lag Maintenance: The wrists resist releasing, keeping the power stored.
- Release and Impact: The body clears fully, allowing the club to extend powerfully from the inside out golf swing path.
When you feel this sequence, you will notice a distinct change. The club feels like it’s dropping into a perfect ‘slot’ right on time. This solves fixing over the top tendencies immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Hitting the ball fat or thin after trying to shallow?
This usually means you released the lag too early (casting) or you let your upper body stall while your lower body spun out too fast. When you initiate the shallow downswing, you must maintain the wrist angle until the last moment. If you release early, the low point moves too far behind the ball, causing fat shots. Practice the Pump Drill slowly to feel the lag building instead of releasing.
Can I shallow the club too much?
Yes. If you over-shallow, the club can drop too far behind you. This forces you to stop your body rotation to let the club catch up, leading to a push slice or a severe block shot. This means the path is too far inside-out, and the face may be open to that path. A successful golf swing plane adjustment means finding the sweet spot between too steep and too flat.
How long does it take to fix a slice by shallowing the swing?
It varies greatly based on how long you have ingrained the outside-in habit. Some golfers feel the sensation quickly, but making it automatic takes consistent practice—often several weeks of dedicated effort using shallowing drill techniques during every range session. Be patient; this is a fundamental change.
Does this fix work for drivers and irons?
Yes, the principle of reducing swing plane steepness applies to all full swings. However, because the driver is hit off a tee, it is often easier to feel the inside out golf swing path with the driver first. Use a slightly higher tee when practicing shallowing with your driver to encourage clearing the low point.