Mike, Ive spent my whole golfing life getting "stuck". Feeling as though im tipping the shaft to vertical has cured me of something i have fought, and has blighted my game for 50 years. Pros have told me what my problem was, but always talked in positions , not "feel". At last the game is much easier, and my ball flies (usually) to my target. Ive read all the books and seen all the youtubers. You are the best by far. THANKYOU VERY MUCH.
Very well said. I know your early coach, John Schlee, taught a shallowing of the club or a laying off of the club from from Hogan, also known, as you said as the “magic move”. But he also encouraged getting that right elbow straight down to that right hip from a setup position involving a quicker wrist cock and more weight on the left side with only a dynamic weight shift to the right and a very aggressive level left turn. All that to say, I have also found, that dropping the right shoulder straight down at the same rate as the club head, makes it far easier to “match up” all the parts for power and accuracy.
Thanks for all your videos. One mistake I was making was keeping me from being able to do any of this. I felt pain on the back side of my left shoulder at the top of my back swing. So the next swing I made a turn that took all the stress out of my left shoulder. Basically kept my hands in front of my torso not allowing them to "pull" my left arm that would then stretch my left shoulder. Can not believe something so small was keeping me from being able to do a lot of what you teach. Hoping to repeat it today at the range.
Finally learned how to shallow my downswing. In return, I received gains ranging from 10- 20 mph on ball speed and about 15-50 yards on each club. In addition to a lot of the cues explained in this video, I learned to attack the ball at a different angle which got my body to slightly move left and shallow out the downswing.
I've been fighting the proper shallow technique for months now. I've been revamping my swing to be more rotational and when I have the timing right the ball does exactly what I need and I play great. I can tell when I am not getting it though, I'll hit these dinky little push draws all day long and miss every green short and to the left. Thanks Mike,
Right ON! Drop those arms down inside; start rotating, moving to the left...get that left arm across your chest as you move left and sling those arms thru and release the right hand.
The "GOAT" in making it make sense with simple physics. Thank you so much Mike! Would it be possible to do a split screen on your videos? One with a face on and a profile view together? I've noticed that during face on view the small "lateral bump" that you do on your transition is unseen during profile view. It would be great to see those together as you do that "lateral bump." I didn't realize until now after watching all your downswing tutorials and trying it THAT the lateral bump is what you always demonstrate on your face on view JUST REALIZED it is what's key in shallowing the shaft. I wasn't doing the downswing correctly as you numerously have demonstrated because i was missing the lateral bump. Instead i've noticed myself twisting. That lateral bump REALLY helps to get the club started down correctly and hitting all the "corners!" Granted that you keep your hands loose and allow to hinge. THE BULB IS FINALLY ON!
Mike: been watching all of your videos. It finally hit me that your MALASKA move is essentially what my right arm would do if I was between a submarine and sidearm pitcher. That is the movement and feel enables me to execute explosive move through the ball. Being a former pitcher, this swing thought really works for me. What do you think?
Thanks Mike - you just gave me an Aha moment. Questions: are you still doing the online lessons? and which Honma's would you recommend for a 4 handicap (I was a 10 prior to your lesson btw)? Hope you're keeping safe. Regards, Joe Contreras
A key to gain the full benefit of this transition move is to make sure that the right hip is deep and the pelvis has not moved closer to the ball. If not then even the Malaska move will get the shaft too steep in transition.
I have a steep swing but just at impact somehow get under the plane but the problem is its not consistent. So I have been putting an alignment stick down and try to over do the loop outside the stick inside the stick move.With short to mid irons I'm okay but the driver is a but to steep😅
I’ll just add what works for me to shallow. For a right handed player, at the top of your backswing, drop your left shoulder vertically to the ground to start your downswing...while keeping your spine angle.
I noticed while watching the PGA on TV sometimes they show the pro hitting the tee shot and the show a red line when they take the club back and then a blue or another colour when they start the swing and the down swing is never in the same line it was on the takeaway, it is usually inside of the backswing. Is this the shallowing?
