Golf-FAQ.com

how to not go over the top when hitting a golf gall

by Prof. Barrett Shanahan Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

If all else fails and you still feel like you might be coming over the top, try changing your setup when hitting golf shots! Even something as simple as bringing your left knee closer to the ground (towards your front foot) can help to promote proper spine tilt at address.

Part of a video titled The Golf Fix - Stop Coming Over the Top | Golf Channel
0:45
3:36
Here and the easiest way to do that is to just feel like when you start down that you're going toMoreHere and the easiest way to do that is to just feel like when you start down that you're going to keep your back to the target for as long as you can and if your back stays to the target your arms.

Full Answer

How to stop topping the golf ball?

However, for a golfer who wants to figure out how to stop topping the golf ball, getting rid of this move should be a top priority. Lifting your head right before impact is likely the leading cause of topping golf shots. You can do everything right throughout the entire swing, but if you lift your head early, the shot can go all wrong.

What causes over-the-top moves in golf?

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.

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

For those unsure of what coming over the top is, exactly, it’s what Clearwater describes: It’s when golfers throw the club directly at the top of the ball from the top of their swing, and send the clubhead from out-to-in. Do this with an open clubface and you’ll hit a big slice. Keep the clubface closed and it’ll pull-hook.

How to hit a golf ball high?

Some position the ball far back from their stance, and instead of allowing you to make a low it, it turns out as a high hit. When a ball is away from your stance, the swing is steeper, and you will hit the ball down, a move that makes it rise up so fast. It will also cause the ball to spin back several times. Get an extra club and swing slow.

How do I stop going over the top in my golf swing?

5:347:13Stop Swinging "OVER THE TOP" In Golf - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLike i have here but this is simple simply back yourself up until you're about a hands width awayMoreLike i have here but this is simple simply back yourself up until you're about a hands width away from the wall with your buttocks flip the club around so you're actually holding.

What causes coming over the top in a golf swing?

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.

How do you fix hitting over the top?

5:198:06FIX AN OVER THE TOP SWING INSTANTLY (My Secret Tip)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNot a problem that is just that you're hitting the ball flat footed on your back foot. So what youMoreNot a problem that is just that you're hitting the ball flat footed on your back foot. So what you want to do there is feel the weight coming off of this heel right here you want to lift your heel.

How do I stop my shoulder from going over the top?

1:083:27Golf - Stop Coming Over The Top| Trail Shoulder Drill - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUnder my left arm. Make a swing it tends to leave me to have the right arm. Direction in theMoreUnder my left arm. Make a swing it tends to leave me to have the right arm. Direction in the downswing. And thus get the external rotation in the right shoulder that I would want.

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.

What happens when you come over the top?

0:288:54Why 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.

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.

How do you stay down in golf swing?

4:129:40How to Stay Down Through Impact in The Golf Swing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf i'm a player who doesn't turn it off in the backswing. So for example my hips don't rotate myMoreIf i'm a player who doesn't turn it off in the backswing. So for example my hips don't rotate my shoulders don't rotate. And my arms. Pull off the ball.

How do I keep my shoulders down in golf?

8:0913:22GOLF: Shoulder Down & In & Under The Chin - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTo you know have the best side to solid. Contact. So left shoulder down in under the chin.MoreTo you know have the best side to solid. Contact. So left shoulder down in under the chin.

How do I stop topping the golf ball with irons?

The three things you need to do to correct the issue of topping the golf ball is:Keep your head still throughout the backswing. ... Next, you need to make sure you take a divot at impact. ... Finally, in order to create that divot, you'll need to shift your weight forward to your front side throughout the downswing.

How do I keep my shoulder back in golf swing?

12:2014:49The Magic Of The Right Shoulder In The Golf Swing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRight shoulder under and forward left side's longer shirt buttons up towards the sky and this wouldMoreRight shoulder under and forward left side's longer shirt buttons up towards the sky and this would be the same whether you're hitting wedge seven iron hybrid fairway wood driver yeah that's nice.

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 Causes It?

To truly understand how to stop coming over the top in golf, we need to identify what is causing it. This issue is usually caused by an inability to set up proper spine tilt and rotate the body under the ball.

