Many golfers have trouble swinging over the top.
It doesn’t matter if you are brand new to the game or have been playing your entire life; getting a swing path that is a bit over the top is something that needs to be fixed.
A simple swing thought can help you get square shots. For most players I have worked alongside, a combination drills, training aids and good old-fashioned practice was the best way to improve your golf swing.
You can take a look at my six key steps for a perfect golf swing.
Step 1: Record your video
The first step in this process may seem like a simple one but both pro golfers and average golfers that have done it will tell you it’s a must.
Start by recording your golf swing.
One of the most challenging things about the game of golf is that we can’t see the golf club when we swing. Trying to determine where the swing path or swing plane is wont’ be easy. With modern technology, you can see quite a bit with a quick clip.
So many players say to me, “I don’t know how to diagnose the video.”
I get that you might think so. You will likely be able to see a lot of the things you are doing wrong. You can also use this video to help you compare your swing after you’ve finished fixing it.
With the help of a friend, make two videos. One video should be down; the other should show a face.
If you don’t hit the big slice that has been bothering you, record a few swings so you have some evidence of the problem.
Step 2: Review Your Setup
The next step is to identify the most serious errors in the game. It is possible for players to have their grip, feet position and shoulder line incorrectly.
Many players want to improve the quality of their swing. This could be done by improving their angle into and rotation or making sure they make a smooth transition. These are all important. But are you ready to make the necessary changes?
Straight shots are difficult if your shoulders and feet are crossed.
We know that practicing your setup and stance is quite boring compared to other things on this list; it’s well worth getting this down before you try and fix something that may or may not even need to be fixed.
Step 3: Make sure you have the perfect take-out
Your takeaway for your golf shots should not be high and slow. Poor shots can be caused by swinging back too fast or with your arms only.
Golfers often struggle to get to the top of their swings, but there are problems at the beginning of the swing that can lead to this problem.
Amateur golfers often overlook the importance of a good take-out.
For golfers who are working on their takeaway, one of my favorite swing tips is to place a small blade or leaf just a few inches behind your ball.
You should contact your backswing with the club. To do this, you will need to engage your lower body, keep your arms out of the way, and make sure the body and golf club work together.
Step 4: Get Inside
Now that the basics are out of the way, it’s time to do the actual work to fix your over the top golf swing. Two things to consider are getting the club path closer to the inside and making sure the face of the club is straight at impact.
This involves ensuring a more in-line club path. This club path encourages the right-handed golfer to keep his or her right elbow connected throughout the swing. As you make your transition from the top of your downswing to the top, your right elbow should feel almost like it is touching your body.
You can do this by placing a golf glove or towel under your right elbowpit. This will ensure that it stays in place during transition.
Another thing to be aware of is exaggerating the inside-to-out swing path. Most golfers who go over the top use an out-to in swing path. This is usually a golf club that begins coming down with the arms or shoulders at the top of the swing.
The club is never in a position to fall into place.
Exercising this move to make it seem like you are coming inward on the approach to the ball can help you get your lower body sequence working and feel what you need.
When you go back to hitting balls, chances are you won’t be exaggerating nearly as much, and you will actually be in the correct position. Some players who struggle with this problem will try to add an exaggerated inner approach to their pre-shot routine.
Next, you need to improve your club face angle. If you get to the inside, but your club face is not square to the target line, the shot won’t work out. Most golfers have difficulty rotating their forearms.
Step 5: Training aids to help
For some players, it will be difficult to feel this inside-to–out path and get rid the excessive swing plane. If you have been swinging like this your entire life, you won’t fix it with one good swing. It will take a lot of effort and time to get this right.
Alignment sticks, or something like the Eyeline Speed Trap, are some of the best ways to fix this problem. An alignment stick can be used to fix the problem by simply placing it in the ground at a point just above the golfball.
Swing under the alignment stick is your goal. If you swing above the top, you will hit this alignment stick.
Start with slow swings here, as you won’t want to make contact with the alignment stick and hurt yourself.
The Eyeline Speed Trap allows you to see the right path and ultimately leads to square faces at impact. The Eyeline Speed Trap’s latest version makes it easier to use without causing damage to your club or to yourself.
I love the visual benefits of tools like this.
You can be certain that your mind is in a good place when you go out on the course.
Step 6: Transfer to the Course
As a former teacher and golfer, I understand how swing path issues can be complicated to fix on the range. But it is quite different on the golf course.
You are not the only one frustrated by the frustration of transferring knowledge into a course.
This is the best way I know to help. Make your driving range practice more like a course.
Amateur players usually bring a bucket with 75 golf balls to the driving range and just fire away. This is not the solution. Even if you are closer to fixing your swing, there is a chance that you have overlooked other issues that could be causing inconsistency.
Instead, spend some time practicing the drills that we discussed. Use the drills to hit ten to twenty golf balls. Next, take out a training aid such as alignment sticks or a trainer and practice some swings with it.
The idea is to build muscle memory that you can use when pressure is on.
Once you feel that you understand the motion you can start to put pressure on.
Pick a target and aim to hit it the same way you would on the course. If you miss the green due to a slice, chances were you are way over the top. You might have gone a little too far if you didn’t hook it or draw it.
Keep a mental record of the shot and move on to the next. Don’t stand there and rapid-fire golf shots; it gets you nowhere. If you treat your practice as a course, everything will naturally transition to the course.
