“Too steep” is one of the most common diagnoses in golf instruction. Players say it, coaches say it, your playing partners probably say it to you. However, like most golf buzzwords, it’s often misunderstood or, at least, oversimplified. A steep swing isn’t automatically a bad swing. There are times when a steep swing is just what you need to pull off the shot you want. Here’s what “steep” means, why it can help (or hurt) and how to tell what kind of swing pattern you’re dealing with.
What is a steep swing?
A steep downswing means the club is coming down on a more vertical path, usually outside the ideal swing plane. It often happens when the clubhead moves over the hands instead of staying behind them in transition.
If you’re a player who slices, rotates a bit early or you like to go hard at the ball from the top of your swing, you may have a steep golf swing. The steep swing typically puts pressure on timing and leads to compensations like early extension, chicken-winging or glancing blows.
When do steep swings hurt your game?
If your swing is too steep, your most common misses will be:
- Pulls that start left and stay left
- Pull-fades or slices
- Contact issues like toe strikes and thin shots
- Feeling like you have to “save” every shot with late wrist action
Most steep swings are the result of a few common patterns: rotating too early, locking your arms to your chest or trying to manufacture lag by pulling the handle down. Each one throws the club out in front of your hands. The result: a steep swing path.
Some golfers say it feels like they are “coming over the top” or even “chopping at it”.
When steep swings actually help
Here’s the good news: steep swings aren’t all bad. There are times when a slightly steeper swing can actually help you. I have a shallow swing and when I hit bunker shots, I have to consciously feel like I’m taking a steeper path to be able to get the ball out of the bunker.
Here are a few situations where a steeper swing will actually help you:
- Out of bunkers – You need a sharp descent to get the ball out and create spin and control.
- Tall players – Upright posture often creates naturally steeper swings that match body structure.
- Players who over-shallow – Some golfers slide too far laterally or drop the club too far behind them. They get stuck, block shots right or double-cross with hooks.
The common causes of steepness (And what to do about it)
If you find that the list of common misses for a steep swing sounds a lot like a round of golf for you, it may be time to work on shallowing a bit. Here are a few of the common causes of a steep swing and some quick fixes.
Rotating too early from the top
This is one of the most common steep moves. If your first move from the top is to rotate the hips and shoulders together, the club gets thrown out in front of your hands. This is called “coming over the top.”
Fix: Delay your upper body rotation just slightly. One way to feel this is to let your arms start falling while your chest stays quiet for a beat. You’re not pausing, you are sequencing. Some players think about keeping their backs to the target just a second longer.
Pinned arms that don’t drop
If your arms stay locked to your chest in transition, there’s nowhere for them to go but steep. Rotation alone won’t fix this.
Fix: Let the arms fall naturally under the shoulder plane before rotating. Think of “arms down, then rotate.” Justin Rose does this well; his arms fall under before he turns.
The arm-wrestling move
If your trail shoulder internally rotates too early (like you’re starting an arm-wrestling match), the shaft gets steep. Golfers do this in their swing because they think it creates power. The problem is that it puts you in a position where you have to try to rescue the swing at the bottom.
Fix: Try this simple drill to get a better feeling of what needs to happen in transition. Take your trail hand off the club at the top, then rehearse the motion with your lead hand only. This helps you feel how the trail arm should support, not dominate.
A few more steep swing fixes
You’ll notice a lot of the steep swing issues happen in transition. If you get better at that transition, you should be able to shallow out the swing.
Here are a few other simple fixes that could help:
- Get your arms deeper: If you’re stiff or “locked up,” try bending more at the hips and swinging your arms more across your chest at the top. This keeps the club behind you and reduces the chance of coming over the top.
- Fix the takeaway: If your swing starts too far inside or your hands move out early, the club may end up steep. Getting the club in front of your chest early can solve a lot of problems later.
Final thought
Steep swings are only a problem when they’re out of sequence or exaggerated. If you’re someone who slices, pulls or feels like you’re “stuck” and trying to save your swing at the bottom, there’s a good chance you’re too steep and it’s time to fix it.
The real key? Don’t just chase shallow. Use shallowing moves to rebalance your delivery and then learn how to steepen when you need it, based on the shot you are playing. The best golfers can play around with steep versus shallow as needed.
The post The Truth About Steep Golf Swings (When They Work, When They Hurt) appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
Article Link: https://mygolfspy.com/uncategorized/the-truth-about-steep-golf-swings-when-they-work-when-they-hurt/