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golf swing what causes coming over the top

by Daisy Tremblay Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Causes of the Over the Top Golf Swing

  • Starting the backswing by taking the club too far inside.
  • Lifting your arms too much in the backswing.
  • Starting the downswing with your upper body.
  • Flying your front shoulder too far open in the downswing

Over the Top is perhaps the most common swing fault among high handicap golfers. It occurs due to an overuse of the upper body on the downswing. As a result the club will be thrown on the outside of the intended swing plane with the club head approaching the ball from outside to in.

Full Answer

What causes an over-the-top golf swing?

One of the most common causes of an over-the-top golf swing is a backswing that is too far ‘inside’. When a golfer takes the club back too close to his body (inside), the natural tendency is to compensate by extending the right elbow away from the body during the transition from backswing to downswing.

What is an over the top swing?

An over the top swing is one that features a downswing in which the clubhead is located outside of the target line as it makes it descent towards the ball.

What does it mean to come over the top in golf?

Coming over the top in your golf swing simply means not following the correct club path on your downswing... Instead of swinging down and delivering the club from the inside, your club falls outside of your swing plane, and you end up losing power and/or hitting a nasty slice.

Why is my club falling outside of my swing plane?

Instead of swinging down and delivering the club from the inside, your club falls outside of your swing plane, and you end up losing power and/or hitting a nasty slice. The main reason you're coming over the top is due to over-use of your body, and the sequence of motion in your swing is off.

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How do I stop my golf swing coming over the top?

5:567:13Stop Swinging "OVER THE TOP" In Golf - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLittle pressure down club hits the wall shallow shallow shallow shallow. Turn so this will reallyMoreLittle pressure down club hits the wall shallow shallow shallow shallow. Turn so this will really give you the sensation. Of what it's like to lay that shaft down at the top of the swing.

Why am I coming over the top with my irons?

0:448:54Why You're Coming Over The Top In Your Golf Swing + How To Fix It!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBecause you feel like you have to and you really do once that Club gets out of plane. So what do IMoreBecause you feel like you have to and you really do once that Club gets out of plane. So what do I see is the main reason for this overuse of your body. Ok too much tension in your arms.

What does coming over the top cause?

A golfer is said to swing over the top of the ball when the club comes down on a very steep angle from outside-inside. Generally this type of swing creates a a big divot that points to the left of target . The ball flight can be a pull or a pull hook to the left, or a terrible slice to the right.

Do any pro golfers come over the top?

Craig Stadler, Craig Parry and many other champion golfers swing this way. Bruce Lietzke made a wonderful career on the PGA Tour with an “in-and-over” move. Their secret was simple: They made one move from the top of the swing.

Why should you shallow the golf swing?

When you begin to shallow out your golf swing, you can generate so much more power and hit the ball much more consistently. Shallowing the club will also help with driving distance and most likely accuracy as well.

How do I stop topping the golf ball with irons?

5:308:21How To Stop Topping Golf Shots - 3 Simple Steps - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTowards the target you're getting your weight to your lead. Side. Really early what that does itMoreTowards the target you're getting your weight to your lead. Side. Really early what that does it allows you to hit the ground but it means that that contact will be target side of the ball which.

Does an over the top swing cause a hook?

Coming over the top is an error which occurs when you get to the top of the backswing. The next move is supposed to be powered by the lower half of the body and getting it wrong will mess up your swing plane, causing hooks, slices and other common swing issues.

Should I pause at top of golf swing?

4:296:18GOLF BACKSWING: Should You Pause At The Top? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOkay so thinking into the future just think about the time you're spending up at the top of yourMoreOkay so thinking into the future just think about the time you're spending up at the top of your back. Sign if you need a little more. Time then pause a little longer or hesitate a little longer.

Why do golfers drag their clubs so far inside?

In an effort to get the swing to be more rounded and swing more in to out, some golfers will drag the club too far inside on the backswing, resulting in feeling trapped in there and the only solution is to swing out over the top.

What is a golf swing?

The golf swing is a patient explosion where you have to remain calm early on in the downswing and let the swing happen. Of course you will fire away at the ball, but the speed must come at the ball and many over the top golfers swing too fast early on their downswing and have loss speed by the time they get to impact.

What degree is the clubface open?

Clubface: 2 degree open. Swing Path: 3 degrees to the right. This means the ball will start to the right and then curve away from the path, resulting in a slight push draw. In this example if the clubface was 1 more degree open at 3 degrees open and and match the swing path the shot would be slight push to the right.

Where does the ball start in golf?