Mike thanks for all of real world instruction. I too am trying to shallow the club and understand your description of the arm movements to shallow the club. The problem is when do I turn in relationship to the timing of the drop? Wait for the drop to take place or start turning immediately?
Hi Rick, my 5 cents for what they're worth - once the club head 'releases' over the hands in this shallowing move, you will want to follow its momentum so the club tells you when to go in a sense.
Mike, I want to .thank you for all the great instructions. I had been watching a gentleman named Marcus Edblab. He’s mentioned your name in some of his videos. Mr Edblad is dealing with some health issues and hasn’t posted any new videos. The two of you teach pretty much the same thing, with different terminology. I want to thank you, and Marcus for both being dedicated to helping us amateurs. THANKS
Mike, can you please consider doing a video to prove that “tipping the shaft” does not cause “steepening the shaft”? I think the majority still do not understand this reality. Perhaps a slow motion analysis of your full swing pointing out the feel of tipping the shaft but the reality of shallowing the shaft? Thanks!
Don't tip the shaft until late in the downswing. I was hooking it hard, and now, i just wait longer in the downswing before tipping the club out to the ball. Hooks no more! Well, almost! :)
Gaming raptor, it's taken me MANY months to get it, but when I did "get it," man, is it nice! Keep on working it. Be patient and persisitent. Your future self will thank you!
The key is to find a thought and feeling that gets the desired job done. Try getting your hands close to your body at impact. The best strikers were able to get the hands in the same position at impact as they were at address, not higher than at address.
If you are looking for the feel .... The club will shallow without thought if you use your natural throwing motion. Set up with an imaginary ball and swing with the thought of throwing a club as far as you can down the target line, (the swing arc should approximately pass through the imaginary ball). If you video this swing down the line, you will see that the club shaft shallow at the correct time. In fact all the sequencing that the above two replies suggest will happen and it will look like a pro swing. Your brain knows how to get your body to throw efficiently.
@@method341 I if you tell your brain that the task is to hit the ball, the likely outcome is a steep swing plane and an over the top move to the ball. The task you give to your brain is to collect the ball with the club face and sling it to the target. It is not possible to come over the top if your brain executes that task.
So you’re saying that you shallowed the angle in the backswing and you don’t have to shallow in the downswing? Because shallowing is the angle of the shaft to the ground and if the hands and shaft fall at the same rate then you had already shallowed it. Because if the backswing is steep and the relationship between the shaft and ground never changed you would still be steep on the downswing with the theory you just presented. The shaft at some point must shallow whether you do it in the backswing or you do it in the downswing. That’s the only way to get the shaft to line up with the right forearm. Correct me if I’m wrong someone.
Being a lifelong baseball now softball player, i never had an issue getting back to the ball and making solid contact. Since trying to shallow my club, i find myself hitting anywhere from 1 to the 5 behind the ball. New set of clubs and now, almost no desire to play the game. Jokes aside, WHAT CAN I DO?!?!? 😭
My opinion without seeing you swing. Number of factors-make sure you're deep in the backswing. Then start the downswing rotation before you start dropping the arms. Ensure you have right side bend WITH ROTATION on downswing. Watch the clubhead on the grass. To get the strike more forward need to get the correct sequence of rotation vs right shoulder dropping (right side bend) As mentioned-if you're hitting behind the ball add more rotation initially rather than drop. There could be other factors. You could be straightening the right elbow before impact. Elbow needs to be bent with forward shaft lean. You may know all this but that's my 2c worth.
@@pigslefats sound advice. Thank you. Shortly after my question i made a couple of simple adjustments that got me back to the ball. Mostly thanks to Mike's philosophy. The main problem was that i was so concerned with shallowing that i stood waaaay to close to the ball. Once i stepped back i was able to really cover the ball and hit draws. The other issue was because of my proximity to the ball, i was handcuffed and never really allowed to get up on that front foot with force. Now i'm hitting the ball as consistently as ever and can actually steer it left. Thanks again.
