Full Swing & TempoAdvancedFixes: Steep Downswing

Steep Fix: Trail Elbow in Front (Nunchuck/Ball)

Curated PGA Drill by Tyler Ferrell

Focus Area

Transition/Connection

Rep Guidance

3 sets of 10 slow rehearsal reps

Equipment

Golf club, alignment stick (optional)

Skill Level

Advanced

Video walkthrough by Tyler FerrellWatch on YouTube ↗

Why This Drill Works (Kinetic Mechanics)

When the trail elbow points behind the body in transition, the shaft immediately steepens and pitches out in front [5:56, 6:05]. Keeping the elbow in front promotes better connection and a flatter angle of attack.

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

    Exaggeration Drill (Nunchuck): Hold the club by the clubhead with your lead hand on the grip. Use your lead hand to pull the club forward during the downswing, actively pushing your trail elbow in front of your body. Exaggerate this movement 3-5 times.

  2. 2

    Step 2

    Feedback Drill (Smart Ball): Place a soft training ball between your forearms. Keep the ball securely trapped during the downswing and through impact. If the ball drops, your trail elbow has moved behind your torso, steepening the shaft.

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

Trail Elbow PositionStuckOver the top

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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