The easiest golf swing is one that is void of compensation. Why would anyone tell you to 'reach out' and practice from a bad position????
Your problem is your spine angle. It is changing during the course of your swing. Establish good posture and stay there during your back and forward swings. Your spine is the "axis" that your body rotates around during the backswing and the forward swing. By the way.....It is NOT called a "downswing!"
A drill that will allow the feeling of maintaining the 'axis' would be for you to assume your posture with your tail bone (your ass) up against a wall. Take tiny swings and allow the club to bottom out while your ass remains against the wall.
Note: prove it to yourself.......while taking these tiny swings, pull your tail bone away from the wall and you'll notice that the club no longer bottoms out.
g-luck. jpw