Why You’re Coming Over The Top In Your Golf Swing + How To Fix It

Coming over the top is a common issue in golf swings that can lead to slices, pulls, and generally inconsistent shots. This occurs when, during the downswing, the upper body and shoulders initiate the movement towards the ball, causing the club to move outside the intended swing path and then across the ball at impact. This outside-in motion is what typically leads to that dreaded slice. Let’s break down why this happens and how you can fix it.

Why You’re Coming Over the Top

1. Upper Body Dominance: A natural instinct is to use your upper body strength to generate speed, leading to an overactive upper body start in the downswing.
2. Incorrect Sequence in Downswing: The proper downswing sequence starts from the ground up (legs, then hips, torso, and finally arms). When this sequence is out of sync, the upper body compensates by coming over the top.
3. Poor Grip or Stance: Sometimes, the root cause is as simple as your setup. An improper grip or stance can restrict the natural inside-out path of your swing.
4. Lack of Flexibility: Limited flexibility, especially in the shoulders and hips, can prevent a proper turn and lead to compensations in the swing.

How To Fix It

1. Improve Your Sequence

• Hip Bump Drill: On your downswing, practice a slight “bump” or shift of your hips towards the target before your upper body starts to move. This encourages the correct sequence and prevents the shoulders from taking over.

2. Strengthen Your Grip

• Check Your Grip: Ensure that your grip is not too weak, which can open the clubface. A stronger grip can help you maintain a better angle through impact.

3. Adjust Your Stance

• Shoulder Alignment: Make sure your shoulders are square to the target line at setup. An open stance can promote an outside-in swing path.

4. Practice Inside-Out Drills

• Basket Drill: Place a basket or headcover just outside the ball and in line with your target. Practice swinging without hitting the basket, encouraging an inside-out path.
• Towel Drill: Place a towel under your right armpit (for right-handed golfers). Swing without dropping the towel to encourage a more connected and inside-out swing.

5. Increase Flexibility

• Daily Stretching: Incorporate stretches that increase flexibility in your shoulders, back, and hips. More flexibility allows for a fuller backswing and a natural inside-out path.

6. Slow Down

• Tempo Practice: Sometimes, simply slowing down your swing can correct the issue. A slower, more controlled swing allows for the correct body parts to move at the right time.

Practicing Patience and Consistency

Remember, correcting an over-the-top swing won’t happen overnight. It requires patience, consistent practice, and perhaps most importantly, an understanding that improvement comes from gradual adjustments, not immediate overhauls. Incorporate these drills and adjustments into your practice routine, and over time, you’ll find your swing path correcting itself, leading to straighter, more consistent shots.