Ball-striking issues? Do this to easily shallow the golf club for better contact

By: David Woods, Top 100 Teacher

September 25, 2023

If you struggle with shallowing the golf club on the downswing, GOLF Top 100 Teacher David Woods provides tips to make it easier

By trying these easy moves, you'll finally be able to shallow the golf club on the downswing.

Images via David Woods

Welcome to Play Smart, a regular GOLF.com game-improvement column that will help you play smarter, better golf.

If you’re like most golfers who are always looking to improve, you’ve likely heard the term “shallowing the club,” which is in reference to the club’s shaft motion in the downswing.

But just because you’ve heard the term doesn’t mean you actually know how to shallow the golf club — but it’s so important if you’re trying to hit more consistent golf shots.

erika larkin swings — This ball-striking secret will help you hit your irons better than ever
By: Trillium Rose, Top 100 Teacher

While there are many reasons why it’s necessary, the most important one is to allow the clubhead to essentially travel from behind the hand path — which greatly aids in consistent strikes.

Great ball-strikers always make sure that the clubhead (the center of mass) is trailing the hands during the transition from backswing to downswing. They remain in this structure until the club’s shaft is at least parallel to the ground as it approaches the ball.

A shallower shaft often aids in achieving these important positions.

How to shallow the golf club

Now, there are many ways to shallow the club. However, when I’m working with Tour professionals or observing pro players on the range, there are a lot of common traits.

The most common way that the best players in the world shallow it is by lengthening or straightening the trail arm in the downswing, all while keeping the trail wrist in extension (as shown below in the ProSENDR wrist cradle).

In my opinion, this is also the easiest way for the average golfer to achieve shallowing the golf club.

The vast majority of golfers can’t rotate like the pros — which typically includes aggressively laying down the shaft with a match up that creates a solid strike. Therefore, a much more achievable way to shallow the club is by lowering or straightening the right arm.

Most great players bend their trail arm to approximately 90 degrees at the top of their backswing, keeping that angle briefly in transition, then lengthening the arm and still maintaining the wrist condition.

GOLF Teacher to Watch Rick Silva explains the right way to shift weight in the golf swing, correcting a common mistake made by bad golfers — Bad ball-strikers make this mistake while shifting their weight. Here’s how to fix it
By: Nick Dimengo

A good feel drill for this move would be to swing to the top of your backswing, then, while keeping your back to the target, lowering the arms to about waist high; all while maintaining the clubhead to trail the hands.

So if you want to learn how to shallow the golf club, work on these feels above, and you’ll slowly be on your way to better impact!

Rukket Sports Pathfinder Impact Mat™

Are you looking for a golf training mat to help your golf game? The Rukket Pathfinder Impact Mat™ was designed with input from professional golfers and golf teachers to help players of all abilities improve their game. The strike mat tracks club face alignment and helps ensure clean contact with the ball while the foam pylons can be used to keep your swing on plane. Use all four pylons to practice hitting straighter shots or remove pylons to practice hitting draw or fade shots. It’s the most versatile golf swing practice mat available and works with every club in your bag! Features 2-in-1 golf swing training mat combining the features of an impact mat / strike mat and a swing path trainer to help golfers quickly identify and correct common swing problems like hooks and slices. It’s a golf swing impact / strike mat to help identify and correct club face alignment. Use the “velvet” turf to ensure you’re making clean contact with the ball. It’s also a golf swing training aid to help with swing plane alignment. Use it to fix a slice or a hook, and to practice hitting draw and fade shots. What’s in the Box (1) Rukket Pathfinder Impact Mat™ (4) Foam Pylons (1) Instruction Booklet Product Specs 25in x 13in x 0.8in RUKKET FAIR PLAY GUARANTEE & LIFETIME WARRANTY: At Rukket Sports we know you came to win. We also understand that in order to win you need to train hard, so that’s why we’re proud to offer the Rukket Fair Play Guarantee & Lifetime Warranty for no-risk purchasing plus outstanding USA-based customer service!

$69.99 from Fairway Jockey