6 Ways On How To Stop Coming Over The Top In Golf

There are numerous ways that you can fix this issue so that you can start buttering those irons! The first step will be identifying if you are at risk for coming over the top or if there are clear signs of already doing it during your swing. The next thing to do is to start at the address.

How to Stop Coming Over the Top in Golf – Conclusion

Here’s a brief summary of all the things that you should do if you feel like you’re coming over the top in your golf swing:

1. Object by the ball

It doesn’t need to be a pool noodle, Clearwarter says. A bottle, headcover or other obstacle can work just as well. Place it just outside the ball and then start hitting (the ball, not the object!).

2. Diagonal pool noodle

You’ll need a friend to help you with this one, but all they’ll need to do is stand there and hold a pool noodle, alignment rod or club at a 45-degree angle. Your goal is simple: To swing under the obstacle on your downswing.

Why do amateur golfers rush through their swings?

Countless amateur golfers rush through their swings, either because they are trying to swing as hard as possible, or because they are nervous about the outcome of the shot. Either way, rushing is only going to put you off track and out of position when you get down to impact.

What is the ideal backswing for golf?

The ideal backswing is one that has plenty of width, with your hands reaching back well away from your body as you turn to the right (for a right handed golfer). Unfortunately, many golfers make a backswing that is far too narrow, with the hands quickly coming in close to the body during the takeaway phase of the swing.

What happens when you make a narrow backswing?

When you do make a narrow backswing, your hands will be very close to your head at the top of the swing. From there, they only have one choice – to move up and away from your body. There simply isn’t room to drop the club to the inside after a narrow backswing, so an over the top action is your only option.

Can you play golf if you don't play at a high level?

While golf can be fun even if you don’t play at a high level, it’s frustrating to be stuck in neutral without any improvement in your play.

How to swing a golf ball with your backswing?

How to Do It: To start, feel like you set up behind the ball with your rear shoulder lower than your front shoulder and your weight favoring your rear foot. Exaggerate this tilted position throughout the swing, and you will feel how the weight should move into the backswing.

Why do my arms lift to the top?

Problem #1: Arm Lift to the Top. Cause and Effect: The arm lift is caused when the shoulders aren’t the lead source of power in the backswing, leaving the arms to lift to the top independently of the torso’s actions.

What happens when your hips spin out?

Cause and Effect: Anytime the hips race out from under the torso or “spin-out” from the top, the club is usually thrown over-the-top. The longer the club, the more detrimental this move becomes.

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:

What happens if you hit the ball too far left?

If you’ve got the ball too far left (closer to your lead foot) at address, your swing will find its bottom point before it reaches the ball. By impact, the clubhead is traveling up and over the ball, usually clipping it above the equator. If you’ve been topping the ball often, check your ball position first.

How does a golf swing stay level?

Good golf swings remain level throughout the backswing and downswing, so the body remains as stable as possible and the job of delivering the club head to the back of the ball gets that much easier. To better understand this concept, think about other areas of life outside of the golf course that require precision.

What is it like to watch your golf ball fly?

One of the great pleasures in the game of golf is looking up after your swing and watching your ball soar through the air in the direction of the target. Even if you don’t hit a great shot every time, there is something satisfying about watching the ball fly that gives the golfers a great feeling of accomplishment.

How does rotation work in golf?

Rotation works in both directions, as well – you have to rotate away from the target if you are going to be able to rotate towards it with any kind of power and aggression.

What happens if you don't clear your swing?

If you aren’t clear on what is going on in your swing that is leading to the topping of the ball, you don’t stand much of a chance at all to fix it. The good news is that unlike some other parts of the golf swing, the issue that you are likely dealing with to create this problem is relatively easy to understand.

Can you play golf with your toes up?

It is actually possible to play good golf this way, and you might see better players who get up on their toes from time to time – especially when swinging hard. However, for a golfer who wants to figure out how to stop topping the golf ball, getting rid of this move should be a top priority.

Is the topped shot embarrassing?

Ah, the topped shot. It’s embarrassing, all right. Even worse, the ego damage is compounded by a lousy result, which moves you only a little closer to the intended target.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9