Coming over the top.

[HTL]

HELP! This has been my biggest issue since I started playing and has really got to me over the last few weeks, I am even doing it in pitch shots!

I tried to make my swing more upright and ended up just hacking half of Surrey to pieces then I went too flat and went massively over the top, now I am somewhere in between but feel like my arms are wrapping around my body and then coming straight down on the ball, ending up in a massive slice and lost balls.

Is coming over the top really that bad?

 

[TonyN]

Is it a monster, is it a monsteeeeerr. O no that coming over he hill isn't it.

Hywell can you get a vid up? Go on you know you want to!!!

 

[HTL]

Will try and take HID to the range this weekend, going to the inlaws Sat so might pop into the range on the way. Then I gotta find the cable to link the phone to PC. Then I gotta join YouTube, you guys better sort my problem out if I do all this!

 

[TonyN]

Hywell, have we failed to please yet????

HID came with me last night and filmed my swing on her phone. Quality was poop but it actually looked good for once. I just need to lean over more!

 

[Twire]

This is also my distructive shot htl...and the result is either a big pull left or a slice. This happens normaly when I try to hit the ball to hard.

For me it's when my hips start to unwind while my hands are still at the top of my backswing i.e. hips starting the downswing rather than the hands. What I try to start my swing off with, is at the top of my backswing drop my hands as if trying to hit my right foot.

 

[USER1999]

This has always been one of my problems too. I find it happens when I rush the transition at the top. Try to pause at the top of your back swing, and then start your swing, then accelerate into the ball. If you get the first movement right, the rest follows, and it is the transition from back swing to down swing that is the key.

 

[HTL]

For me it's when my hips start to unwind while my hands are still at the top of my backswing i.e. hips starting the downswing rather than the hands.

I always thought the hips were suppose to start the downsing? Your advice sounds ace as it is exactly what I have been doing. Will try it out.

 

[TonyN]

Ring the bell Hywell, Ring the bell!!!

 

[AlchemyGolf]

Over the top is a very common fault.

It is caused mainly when the 1st action of the downswing is lead with the right shoulder which casts the plane of your swing to an out to in which results in a big slice.
All good players have a slighty outside the line on the backswing to inside on the downswing.
Fred Couples and Jim Furyk are extreme examples of this.

Concentrate on the 1st action of your downswing being with lead by the hands gently pulling down (not snatching) on the inside which should result in greater power & strighter shots.

There endeth the lesson!!

 

[HTL]

Ring the bell Hywell, Ring the bell!!!

Your on about pulling down like on a church bell aint you?

So am I starting the down swing with my hips or arms??????????

 

[HTL]

MY IRONS ARE IN BY THE WAY AAARRRGGHH!!! KID AT XMAS FEELING! WOO HOO.

 

[Twire]

Ring the bell Hywell, Ring the bell!!!

Your on about pulling down like on a church bell aint you?

So am I starting the down swing with my hips or arms??????????

Personaly I try to start my downswing by pulling my arms down gently towards my right foot. (I'm right handed BTW )This works for me.

 

[AlchemyGolf]

Of course this advice is all irrelivant if your swing looks like your trying to kill a snake in a phone box.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

One of the best drills I was shown was to put a partially inflated beach ball between your arms and swing. It keeps the arms working together and stops the urge to throw the right shoulder.



Try using something like a 9 iron and concentrate on a good set up position and then feel like the hands and body move back together. Take a 3/4 swing and don't try to force it. The ball will keep everything working together and you will be able to feel immediately if you come over

 

[Doh]

Sorry guys got to disagree with the notion that the down swing starts with the hands or arms. It starts from the feet up.How do you clear your left side otherwise. Yes will agree that ringing the bell feel is right but only when it's time for the hands to move.

HTL

Make sure you have got all the basic's right Grip alignment stance posture make sure your shoulders are square with you hips.Do not take the club back to much on the inside at the start of the back swing try to create the feeling that your hands and arms are kept infront of your chest, and that your right shoulder feels that it is going under chin on the through swing.

 

[Mike_j_golf]

Hi
I used to have this problem and my pro gave me 2 excerises to do the first was hit 7 irons fron a high tee with your righr foot behind your left that way if u cast the club at the top of the swing u will over balance and not hit the ball the second was to do the church bell thing but do it twice and don't do a full swing and the trird time hit the ball it gets the hands coming down on the correct plane rather than casting the club at the top of the swing.hope these help.
Mike

 

[USER1999]

I agree it doesn't start with the hands, I was trying to point out (possibly badly) that a pause at the top is a good thing, it slows the swing down, and it is the transition between back swing and down swing that throws the club off line. Yes, it should start from the ground up, but this is wasted if the first move the hands make (when ever that is) is off plane, by starting before the back swing is finished. This pause enables the legs to move first. Without it, you are left casting with the arms before the legs can get going.

 

[Leftie]

See the Pro laddie. See the Pro.

Get a video lesson and the moment you watch it, you will know what you are doing wrong. The Pro shold help you fix it.

 

[RGuk]

All good players have a slighty outside the line on the backswing to inside on the downswing.
Fred Couples and Jim Furyk are extreme examples of this.

I've never noticed this??? Better get my best books and vids out to see if you are correct. Does Jim hit his drives with a specific shape? Whatever he does, it's a miracle he re-routes the club so well. My pro reckons if he had a more "regular" backswing he'd be consistent enough to win even more often.