In this guide, I will give you the tools to fix your over the top golf swing once and for all! With a little work, you can reduce your slice and hit golf balls further and straighter!
To fix your over the top swing, I will first teach you what you are doing wrong and then give you proven tips and tickets on how to stop coming over the top.
Reading this guide a few times will help you play better golf this year!
What is an Over the Top Swing?
An over the top swing in golf refers to a swing flaw where the club’s path during the downswing deviates from the intended inside-to-outside path, instead moving on a steep outside-to-in trajectory. This faulty swing path often leads to the golf club approaching the ball from an over the top position, resulting in various ball flight issues, most commonly a slice.
The over the top swing is characterized by a steep downswing, an open clubface at impact, and the tendency to produce errant shots that curve to the right. This golf swing fault is commonly caused by poor sequencing of body and arm movements, insufficient hip rotation, and premature wrist release during the downswing.
An over the top golf swing is the number of cause of a natural slice. It causes you to push the ball away from your body at impact.
Below, I will go over specific drills aimed at promoting a more efficient club path and improving overall swing consistency, which can be beneficial for rectifying this swing flaw.
Is an Over the Top Swing Bad?
Yes, an over the top swing is bad in golf.
Coming over the top in your swing can lead to several issues that may negatively impact your golf game. Most amateur golfers struggle the most with this.
The over the top swing typically produces a steep downswing and an outside-to-in club path, which can result in the following problems:
Sliced Shots: Your clubface is open at impact, leading to sliced shots that curve to the right for right hand golfers (opposite for left hand golfers).
Loss of Power: The steep angle of attack leads to a loss of power and distance.
Poor Ball Contact: You are hitting inconsistent and errant shots.
Difficulty with Ball Flight Control: You have trouble controlling the trajectory and shape of shots.
You should correct an overly aggressive swing to improve your overall ball-striking consistency and shot shape control. Learning how to hit backspin is easier if you have a pure swing!
What Causes You to Swing Over the Top?
This golf swing flaw is very common and comes down to the same reasons all the time.
Poor Sequencing
Incorrect downswing sequencing, where the upper body and arms initiate the downswing before the lower body, leads to an over the top swing. Focus on keeping your right elbow (for right-handed golfers) stuck to your side instead of flailing it outwards.
This is also true for your backswing position, as a solid takeaway will help with a solid downswing.
Lack of Hip Rotation
Inadequate hip rotation through the downswing can prevent the club from approaching the ball on the correct inside-to-outside path. If you aren’t rotating your body and hips through impact, your body will stay open and keep your club face open at impact.
Early Release of Wrists
Prematurely releasing the wrists at the start of the downswing can cause the club to move on a steep outside-to-in path. To make solid, consistent contact with the golf ball, everything needs to be in one smooth motion when swinging the club.
Swing Plane Issues
An incorrect swing plane on the backswing or the downswing can contribute to an over the top motion. Extending your trail arm at impact will help keep your swing plane on the correct path and toward your target line.
Muscle Imbalances or Physical Limitations
Physical factors such as muscle imbalances, flexibility limitations, or lack of core strength can also contribute to an over the top swing.
You don’t necessarily have to hit the gym to be successful at golf, but it will give you an advantage if you want to swing faster and hit the ball better.
How to Fix an Over the Top Swing: Tutorial
Focus on Downswing Sequencing
Hip Rotation: Initiate the downswing by rotating the hips towards the target before engaging the upper body and arms. When you start your downswing, your belt buckle should be pointing toward your target line.
Torso and Arm Movement: Ensure that the torso and arms follow the lead of the lower body in the downswing, promoting a more inside-out swing path.
Delay the Wrist Release
Wrist Angle: Maintain the angle between the lead arm and the club shaft into the downswing, delaying the release of the wrists until later in the motion.
Practice Inside-Out Swing Path
Alignment Rod Drill: Position an alignment stick or a golf club on the ground along the target line to help visualize and promote an inside-out swing path.
Strengthen Core and Improve Flexibility
Core Exercises: Engage in core-strengthening exercises to promote stability and rotation during the swing.
Flexibility Training: Incorporate stretching and flexibility exercises to improve range of motion, particularly in the hips and torso.
Seek Professional Guidance
Golf Instructor: Consult a qualified golf professional for personalized instruction and feedback on swing mechanics.
Video Analysis: Utilize video analysis tools to assess your swing and visually track improvements over time.
On-Course Implementation
Start Slow: Gradually implement swing changes on the driving range before transitioning to on-course play.
Patience and Persistence: Understand that swing changes take time to integrate, so be patient and persistent when practicing the corrected motion.
Track Progress and Adjust
Performance Tracking: Keep track of your ball flight patterns and overall shot consistency to monitor the effectiveness of swing corrections.
Adapt as Needed: Be open to adjustments based on feedback from practice sessions and on-course play.
Over the Top Swing Path on a Driver vs Irons
There are subtle differences in a driver swing vs iron swing that you should read through!
Over the Top with a Driver
Ball Flight: With a driver, an over the top golf swing can lead to high-spin, high-launch shots that tend to curve more prominently to the right (for right-handed golfers) or left (for left-handed golfers), resulting in a significant loss of distance.
Missed Fairways: The outside-to-in club path associated with an over the top driver swing often leads to missed fairways due to the exaggerated ball flight curvature.
Impact on Tee Height: The tendency to tee the ball higher when using a driver can exacerbate the effects of an over the top swing, resulting in more pronounced slices or pulls.
Over the Top with Irons
Ball Flight: With irons, an over the top swing can produce shots with a lower trajectory and less spin than a driver, often resulting in a straight or slightly curved ball flight.
Distance Control: The impact of an overly aggressive golf swing with irons may lead to inconsistent distance control and difficulty holding greens on approach shots.
Missed Greens: Golfers may struggle to find the green due to the lack of accuracy and control resulting from an over the top golf swing with irons.
Conclusion
With a little bit of help, you can fix your slice today and improve your golf swing forever! Follow and read through my tutorial on how to fix an over the top swing and then take it out to the driving range today.
Practice hitting shots at 50% power and work up until you have fully rebuilt your swing.
If you have any other tips and trips on how to help golfers reduce their OTP swing, comment below!