@@pigslefats absolutely. There is so much information out there and , in my opinion, the water is so muddy that i couldn't get a clear picture. Had to reverse engineer from impact. Suddenly i was compressing the ball in the direction of the target instead of just hitting majestic shots to the opposite field i.e. fades and slices.
@@sgodlike7911 Yes there can be something impressive observing that high fade until it disappears over the far fence and out of bounds. My man is Eric Cogorno. I just like his whole manner and presentation.
Easiest way to accomplish this is to focus on starting the downswing with your arms first. Then your body will react and allow the club to swing through freely. If I start the downswing with body first, that ball is going left. See Bobby Lopez talking about this.
Mike, I have recently watched numerous videos of pros, C. Morikawa, D. Johnson, A. Scott, J. Thomas and not a single one brings the club down on a shallower angle of approach!! (Maybe I don't know what shallowing means...) Anyway, I know you are against this whole shallowing thing, but even what you are saying is happening, well I just don't see it. Don't believe me? Watch this Adam Scott video. Where is the shallowing here? ruclips.net/video/F5kKg4lvLf8/видео.html
Is this a move that requires a lot of timing?? I feel like letting it drop and rotating requires timing which seems like we’re all trying to avoid. Timing that is lol Does it start to become more automatic the more you do it?
Mike always says after transitioning and arms drop the “swing is over” - it happens so fast you don’t feel like you’re doing anything. Shouldn’t feel like you have to time anything.
This move is spot on and described perfectly. The feeling for me is the mini left turn Malaska mentions in his other video during the transition. Key for me is taking the club back without the hands which allows my wrists to stay loose during the transition. I’ve added so much speed and better contact to my swing.
The problem with this demonstration is the arms don't drop Mike! Tour players rotate as base ball batters rotate to start their swing towards the ball and with that rotation comes the shallowing. This is a horrendous video and I can't believe you can't see your mistake. Don't say it's a feeling! Why not practice the correct feeling!
This as bull. The only way the club "shallows" is because the lower body turn before the shoulders. Trying to "shallow" the club as a separate step is a recipe for disaster. You're welcome.
Don't agree with this video I think its bad information in my opinion. I watch Chuck Quinton at Rotary swing and he's been teaching for decades and he clearly says that you shouldn't be fabricating the shallowing of the club its a by product of shifting your weight to your left side when done correctly the shaft will shallow on its own you don't consciously do it
I've watched a hell of a lot of golf videos since I started playing a few years ago, and yours are the best. Simple as that. Thank you for your work!
Mike, Ive spent my whole golfing life getting "stuck". Feeling as though im tipping the shaft to vertical has cured me of something i have fought, and has blighted my game for 50 years. Pros have told me what my problem was, but always talked in positions , not "feel". At last the game is much easier, and my ball flies (usually) to my target. Ive read all the books and seen all the youtubers. You are the best by far. THANKYOU VERY MUCH.
To me this is the missing piece that ties all your other videos together. Great stuff Mike.
Thanks for explaining you always make the content relatable to the swing by giving a simple explanation. Glad I found your videos.
I seriously needed this! Thanks for another great video coach!
This video is a nice and precise explanation to swing path shallowing. Thanks!
Very well said. I know your early coach, John Schlee, taught a shallowing of the club or a laying off of the club from from Hogan, also known, as you said as the “magic move”. But he also encouraged getting that right elbow straight down to that right hip from a setup position involving a quicker wrist cock and more weight on the left side with only a dynamic weight shift to the right and a very aggressive level left turn. All that to say, I have also found, that dropping the right shoulder straight down at the same rate as the club head, makes it far easier to “match up” all the parts for power and accuracy.
I so want to drive across country to take a lesson with you. Thanks for tip(s)!
Thanks for all your videos. One mistake I was making was keeping me from being able to do any of this. I felt pain on the back side of my left shoulder at the top of my back swing. So the next swing I made a turn that took all the stress out of my left shoulder. Basically kept my hands in front of my torso not allowing them to "pull" my left arm that would then stretch my left shoulder. Can not believe something so small was keeping me from being able to do a lot of what you teach. Hoping to repeat it today at the range.
