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what is coming over the top in golf

by Theresia Herman Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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The over-the-top golfer generally does the following things:

  • (1) The shoulders and feet are aimed left of the target;
  • (2) The weight is too far left at address;
  • (3) The ball is generally too far forward at address;
  • (4) The club is taken away too far to the inside and around the body which causes the arms to lift up too high as the club reaches the top ...

More items...

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

Are you coming over the top in your golf swing?

Coming over the top is a dreaded swing issue that can wreak havoc in your golf game. You never know when it is going to strike but, when it does, it’s important to be able to recognise it and fix it. This is a problem that many golfers will face in their life, if you’re going through it now then you’re not alone.

What is an over-the-top move in golf?

Before we go any further, it’s worth clarifying, for those who may be unfamiliar, what an “over-the-top” move actually is. It’s when the club moves from outside-to-in on the downswing. Paired with a closed clubface, it can result in a nasty pull hook. Match it with an open clubface, and bingo! Slice time.

Why do I Keep Coming Over the top of the ball?

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. The first step to fixing this is taking a look at the initial move away from the ball...

Why does my golf ball fly over the top?

The over-the-top move that causes this ball flight most often stems from poor sequencing of the body. When your body gets out of sync, it often forces the rear shoulder to ride outward on the downswing, shifting your swing direction in toward your body. Slice city. There are a few very common reasons that lead to poor sequencing.

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How do I stop coming over the top in golf?

1:073:36The Golf Fix - Stop Coming Over the Top | Golf Channel - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipObviously to turn but then it's going to help you kind of start. That lower body first because we'reMoreObviously to turn but then it's going to help you kind of start. That lower body first because we're going to help frees up the upper body by keeping this club perpendicular to the ground here.

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 clipSo what do I see is the main reason for this overuse of your body. Ok too much tension in your arms.MoreSo what do I see is the main reason for this overuse of your body. Ok too much tension in your arms. And you're not letting your arms swing. So the sequence of motion is a little off.

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.

Can coming over the top 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.

Is it OK to come over the top golf?

2:006:203 REASONS YOU COME OVER THE TOP IN YOUR DOWNSWINGYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo the over-the-top move in that case is actually something which is useful for that golfer. So theMoreSo the over-the-top move in that case is actually something which is useful for that golfer. So the first thing you need to check is your wrist positions at the top we want your lead risk to be flat.

Does coming over the top cause a shank?

It often comes when the clubface is too open on the backswing, which causes you to loop the club to the outside coming down—called swinging over the top. This re-routing can move the hosel closer to the ball, leading to a shank. It also can cause a shift onto your toes, another shank producer. Here's what to check.

What does it mean to come over the top?

phrase. You describe something as over the top when you think that it is exaggerated, and therefore unacceptable. [mainly British, informal] The special effects are a bit over the top but I enjoyed it. Synonyms: excessive, too much, going too far, inordinate More Synonyms of over-the-top.

Who has the prettiest swing in golf?

The mission is to rank the 10 prettiest swings in golf....Finding the 10 prettiest, well, there has to be some subjectivity involvement and, with that, I give you the list.Adam Scott.Fred Couples. ... Ernie Els. ... Charl Schwartzel. ... Tiger Woods. ... Rory McIlroy. ... Tom Watson. ... Davis Love III. ... More items...

Why can't I stop coming over the top?

3:077:08HOW TO STOP COMING OVER THE TOP - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd my elbows. That are doing this that's how I change the angle of the club shaft. So those golfersMoreAnd my elbows. That are doing this that's how I change the angle of the club shaft. So those golfers who do come over the top will generally have the club shaft. Far too steep.

Why do I keep coming 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 do I stop my shoulder from going over the top?

1:283:27Golf - 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.

How do you fix an over the top hook?

3:466:28Quick Fix: Pull, Hook & Pull Hook. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBehind it only by doing that is the left leg in a position to be able to complete the rotation andMoreBehind it only by doing that is the left leg in a position to be able to complete the rotation and push it back out of the way.

Did Sam Snead swing over the top?

2:347:04MSE SAM SNEAD INSIDE OVER THE TOP - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYeah but you know Sam Snead makes it look so darn. Easy. He just repeated this move over and overMoreYeah but you know Sam Snead makes it look so darn. Easy. He just repeated this move over and over again it's kind of funny I don't think he liked that last swing.

Did any pro golfers start late?

The Oldest Golfer to Turn Pro The oldest person to become a pro golfer is Allen Doyle, who turned pro at the age of 46 and qualified for the PGA Tour at 48. He would go on to win 11 PGA Tour Champions victories. Doyle is proof that it's certainly possible to become a pro golfer in your 40s, but it is unlikely.

Who is the most liked golf player?

No: 1: Bubba Watson Bubba Watson's Masters triumph of 2012 cemented his position as a fan favorite.

How hard is it to become a pro golfer?

Professional golf whether at mini tour level or major tour level is extremely competitive and any amateur golfer-male or female that wishes to take this path needs to appreciate that from the time you turn professional it will take you at a minimum 7 to 10 or more years of hard work, dedication and patience to make it ...

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 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 .

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.

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.

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.

An Endless List

When I see a golf swing, I can easily predict (like most of you reading) when others are going to say, “He comes over the top.”

There is No Universal Definition for Over the Top

This list could get longer, but as you can see, over the top can mean something different to each person you talk to. But every scenario I listed above can create a shot that flies in the hole.

Be Careful With This Term

Now finally how to get something useful out of this blog post. When you walk into a lesson, the best thing you can do is tell your teacher what you want to do better. Don’t waste your time and money telling the teacher what you think you do wrong.

What causes coming over-the-top in the golf swing?

In essence, an over-the-top swing comes about due to an overuse of the upper body when playing a shot. Typically, the plane of the club in the downswing is steeper than, or over-the-top of, the plane of the club in the takeaway, leading to slices if the clubface is open, or pulls if the clubface is shut.

How do you cure an over-the-top swing?

To cure an over-the-top swing, you need to fix your club path in the downswing, changing it so that it comes down beneath, or identical to, the path you took it away on. The best way to do this is to implement some drills, such as using an angled alignment stick to redirect your path, while filming your swing to monitor progress.

How do I stop my shoulders from starting the downswing?

To stop your shoulders from starting the downswing, it’s important to work on using the lower body and its rotation to transition correctly into your shot. Instead of turning the shoulders and allowing the arms to ‘throw’ the club over-the-top, try opening the hips before the shoulders and arms move into the downswing.

Do any pro golfers come over-the-top?

There are a few pros who do occasionally come over-the-top, but the movement is usually extremely slight and their hand-eye coordination is good enough to make the action perform well.

Final message

In general, an over-the-top swing is going to be damaging for your golf game.

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.

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.

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