Steep down swing or Shallow?

[Maverick]

Lately I've noticed the my downswing has become more shallow than steep, but as a result of this the flight seems not as high as if I come down steep. I guess it does seem like a low punch/stinger. It seems though that this swing is more consistent than coming down on a steep angle..for me. Is this shallow downswing recommended to play with most of the time?

[jeffgladchun]

Well I guess it really depends on your preference. If you like to play low stingers that stay out of the wind, a shallow swing plane will help you achieve that. However, a steeper swing will get the ball higher with more spin so that it will land softly and stop. You should work to find a common ground between those two swings because they can both be valuable tools on the course!

[iacas]

Lately I've noticed the my downswing has become more shallow than steep, but as a result of this the flight seems not as high as if I come down steep. I guess it does seem like a low punch/stinger. It seems though that this swing is more consistent than coming down on a steep angle..for me. Is this shallow downswing recommended to play with most of the time?

The steeper the swing the more spin you generate. A shallower swing will be easier to control in any weather, particularly the wind, not because of the lower flight (though that helps) but because of the decreased spin.

A shallower swing also gives you a margin of error. If you miss 1/2" behind the ball with a shallow swing, you'll still catch it pretty clean because you're really going through a very, very thin layer of dirt. If you miss 1/2" behind the ball with a steep swing, it's fat city. Obviously, as the clubs get shorter, your swing gets steeper. But I'm assuming we're talking a relative thing... One last thought: you'll still WANT to keep the steep swing, particularly to juice a wedge or something now and then. When you can hit low wedges loaded with spin (a combination of ball placement, getting your hands well ahead of the ball at impact, and a steep swing), that's a shot you'll love to have.

[muskegman]

Nice signature Jeff. Pity its "Jeffrey G. Smith." But I guess you knew that. It must be the generic "anyone named Jeff" signature.

[iacas]

Nice signature Jeff. Pity its "Jeffrey G. Smith." But I guess you knew that.

No, that's my fault. I meant to copy one of the blank ones. Jeff Gladchun needs to send me his signature so I can post it.

He does seem to have "borrowed" quite liberally from my forum signature, though...

[braaaaaaaadley]

Thats funny... I always thought that I had a pretty shallow swing, but my ballflight is higher than heck. I will hit my 6 iron higher than members of my golf team hit there nine. I guess that explains why my distance is about 10-20 yards shorter than theirs is too.

[LarryK]

Is this shallow downswing recommended to play with most of the time?

According to my golf instructor, it would be ideal for me.....if I could only do it.

The title of this thread has been the most excruciatingly painful part of my golf game for the past year. I have developed a fairly respectable shoulder turn for a fat guy in his fifties. The back swing and shift to the right side is fine. But invariably I pull my hands off plane at the top and compound the error with an ever-so-slight over the top move that has my downswing as much as 20 - 25 degrees above plane. It is killing me that I can't do something as simple as follow directions. I am ready to give up. Not golf. Just golf lessons. My question is the opposite. Is there anyone who plays competitively with a steep swing and is proud of it? I need a new role model.

[iacas]

My question is the opposite. Is there anyone who plays competitively with a steep swing and is proud of it? I need a new role model.

Just look for the pro players who take big divots with even their 5-iron.

[Maverick]

I'd have to say though that the shallow path is much more easier to be consistent with than the steep path. So, ideally, then I should play everything in the middle, or maybe slightly ahead, with a shallow swing path? to reduce the "punch" effect? (Sorry to be so mental/methodical..I'm at werk)

[NCGolfer]

I've always had a shallow path to my swing...and thus struggled with getting my ballflight up.

Erik is right about the shallow swing being more 'forgiving'. I play regularly with a guy who has an extremely steep swing. He often struggles hitting the ball fat at times. I'm not saying that I never hit it fat...but my misses are usually the thin variety and you know the saying...Thin to win.

I'm actually working on getting the ball up a bit though. I'm attempting to get my left arm more perpindicular to the ground than parallel. In the past it has worked well, but I usually revert back to a flat swing. If I keep at it, I'm confident I can work it into my swing though...

[alexlax12]

I would recommend finding a middle-ground. I've experimented with both steep and shallow swings, however I find practicing one, you tend to eventually get too steep or too shallow. There are pros and cons of each, but working in the middle will ensure that you never get too far either way, which is a good way to create consistency. However, its good to know what each swing will produce if the situation calls for a specific ball flight.

[Gary W]

It certainly seems like the current version of the 'moden golf swing' is a bit flatter than in years past. Faldo is one notable example of someone who consciously flattened out his swing when he rebuilt it early in his career.

Among the previous generation golfers, Nicklaus is probably the ultimate example of a more vertical swing. One advantage of that was the tremendous height he was able to generate with his long irons. Maybe that's not so essential in today's game. With the average drive being 40 to 50 yards longer, they are not often faced with a 2 iron into the green.

[iacas]

It certainly seems like the current version of the 'moden golf swing' is a bit flatter than in years past. Faldo is one notable example of someone who consciously flattened out his swing when he rebuilt it early in his career.

Today's clubs are longer, too, and the average player taller.

[Finn07]

I just took a golf lesson the other day where my swing was on video. I warmed up and took my first swing. My swing was then compared to some PGA pros. My swing was so steep and i couldnt even feel it, hence this is the reason that I have been duck hooking my driver and such, and when I mishit irons they too hook. We did a drill where it felt like a baseball swing around my spine. After doing that a few times and hitting a ball it felt so awkward, yet my swing was right on plane with some of the great players in the game. Now my only problem is keeping my spine angle consistent through the swing. Kind of weird, still trying to work on it but seeing your swing on video from a good camera angle will help big time.

[golfin' girl]

I recently took a lesson myself, Finn, and discovered that I also have a steep takeaway.

My instructor informed me of the baseball swing and to also swing a couple of inches above the golf ball a few times before hitting a ball at the range.

[alexlax12]

Finn07, just a quick question, who were the "great players in the game" that your swing looked like? I too have been taught the "baseball" swing (more around your body, and flattter) and I'm looking for some pros to compare to.

[Finn07]

I hope you guys didnt take what I said the wrong way. I didnt mean that my swing looks like Tigers or anything like that. What I meant was that it felt so unbelievably awkward to swing like a "baseball swing" around my spine, and when I did this my swing was on plane with Vijay's and Annikas. My point was what feels horribly awkward to me right now is what is the right thing to do. But to answer your question we did a split screen with Vijay and Annika as well.