Is Your Golf Swing Over The Top?

What is the Source of Your Problem?

If you have a problem with your golf swing you might be coming over the top.  Coming over the top is usually a compensation for something wrong in your backswing.  There are four common backswing mistakes.  These mistakes include taking the club under the swing plane or away too flat, putting too much weight on the wrong leg, having a narrow swing arc, and leaving the clubface open at the top.

Start With Proper Posture
The biggest problem that forces the golf swing to be over the top is caused most commonly by the flat takeaway in the backswing.  This is caused by having improper posture and not bending your body in the right areas.  You should tilt your body from the hips or your natural plane will be in the inside or too flat.

Stay in Sync

Another thing causing a flat take away that result in an over the top swing is when you rotate your arms too fast.  This is done out of sync with the upper body.  When you swing, your arms should not rotate faster than your upper body or they get trapped behind your body.  The only way you can get your arms in front and square is by coming over the top.

Reverse Pivot =Poor Weight Shift

Another common problem that causes an over the top strike is a reverse pivot.  This is caused by having too much weight on the forward leg while you are at the top of your backswing.  The natural reaction when you have this is to inappropriately allocate the weight when you fall on the downswing.  Naturally, the body will transfer the weight to the back leg on the downswing.  When you transition the weight into your back leg on your downswing the golf club will centrifugally go over the top.

Stop Swaying

If you are throwing over the top from a reverse pivot it is probably from a lower body sway.  Your body is most likely sliding away from the target on your backswing and your upper body is falling toward the target.  The way you need to end the reverse shift is by resisting with the lower body.  You need to coil with the upper body.  Your lower body is supposed to be the foundation for your upper body in your backswing.  You need to keep your hips from sliding by allowing your legs to accept the transition of the weight.

Widen Your Swing Arc

If your swing arc is too narrow it can be another reason for hitting over the top.  When you think about the swing arc you need to think about the distance of the club’s head from your head while you are at the top of your backswing.  You need to be aware of the position of your right arm through the backswing.  If you have a narrow swing arc you will fold your right arm too early in the downswing.

If your golf swing is over the top it is most likely being caused from your swing or your stance.  You need to think about the weight transfer through your legs, knees and hips when you swing.  Your posture should be upright and appropriate so you do not have an over the top swing.