8 Steps to Stop Coming Over the Top in Your Golf Swing (Complete Guide with Drills)

Here’s a swing concept you may not have thought of; swinging over the top isn’t caused by the movements you make in your swing from the top down.

The reason you are swinging over the top is that you are in the wrong position at the top to begin with.

If you know you take the club over the top in your swing and you want to fix it, here are the steps you can take to get it worked out.

Stop Coming Over the Top (Key Takeaways)

If you don’t have time to go through the full over-the-top swing fix right now, here are the key points to remember:

• Reduce your grip pressure and shorten your backswing as the first two steps to combat swinging over the top.
• All great players follow a wrist pattern that includes having less extension and more flexion at the top of their backswing; this puts you in the right place to swing down on the right plane.
• Proper weight shift towards the target as the first move from the downswing can lead to better ball striking and attacking the ball from the proper angle.
• Wearing your HackMotion as you practice is like having a coach with you at the range telling you how much wrist extension you have at the top of the swing and whether it is adding to your over the top motion.

8 Steps to Fix an Over the Top Golf Swing

The cause of the over the top swing is improper wrist position and or poor body rotation.

However, certain adjustments to your setup can help you straighten this out and start attacking the ball from the correct angle. Start with your grip strength and then work your way through the list.

1. Neutral Grip Strength and Position

Most amateur golfers think they control the clubface when they grip the club tighter. This isn’t the case.

Reducing grip pressure can lower the tension in the arms and shoulders and help to increase energy and speed in the swing. Less grip pressure gives you more control of the clubface and your overall swing.

Start by gripping the club as loosely as possible, then add grip pressure slightly until you find the perfect amount for your swing.

While you are working on your grip, check to make sure it’s not too strong or weak.

2. More Upright Posture

Golf coach Brian Fitzgerald compares the ideal golf shot posture to the setup for jumping into a swimming pool.

Start upright, bend your spine slightly, and flex your knees. Now, you have an optimal range of motion on the swing and can get your club head to the desired position at the top.

If you are guilty of hunching over the ball, it can limit your ability to get the club on a more inside or shallow path.

3. Clubface Square to the Target

Lining the club up incorrectly can lead to issues with accuracy in your golf swing.

Ensure your clubface is square to your desired target to encourage straight golf ball flight and improved accuracy.

Issues with the position of the clubface start to arise when you compensate for this over-the-top movement. Try to start with your hips, clubface, and shoulders square.

4. Wrist Supination at the Top

If you want to drop the club into the slot, as all the professionals talk about, you need the correct wrist position and wrist rotation at the top of your backswing.

When your wrist rotates in a supination direction, it causes the palm to face the sky.

Reaching supination at the top of your backswing means you’ve gotten the clubhead inside and are well-placed to deliver a clean, accurate strike.

5. Shorten Your Backswing

Golfers who take too long of a backswing often have inconsistent hip rotation, poor shoulder turn, and lack of wrist control.

Start with thinking about just a ¾ backswing.

At this ¾ position, you can use the HackMotion to ensure that your lead wrist has little (if any) extension.

Interestingly, many golfers find that even though they shorten their backswing, they don’t lose much distance. Accuracy is paramount to distance when you want to shoot lower scores on the course.

Mostly, when you take the ¾ backswing, you’ll have a much easier time feeling the club get more around you, into the right position that stops the club from coming over the top.

6. Shift Weight Towards the Target

Transitioning from the top of your backswing down is vital for power and achieving the desired swing path.

Initiate your downswing by shifting your weight from your trail leg forward to create momentum and lag for increased power leading into contact, as highlighted by Chris Ryan in the video below.

With limited hip rotation and shifting the weight from the back forward, you leave your arms and shoulders to do the work.

7. Increase Wrist Flexion Leading Into Impact

An open clubface at the top of the swing often causes a golfer to produce an over the top golf swing.

One of the best ways to increase wrist flexion leading into impact is to use the motorcycle drill. This drill helps you to add flexion on the downswing.

The additional flexion closes the clubface and makes it easier to get the club on the proper path. You’ll find a more inside-to-out swing path and a much straighter flight.

It’s ok to exaggerate this movement initially and then go from there to reduce spin and accelerate ball speed.

8. Turn Your Shoulders Through Impact

Your final job is to keep turning your shoulders on the downswing to maximize lag, power, and clubhead speed.

You also need to keep turning your shoulders through impact to help square the clubface and launch a straight-flying ball.

When you stop the shoulders, you lose power and velocity, making it challenging to square your clubface at contact and get the wrists in the correct position.

Drills to Help You Stop Coming Over the Top

Now that you know how to stop coming over the top down, here are a few of the best drills to keep your club on the proper path.

Smash Drill

The smash drill is intended to prevent casting and promotes coming down and outwards to maximum speed, which allows you to square the clubface.

Place a soft shell a foot behind the impact zone, and take a backswing before pausing at the top.

From the top, start the downswing by shifting the weight of your trail leg forward and using the momentum to drop the club into place and shallow it on the downswing.

Let the club drop down and into the bag, and repeat the process. You want to ensure that the club is coming straight down and not heading outside to inside.

Headcover Drill

The headcover drill is a quick way to determine if you are swinging the club from the outside in.

Place the headcover a few inches outside the golf ball, and just make sure you don’t hit it as you swing through. Additionally, you can put a headcover under your trail arm as you swing.

If the head cover comes out as soon as you transition from the backswing to the downswing, you are likely sending the club over the top.

HackMotion Target Wrist Positions

The HackMotion guides you to achieve optimal wrist positions at the top of the swing and impact. The ultimate goal of the HackMotion is to minimize wrist extension at the top and at impact.

Thanks to the app’s feedback, you’ll feel like you have your coach with you at the driving range.

Use HackMotion to practice drills that teach you to control the clubface and stop coming over the top.

Final Thoughts

The over-the-top golf swing is a common issue for amateur golfers, often leading to slices and inconsistent shots.

These tips should help you get on the right track, allowing you to shallow your swing and stay on the proper plane.

Remember to use neutral grip pressure, maintain a moderately upright posture, and achieve wrist supination at the top of the swing. From there, shift your lower body weight towards the target, increase wrist flexion, and rotate your shoulders through impact for a more accurate, powerful strike.

Leverage the tutorials, guidance, and real-time analytics provided by HackMotion to better control your wrist angles and the clubface, helping you eliminate over-the-top swings.