Thanks for such a clear and useful explanation. Really helpful for me.
Finally learned how to shallow my downswing. In return, I received gains ranging from 10- 20 mph on ball speed and about 15-50 yards on each club. In addition to a lot of the cues explained in this video, I learned to attack the ball at a different angle which got my body to slightly move left and shallow out the downswing.
I've been fighting the proper shallow technique for months now. I've been revamping my swing to be more rotational and when I have the timing right the ball does exactly what I need and I play great. I can tell when I am not getting it though, I'll hit these dinky little push draws all day long and miss every green short and to the left. Thanks Mike,
Thanks you sir. Easy to understand than other coaches
Great lesson, Mr. M. Makes perfect sense.
Great topic and great explanation.
Good explanation Mike, thanks.
Brilliant as usual Mike👍
Nice Mike ,, ty always the best!!! You've made my golf game Enjoyable again!!! The invisible swing!!!!
Great stuff! Exactly what I need to work on. Thank you. :)
Another GEM Mike.
Right ON! Drop those arms down inside; start rotating, moving to the left...get that left arm across your chest as you move left and sling those arms thru and release the right hand.
Another great vid mike!
You always “nail” it
Great lesson!!
This makes a LOT of sense👍
The "GOAT" in making it make sense with simple physics. Thank you so much Mike! Would it be possible to do a split screen on your videos? One with a face on and a profile view together? I've noticed that during face on view the small "lateral bump" that you do on your transition is unseen during profile view. It would be great to see those together as you do that "lateral bump." I didn't realize until now after watching all your downswing tutorials and trying it THAT the lateral bump is what you always demonstrate on your face on view JUST REALIZED it is what's key in shallowing the shaft. I wasn't doing the downswing correctly as you numerously have demonstrated because i was missing the lateral bump. Instead i've noticed myself twisting. That lateral bump REALLY helps to get the club started down correctly and hitting all the "corners!" Granted that you keep your hands loose and allow to hinge. THE BULB IS FINALLY ON!
Gotta say, this is the easiest way to shallow the club. Feeling like your arms kind of work down your chest before you start rotating
Thank you Mike. Your lesson made my iron swing shine. One question though. Would this logic work the same for your driver?
"Handle coming *down* faster than the clubhead..." -- that's great, thank you. Handle coming DOWN & not OUT...
Mike: been watching all of your videos. It finally hit me that your MALASKA move is essentially what my right arm would do if I was between a submarine and sidearm pitcher. That is the movement and feel enables me to execute explosive move through the ball. Being a former pitcher, this swing thought really works for me. What do you think?
Uuuh, I like that!
Depending on where your club head is at the top, but true is head have to kick out before you turn on the power by body rotation
Thanks Mike - you just gave me an Aha moment. Questions: are you still doing the online lessons? and which Honma's would you recommend for a 4 handicap (I was a 10 prior to your lesson btw)? Hope you're keeping safe. Regards, Joe Contreras
A key to gain the full benefit of this transition move is to make sure that the right hip is deep and the pelvis has not moved closer to the ball. If not then even the Malaska move will get the shaft too steep in transition.
I have a steep swing but just at impact somehow get under the plane but the problem is its not consistent.
So I have been putting an alignment stick down and try to over do the loop outside the stick inside the stick move.With short to mid irons I'm okay but the driver is a but to steep😅
Makes sense to me.
I’ll just add what works for me to shallow. For a right handed player, at the top of your backswing, drop your left shoulder vertically to the ground to start your downswing...while keeping your spine angle.
Mike do you have a drill for shanking from the inside? I tend to dump the club from to far inside
Hi, Mike. So it is a combination of gravity/lower body movement that brings the club down as opposed to pulling the club down? Thanks.
I noticed while watching the PGA on TV sometimes they show the pro hitting the tee shot and the show a red line when they take the club back and then a blue or another colour when they start the swing and the down swing is never in the same line it was on the takeaway, it is usually inside of the backswing. Is this the shallowing?
