Is a flatter golf swing better?
Sarah Scott
Updated on April 14, 2026
But that doesn't prohibit you from hitting the ball farther. On the contrary--a shorter, flatter swing is much easier to keep on-plane than a longer, more upright swing. You'll make fewer compensations on the downswing and hit the sweet spot on the clubface more often, producing greater ball speeds and bigger drives.
What happens if your golf swing is too flat?
The bad news is, an overly flat swing can result in ugly, damaging duck hooks, shots pushed way right and balls struck near the club's sole. If you suffer from any of these issues, the first thing to do is check your swing plane in a mirror. Set up with any club, driver to mid-iron, with the mirror to your right.What does it mean to have a flat golf swing?
“Flat” describes a swing plane that is more horizontal than the norm. For a right-handed player, this means the left arm forms an angle of less than 45° with the ground at the top of the backswing. PGA Tour standout Matt Kuchar is an extreme example of a golfer whose swing is flat.Is a shallow or steep golf swing better?
Shallow Golf SwingsThe clubhead does not point to the sky as much on the downswing, and the shafts stays relatively flat in relation to the ground. Shallow swings often times produce less deep divots and approach the ball with a positive angle of attack, causing less backspin.