The 7 Proven Drills to Help You Stop Coming Over the Top
Coming over the top could be the reason behind your slice, your pull, and your inconsistency in the game of golf.
The good news about coming over the top in golf is that there are some very easy drills you can do to help eliminate the coming over-the-top move.
You can work on these drills in any order. Using the HackMotion while you fix your over the top motion will help you fix the issue sooner.
Stop Coming Over the Top (Key Takeaways)
If you don’t have time to try out these drills right now, here are some of the most important concepts to take away.
- You won’t come over the top if you come from the inside. The inside-out motion can be exaggerated and cause other issues, but start by creating the opposite of your problem and using it to help you straighten the shot.
- Your wrists control the clubface. If the lead wrist position is flat or slightly flexed at the top of the backswing, you will have trouble coming over the top.
- Use visual aids to help you see the proper path for your club. You can use tees, headcovers, alignment sticks, etc.
- Play around with the ball position to ensure you are not causing this over the top issue by playing the ball too far forward.
- Control timing and tempo so the transition from backswing to downswing is more fluid. You’ll be able to feel that slightly inside path to the golf ball.
Contents
Struggling with Clubface Control? Your Wrists Are the Answer
A square clubface at impact means better shots—period. Click here for must-know wrist action drills that teach you how to use your wrists the right way for more consistency and power.
7 Drills to Stop Coming Over the Top
Trail Foot Flare Drill
One of the simplest ways to fix the over the top motion is to flare the trail foot when you set up to hit.
Doing this helps improve hip rotation and naturally puts the club on a more inside path.
Trail Foot Flare Drill – Step by Step:
- Set up in your normal stance.
- Flare your trail foot (right foot for right-handed golfers) 15-25° open.
- This adjustment allows for better hip rotation, creating more depth in your backswing.
- With increased rotation, it’s easier to bring the club down on an inside path.
- Practice swings focusing on making a deeper turn with the club moving more around you.
Wrist Position Fix with HackMotion
Too much extension in the lead wrist at the top of the backswing can create an open clubface at impact.
Using HackMotion to help control (and monitor) your wrist angles will help to square the clubface at the top of the backswing (watch the video above).
You can use the HackMotion drills to dial in the position at the top of your swing or just monitor it while wearing the HackMotion.
Wrist Position Fix with HackMotion:
- At the top of the backswing, check your lead wrist position. If it’s overly extended (cupped), you will likely come over the top.
- Reduce wrist extension at the top (aim for a flat lead wrist or slight flexion).
- Feel as if you’re bowing the lead wrist slightly at the top to promote a square clubface.
- Practice slow swings, focusing on maintaining the correct wrist angles.
If you don’t own the HackMotion, try this drill instead:
- Hold a book between your palms.
- Turn to the top of your backswing and try to point the book toward the sky (lead wrist flexed).
- On the downswing, feel like you’re turning the book down toward the ground.
Deep Backswing Drill
Another common position we see from golfers who come over the top is a backswing that is too steep.
If you can get a deeper backswing where you feel the club more around and behind the body, it’s easier to come from the inside.
Deep Backswing Drill – Step by Step:
- Check your backswing depth: At the top, your lead arm should be in line with your shoulder plane. The butt of the club should be over your ankle line, not your toe line.
- If your hands are too high, turn your body more in the backswing.
- Feel like you’re keeping your hands closer to your body at the top.
- Doing this drill with a little trail leg setback can help you feel that deeper position.
Hands to the Pocket Transition Drill
If you have noticed, there is a common theme in these drills to stop coming over the top. Each one focuses on getting the club to fall into place and approach the ball more from the inside.
Another thought or feeling that can help you get there is this hands-to-the-pocket transition drill (watch the video above).
While you work on your swing plane, this isn’t a bad swing thought to bring with you to the course.
Hands to the Pocket Transition Drill – Step by Step:
- Take your normal setup.
- Swing to the top of the backswing.
- In transition, feel like your hands move towards your trail pocket rather than out in front of you.
- Keep your shoulders closed to the target as you do this.
- Gradually increase speed as you get comfortable with the motion.
Shoulder Blade Control Drill
While it’s easy to focus on hand and arm position when you are coming over the top, the shoulders are another place to look to find a fix. Your shoulders play a big role in determining the path of the club.
If your lead shoulder opens too early on the downswing, it pushes the club over the top.
Try the shoulder blade control drill; wearing your HackMotion while you complete this drill can help to ensure your clubface is square.
Shoulder Blade Control Drill – Step by Step:
- Stand in golf posture and pull your trail shoulder back while reaching your lead shoulder forward.
- Hold this position for a moment, then relax.
- In transition, feel like your back stays facing the target longer while your hips begin to open.
- Start slow with this, and then eventually add a little speed.
Water Bottle Drill for Shallower Arm Path
Some golfers struggle to fix issues in their swing when they are swinging a club. If you want to put the club down for a few minutes and try something that gives you the feel of it, try this water bottle drill.
If your arms move too steeply when you transition from backswing to downswing, the water bottle will help you see and feel it (watch the video above).
Water Bottle Drill – Step by Step:
- Hold a quarter-filled water bottle in your trail hand.
- Swing to the top.
- As you transition, feel like you’re pouring the water out behind you (instead of toward the ground).
- This helps your arms drop into a shallower position.
- Repeat 10-15 times before hitting shots with the same feel.
Motorcycle Drill
Try the HackMotion motorcycle drill using the HackMotion app to guide you and measure your progress.
The motorcycle drill helps train wrist control and square the clubface. The goal of the motorcycle drill is to feel as though you are revving a motorcycle as you transition from the backswing to the downswing.
The Motorcycle Drill is integrated into the HackMotion, allowing you to practice in real time for faster improvement.
Motorcycle Drill – Master Wrist Flexion in the Downswing
Focus on continuously adding flexion until the club reaches parallel, then smoothly complete your swing.
Motorcycle Drill – Step by Step:
- Take your normal setup and backswing.
- At the top of the swing, twist your lead wrist downward as if you’re slowing down a motorcycle throttle.
- This moves the lead wrist into flexion (bowed) and the trail wrist into extension.
- Practice this movement in slow motion, stopping at the top and P6 (shaft parallel to the ground in downswing).
- Use HackMotion to check that your lead wrist moves toward flexion rather than extension.
Final Thoughts
We can talk about swinging over the top and how bad it is all day. If you want actionable drills and tips to fix the over-the-top motion for good, this is how it’s done.
All of these drills can be done on the driving range. Some will help you get the feeling instantly, and others you can use over a few months.
The HackMotion is a great tool to incorporate when swinging over the top. With the correct wrist position at the top of your backswing, you’ll have a much easier time eliminating the over-to-top motion.
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