Video: Stopping the “Over the Top” Golf Swing

Tom Stickney demonstrates a drill and three key tips to help straighten out your swing path

You've probably heard the phrase “coming over the top” on the golf course. Odds are you've muttered it after a wayward tee shot or heard a playing partner do the same as he or she self-assesses a bad result. So what exactly is does coming over the top mean and how do you fix it?

Simply put, coming over the top can be caused by a number of ailments that almost always start with a bad initial takeaway. Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher Tom Stickney demonstrates a practice drill and effective techniques to help avoid the over the top move, fix your swing, and produce a proper inside-to-outside swing path.

Here are three key tips Tom mentions with the full video below.

  • Practive hitting divots to “right field”
  • Develop the feeling that comes from swinging inside-to-outside and keeping your hands and right shoulder (for right-handers) back
  • Keep the hands soft to allow them to release and close the clubface through impact

Tom Stickey is Director of Instruction at Bighorn Golf Club in Palm Desert, CA with over 20 years of experience. His many accolades include being named a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher, a Golf Digest Best Young Teacher, and Golf Tips Top 25 Instructor. Visit his website, TomStickneyGolf.com or follow him on Twitter @TomStickneyGolf.

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