What is an over the top golf swing?
An over the top golf swing or shot happens when the golfer (right-handed) moves their right shoulder and arms at the top of the downswing out to the right first. This results in the downswing coming down steep and cutting across ...
Which side of the body should I swing my golf club from?
Pulling from the left side is key. Using more of the left side of the body you can get yourself in a much better position to strike the golf ball. Using the left side of the body is more of a pulling motion and a much more efficient way to swing the golf club. Here’s a video I did with my friends at The Art of Simple Golf ...
What is the downswing in golf?
This results in the downswing coming down steep and cutting across the golf ball from an out to in position (right to left). It is also sometimes called an outside to inside golf swing. The result is you either pull the golf ball to the left (if the clubface is square) or slice it out to the right (if the clubface is open).
How to do a golf swing with a backswing?
Take a normal golf swing and pause at the top of the backswing. Instead of starting the downswing by moving your right shoulder and arm to the right and down do this: Drop the hands around waist height and pause. Finish the swing off as normal driving through with the legs. Repeat and repeat again.
Can you swing over the top of a golf club?
You’ll notice the club will drop perfectly on plane right throughout the downswing to impact. In fact, it’s impossible to swing over the top this way because of the way the body is anatomically built. Try doing the same drill with your right arm swinging the club only (right-hander).
How to eliminate reverse pivot?
Here's a great drill to eliminate your reverse pivot... Tilt away from the ball at setup and put more weight on your back foot. As you begin your backswing, focus on loading up on your back leg. From the top, shift your weight forward through impact. Do about 100 reps with this drill.
What happens when you reverse a pivot?
A reverse pivot happens when your hips move to the right in the downswing, and at the same time, your should ers go left. Once you're in that horrible position, the downswing starts with your body falling backward and your weight shifting back. If you're falling away from the ball, it's really hard to compress the ball.
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.
What makes golf so difficult?
One thing that makes golf so difficult is that it's predominantly a left-arm, left-sided dominant game, and of course most players are right handed. The right arm plays a part in over the top swings. That's not to say the right side and the right arm don't play a huge part in the golf swing.
How does weight transfer work in golf?
Weight transfer from the right side to the left shallows out the pitch of the shaft. This move also pulls the arm down. You're not just going to the top and ripping your left arm down by itself. You're using your body mass, your weight, to change the direction of the club.
What arm is the golf club at the top?
At the top with left arm only (left). Pulling with the left shallows the swing (center). An over the top move is awkward for the left arm (right). When you pull with the left arm, the club naturally shallows out.
What happens if you overdo it?
Of course if you overdo it you'll start coming too far from the inside but, if you're an over-the-topper, coming too much from the inside is a dream come true. You'd probably love to hit a big snap hook, which terrifies a lot of golfers. Using the left arm correctly will allow you to shallow out your swing.
What arm is over the top?
At the top with right arm only (left). The right shoulder (center) and arm (right) naturally want to make an over the top movement. Your right arm wants to make that over the top motion because it's a natural movement for that part of your body at that point in the swing. What's more, this movement feels very powerful.
What is the second key to taming a slice?
The Second Key: Weight Transfer . Getting a proper weight transfer is the second key to taming your slice. A good weight transfer shallows out the swing plane - the pitch of the shaft. It's as simple as being loaded up on the right side, and then shifting your weight back to the left.
Can you use your right arm on your left arm?
You can't do it by retraining the right arm. It's very hard to get your right arm to come from the inside on its own, unless drop your right shoulder down and under, and you don't want to do that either. You just need to learn to use the left arm correctly, especially at the top of the swing.
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.
What is a top shot in golf?
In golf a topped shot is one that see the club hitting the ball above its equator. (For a shot that sees the club hitting just below the equator see the page on thin shots ).
How to move weight back in tennis?
Instead of moving your weight back towards your right foot during the backswing you will move it forward towards the front foot. Likewise, during the downswing and as you head into impact with the ball, you will move the weight back towards your right foot, instead of correctly moving it forward towards your left foot.
What is a swing arc that never produces a divot?
A swing arc that never produces a divot simply stays too high (woods and putter categories of clubs excluded), and one that doesn’t reach down below the equator of the ball stays too high.
Why is the bottom of the swing arc not a strike?
That’s because a swing that sees the bottom of the swing arc located too much in front of the ball will not produce a pure strike and if far enough in front will produce a topped shot. While the club will correctly approach the ball as it travels down it will catch the ball above its equator if the bottom of the swing arc is too late in the swing, ...
What is the bottom of the swing arc?
Or in other words, it can be explained by a bottom of the swing arc that is simply too high in relation to the ball (and to where it should be). Indeed, in a well struck shot using an iron for example, the bottom of the swing arc will be found slightly below the surface of the ground which will produce a nice little divot.
Why is my right hand lower than my left hand?
This is because your right hand will be lower on the grip of the club than the left hand. Failing to adopt this natural position can see you having both shoulders level between themselves and to the ground. Doing so, or worse seeing your left shoulder lower than the right will move your swing arc bottom forward.
Is it ok to choke down on a golf club?
Choking down on the club, while useful in certain scenarios can be overdone and is not always a good idea. If you are topping shots when choking down on the club, consider choking down less, or avoiding to choke at all by holding the club near the top of the grip.
Ensuring You Are Not Aligned To The Right At Setup
If you are lined up with your feet parallel and aimed too far right during your setup, it will be easier to hit the ball straight but to the right of your target.
Use An Alignment Stick To Check Lateral Shift
Place an alignment stick behind you into the ground facing straight up. Have someone record as well to make it easier.
Focus On Closing The Clubface At Impact
Keeping your clubface closed at impact is important to stop blocking golf shots to the right.
Employ A Square Takeaway Instead Of Inside Takeaway
Make sure you’re taking the club straight back on the backswing and straight through during the downswing on the same plane rather than bringing it too far inside which causes you to try and compensate and swing out on the downswing.
About The Editorial Staff
The Editorial Staff at Golfible is a team of golfing geeks and enthusiasts led by founder Alec Rose. All have the same obsession with golf tech, equipment updates and avoiding rain on the course.