A Drill to Shallow the Shaft

Here is a simple drill that will help any golfer sense what the trail arm needs to be doing in the backswing. I call it the Tray Drill and it will not only improve the backswing, but should also eliminate the need for well-timed compensations on the way down into impact. Take a look...

Here's an image from a recent lesson with a golf professional that has always had a tough time getting his right arm to rotate properly in the backswing and as a result he's had to do so much in order to shallow the shaft. The before is on the left and the tray drill example is on the right. 

It's amazing what this simple drill can convey to any golfer who struggles to get their trail arm in a good spot leading into the downswing. Thanks for reading!

How to Shallow the Shaft

For most golfers this is a biggie! If they can manage to get the shaft to shallow or flatten in the early stages of the downswing their chances of drawing the ball, along with a consistently crisp strike are greatly improved.

There are a few key factors to implement that will firm up your ability to shallow the shaft in transition. Watch...

My three important keys are:

1. A flat lead wrist at the top of the backswing. If you can shoot in the 60's this is not imperative, but it will make the job of flattening the lead wrist in transition and the downswing that much easier.
2. Get the shaft either straight or laid-off at the top of the backswing. Where you point the handle ultimately determines where the shaft is angled and it's much easier to manage it this way.
3. Allow the hands to travel out or in front of you slightly as you start down. Be careful you don't over do this, but there are few things worse than getting the hands tucked in behind you in the downswing.

Woods, Trevino, Pettersson and Snead

In the above image Tiger displays a flat left wrist and a slightly laid-off shaft, Trevino has shallowed the shaft and has a flat lead wrist, Carl Pettersson really gets his hands to travel out at the start of the downswing and Snead follows suit. All positive swing elements to emulate.

I would recommend you start your quest to improve this important swing factor in front of a mirror. Get a feel for each of the three keys by watching them and "seeing" what they need to feel like and then you'll be free to head out to the practice ground.

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