CONCEPT · BALL STRIKING INTERMEDIATE FOCUS

Club Path

Master golfers deliver the club to the ball on a shallow, inside-out path that creates effortless power and accuracy.

Skill split

01 · Overview

What it actually is

~2 min read

Your club's path through impact determines whether you'll watch your ball sail straight down the fairway or slice into the trees, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood elements of the golf swing. While many golfers obsess over grip changes or stance adjustments, the reality is that club-path issues often stem from problems much earlier in the swing sequence.

Porzak Golf reveals a breakthrough insight about maintaining connection through the downswing — feeling like your sternum stays pointed at the ball while letting your arms pull you through, rather than your upper body dragging your arms along. This simple shift in awareness can dramatically improve your swing plane and eliminate the over-the-top move that plagues so many amateur golfers. Meanwhile, practical drills like the wall drill help ingrain the proper feel of an on-plane swing path.

What makes club-path so crucial is its direct relationship to both direction and distance. Danny Maude demonstrates how even small deviations in your swing plane can turn a well-struck driver into a wayward shot, explaining why some days you stripe it down the middle while others leave you searching the rough. The connection between your transition and the resulting club-path often holds the key to consistency.

Understanding these mechanics transforms how you practice and play, giving you the tools to self-diagnose and correct path issues on the course.

The anatomy

4 components that build the move

  1. 01 · INSIDE TAKEAWAY

    Club travels back inside the target line

    The clubhead moves away from the ball on a path that tracks inside the target line, not straight back or outside. This sets up the proper downswing plane.

  2. 02 · SHALLOW TRANSITION

    Downswing drops into the slot

    The club shaft shallows and drops below the backswing plane in transition. This creates space for an inside approach to the ball.

  3. 03 · INSIDE-OUT DELIVERY

    Impact from the inside quadrant

    The clubhead approaches the ball from inside the target line, creating a path that's 2-4 degrees from the inside for optimal ball flight.

  4. 04 · EXTENDED FOLLOW-THROUGH

    Club releases down the line

    Post-impact, the club continues along the target line before naturally rotating left. This extension maximizes power transfer and accuracy.

02 · The Reference

Editor's picks

3 of 684 · hand-selected

  1. Editor's Pick · #1 · 6:50

    The TRUE Reason You're Slicing Your Golf Shots

    Porzak breaks down the biomechanical reason most golfers slice — revealing how upper body dominance destroys club path from the top of the swing.

    Porzak Golf · intermediate

  2. Editor's Pick · 8:48

    What Nobody Tells You About How To Hit Driver Straight

    Maude demonstrates the counterintuitive feel of swinging left to go straight, showing exactly how an inside-out path creates penetrating ball flight.

    Danny Maude · beginner

  3. Editor's Pick · 0:42

    Best Feel for the Downswing Transition

    The transition feel that automatically drops the club into the slot — Porzak's sternum-stays-centered concept is the missing link for shallow club path.

    Porzak Golf · intermediate

04 · The Experts

What three coaches say

3 perspectives · same drill

04 · Practice it

Drills that build this

3 drills

05 · FAQ

Common questions

Answered from the library

Why does my club path go over the top and cause slices?

According to experts like Porzak Golf, slicing often comes from an improper sequence and lack of connection in your swing. When your arms get too wide at the top and you lose that connection, you end up unwinding incorrectly and cutting across the ball from outside-in, creating that dreaded slice.

What's the best way to fix my club path during the downswing transition?

Porzak Golf suggests focusing on keeping your sternum pointed at the ball throughout your entire downswing - this is a feeling that helps many PGA Tour players. Instead of letting your hips and hands lead separately, feel like your arms are pulling you through while maintaining that sternum-to-ball connection.

How do I stop taking the club back too heavy and inside?

The Art of Simple Golf addresses this 'heavy takeaway' swing destroyer by focusing on the concept of 'light then heavy.' This means starting your takeaway lighter and more controlled rather than immediately going inside and over the top, which leads to inconsistent ball striking.

Why is my driver so inconsistent even when my swing feels the same?

Danny Maude explains that even when your swing feels identical, small variations in club path can cause the ball to slice right or hook left. The key is understanding that driver requires more precision in your swing plane due to its longer shaft and lower loft.

How does being 'laid off' at the top affect my club path and cause slices?

Bob Menzies Golf demonstrates that when you're too laid off at the top, the shaft typically pitches forward, forcing you to cut across the ball from outside-in. He recommends using a wall drill where you grip above the club head to feel the proper top-of-swing position and improve your swing plane.

Related concepts

Tap any concept to explore the library

06 · The Library

All 684 videos

YouTube-indexed · expert-graded

  1. Video · 0:36

    The two-ball drill

    Golf Studio

  2. Video · 0:38

    Stop coming over the top: trail foot back

    Golf Studio

  3. Video · 3:51

    How to stop your golf swing coming over the top: 3 drills that fix your path

    Golf Studio

  4. Video · 3:52

    How to hit a draw: face and path explained

    Golf Studio

  5. Video · 0:43

    How a draw works, in 40 seconds

    Golf Studio

  6. Video · 2:24

    Why your ball slices: face and path explained

    Golf Studio

  7. Video · 13:02

    This Justin Rose Cheat Code Makes Straight Powerful Drives Automatic

    Ashley Knoll Golf

  8. Video · 0:18

    Shallow LIKE THIS! 🔥🙌🏻 #golfswing #golf #golftips #golfcoach

    Golfslump

  9. Video · 0:47

    Stop cutting across the ball with this drill #golftips #golfswing #golf

    Alistair Davies Golf

  10. Video · 12:23

    WYNDHAM CLARK’S Favorite Drill To Easily SHALLOW YOUR DOWNSWING!