The old way of thinking is that the ball started in the direction of the path and then curved relative to the clubface. However, the reality and what actually takes place is that the ball will start where the club face is pointing at impact and then will curve relative to the swing path.

Which body gets ahead of the lower body?

The upper body gets ahead of the lower body, resulting in a swing path that goes too far to the left. The proper swing sequence starts with the lower body firing shortly before the upper body. Jack Nicklaus tried to have his arms beat the buttons on his shirt to the ball.

Can a slice occur with an open or closed club face?

As a result of these ball flight laws a slice can occur with an open or closed club face. A draw can also be hit with an open or closed club face. The club face will impact where the ball starts and then curve relative to the path. Here are a couple of examples to help you better understand.

Why do golfers pivot over the top?

One of the most common causes of the over-the-top move is when golfers fail to transfer their weight properly. This can lead to what’s known as a reverse pivot where the weight stays on the left leg throughout the backswing and then shifts onto the right side coming down into impact.

How to get better at golf swing?

A simple drill to help encourage a better move is to set up without a club and place your hands across your shoulders. From there, turn back and feel your left shoulder moving across to your right knee, and then your right shoulder to your left knee as you swing through.

Why does Miguel Jimenez swing around his body?

From there, he would swing around his body on that plane to encourage the feeling of attacking the ball from the inside and releasing the hands better. It’s something we’ve also seen Miguel Jimenez do for many years when he is practising. The great thing about these drills is that they aren’t overly technical.

Can hitting an iron cause a slice?

No matter if you’re hitting an iron or a driver, coming over the top with your swing can spell disaster. It’s often the cause of a slice but can also lead to big pulls depending on how you release the club.

Can you swing over the top with a poor backswing?

Swinging over the top isn’t only for those with a poor backswing. There are many golfers who shift their weight nicely and get the club into a good position only to pull their left hip back violently, which throws the club outside. Starting the downswing by shifting the left hip laterally will get the club in a better position.

What is an over the top swing?

An over the top swing is one that features a downswing in which the clubhead is located outside of the target line as it makes it descent towards the ball. Indeed, as the name of the swing error suggests the clubhead will be situated on top of the target line – generally speaking – and it will travel towards the ball on an outside-in club path, ...

How to correct a swing?

Instead, a square takeaway or even an inside takeaway while you work to get rid of the swing error may be preferable. You’ll then need to make sure the club is positioned correctly at the top of the swing.

How to do a downswing in golf?

In order to initiate the downswing properly you must resist turning your shoulders and hands forward , which is what happens with the over the top swing error. Rather, focus on your right elbow and initiate the downswing with your elbow dropping down rather than moving forward and out .

Can a golf club follow a square inside club path?

Thanks to its location outside or on top of the target line the club cannot follow a desirable inside-square-inside club path. Instead, it will come in towards the ball under an outside-in club path, a path that is strongly associated with slices and one that cannot produce straight shots at the target. It can even lead to shanks.

The mistake

Golfers have heard by now that they need to turn on the backswing — and indeed, they do. A big turn creates more power in your golf swing. The problem is what gets lost: You can’t just turn. It’s about how you turn.

The magic move

Lower handicaps have more shoulder tilt: About 7 degrees more of it on average, according to GOLFTEC, and usually more. Why is shoulder tilt a good thing? For a bunch of reasons, but among them:

Why is my golf swing so over the top?

One of the most common causes of an over-the-top golf swing is a backswing that is too far ‘inside’. When a golfer takes the club back too close to his body (inside), the natural tendency is to compensate by extending the right elbow away from the body during the transition from backswing to downswing. When the right elbow of a right-handed golfer ...

What are some mistakes you can make in golf swing?

There sure is a lot to learn about the golf swing. The good news is you’ve come to the right place! Beginners (and even more advanced golfers) often face several challenges when attempting to improve their golf swing. One common swing mistake many golfers make is an over the top move that usually occurs during the transition from their backswing ...

How to swing a golf club right handed?

For right-handed golfers, hold the golf club with ONLY your left hand and SWING using ONLY your left hand. Concentrate on using only your left arm and the rotation of your body to bring the club back.

What is the result of club face that sweeps across the ball from the outside?

For right-handed golfers when the club face sweeps across the ball from the outside at impact it imparts clockwise spin onto the golf ball. It is this clockwise spin that produces a golf slice.

What is a medicus swing trainer?

It’s basically a driver with two adjustable hinges that allow the club to ‘break’ whenever the golfer does something wrong during the backswing or downswing.

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