Yes
Mike thanks for all of real world instruction. I too am trying to shallow the club and understand your description of the arm movements to shallow the club. The problem is when do I turn in relationship to the timing of the drop? Wait for the drop to take place or start turning immediately?
Hi Rick, my 5 cents for what they're worth - once the club head 'releases' over the hands in this shallowing move, you will want to follow its momentum so the club tells you when to go in a sense.
Mike, I want to .thank you for all the great instructions. I had been watching a gentleman named Marcus Edblab. He’s mentioned your name in some of his videos. Mr Edblad is dealing with some health issues and hasn’t posted any new videos. The two of you teach pretty much the same thing, with different terminology. I want to thank you, and Marcus for both being dedicated to helping us amateurs. THANKS
Mike, can you please consider doing a video to prove that “tipping the shaft” does not cause “steepening the shaft”? I think the majority still do not understand this reality. Perhaps a slow motion analysis of your full swing pointing out the feel of tipping the shaft but the reality of shallowing the shaft? Thanks!
Don't tip the shaft until late in the downswing. I was hooking it hard, and now, i just wait longer in the downswing before tipping the club out to the ball. Hooks no more! Well, almost! :)
I watch all your amazing content but still can't do this move. One day it will come 🙏
Gaming raptor, it's taken me MANY months to get it, but when I did "get it," man, is it nice! Keep on working it. Be patient and persisitent. Your future self will thank you!
The key is to find a thought and feeling that gets the desired job done. Try getting your hands close to your body at impact. The best strikers were able to get the hands in the same position at impact as they were at address, not higher than at address.
@@alanjenkins918 thank you for your reply. I try every day after work in my garden and can't wait for the day it clicks.
@@mrm700 i try this but something I'm doing must be wrong. I'm not giving up until i get it. Thanks for your help i appreciate it 👍
@@alanjenkins918 did you manage to get it by just watching Mike's videos or did you have a lesson?
So for those of us who get steep in transition and have trouble doing either method what drill or feeling can be used to fix it?
If you are looking for the feel .... The club will shallow without thought if you use your natural throwing motion. Set up with an imaginary ball and swing with the thought of throwing a club as far as you can down the target line, (the swing arc should approximately pass through the imaginary ball). If you video this swing down the line, you will see that the club shaft shallow at the correct time. In fact all the sequencing that the above two replies suggest will happen and it will look like a pro swing. Your brain knows how to get your body to throw efficiently.
@@billstewart852 yeah but when i try to hit a ball, the shallowing disappears and i come over the top. why?
@@method341 I
if you tell your brain that the task is to hit the ball, the likely outcome is a steep swing plane and an over the top move to the ball. The task you give to your brain is to collect the ball with the club face and sling it to the target. It is not possible to come over the top if your brain executes that task.
Isn't it better to have the club come down on the same arc?
So you’re saying that you shallowed the angle in the backswing and you don’t have to shallow in the downswing? Because shallowing is the angle of the shaft to the ground and if the hands and shaft fall at the same rate then you had already shallowed it.
Because if the backswing is steep and the relationship between the shaft and ground never changed you would still be steep on the downswing with the theory you just presented. The shaft at some point must shallow whether you do it in the backswing or you do it in the downswing. That’s the only way to get the shaft to line up with the right forearm. Correct me if I’m wrong someone.
I can't be the only one who initially read the video title as:
"How do I swallow the shaft."
🤣
4:19 Daniel Berger.
Exactly! When some youtube "instructors" claim to have the 'magic move', it's time to dismiss everything they say and teach!
Why does the swing need to shallow
Datz a tough move..
