Fighting an over-the-top golf swing? Envision this childhood activity to fix it (2024)

By: Adam Smith, GOLF Teacher to Watch , Nick Dimengo

Fighting an over-the-top golf swing? Envision this childhood activity to fix it (1)

Welcome to Shaving Strokes, a GOLF.com series in which we’re sharing improvements, learnings and takeaways from amateur golfers just like you — including some of the speed bumps and challenges they faced along the way.

If you battle inconsistent ball-striking (especially off the tee with your driver), there’s a good chance you fight an over-the-top golf swing, which often leads to an open clubface and a nasty slice.

Whether you’re a high-handicapper or someone trying to become a scratch golfer, coming over the top is a common swing flaw that can creep up at any moment. That’s because it’s easy to get lax during your golf swing and simply just extend the trail elbow out and away from the body — producing a “chicken wing” and an over-the-top swing path.

While it might be bad news when you do this, there is some good news: It’s fixable — as long as you know the right fundamentals to do so.

Since I often battle this problem with a driver in my hand, I tapped GOLF Teacher to Watch Adam Smith to see what tips he has to finally fix coming over the top. Instead of a laundry list of suggestions, Smith kept things fun and loose and suggests returning to my childhood for a simple feeling — skipping a rock across a pond.

Try ‘skipping the rock’ to avoid an over-the-top golf swing

“The dreaded over-the-top move is a result of the body’s right side taking over on the downswing,” Smith says. “The right elbow lifts at the top of the backswing, and the right shoulder moves both forward and over on the downswing.”

So what happens when these two things occur? The club gets off-plane, causes the swing path to be too far to the left of the target line and leads to that nasty slice.

This is where Smith suggests skipping a rock across a lake to help feel the sensation of staying on-plane.

Fighting an over-the-top golf swing? Envision this childhood activity to fix it (2)

“It might sound crazy, but think about the same motion you use when you skip a rock across water,” he says. “The right elbow must stay down, and the right arm and shoulder must swing under. This motion creates an inside-to-out swing plane — the exact opposite of an over-the-top move.

“In the rock-skipping process, notice how the right side of the body swings underneath, and the path of the throwing arm is inside-to-out,” Smith adds. “Feel this way when you swing a golf club and your club path will be more inside-to-out — resulting in straighter, longer shots.”

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Fighting an over-the-top golf swing? Envision this childhood activity to fix it (4)

Golf.com Photographer

Fighting an over-the-top golf swing? Envision this childhood activity to fix it (5)

Nick Dimengo

Golf.com Editor

Fighting an over-the-top golf swing? Envision this childhood activity to fix it (2024)

FAQs

How to fix a golf swing coming over the top? ›

How to Stop Coming Over the Top?
  1. Neutral Grip Strength. ...
  2. More Upright Posture. ...
  3. Clubface Square to the Target. ...
  4. Wrist Supination at the Top. ...
  5. Shorten Your Backswing. ...
  6. Shift Weight Towards the Target. ...
  7. Increase Wrist Flexion Leading Into Impact. ...
  8. Turn Your Shoulders Through Impact.

Why is an over the top golf swing bad? ›

Problems Associated with an Over the Top Swing

What is this? 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.

Why do I over swing in golf? ›

Over swinging is caused by moving the arms and hands too dominantly and not having your body turn synchronised during your back swing.

Is it possible to swing over the top of a swing? ›

Going All the Way Around Is Impossible

The chains holding the swing are actually what account for this. Getting higher on a swing requires slowly building up energy, but as soon as you get above the bar, the chains go slack and you fall slightly, dissipating the extra energy.

What is so special about top golf? ›

What makes Topgolf so high-tech? Our patented technology allows you to track your golf ball and accurately score each shot based on the target it enters.

How to tell if you're coming over the top? ›

If you're coming over the top in your downswing, here are a few things to look for.
  1. Rolling the club inside on the takeaway. ...
  2. Not making a complete turn. ...
  3. Not getting enough (club) depth. ...
  4. Too laid off on the backswing. ...
  5. Pulling the handle down in the downswing. ...
  6. Getting too quick in the transition.
Dec 21, 2023

What is spooning in golf? ›

Basically, if the player has not made a backswing, and has had more than momentary contact with the back of the ball as he attempts to hit it, he has pushed, scraped, or spooned the ball, all of which actions are prohibited under Rule 14-1a.

Why you are coming over the top in your golf swing? ›

A common cause of an over-the-top move is golfers failing to transfer their weight effectively. This leads to a reverse pivot, meaning the weight stays on the left leg throughout the backswing and shifts onto the right through impact.

What happens if you overswing? ›

If you overswing, your clubhead at the top of the swing will point to the right of the target and this will make you have a tendency to come over the top on the downswing. Watch the videos of Jack Nicklaus in, Golf My Way, and you will see his club cross the line, and points to the right of the target.

How do I stop casting at the top of my swing? ›

Wrist angles at the top of the backswing that are too extended can cause you to cast the club. Instead, get to a position at the top where your lead wrist is flat, and then maintain that position through impact. You'll have a stronger contact position, higher ball flight, and better accuracy.

Why do I top my golf swing? ›

However, here are a few of the key reasons why you are topping in case any of them stand out to you. Ball position too far forward or too far away from you. Poor posture – mostly hanging over the golf ball too far. Head moving away from the ball on the backswing.

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