As the club completes the backswing and transitions into the downswing, a critical movement occurs—what I call the “fall” of the clubhead. This subtle but essential motion allows the club to shallow, move to the inside, and approach the ball on an efficient delivery path. When executed correctly, the fall helps the clubface square naturally without manipulation (Model Pro Photo).
What the Fall Looks Like
During the downswing, the clubshaft should not return on the same pitch it held during the backswing. Instead, elite players demonstrate a noticeable flattening of the shaft as the club transitions from the top. This is the “fall.”
In the Brooks Koepka sequence (P3 to P5), you can clearly see how the shaft shallows as the lower body initiates the downswing. This move is universal among elite ball‑strikers. The fall positions the club on an inside‑to‑out path and allows the face to square through rotation—not by flipping the hands.
Why the Fall Matters
The fall is not a conscious manipulation of the hands or wrists. It is the natural result of:
• A proper lower‑body shift toward the target
• A well‑sequenced trail‑side movement (trail shoulder, arm, and hand)
• A smooth, uninterrupted transition
When these pieces work together, the club automatically shallows and falls behind you—setting up a powerful, repeatable delivery.
Most average golfers struggle here. Instead of allowing the club to fall, they throw the club over the top with a steep shaft. The result is the dreaded pull‑slice pattern (See Amateur Photos below). Without the fall, the club is forced outside the target line early, and recovery becomes nearly impossible.
Drills to Train the Fall
1. The Tee Drill
This drill provides a simple visual and feel‑based reference for the correct club movement.
Setup: Place a tee in the butt end of the grip.
Steps:
- Make a backswing and pause at P3 (halfway back).
- The tee should point inside the ball‑target line.
- This confirms a slightly more upright backswing position.
- Continue to the top while beginning a smooth lower‑body shift toward the target.
- As the downswing starts, feel the club fall back—away from the target line.
- Pause again at P5 (halfway down).
- The tee should now point outside the ball‑target line.
- Your weight should be mostly on the lead leg, with the hips slightly open.
- Make several slow, smooth rehearsals before hitting shots at reduced speed.
- Gradually build to full swings while maintaining the same reference points.
This drill teaches the sequencing and geometry required for the club to fall naturally.
2. Trail‑Side Progression Drill
The trail side plays a major role in transporting the club downward and forward on the correct path. This drill reinforces how the trail shoulder, arm, and hand should move to support the fall.
By training the trail side to work properly, you’ll eliminate the urge to throw the club over the top and instead allow the shaft to shallow automatically.
Final Thoughts
Mastering the fall of the club transforms your ball flight. Instead of fighting a steep, over‑the‑top move that produces inconsistent slices, you’ll develop a natural inside path and a clubface that squares through rotation—not manipulation.
Remember: The clubhead is what strikes the ball. Understanding how it should move at key checkpoints in the swing is essential to building a consistent, repeatable motion.
Ready to feel this move in your own swing?
Fred works one-on-one with golfers of all levels to help you train the “fall,” shallow the club, and start striking the ball with confidence and consistency. To book a lesson, contact Fred directly at 407-467-1828 or fred@fredgriffingolf.com and take the next step toward your best golf.
