Shallow Versus Steep in Golf: What It Means And Which One You Need

“Shallow” and “steep” are two swing terms you’ll often hear tossed around on the driving range. A player hits a shot, says they came in too steep and tries to adjust. Most amateur golfers don’t fully grasp the difference between a shallow and steep swing. If you’re not sure, here’s what these terms mean and how to fix a swing that’s too steep or too shallow.

What does “shallow” mean in golf?

A shallow golf swing refers to a downswing where the club approaches the ball from a flatter, more horizontal plane. This is characterized by:

Club shaft closer to a 45-degree angle in transition. Clubhead traveling more from inside the target line. Easier rotation through impact.

What does “steep” mean in golf?

A steep golf swing describes a downswing with a more vertical or upright approach to the ball. Typical characteristics include:

Club shaft closer to vertical during transition. Clubhead moving from outside to inside the target line. Higher likelihood of slices or pulls if unmanaged.

What’s better shallow or steep in golf?

When it comes to a proper downswing in golf, the goal is to be on plane, not too shallow, not too steep. Shallow gets a lot of praise but that’s mostly because amateur golfers tend to get steep and shallowing out is often the fix.

That said, it’s absolutely possible to get too shallow.

Neither swing style is inherently better and sometimes the swing shape has to match the shot you are trying to hit.

Shallow is typically helpful if you’re slicing, struggling with rotation or hitting consistent pulls. Steep can help if you’re blocking shots, hooking everything or your swing path is too flat or around your body.

Signs you need a shallower golf swing

If your typical ball flight is a slice or a pull, chances are your downswing is too steep. You likely initiate your downswing with upper body rotation that pushes the club outside your target line. These steep angles of attack make it difficult to maintain clubface control.

To shallow your golf swing:

Start the downswing from the ground up. Focus on initiating movement with your lower body. In transition, think of shifting pressure into your lead foot before turning your shoulders.

Feel the club drop behind you. As you transition to the downswing, imagine the clubhead shallowing or “falling” behind your hands instead of staying on top of the plane.

Check your lead arm position. A flying elbow or high hands at the top often leads to steepness. Try keeping your lead arm across your chest to promote a more neutral path.

Signs you need a steeper golf swing

A steeper swing might be required if you frequently hook the ball or block your shots. The swing that is too shallow often has excessive lateral movement that causes the club to get “stuck” where it feels too far behind you. While you may get some extra distance on a few shots, you’ll probably have a hard time with control.

To steepen your golf swing:

Tighten up your lower body movement. Excessive side-to-side sway can lead to an overly shallow path. Try to feel more centered and rotational through your hips.

Keep the hands working more up than around. During the backswing and transition, feel your hands move more vertically, especially if you’re prone to dropping the club behind your body too early.

Check your trail elbow. A trail elbow that gets stuck behind your hip can shallow the club too much. Focus on keeping it in front of your body a touch longer into the downswing.

Final thoughts

Understanding your swing tendencies helps determine whether a shallower or steeper swing adjustment will benefit your game. Analyze your ball flight patterns, consider your body mechanics, take some videos of your swing and then use targeted drills to create a more effective swing path tailored specifically to you.

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