Go DEEP TO SHALLOW.
It’s one of those phrases tossed around on driving ranges and YouTube swing tutorials like gospel. For many golfers, it represents the holy grail of ball striking—compressing the ball, shallowing the club, and launching powerful, accurate shots.

But most golfers are doing it wrong. The idea is misunderstood, misapplied, and often leads to worse contact, more frustration, and bad habits that are hard to break.

Let’s clear it up—and help you actually benefit from what “DEEP TO SHALLOW” is supposed to mean.

What Does “DEEP TO SHALLOW” Actually Mean?

In simple terms, “DEEP TO SHALLOW” refers to the club path during your downswing:

• Deep means the clubhead moves behind your body (typically in the transition from backswing to downswing).
• Shallow refers to the club dropping into a flatter angle relative to the ground as you approach the ball—versus a steep, over-the-top move.

This motion helps prevent slices, creates better turf interaction, and can increase swing speed. Sounds great, right?

Here’s the problem: most golfers chase the position, not the movement.

The #1 Mistake: Forcing the Club “Deep” Too Early

Many players try to artificially drag the club “behind” them in the backswing or early downswing. This leads to:

• Disconnected arms (arms too far behind the torso)
• Over-rotation of the hips without proper pressure shift
• Loss of posture, resulting in early extension

Instead of a smooth, natural shallowing motion in transition, you get a swing that’s out of sync—and a club that’s too deep, too soon, forcing manipulation later in the swing.

Fix #1: Shallow with the Body, Not the Hands

The correct shallowing comes from:

• A slight external rotation of the trail arm (think: elbow leading the hand)
• Maintaining tilt in the upper body
• Rotating the torso while the club falls naturally behind you

You’re not pulling the club behind you—you’re letting it shallow as your body pivots.

The #2 Mistake: Thinking Shallow Means Flat

Shallowing doesn’t mean turning your swing into a flat baseball-style loop. Many golfers overdo the shallowing, which leads to:

• Pushes, blocks, or hooked shots
• The club getting stuck too far behind them
• An inability to square the clubface consistently

Fix #2: Match the Plane to Your Body

Your ideal shallowing angle depends on your:

• Arm length
• Torso rotation
• Setup posture

A shallow downswing still needs structure. Watch elite players: their shaft shallows naturally, but their hands stay in front of their chest, and they’re rotating through impact—not swinging around themselves wildly.

The Right Way to Practice DEEP TO SHALLOW

Here’s a simple drill that works wonders:

The Pump Drill

1. Make a slow backswing to the top.
2. From the top, “pump” the club halfway down (pause at delivery position).
3. Feel your trail elbow dropping in front of your trail hip.
4. Rotate your chest as if you’re hitting a punch shot.
5. Repeat this 3–5 times, then hit the ball on the 6th motion.

This helps you feel the correct sequence:

• Elbow shallows
• Club shallows
• Body rotates

Let the club fall into position—not be yanked into it.

Final Thoughts: Shallowing is a Result, not a Goal

Here’s the truth: “DEEP TO SHALLOW” isn’t a swing thought—it’s a byproduct of good mechanics.

When your body is moving correctly—weight shift, sequencing, rotation—the club will naturally drop into the slot. But when you try to force it behind you, you’re just adding complexity and error.

Instead of thinking “DEEP TO SHALLOW,” focus on:

• Proper trail arm mechanics
• Maintaining spine tilt
• Sequencing the lower body first in transition

That’s how the pros do it. Not with tricks. With technique.

Still struggling to find that sweet spot?
Send in a swing video or talk to a coach who understands movement patterns—not just buzzwords. Fixing this one concept could change your game more than anything else.