Being a lifelong baseball now softball player, i never had an issue getting back to the ball and making solid contact. Since trying to shallow my club, i find myself hitting anywhere from 1 to the 5 behind the ball. New set of clubs and now, almost no desire to play the game. Jokes aside, WHAT CAN I DO?!?!? 😭
My opinion without seeing you swing. Number of factors-make sure you're deep in the backswing. Then start the downswing rotation before you start dropping the arms. Ensure you have right side bend WITH ROTATION on downswing. Watch the clubhead on the grass. To get the strike more forward need to get the correct sequence of rotation vs right shoulder dropping (right side bend) As mentioned-if you're hitting behind the ball add more rotation initially rather than drop. There could be other factors. You could be straightening the right elbow before impact. Elbow needs to be bent with forward shaft lean. You may know all this but that's my 2c worth.
@@pigslefats sound advice. Thank you. Shortly after my question i made a couple of simple adjustments that got me back to the ball. Mostly thanks to Mike's philosophy. The main problem was that i was so concerned with shallowing that i stood waaaay to close to the ball. Once i stepped back i was able to really cover the ball and hit draws. The other issue was because of my proximity to the ball, i was handcuffed and never really allowed to get up on that front foot with force. Now i'm hitting the ball as consistently as ever and can actually steer it left. Thanks again.
@@sgodlike7911 Great. Amazing how sometimes a couple of small adjustments can work magic
@@pigslefats absolutely. There is so much information out there and , in my opinion, the water is so muddy that i couldn't get a clear picture. Had to reverse engineer from impact. Suddenly i was compressing the ball in the direction of the target instead of just hitting majestic shots to the opposite field i.e. fades and slices.
@@sgodlike7911 Yes there can be something impressive observing that high fade until it disappears over the far fence and out of bounds. My man is Eric Cogorno. I just like his whole manner and presentation.
Easiest way to accomplish this is to focus on starting the downswing with your arms first. Then your body will react and allow the club to swing through freely. If I start the downswing with body first, that ball is going left. See Bobby Lopez talking about this.
Mike, I have recently watched numerous videos of pros, C. Morikawa, D. Johnson, A. Scott, J. Thomas and not a single one brings the club down on a shallower angle of approach!! (Maybe I don't know what shallowing means...) Anyway, I know you are against this whole shallowing thing, but even what you are saying is happening, well I just don't see it. Don't believe me? Watch this Adam Scott video. Where is the shallowing here? ruclips.net/video/F5kKg4lvLf8/видео.html
Do not read the thumbnail when you are tired.
Is this a move that requires a lot of timing?? I feel like letting it drop and rotating requires timing which seems like we’re all trying to avoid. Timing that is lol
Does it start to become more automatic the more you do it?
Mike always says after transitioning and arms drop the “swing is over” - it happens so fast you don’t feel like you’re doing anything. Shouldn’t feel like you have to time anything.
This move is spot on and described perfectly. The feeling for me is the mini left turn Malaska mentions in his other video during the transition. Key for me is taking the club back without the hands which allows my wrists to stay loose during the transition. I’ve added so much speed and better contact to my swing.
The problem with this demonstration is the arms don't drop Mike! Tour players rotate as base ball batters rotate to start their swing towards the ball and with that rotation comes the shallowing. This is a horrendous video and I can't believe you can't see your mistake. Don't say it's a feeling! Why not practice the correct feeling!
so you don't take the club out of your mouth ?
@@eggsmann594 if your club is in your mouth I’ve heard shortening your shafts may help.
Feel vs real . I don’t honestly think he is doing it . Let’s see some swing numbers
It's nice in 2023, ppl finally realise 'shallowing the shaft' is pretty much a load of bs
It would be nice, Mike, if your face wasn’t in dark shadow.
Way too complicated explanation
This as bull. The only way the club "shallows" is because the lower body turn before the shoulders. Trying to "shallow" the club as a separate step is a recipe for disaster.
You're welcome.
Don't agree with this video I think its bad information in my opinion. I watch Chuck Quinton at Rotary swing and he's been teaching for decades and he clearly says that you shouldn't be fabricating the shallowing of the club its a by product of shifting your weight to your left side when done correctly the shaft will shallow on its own you don't consciously do it
Mike spends a lot of time showing the wrong way to do things and not that much demonstrating the right thing.