Steep backswing, shallow downswing

[frankie67]

Hi. Could someone please 1) explain the reasoning behind a steep backswing transitioning into a shallow  downswing, which many teachers recommend and 2) offer a few drills to try to achieve it? Thanks in advance.

[Lihu]

I heard an announcer say that about an LPGA player some time ago as it being an ideal swing. Not sure why this is so ideal, but I do this in my own way. Obviously, not as well as that player in LPGA of course. Not sure why either, but it feels natural?

[saevel25]

5 minutes ago, frankie67 said:

Hi. Could someone please 1) explain the reasoning behind a steep backswing transitioning into a shallow  downswing, which many teachers recommend

It's the best way to hit a functional draw. 

This is a bit technical heavy, 

If the club is able to shallow out. Then the position of the clubhead allows it to travel on a shallower plane and achieve a more outward path in an easier way.. 

If you hold a club at A6 (club parallel to the ground in the downswing) with the clubhead inside the hands, and the hips are square to slightly open at this point in the swing. It"s nearly impossible to send that path inward. Just from the position of the clubhead wants to fling outward towards the ball. 

With the club steeper in the downswing it is nearly impossible to send the path outward with out adding a bad swing fault going into impact.

19 minutes ago, frankie67 said:

2) offer a few drills to try to achieve it? Thanks in advance.

It depends on your swing. I recommend posting a video of your swing here to get advice. There might be a couple of things you need to work on before you try to shallow out the club in transition. 

https://thesandtrap.com/forums/forum/13-member-swings/

http://thesandtrap.com/b/playing_tips/filming_your_swing

 

[frankie67]

Thanks Saevel.

[Lihu]

12 minutes ago, frankie67 said:

Thanks Saevel.

That was definitely a thumbs up post.

[nevets88]

If a picture says 1k words, a video, many more. Here's an example that might probably answer the question if you don't have any words. I measured it, there's a 20 degree differential in the shaft angle going back and down. Off topic, that thing on his head is a head cam.

 

[frankie67]

Thanks Nevets. I am trying to achieve something similar. Downswing is shallow but my backswing is also shallow, kind of a one plane swing (too flat).

 

[Odogesq]

In a nutshell, traditional golf instruction will tell you that keeping the club "steep" on the back swing ensures that it does not get get stuck on the inside or result in a over the top move. If your tendency is to take the golf club back on a "shallow," path, meaning more on the inside and around your body, the natural tendency will be to lift the golf club into position as opposed to swinging it back, which may promot an over the top move, and/or it will be harder to get the club back on plane since you have pulled it so far into the inside, resulting into he club being "stuck" behind your body during the swing. 

 

All that said, a steep back swing is fine, but if you combine that with a steep down swing the tendency will be to cut across the ball and hit a fade/slice. In order to hit a draw you need to swing the club out to the right, with a clubfave that is closed in relation to the path. The only way to accomplish that after a steep back swing is to shallow out the down swing taking the club on an inside to out path.

[frankie67]

I am actually trying to keep the club more in front of me both going back and through. Yes my tendency is to get a little trapped.

 

[mvmac]

1 hour ago, frankie67 said:

I am actually trying to keep the club more in front of me both going back and through. Yes my tendency is to get a little trapped.

This video may help. Important to keep the upper arms (arm pits) connected or "in front" of the chest. If things are synced up going back you'll have a much easier time on the downswing. 

Also don't worry so much about trying to keep the club in front of you on the downswing. Arms and hands sure but the club is going to "trail" the pivot. Trying to keep the club in front of can lead to pulling the hands down and getting steep.