Transition & DownswingAdvancedFixes: Steep Downswing

Left Forearm Pronation (Steep to Shallow)

Curated PGA Drill by Giles Gill Golf

Focus Area

Transition

Rep Guidance

3 sets of 10 slow rehearsal reps

Equipment

Golf club, alignment stick (optional)

Skill Level

Advanced

Video walkthrough by Giles Gill GolfWatch on YouTube ↗

Why This Drill Works (Kinetic Mechanics)

Focuses on the rotation of the lead forearm to drop the club onto a shallow plane. Pronation in transition (thumb down) flattens the shaft, whereas supination (thumb up) steepens it.

How to Perform the Drill

Follow these step-by-step instructions. Rehearse slowly to build proper motor patterns before adding full swing speed.

  1. 1

    Step 1

    Grip the club below the head (upside down) to make it lighter.

  2. 2

    Step 2

    Backswing: Point the thumb upwards.

  3. 3

    Step 3

    Transition: Rotate the forearm (pronate) so the thumb points away and down.

  4. 4

    Step 4

    Feel the grip drop behind you while keeping hands high.

  5. 5

    Step 5

    Exaggerate this drop in practice swings before speeding up.

What Good Feels Like

Focus on smooth tempo and maintaining body connection through impact. Your body and club should move as a single synchronized unit.

Common Mistake to Avoid

Rushing transition before completing backswing or lunging upper body forward towards ball at impact. Keep movement controlled.

Swing Faults & Ball Flights Addressed

Steep DownswingOver the topSlice

Comprehensive Guides Featuring This Drill

How to Stop Coming Over the Top

Coming over the top happens when your shoulders spin open in transition before your arms drop the club into the slot, dragging it across the target line. Stop it by delaying the shoulder turn, letting your arms fall vertically first, and feeling the club approach from inside the ball-to-target line.

Not sure this is your real fault?

Upload one swing video and our AI will identify whether steep downswing is actually what's costing you strokes, using physics-backed metrics and a practice plan matched to what it finds. Your first analysis is free.

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