How to Stop Coming Over the Top – Golf Pro Tip
Stop Over the Top Swing, Train the Feet to Keep Downswing on Inside
Jun 4, 2009
There are several ways to stop a golfer from coming over the top. Stop an Outside in Swing dealt with changing the line by hitting divots at the target. That might well work for some golfers, however there is an alternative method and that is through good footwork.
Coming Over the Top
When the shoulders of a golfer spin open at the beginning of the downswing, which throws the club onto the outside, there are consequences for the weight transference. Instead of being able to transfer weight onto the left foot, the golfer gets trapped on the right or back foot. This is clearly visible at the finish position when the right foot remains flat on the floor.
Rather than concentrating on trying to discipline the shoulders to work correctly, with a change of focus to the feet, it is possible to have a positive leg drive, which stops the shoulders from spinning.
Train the Right Foot to Keep Downswing on Inside
With a positive right leg action you can pacify the shoulders. Top pros, who naturally draw the ball, like Tom Watson and Greg Norman, have a particular right foot action that stops the shoulders from becoming active on the downswing.
If you study the way their right foot works at the start of the downswing , it slides directly towards the left. This keeps the right side back, which means the left side cannot spin.
When a golfer comes over the top, and the shoulders spin open, the right side is pulled out. Often the right foot slips away from the golfer which makes him lose balance, and step back away from the target. By making the right foot slide towards the left foot, the golfers weight transfers positively onto the front foot, and stops you from coming over the top.
Practice The Right Foot Slide
- Stand upright in your living room. Look down at the floor.
- Imagine you are standing on the face of a clock. In front of you is twelve o’clock, behind you six o’clock.
- Keeping your left foot planted move your right foot to three o’clock, then draw it towards your left foot.
- Notice how your shoulders do not spin open.
- Now, keeping your left foot planted twist and spin your left shoulder to six o’clock. Notice how the right foot wants to spin out to twelve.
When you next hit balls imagine your are still standing on the clock. When you start the downswing make your right foot slide towards your left. In this way you can stop the shoulders from spinning open. A good right foot action can stop you from coming over the top.
See also: What is an Over the Top Swing
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