    Bob Menzies Golf

  11. Video · 0:12

    In to In GOLF SWING is pure! #golf #shorts

    Josh Oddy

  12. Video · 1:14

    August 27, 2026

    Tropicana Entertainment

  13. Video · 0:16

    DRAW VS FADE #golf #golftips #golfshorts #golfcoach #golfswingtips #golfcoaching

    CK Golf

  14. Video · 1:17

    Moe Norman's Swing: Perfect Biomechanics Explained

    Todd Graves

  15. Video · 0:55

    Golf Swing Perfection: Frozen Rope & Max Distance! #shorts

    Shawn Clement's Wisdom in Golf Lessons

  16. Video · 15:47

    Get on Plane with The HOLD & HIT DRILL

    Warren Bennett Golf Academy

  17. Video · 0:26

    100 TIMES = NO SLICE #golf #shorts

    Josh Oddy

  18. Video · 1:01

    Golf Swing Too Steep? Try This Wall Drill

    Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard

  19. Video · 6:04

    STOP YOUR SLICE With This Simple Golf Training Aid

    Michael Kanev Golf

  20. Video · 2:56

    How to Shallow Your Driver Without Forcing It

    Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard

  21. Video · 0:31

    The Drill You NEED! | Tuck and Turn drill with Top Speed Golf

    Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard

  22. Video · 0:11

    #juniorgolf #golf #golfswing #tsgolf

    TS Golf

  23. Video · 0:22

    how to pull ft. Mel Reid

    Paige Spiranac

  24. Video · 0:53

    Once You Learn This One Move The Golf Swing Becomes Effortless #shorts #golfswing #golf #ericcogorno

    Eric Cogorno Golf

  25. Video · 8:47

    Once You Understand This Concept, The Golf Swing Becomes Effortless

    Danny Maude

  26. Video · 2:00:57

    If you need help with your driver, short game, or putting, watch this...

    Jerome Rufin

  27. Video · 0:47

    Fix Your Slice The Ultimate Golf Swing Path Secret!

    Alistair Davies Golf

  28. Video · 2:35

    How to Shallow the Golf Club Like the Pros

    Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard

  29. Video · 2:53:14

    Steal My $100k Golf Advantage!!

    Jerome Rufin

  30. Video · 0:46

    Stop chasing golf swing myths. ⛳️

    Scratch Golf Academy

  31. Video · 2:50:29

    Hit Your Driver Straighter and Farther with Jerome Rufin

    Jerome Rufin

  32. Video · 12:05

    Easily STOP HOOKING Your Golf Ball (It's A SIMPLE Fix)!

    Bob Menzies Golf

  33. Video · 1:02

    Stop the slice #jimmytropicana

    Tropicana Entertainment

  34. Video · 14:45

    Once You Learn This One Move The Golf Swing Becomes Effortless

    Eric Cogorno Golf

  35. Video · 1:46

    you’re still slicing one of these 3 things is happening

    Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard

  36. Video · 1:58

    Your Irons Might Be Screwing Up Your Driver Swing

    Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard

  37. Video · 1:32

    How to stop slicing #jimmytropicana

    Tropicana Entertainment

  38. Video · 1:02

    This Mistake Is Making Your Golf Swing WORSE!

    Matt Baker Golf | Malaska Certified Coach

  39. Video · 1:12

    Slice to Draw in ONE Lesson #golfswing #golftips

    Meandmygolf

  40. Video · 52:41

    OVER THE TOP pull slice to SMASHED push draw In 10 minutes

    Shawn Clement's Wisdom in Golf Lessons

  41. Video · 0:56

    The Shallow Drill Every Slicer Needs #golf #golfswing #golftips

    Alistair Davies Golf

  42. Video · 1:53

    Toe-Deep Divots? Your Swing Plane Might Be the Problem 👀

    Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard

  43. Video · 3:29

    The understanding behind the circle of speed…

    Your guide to better golf - Marcus Edblad PGA Pro

  44. Video · 12:29

    Older Players: Trying to Hit It Straight Is Costing You 30 Yards

    Face First Golf

  45. Video · 1:47

    Stop Guessing If You’re Shallowing the Club

    Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard

  46. Video · 1:17

    He Went From Pulling Irons To Push Draws With THIS!

    Milo Lines Golf

  47. Video · 0:12

    Fix Your Over-the-Top Golf Swing With This Simple Drill

    Matt Baker Golf | Malaska Certified Coach

  48. Video · 1:24

    Turn Your Cut Into a Draw Now

    Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard

  49. Video · 9:49

    Why You STILL Swing Over The Top (After Trying Everything)

    Meandmygolf

  50. Video · 0:20

    Push draws against the Singapore skyline

    Rob Cheney Golf

Groove your inside-out path

Practice the alignment stick drill to ingrain the proper club path and eliminate your slice for good.

Try the drill Ask the AI Coach