Topic Foundation
An over-the-top golf swing creates an outside-in path that causes slices. Understanding what causes this problem helps you identify it in your own swing and target your practice to fix it.
What causes an over-the-top golf swing?
An over-the-top swing is caused by starting the downswing with your shoulders instead of your hips, poor sequencing that leads with the upper body, or backswing position problems that force compensations. This creates an outside-in path that causes slices and reduces distance.
The over-the-top move happens when your upper body starts the downswing before your lower body. This incorrect sequence creates the outside-in path that sends the ball left initially, then curves it right due to the open clubface and spin.
How does starting with shoulders cause over-the-top?
Starting the downswing with your shoulders causes over-the-top by creating the outside-in path. When your shoulders start the downswing, your club swings left of target, creating the path that causes slices. This move feels natural but creates ball flight problems.
The correct sequence starts with your hips, which creates space for your arms to swing through. Starting with your shoulders eliminates this space, forcing your club outside-in. This path, combined with an open face, creates maximum slice.
How does poor sequencing cause over-the-top?
Poor sequencing causes over-the-top by leading with the upper body instead of the lower body. When your arms or shoulders start the downswing before your hips, you create the over-the-top move. This incorrect sequence creates path problems that affect ball flight.
Proper sequence—hips first, then torso, then arms—creates the inside-out path that produces draws and distance. Incorrect sequence—arms or shoulders first—creates the outside-in path that produces slices and reduces distance.
How does backswing position affect over-the-top?
Backswing position affects over-the-top by determining your ability to sequence the downswing effectively. If your backswing position is incorrect, you may compensate by starting the downswing with your shoulders, creating the over-the-top move.
Proper backswing position sets up effective downswing sequence. Incorrect position forces compensations that often include starting with the upper body. This compensation creates the over-the-top move that affects ball flight.
How does hip stall contribute to over-the-top?
Hip stall contributes to over-the-top by forcing your upper body to start the downswing. When your hips stop rotating during the downswing, your shoulders compensate by starting the move, creating the over-the-top path that causes slices.
Proper hip rotation creates space for your arms to swing through. When your hips stall, you lose this space, forcing your upper body to compensate. This compensation creates the over-the-top move that affects ball flight.
How can you fix over-the-top swing?
You can fix over-the-top swing by starting the downswing with your hips instead of your shoulders, developing proper sequence (hips first, then torso, then arms), and ensuring proper backswing position that sets up effective downswing sequence.
Practice the feeling of starting the downswing with your hips, feeling them rotate before your shoulders move. This practice develops the proper sequence that eliminates the over-the-top move and creates the inside-out path that produces distance and accuracy.
Knowledge Synthesis
Over-the-top swing is caused by starting the downswing with shoulders, poor sequencing, or backswing position problems. This creates an outside-in path that causes slices. Fixing it requires starting with hips, developing proper sequence, and ensuring proper backswing position.
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