If you’ve ever watched professional golfers and wondered how they consistently strike the ball so cleanly and powerfully, you’re not alone. One of the biggest differences between amateur and professional swings lies in a subtle yet powerful concept: the DEEP TO SHALLOW move. This swing path—used by nearly every top tour pro—might just be the game-changing secret your golf swing is missing.

What Is the Deep to Shallow Swing?

In simple terms, a DEEP TO SHALLOW swing refers to the transition from the top of the backswing into the downswing where the clubhead travels on a slightly steeper plane at the top (deep) and then shallows out before impact. This movement allows the club to approach the ball from the inside with a slightly upward or level angle of attack—crucial for powerful, consistent ball striking.

In contrast, many amateurs do the opposite: they get “steep to steep” or “shallow to steep,” which often leads to slices, pulls, fat shots, and inconsistent contact.

Why the Pros Use It

Tour players rely on this move for several key reasons:

1. Increased Clubhead Speed

Shallowing the club in the transition creates lag and leverages ground force, generating more clubhead speed with less effort.

2. Better Clubface Control

Coming from the inside path gives players more time and space to square the clubface, minimizing hooks and slices.

3. Optimal Angle of Attack

A shallow downswing helps avoid fat or thin shots and promotes that crisp, ball-first contact.

4. Consistency Under Pressure

Because it’s biomechanically efficient, the deep to shallow move holds up under tournament stress—one of the reasons it’s trusted by tour pros worldwide.

Common Signs You’re Missing the Move

• You often hit slices or pulls.
• Your swing feels rushed or “over the top.”
• You struggle to compress the ball.
• You leave divots behind the ball (fat shots).

If that sounds like you, you might be staying steep into the ball—leading to inconsistency and a loss of power.

How to Train the DEEP TO SHALLOW Move

Here are a few tips to start building this move into your swing:

✅ Drill 1: The Chair Drill

Place a chair or alignment stick just behind your trail hip. In transition, feel your hands and club drop inside—if the club hits the chair, you’re too steep.

✅ Drill 2: Pump Drill

Pause at the top of your backswing. From there, slowly rehearse the move by dropping your hands down and behind your trail hip, feeling the shallowing motion before accelerating through impact.

✅ Tip: Watch Your Trail Elbow

Keep your trail elbow tucked into your side in transition. If it flies out, it often steepens the shaft. Pros keep it tight to promote that inside path.

Final Thoughts

The DEEP TO SHALLOW swing isn’t a gimmick—it’s a fundamental move built into the DNA of nearly every elite golfer. If you’re struggling with consistency, power, or slicing the ball, learning to shallow the club could be the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for. It takes time and repetition to master, but the rewards—more distance, cleaner contact, and fewer mishits—are well worth the effort. So, the next time you head to the range, ditch the steep hacks and start working on the secret move the pros don’t play without.